Research

The marine parks research program aims to build partnerships that utilise the skills and experience of the broader research community.

The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) provides research grants and encourages partnering with universities and research organisations. Collaborations provide additional data, fill knowledge gaps and improve understanding of South Australia’s Marine Parks Network.

Research should be aligned with one or more of the following themes:

• Ecological systems: status and processes
• Communities: social, cultural and economic values and assets
• Management effectiveness

If you are interested in partnering with DEW for marine parks research, please contact the Department for Environment and Water Marine Science Team.

Customer Service Centre – Adelaide
Email
Phone: (08) 8204 1910
Ground Floor, 81-95 Waymouth Street
Adelaide SA 5000

Completed research

Jones, J. M and Nagelkerken, I (2014). The distribution of larval fish assemblages of Gulf St. Vincent in relation to the positioning of sanctuary zones. University of Adelaide SA

Janetzki, N., Fairweather P.G. and Benkendorff, K (2015). Inventory of rock types, habitats, and biodiversity on rocky seashores in South Australia’s two south-east marine parks: Pilot Study. A report to the South Australian Department of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources. Flinders University SA

Apps. K and Huveneers, C (2016). Assessing the knowledge, social values and stewardship of white shark cage-diving participants within the Sanctuary Zone of the Neptune Island group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park. Final Report to the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Adelaide. Southern Cross University, NSW, Flinders University SA

Clarke, B., Thurstan, R. and Yates, K. L (2016). An investigation into the socio‐cultural dimension of determining MPA effectiveness. Report prepared for Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Adelaide. Flinders University SA

Delean, S. (2017). Research into statistical methods applicable to Marine Parks Monitoring in South Australia. University of Adelaide SA

Whitmarsh, S. and Huvaneers, C., and Fairweather. P (2017) Description of fish assemblages in key sanctuary zones and other protected areas prior to zoning implementation in South Australia’s marine parks. Flinders University SA

Wooton, N. and Gillanders, B. (2017). Quantifying fish assemblages in South Australian Marine Protected Areas. University of Adelaide SA

Baring, R., Dittman, S. and Fairweather. P. (2018). Coffin Bay subtidal soft sediment macrofaunal assessment, collected as part of Baseline characteristics of Coffin bay (Thorny Passage marine Park) Flinders University SA

Jones. A. (2018). Assessing the connectivity in South Australia’s Marine Park Network. University of Adelaide SA

Munroe, S and Huveneers, C. (2018). Monitoring the presence and residency of sharks at key locations off Victor Harbor (Encounter Marine Park). Flinders University South Australia

Edgar. G. (2016-2019). Functional responses of rocky reef communities to effects of fishing and other anthropogenic stressors. University of Tasmania

Whitmarsh, S (2019). Investigating the Anthropocene influence on temperate fish assemblages through Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS). Thesis Submitted to Flinders University for the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia

Baring, R., Whitmarsh, S., Martin, B and Huveneers, C. (2020). Investigation of Marine Parks performance using fish counts and refined functional traits. Final report to the Department for Environment and Water. Flinders University.

Grammer, G. (2021). Establishing benthic reference sites for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) monitoring in the Western Eyre Commonwealth Marine Park and the Pearson Isles Sanctuary Zone of the Investigator Marine Park. South Australian Research and Development Institute.

Hodgson. J and Holman. D. (2021). A pilot study assessing Australian sea lion Neophoca cenerea pup abundance at Dangerous Reef using ground and drone-facilitated counting approaches. Report for Department of Environment and Water. University of Adelaide.

Jones, A. (2020).Seagrass, macroalgae, sediment and micro-plastic sampling from Pearson Isles Sanctuary Zone and South West Commonwealth Marine Reserve for genetic connectivity and contamination studies. University of Adelaide South Australia

Ongoing research

Beheregaray, L. (2021). Assessing and forecasting multispecies connectivity along the network of marine parks in South Australia. Flinders University

Grammer, G. Establishing the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) benthic monitoring program in South Australia. South Australian Research and Development Institute

Huveneers, C. (2021). Assessing space use and abundance of marine fishes to evaluate the conservation benefit of South Australia’s Marine Parks Network. Flinders University