Nature Talks in the Library: Celebrating Ocean Week

Join us for this months very special Nature Talk in the Library, celebrating Ocean Week!

You’ll hear from 3 PhD candidates studying topics and species related to our seas!

Courtney Hildebrandt: Presenting on the topic of Coral Complexity

You know how Nemo has his anemone? Well, Nemo isn't alone when it comes to having a home on the reef. Another lesser known group of fishes known as coral gobies make reef building corals their home. Just as brightly coloured and with just as bold personalities, my research focuses on this group of fish and their relationship with the corals they occupy, namely how the complex three-dimensional structure of these coral influences the social behaviours of these fish. I'll touch on the numerous aspects of my research but focus new species, explaining how we can measure coral structures and how this research plays into the bigger picture of coral reef research.

Renae Kirby: Presenting on the topic of Australian Burrowing Shrimp

Many decapod crustaceans are utilised as a prominent bait source in the fisheries industry, and also play critical roles that influence community composition within their ecosystems. However, many species either lack adequate catch regulations or have managements strategies that are based on general ecology alone. These species then have the potential to be over-exploited, resulting in consequences for the species populations, wider ecosystem and fisheries industry. With the help of funding from DPI Fisheries, my research has aimed to better understand the Australian endemic burrowing shrimp , Trypaea australiensis (aka Nippers or Ghost Shrimp). For my talk, I will highlight some of my research findings that involved ecological field surveys, novel laboratory-controlled behavioural experiments and population genetic analyses. With this knowledge and holistic approach to understanding species ecology, future management strategies have the potential to be improved upon. Ultimately ensuring this important ecosystem engineer and fisheries source is sustained for both present and future generations.

Allison Broad: Presenting on the topic of The Impacts of Anchor Scour to Marine Life in the Illawarra’s Great Southern Reef

Have you heard of Australia’s Great Southern Reef (GSR)? It occurs right here on our coast. Similar to the Great Barrier Reef in the tropics, the GSR hugs the southern, temperate half of Australia and is made up of a series of interconnected rocky reefs. Allison Broad is a PhD Candidate at the School of Earth & Atmospheric Life Sciences at the University of Wollongong (UoW) & also works here at Shellharbour Council in our Environment team. Allison has focussed her PhD research here in the Illawarra, investigating the impacts of anchor and chain scour from large, ocean-going ships to the deeper regions (40-60m depth) of the GSR offshore of Wollongong. An important part of this research has been documenting the diversity of marine life occurring on these low light (mesophotic) reefs that are dominated by sponges, soft corals, bryozoans - stationary invertebrate animals that live on reefs. Scientists collectively name these communities ‘Marine Animal Forests’ as they provide similar benefits to the forests on land (terrestrial forests) and are associated with rich fish communities. The large size of ships and their associated anchors & chains can impact extensive areas of seabed & their associated marine life. Previously this activity was unregulated in the Illawarra. However, the evidence-based knowledge gained from the research done by Allison and her colleagues* have positively influenced the protection of valuable seabed environments and informed the development of policy to improve sustainability across local, national and international levels.

*UoW, NSW Dept. Climate Change, Energy the Environment and Water & NSW DPI Fisheries staff.