Conservation decisions are based on biodiversity information: the number of species that live in an area, their abundances and distributions, and the threats that might cause their decline or extinction. Therefore, it is challenging to make informed conservation decisions if biodiversity information is limited. In the deep ocean, biodiversity data are very sparse. Most of … Continue reading Technological advances allow for the first look at what lives in the deep Coral Sea, and why it matters for conservation
On board the RV Investigator: mapping seafloor and sampling biodiversity in the deep
Knowledge gaps in deep sea habitats.The deep sea is the largest habitat in the world and, due to logistical challenges, most of this area remains to be mapped and sampled for biodiversity. This means we have limited knowledge about seafloor geomorphology, what the various seafloor features are made of, and what species live in these … Continue reading On board the RV Investigator: mapping seafloor and sampling biodiversity in the deep
Community-based fisheries management in Tonga: assessing the impact of Special Management Areas
Fishing in the Kingdom of Tonga has historically been open access, leading to serious concerns about the current status of the country’s reef fish fishery. In 2002, as a result of increasing concerns over the depletion of local fish stocks, the Tongan Ministry of Fisheries implemented the Special Management Area (SMA) program. Special Management Areas … Continue reading Community-based fisheries management in Tonga: assessing the impact of Special Management Areas
Stakeholders get together to think about the future of the Fitzroy River catchment, Kimberley, Western Australia
NESP Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub’s project on multiple objective planning in northern Australia is guiding participatory scenario planning to construct and assess the outcomes of alternative development scenarios in the Fitzroy catchment, WA. The project’s planning team will meet three times to discuss possible development pathways for the Fitzroy catchment and their consequences. On July … Continue reading Stakeholders get together to think about the future of the Fitzroy River catchment, Kimberley, Western Australia
The Conservation Planning Group is heading to New Zealand!
The Society for Conservation Biology Oceania is hosting its 5th Oceania Congress for Conservation Biology in Wellington, New Zealand. The conference, which takes place from July 3-5 2018, is an opportunity for scientists, managers, students, and other conservation professionals to meet, discuss, and share new findings and opportunities to address conservation challenges. Four members of … Continue reading The Conservation Planning Group is heading to New Zealand!
Conservation planning to maximise impact in small-scale coral reef fisheries
In the past, much of conservation planning has prioritised areas with high biodiversity value. However, the work of the conservation planning group and others is demonstrating that prioritising areas with high biodiversity value may not have the highest conservation impact. This is because many high biodiversity areas are under minimal threat from activities that are … Continue reading Conservation planning to maximise impact in small-scale coral reef fisheries
Improved fisheries training curriculum to assist communities to manage their fisheries sustainably
Originally posted by By Kelera Serelini–Varawa on the Vatu-i-Ra Seascape blog. For many Fijians, coastal fisheries provide an important source of food and income. Unfortunately, pressure on these precious resources is increasing. Many finfish and invertebrate fisheries are over-exploited, and coastal habitats are becoming degraded by poor land-use practices or destructive fishing methods. Adding to … Continue reading Improved fisheries training curriculum to assist communities to manage their fisheries sustainably
Tools workshop on responsible sustainable development in East New Britain
Two weeks ago I was in Kokopo, in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea with a dedicated team from The Nature Conservancy, CSIRO and the University of Queensland. I was there to help facilitate one of their workshops on delivering tools that can help local-level governments (LLGs) work towards creating their land- and sea-use plans, ultimately informing their own sustainable … Continue reading Tools workshop on responsible sustainable development in East New Britain
Research reconnaissance in the Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar
In the far southern coast of Myanmar (formally Burma) lies a group of around 800 tropical islands, collectively called the Myeik Archipelago. This is an area of ecological and social significance to Myanmar, and a proposed marine protected area (MPA) site. I was lucky enough to visit the archipelago last week with my supervisor Dr. Amy … Continue reading Research reconnaissance in the Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar