A5056691282- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Recycling and Waste Management Techniques
- Marine animal studies overview
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Arctic and Russian Policy Studies
- Mercury impact and mitigation studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- International Maritime Law Issues
- Climate Change Communication and Perception
- Building materials and conservation
- Indigenous Studies and Ecology
- Marine and Offshore Engineering Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Ocean Acidification Effects and Responses
- Global Energy and Sustainability Research
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
- Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis
- Marine and fisheries research
University of Tasmania
2019-2025
Centre for Marine Socioecology
2020-2025
The massive number of seabirds (penguins and procellariiformes) marine mammals (cetaceans pinnipeds) - referred to here as top predators is one the most iconic components Antarctic Southern Ocean. They play an important role highly mobile consumers, structuring connecting pelagic food webs are widely studied relative other taxa. Many birds establish dense breeding colonies or use haul-out sites, making them relatively easy study. Cetaceans, however, spend their lives at sea thus aspects life...
In the age of Anthropocene, ocean has typically been viewed as a sink for pollution. Pollution is varied, ranging from human-made plastics and pharmaceutical compounds, to human-altered abiotic factors, such sediment nutrient runoff. As global population, wealth resource consumption continue grow, so too does amount potential pollution produced. This presents us with grand challenge which requires interdisciplinary knowledge solve. There sufficient data on human health, social, economic,...
Ingestion of plastic can have negative health consequences for wildlife. However, our understanding the physiological impacts plastics is limited, often relying on opportunistic sampling. We partnered with Tasmanian Aboriginal seabird harvesters, wildlife rescue clinics, and parks managers, to collect >400 fledgling yula/short-tailed flesh-footed shearwaters across a spectrum body conditions. explored blood chemistry, trace elements, broadscale growth metrics as proxy in relation ingested...
Abstract Intergenerational diversity is central to achieving long-term ocean sustainability. As such, one of the main goals and challenges in UN Decade Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) fostering engagement leadership across career stages from diverse sectors. To understand knowledge professional development needs next generation, we surveyed perspectives 1344 Early Career Professionals (ECOPs) 108 countries territories. We assess survey results, reflect on what has been...
Subtropical gyres are hotspots for plastic pollution, and accumulation zones found within the North Pacific gyre, in Garbage Patch (NPGP). Plastic debris these offshore waters can persist decades mainly originate from fishing activities. The non-profit organization Ocean Cleanup aims to remove this legacy since August 2021, has removed over 480,000kg of area across 23 collection trips (6-7 weeks each). These cleanup operations create a unique opportunity monitor collect data on marine life...
To understand the full scope of plastic pollution in aquatic environments, continuous and large-scale monitoring techniques are essential, especially for tracking mass balance long-term trends. Over recent years, advancements automated floating marine debris have gained momentum. Satellite-based mapping coastal regions has progressed significantly with development multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal infrared, polarimetry, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) methods, among others. However, open...
Citizen and community science programs have been instrumental in generating large datasets natural sciences, while simultaneously engaging participants the environment. Community led citizen projects seen broad application to plastic pollution monitoring cleanup efforts due abundance of all environments around globe. Here we highlight work a niche group scientists, call, “highly engaged marine users.” This scientists demonstrate an elevated level citizenship understanding ocean. Highly users...
Pressure in academia and science is rapidly increasing early career researchers (ECRs) have a lot to gain from being involved research initiatives such as large international projects. But just how inclusive are they? Here we discuss experiences of ECRs directly the Marine Ecosystem Assessment for Southern Ocean (MEASO), an Australian led project assess status trends ecosystems. We review benefits ECR involvement large-scale deliverables, leadership team themselves. Using insights MEASO,...
Marine plastic pollution is increasing exponentially, impacting an expanding number of taxa each year across all trophic levels. Of bird groups, seabirds display the highest ingestion rates and are regarded as sentinels within their foraging regions. The consumption contributes to sub-lethal impacts (i.e. morbidity, starvation) in a handful species. Additional data on these effects needed urgently better understand scope severity plastics issue. Here we explore application fatty acid (FA)...
There remain significant gaps in knowledge about 'sub-lethal' impacts of plastic ingestion, particularly chronic on cells, tissues, or organs. Few studies have applied traditional animal health tools, such as histopathology, to assess physiological damage wildlife, with fewer still providing information the dosage exposure plastics needed elicit negative effects. Our study seeks investigate a common hypothesis pollution research; that an increasing burden will impact animal's health,...
Abstract This paper aims to guide the stakeholder engagement process related plastic pollution research in marine environments. We draw on advice identified during an online workshop (Ocean Plastic Workshop 2022) organized by Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) from 11 countries, held April 2022. International experts and participants discussed their experiences collaborative development implementation of ocean projects worldwide, guided three main questions: (i) What is role scientists...
Abstract The North Pacific garbage patch has accumulated floating plastic pollution for several decades. Ocean Cleanup, a not-for-profit organization that works to retrieve this plastic, conducted systematic surveys in the Subtropical Gyre since 2015. dataset, now spanning seven years, includes deployment of trawls varying sizes and collection aerial imagery. Here, we report synthesis these measurements highlight an unexpected rise mass concentration fragments (0.5–50 mm, from 2.9 kg km −2...
PUBLISHED IN REVIEWS FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-021-09674-8Kathryn A. Willis1,2,5†, Catarina S. Gonçalves1,3, Kelsey Richardson1,2,5, Qamar Schuyler2, Halfdan Pedersen8, Kelli Anderson4, Jonathan Stark7, Joanna Vince1,5, Britta D. Hardesty2, Chris Wilcox2, Barbara Nowak4, Jennifer L. Lavers3, Jayson M. Semmens3, Dean Greeno1,6, Catriona MacLeod3, Per Ole Frederiksen (Nunnoq)9,10, Peter Puskic1,3*†1 Centre for Marine Sociology, University of Tasmania, Hobart,...
PUBLISHED IN REVIEWS FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-021-09674-8Kathryn A. Willis1,2,5†, Catarina S. Gonçalves1,3, Kelsey Richardson1,2,5, Qamar Schuyler2, Halfdan Pedersen8, Kelli Anderson4, Jonathan Stark7, Joanna Vince1,5, Britta D. Hardesty2, Chris Wilcox2, Barbara Nowak4, Jennifer L. Lavers3, Jayson M. Semmens3, Dean Greeno1,6, Catriona MacLeod3, Per Ole Frederiksen (Nunnoq)9,10, Peter Puskic1,3*†1 Centre for Marine Sociology, University of Tasmania, Hobart,...
Abstract Marine monitoring efforts are increasingly supported by opportunistic shipboard surveys. However, survey methods often require adaptation to suit the vessel and operations being conducted onboard. Whilst best-practice techniques for surveying marine wildlife on vessels of opportunity yet be established, testing development alternative can provide means capturing ecological information in otherwise under-surveyed areas. Explicitly, improved while baseline data new regions gathered...
In rapidly changing ocean systems, there is a dual need to engage and educate community members carry out rapid data acquisition. There body of evidence support or citizen science projects as successful vehicles for achieving these goals, with particular increase global literacy. The online SealSpotter program initiative aimed at monitoring trends in Australian fur seal ( Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus ) populations connecting people the marine environment. Here we present findings five...
Intergenerational diversity is central to achieving sustainability goals. As such, one of the main challenges faced by UN Decade Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) bridging generation Early Career Professionals (ECOPs) and community senior researchers decision-makers currently at helm ocean sustainability. In this study we draw on perspectives over 1,300 ECOPs across 108 nations delineate perceived research capacity development priorities Decade, barriers ECOP engagement...