I'm involved in finding out why new baby (larval) fishes are found on our reefs, when the parents usually spawn many kilometres offshore (which is where the larval fish hatch). My colleagues and I are especially interested in the larval behaviour of several local species of fish, such as snapper, bream and mulloway. We are interested in the development of the larval fishes' swimming and sensory (sight, smell and hearing) abilities. This will tell us when the baby fish begin to have the ability to control where they are going, and which senses they might use to find a reef to call home.
We are also studying areas close to shore such as Sydney and Port Stephens. We are hoping to get a good idea of which species are found in these places, how common each species is and what sort of 'refuge areas' larval fish use.
All of this work has important implications for how we manage fisheries and design marine reserves.
Ever since I can remember I have felt at home in the water. It seemed like a natural progression to become a marine biologist.
I completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of NSW. In my last year of study, I started volunteering for the Australian Museum. Soon after I was offered paid work for a few years (until the funding ran out). So, after a bit of travelling, some career diversifying and completing my honours degree at the University of Tasmania, I was lucky enough to be offered more work into the Museum's Fish section, working for Dr Jeff Leis.
It takes persistence to get a job in marine biology, but it's really worth it. Biology and chemistry are the two most important subjects when considering a career in this industry.
Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen.
Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia: complete field guide for anglers and divers. Swainston Publishing.
Helfman, G.S., B. Collette & D. Facey. 1997. Diversity of Fishes. Blackwell Publishers.
Neira, F.J., A.G. Miskiewicz & T. Trnski (eds). 1998. The Larvae of Temperate Australian Fishes: a laboratory guide for larval fish identification. University of Western Australia Press.
Leis, J.M. & B.M. Carson-Ewart. 2000. Larvae of Indo-Pacific Coastal Fishes. Brill.
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