My core objective is to aid in the conservation of threated marine wildlife. I hope that by developing innovative methods and technologies to research, monitor and conserve marine megafauna and their critical habitat, I can work with and assist others who have the same objective.
Current role
Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University
Honorary Researcher, Harry Butler Institute, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Murdoch University
Background
Early in my career I studied the behaviour of dugongs and response to human impacts (boats and pingers) using my “blimp-cam” (see videos). I then went on to design and conduct many aerial surveys to understand the distribution, abundance and habitat use of marine mammals (particularly dugongs). In 2007, I was one of the first in the world to investigate the potential for using drones for fauna surveys. I partnered with Insitu Pacific Ltd (Boeing), who supplied their ScanEagle for field tests and this work demonstrated the feasibility of drone surveys. I have continued to progress this method by leading the development of WISDAM and the associated image processing methods.
My focus on developing innovative research techniques is motivated by my large focus on dugongs and my resulting awareness of the need to develop research tools that are accessible and affordable in developing / under-developed countries, which form a large proportion of the dugongs’ range.
Research interests
I have been conducting research on marine megafauna since beginning my PhD project in 2000. The majority of my work has been focused on dugongs, however I have an interest in marine mammals in general and am now involved in research on marine turtles. My key research areas are:
- Developing innovative research methods (e.g. using blimps, drones, artificial intelligence)
- Abundance, distribution, and habitat use of wildlife through aerial surveys
- Understanding detection probability of wildlife during aerial surveys
- Dugong biology and conservation
- Animal behaviour (including dugongs and rock-wallabies)
- Wildlife responses to human impacts (e.g. boats, pingers, provisioning)
Research grants (recent)
2022 – 23 | Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage | Consultant / Co-investigator
Enhancing the role of local communities in dugong and seagrass conservation in the Kingdom of Bahrain
2022 – 23 | Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment | Co-investigator
Implementation Plan for Dugong Population Surveillance in the Southern Great Barrier Reef
2019 – 24 | International Climate Initiative / UNEP-CMS | Technical Partner
National Partners represent Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Philippines, and Thailand
Conservation of biodiversity, seagrass ecosystems and their services – safeguarding food security and resilience in vulnerable coastal communities in a changing climate
2019 – 23 | Google.org Impact Challenge Australia 2018 | Principal investigator
Dugong Detector to Monitor Seagrass Health
Beyond science / Outreach
I really enjoy talking to the general public at relevant events, as well as to interest groups and school groups. Any opportunity to increase the general awareness of marine wildlife conservation, the importance of seagrass habitats, and the wonderful new prospects for research that new technologies like drones and AI offer. Examples of previous presentations:
Oct 2022 | The Blue: A One Ocean, One Health Event | MUWA
Dugongs, drones and artificial intelligence: revolutionary techniques to save the sea cow
Aug 2021 | Applied Machine Learning in Research Showcase | Machine Learning Community of Practice
Using machine learning to detect dugongs and other marine megafauna in aerial survey images
Jul 2020 | Guest Speaker | Glyde-in Community Learning Centre & WA Naturalist Club
Dugongs, drones and artificial intelligence: revolutionary techniques to save the sea cow
Jan 2019 | Meet the Scientist | Scitech
How drones and artificial intelligence can help us conserve marine mammals
Dec 2018 | Asia Pacific AI for Social Good Summit | Google / UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific
Using AI to help conserve the sea cow
Dec 2018 | Science Teachers‘ Association WA – Future Science Conference | Hosted by Murdoch University
How drones and artificial intelligence can help us conserve marine mammals
May 2018 | Google Media Event – A.I.stralian Stories | Google
Using AI to help conserve the sea cow
Aug 2016 | Perth Science Festival | State Library of WA
Using Drones in Marine Mammal Research
Aug 2016 | Science Expo – Wired for Science | Canning River Eco Education Centre
Using Drones in Marine Mammal Research