5 December 2011
Do marine parks need sharks?
Australia’s reef shark populations will be under the microscope thanks to Lizard Island Research Station’s latest John and Laurine Proud Fellow, Dr Ashley Frisch.
Dr Frisch and his team from the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies will undertake field studies at the remote research station to better understand the importance of sharks to coral reefs.
“Like the lions of the Serengeti or the wolves of Yellowstone National Park, sharks and large fishes may be keystone predators, which regulate the abundance of other organisms. However, this phenomenon is yet to be investigated on coral reefs” Dr Frisch said.
“There is little doubt that shark and fish populations are under threat from fishing, climate change and other impacts, so it’s critically importantly that we understand the role of high-level predators in maintaining healthy coral reefs.”
Dr Frisch will construct food web models at both fished reefs and protected reefs to investigate the importance of predatory sharks and fishes to the integrity of marine parks, such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Dr Frisch believes that sharks are more valuable in the water than they are on a restaurant menu.
“We already know that sharks are worth more in tourism dollars than in fisheries dollars. Now it’s time to ask: What is the ecological value of sharks?”
“The proximity of Lizard Island to multiple-use management zones makes it an ideal location to undertake this type of project” Dr Frisch said.
The research will provide guidance for Australia’s policy makers regarding how best to manage marine parks and shark fisheries in a changing environment.
Lizard Island Research Station supports innovative research by talented young marine scientists from Australia and around the world. The prestigious John and Laurine Proud Fellowship provides an outstanding early career scientist with $12,000 of financial support for their research program.
Contact:
Dr Ashley Frisch ph (07) 47815281. Email: ashley.frisch@jcu.edu.au
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies are proud sponsors of the 12th International Coral Reef Symposium, Cairns: 9-13 July 2012.