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Aquenal StaffAquenal's expertise is based on the skills of its Directors Dr Graham Edgar and Derek Shields, Manager Sean Riley, senior environmental scientists Dr Karen Parsons and Dr Cindy Hull, senior research scientist (biofouling and marine pests) Ashley Coutts, environmental consultant Kathryn Pugh and environmental scientists Dr. Joseph Valentine, Sasha Migus, Adam Davey, Jeremy Dudding, Hanna Werström and Alejandro Velasco-Castrillón and James Melbourne-Thomas.
The company engages the skills of various specialist sub-consultants for tasks outside its principal areas of expertise.
Dr Graham Edgar [B.Sc. Sydney University 1976; B.Sc Hons. 1st Class, University of Tasmania 1977; Ph.D. University of Tasmania, 1983] Graham is an expert on marine ecosystems and benthic ecology. His work includes benthic analysis of the seabed in locations from Jervis Bay, NSW, to Dongara, WA, and at over 150 sites around Tasmania. He has carried out studies on relationships between seagrass, benthic invertebrates, fish populations, pollutants and sediments. In Australia, Graham has previously held positions at a range of research agencies, including CSIRO, Melbourne University, (former) Victorian Institute of Marine Sciences, (former) Tasmanian Division of Sea Fisheries, and the Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife Service. Graham’s expertise is well recognised through frequent requests to participate in Commonwealth initiatives (e.g. State of the Marine Environment Report, FRDC Review of Seagrass Research, National Oceans Policy, National Land and Water Resources Audit) and former positions as scientific representative on the Marine and Marine Industry Council and Scientific Advisory Committee for the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act. He was awarded a Queens Fellowship in Marine Science in 1984. While most of Graham's work has been in Australia, he is recognised as an international expert in his field and held the position of Marine Research Manager at the Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos Islands for two years. In addition to his role at Aquenal, Graham is currently an Associate Professor with the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute at the University of Tasmania. He has written over 50 major publications, including 3 books and 11 book chapters and edited conference proceedings, plus numerous technical reports. His publications include two definitive books: ‘Australian Marine Habitats’, which describes ecological processes and habitats; and ‘Australian Marine Life’, which describes and illustrates 1200 species of marine life found in Australia's temperate waters - a publication for which he was awarded the Whitley Prize for the best General Zoology book of 1997. Graham designs Aquenal’s study programs, oversees macroinvertebrate identification, contributes to the statistical component of Aquenal’s data analysis and conducts report writing for marine park biodiversity surveys. Back to top
Derek Shields [B. Sc. (Biology and Geology) Flinders University, 1975] Derek worked for 15 years internationally as a Data Logger, Data Engineer and Petroleum Engineer. This work involved installing and maintaining numerous electronic monitoring devices in harsh environments, detailed investigations of geological sequences, collecting and processing extensive computerised data and transmitting computerised data via various communication systems. For two years Derek managed a branch office of a scientific service company in Burma and subsequently ran his own scientific service business based in the Huon Valley in Tasmania for three years. He, along with Dr Graham Edgar and Ron Mawbey, established Aquenal in 1996 and has designed, managed and conducted the majority of Aquenal's marine farm environmental surveys. He has particular expertise with ROV surveys and other remote sampling techniques and has extensive experience in designing survey programs to suit local marine conditions. Derek has been directly involved in Aquenal’s marine pest and marine biodiversity surveys, as well conducting environmental impact assessments. He is leading an initiative to expand Aquenal’s work into suptropical and tropical Australia and has successfully secured projects to investigate marine pests at Lord Howe Island, and marine environmental conditions at Barramundi farms in the Northern Territory. Derek is involved in reporting on marine environmental monitoring programs and oversees the administration and management of projects and staff. Derek is Aquenal’s managing director, administrator, data analyst, ROV pilot and technician. Back to top
Sean Riley [B.Sc. (Zoology/Chemistry), University of Tasmania 1987; B.Sc Hons. (Zoology) 2nd Class, University of Tasmania 1988; MBA, La Trobe University 2004.] Sean has 19 years of experience in a range of scientific research and natural resource management roles within government and industry organisations. Most of his career has been devoted to marine resource management issues, including various roles as a marine research scientist (biology and assessment of deepwater, Antarctic and inshore fisheries) and as a fisheries manager (management planning and policy development for State and Commonwealth managed fisheries). Sean joined the Forests and Forest Industry Council of Tasmania in 2004, and was subsequently appointed as General Manager of the Council in 2006. His role with the Council involved sensitive and complex negotiations with a wide range of stakeholder groups, including government agencies, industry associations, forestry unions, farmers, the Tasmanian indigenous community, beekeepers and various community groups. Sean’s key skills lie in the areas of: • strategic and natural resource management
Dr Karen Parsons [B.Sc. Hons. 1st Class in Marine, Freshwater and Antarctic Biology, University of Tasmania 1991; Ph.D in Marine Ecology, University of Western Australia 1996] Karen has expertise in the fields of marine ecology and environmental management. Her studies have included investigating the role of larval dispersal in gene flow and environmental tolerances of invertebrate species with relation to geographical and habitat characteristics. She has assessed geographical variation in population demography and physiological and morphological traits, and conducted field experiments to investigate the roles of environmental factors and genetic variation in population differences. She has also been involved in a wide range of marine biological projects assessing natural communities, management strategies and impacts of industrial developments. Karen’s employment prior to joining Aquenal includes positions as National Liaison Officer at the Centre for Research on Introduced Marine Pests (CRIMP), CSIRO, Hobart; Evaluation Officer with the Natural Heritage Trust, Hobart; and Marine Environmental Management Officer with the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment of Tasmania. Her strong background in research, analysis and reporting is used to oversee and manage these areas of Aquenal's work. Karen is the principal author of Aquenal's environmental impact assessment and port survey reports and contributes to the design and management of a wide range of projects. Back to top
Dr Cindy Hull [B. Ed. (Environmental Studies), Deakin University 1985; B.Sc. (Honours) in Zoology, Monash University 1989; Ph.D. in Avian Ecology, University of Tasmania 1998] Cindy is an experienced consultant in the fields of avian ecology and management. Her university research was concerned with the functional morphology of falcon species during her Honours year, and subsequently with the comparative foraging ecology of two penguin species on Macquarie Island during her PhD research. The latter involved assessments of diet, foraging zones (using satellite telemetry), diving behaviour, energetics and breeding biology. Cindy subsequently secured a Post-doctoral Fellowship at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, where she investigated the demography and habitat use of an endangered seabird species. Cindy has held positions at the Australian Antarctic Division and TAFE, has supervised Honours students at the Antarctic CRC at the University of Tasmania, and was previously a member of the Marine and Marine Industries Council. She also worked as a Senior Zoologist at Hydro Tasmania Consulting for seven years, where she was involved in the design, implementation and analysis of avian research, including the potential impacts and mitigation strategies for development proposals such as wind farms. Cindy has authored more than 20 peer reviewed scientific papers, as well as numerous short notes, other publications and consultancy reports. She was employed by Aquenal to expand our area of work to include avian ecological assessments in the coastal environment, and is working on baseline studies related to proposed developments. Back to top
Ashley Coutts [B.Ed. (Environmental Science) University of Melbourne 1999; Grad. Cert. App. Sc. (Fisheries Management) Australian Maritime College 1996; M.Sc. (App. Sc. Fisheries Management) Australian Maritime College 1999; Ph. D. (Marine Biology) University of Wellington 2003 - ongoing]. Ashley has extensive experience and skills relevant to invasive marine species. His Masters and PhD research have focussed on assessing the biosecurity risks associated with vessel biofouling. Ashley previously worked for the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service as a Marine Pest Advisor and had considerable input into the development of Australia’s proposed Biofouling Management Requirements and other invasive marine pest policies. He was also an active member of the Consultative Committee on Introduced Marine Pest Emergencies (CCIMPE), the National Introduced Marine Pests Coordination Group (NIMPCG) and other technical advisory groups. Prior to this, Ashley was a Marine Biosecurity Scientist with Cawthron Institute in New Zealand where he undertook scientific research and consultancy involving: delimitation surveys for undesirable marine species; baseline and port surveys; development of novel incursion response tools; environmental monitoring/impact assessments; coordination and design of eradication/control programs for marine pests; development and testing of environmentally friendly anti-fouling coatings; treatments for vessel internal seawater systems and ballast water; development of Codes of Practice for mitigating the transfer and impacts of marine pests for the aquaculture industry; and production of educational and outreach programs about marine pests. Ashley has been employed by Aquenal to lead our marine pest research projects. Back to top
Kathryn Pugh [B.Sc. Hons. 2nd Class (Zoology) University of Tasmania, 1999] Kathryn has expertise in both terrestrial and aquatic ecology. Her Honours research investigated habitat utilisation in a previously unstudied grassland skink, and involved detailed trapping programs, reproductive studies and assessments of habitat variation. Kathryn has since gained considerable experience in aquatic analysis and environmental management through positions at Allison Laboratories, the Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Cadbury Schweppes and the Parks and Wildlife Service. Specific areas of work have included water and sediment analysis, calibration of analytical equipment, coordination of threatened freshwater species surveys, waste water re-use and recycling. Experience gained during this work has been supplemented by Kathryn's involvement in a range of other environmental projects, including planting of endangered flora, weed management and bird tracking. At Aquenal, Kathryn has developed expertise in fine sorting and identification of epi-faunal aquatic biota and specialist knowledge in sponge taxonomy. She has also managed port survey collections and helped to develop the large relational database housing biological and physical data collected by Aquenal. Kathryn is currently performing part time consulting for Aquenal to assist with laboratory analyses, data processing and report editing. Back to top
Dr Joseph Valentine [B.Sc. Hons. 1st Class, University of Tasmania 1996; Ph.D (Marine Ecology) University of Tasmania 2003] Joe has expertise in various aspects of marine pest research and management. Joe’s Honours project involved testing a range of options for ballast water treatment to prevent the introduction and spread of toxic dinoflagellates. During this investigation, mild heat treatment was identified as a practical and cost-effective method of inactivating dinoflagellate cysts. His PhD research also focussed on marine pest issues, and examined the ecology of the introduced Asian kelp Undaria pinnatifida in Tasmanian waters. The primary objective of this work was to investigate mechanisms of invasion, specifically the role of disturbance in the establishment of dense monospecific stands of Undaria. During the course of his research, Joe developed skills in the areas of benthic ecology, experimental design and analysis, macroalgal identification, and field sampling and operations. He was subsequently employed at the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI) at the University of Tasmania, where he was initially employed as a Research Assistant for the Abalone Research Program, which involved assessments of abalone abundance, population and reproductive biology, juvenile ecology and movement patterns. Joe was subsequently employed as a Postdoctoral Fellow at TAFI, where he investigated ecological interactions between abalone and macroalgal communities. Since joining Aquenal in 2007, he has worked on a range of projects, including biodiversity assessments and several marine pest projects. Back to top
Sasha Migus [B.Sc. James Cook University 1999, Hons. 2nd Class (Antarctic Studies) Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, University of Tasmania 2000] Sasha has a wide range of expertise in the field of marine ecology. Her undergraduate training at James Cook University provided her with a sound knowledge of tropical marine systems, whilst her subsequent work experience has been attained primarily at temperate locations. Following her honours research on the ecology of seabirds, Sasha led an investigation of rocky shore ecology at the Sherkin Island Marine Station, Ireland. Through this study, she developed skills in the identification of major invertebrate taxa and algae, and also conducted numerous surveys of marine plankton. She was subsequently employed by CSIRO in Tasmania and worked with the Centre for Research on Introduced Marine Pests (CRIMP) on hull fouling studies, underwater video and photography, offshore plankton sampling, spat bag settlement surveys, laboratory experiments and development of the National Port Survey Database. At Aquenal, Sasha has previously been involved in managing the Aquenal laboratory, overseeing biological sorting and identification work, managing Aquenal's relational database and contributing to report writing. At present, she is primarily involved in coastal GIS mapping and the development of mapping indices to reflect foreshore values, condition and pressures. Back to top
Adam Davey [B.Sc. Hons. 1st Class (Marine Ecology) University of New England, 1998; PhD in Estuarine Ecology, University of New England 2005 - ongoing] Adam has extensive experience in the sampling, sorting and identification of macroinvertebrates and interpretation of human impacts on aquatic communities. Much of his early work was centred on the seagrass beds and estuaries of northern New South Wales. This work included the development of artificial seagrass units to assist in the detection of human impacts on estuarine health. Adam has a strong knowledge of statistical analysis of populations to evaluate impacts and characterise their distributions. His employment prior to joining Aquenal includes positions as a Field Technician onboard the Barrier Pearl (Torres Strait), Research Assistant at the University of New England and Field Research Officer at the Department of Land, Water and Conservation (NSW). In 2005, Adam commenced PhD studies in estuarine ecology at the University of New England in New South Wales. His thesis writing is ongoing but he works part time at Aquenal to participate in field surveys and identify benthic infaunal species. Back to top
Jeremy Dudding [B.Sc. (Zoology) University of Tasmania, 2002] Jeremy has a strong background in scientific diving, field logistics and the operation and maintenance of workboats and field sampling equipment. After completing his science degree majoring in Zoology, he spent three years working in the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry on the Tasman Peninsula and west coast of Tasmania. Day to day tasks on the salmon farms involved a range of environmental monitoring activities, diving operations and extensive use of workboats and other farm equipment. At Aquenal, Jeremy has coordinated and implemented field surveys at sites in the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Tasmania. He is Aquenal’s dive and field officer, responsible for coordinating and overseeing dive surveys and other field operations, and for maintaining workboats and sampling equipment. He has become proficient at high-accuracy marine navigation and at implementing a wide range of remote and diver sampling methodologies for surveying aquatic communities and habitats. Jeremy also manages Aquenal’s mapping systems, contributes to reporting on marine farm environmental surveys and has gained skills in invertebrate and fish taxonomy through field surveys and analysis of underwater video footage. Back to top
Hanna Wernström [B. Env. Sc, Lund University, Sweden, 2002; M. Env. Sc. Lund University, 2004] Hanna has expertise in the area of by-catch effects of fishing, particularly in the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishery, which was the subject of her Master’s degree. She also studied Marine Environment Resource Management at both Gothenburg University in Sweden and at Newcastle University in Australia. Since completing her university research, Hanna has been employed by the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute at the University of Tasmania, and by the Wildlife Management Section of the Department of Primary Industries and Water. Through these positions, she expanded her experience in statistical analysis, interpretation of marine survey data and technical report writing. Prior to joining Aquenal, she worked as an environmental consultant with ‘Marine Solutions’ and developed expertise in marine sediment analysis and underwater photo and video analysis. Hanna has written numerous reports on marine surveys and environmental impacts, and is also experienced in a range of field surveying techniques. Her survey work at sea has included measuring and tagging crustaceans, cephalopods, finfish, shark and sea turtles. Hanna’s additional skills include sampling and sorting macroinvertebrates, and water quality analysis. She has studied and worked in the marine field ever since attending a specialist marine biology high school in her native Sweden, and has also worked in Greece as well as Australia. Hanna now manages Aquenal's relational database used to house field survey data, manages specimen collections and photographic records, oversees quality assurance documentation, assists with report writing and contributes to numerous aspects of Aquenal's field and operational activities. Back to top
Alejandro Velasco-Castrillón [B.Sc. (Biology) University of Los Andes 1998; Master of Marine Studies, University of Queensland 2002] Alejandro has broad experience in molecular biology and crustacean ecology. While working for CIAT (International Center for Tropical Agriculture) during his undergraduate years and subsequently as a visiting researcher, he conducted investigations on genetic mapping of yield in plant species using molecular markers. Alejandro’s Masters research consisted of two major projects; one concerning the expression of nuclear receptor genes in the Western Rock Lobster (Panulirus cygnus) and a second investigating the diversity of symbiotic dinoflagellates from Scleractinian corals of Raine Island on the Great Barrier Reef. His participation in a sustainable management project for the black land crab (Gecarcinus ruricola) at CORALINA (Corporation for the Sustainable Development of the San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina Archipelago) increased his knowledge on crustacean biology and ecology. This research included estimating crab breeding migration times and spatial distribution patterns in order to assess distribution, abundance and size frequency of populations. Since working for Aquenal, Alejandro has been primarily involved in fine sorting and identification of benthic infaunal species. He now manages the Aquenal laboratory, overseeing biological sorting and identification work. Back to top
James Melbourne-Thomas [B.Sc. Hons. (Immunology) University of Leicester, 2005] James has a broad range of skills and experience in scientific diving
and marine fieldwork, and in laboratory analyses. He has a Bachelor
of Science with Honours in Immunology, and was employed as a Research
Assistant at the Menzies Institute in 2007 before joining Aquenal.
He worked as a Dive Leader and Research Facilitator for an international
research and conservation organisation in Indonesia in 2005 and 2006,
where he assisted researchers in conducting field experiments and
underwater surveys, and gained experience in servicing and maintaining
dive equipment. James also helped coordinate Reef Check surveys,
which employ visual census and identification of target fish and
invertebrates to detect changes in reef health, on remote atolls
and barrier reefs in Indonesia. He has worked with PhD students at
the University of Tasmania on marine mapping and invertebrate studies
and has assisted project leaders during university field trips, including
work on benthic respiration and recruitment of invertebrate species
to artificial habitats. As part of the Aquenal team, James plays
an important role in diving and other technical operations. Back
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