Fisheries & Aquaculture

Australia’s protected area network failing threatened marine fishes

Australia’s protected areas are inadequate for protecting one of the world’s most threatened marine fishes – the sawfish

The Dividing Line (Benthic Habitat Mapping)

Sea floor maps support industrial endeavours such as offshore oil and gas developments, mining, and fisheries management, ensuring safety for mariners by identifying hazards and designing safe shipping channels, for conservation purposes such as designing marine protected areas, and identifying critical habitats.

Man-made Marine

The first recorded modern artificial reef came from Japan 500 years ago, where rubble and rocks were used to grow kelp. 180 years ago, logs were placed in coastal waters around South Carolina as fish aggregation devices. Today artificial reefs can be found throughout the world, very often placed - if not created - to fill a specific purpose. 

Not all fisheries are created equal

Not all fisheries are created equal - and not all fisheries are as poorly managed as others.  But does fishery management mean that a fishery can achieve that hallowed if rather vague ‘sustainability’ goal?

Marine conservation and the human equation

Nathan Bennett has been actively researching the links between the environment and human societies for many years.