Researchers
Students
Alumni
ManagementDarren Coker
PhD graduate
James Cook University
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
James Cook University Townsville
Queensland 4811 Australia
Phone: 61 7 4781 4000
Email: info@coralcoe.org.au
Darren grew up in New Zealand, but later moved to Australia where he completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Marine Biology at James Cook University. Following this, he completed a PhD at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (ARC CoE CRS) and Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Townsville Australia. His PhD investigated the importance of live coral habitats for reef fishes and its role in moderating key ecological processes. He was supervised by Prof. Morgan Pratchett, Prof. Philip Munday, Dr. Nicholas Graham (ARC CoE CRS), Dr. Shaun Wilson (Department of Environment and Conservation, WA) and Dr. Aaron MacNeil (AIMS). He since completed a 12-month research fellowship with Prof. Morgan Pratchett and Dr. Vanessa Messmer at the ARC CoE CRS, investigating the effects of climate change on commercially important reef fishes. Darren is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Red Sea Research Centre at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Here, his research focuses on reef fish ecology, biodiversity patterns, cryptobenthic reef fish communities, and reef disturbance in the Red Sea.
Coral reef research remains disproportionately guided by men from the US and Australia, often excluding scientists from countries with the greatest extent of coral reefs. A new paper published in F
A new study suggests corals may be able to cope with climate change in the coming decades better than previously thought—but will still struggle with ever-faster rates of climate change. Lead aut
A new study raises questions on whether current conservation science and policy for protected areas could be saving more biodiversity—with political and economic expediency often having taken prece
A new study reveals the strategies that stop bandits from illegally fishing in Australian waters—but warns there is a cost to the region’s poorer countries. Co-author Dr Brock Bergseth, from th
Abstract: The coral reefs of Western Australia (WA) are morphologically diverse, with high levels of biodiversity and endemism. Carbonate forming reefs occur along 20o of latitude, and more than
Abstract: Rainforests are much more than exotic and wondrous fauna and flora, they are the ancestral domain of Indigenous Peoples who have safeguarded them since time immemorial. Learn about this thr
Abstract: Ecological conditions on coral reefs are shifting. Fishes are an integral part of these restructuring ecosystems and can support ecological stability. However, the extent to which fishes wi
Abstract: This presentation reports on a journal paper being drafted that has been around 10 years in the making. I set out a long time ago to settle the arguments around protected areas being residu
Abstract: Contemporary global changes have put the capacity of future reefs to continue providing fish and fisheries production in jeopardy. Understanding future trends will require innovative and ac
Abstract: No-take marine reserves are a cornerstone of marine ecosystem management in Australia, though they are rarely considered as an effective fisheries management strategy. Yet, by accumulating
Abstract: There are increasing calls to deliver effective, equitable marine conservation – particularly in places where coastal communities are dependent on their natural resources for a range of be
Abstract: Harvesting models are based upon the ideology that removing large, old individuals provides space for young, fast-growing counterparts that can maximize (fisheries) yields while maintaining
Partner Research Institutions
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
James Cook University Townsville
Queensland 4811 Australia
Phone: 61 7 4781 4000
Email: info@coralcoe.org.au