Project 1.4.2 - Sustainable use of marine species of conservation concern

Project Leader:  Professor Helene Marsh, James Cook University

Project 1.4.2 utilises the expertise of researchers from five research and end-user institutions together with Indigenous local experts to enhance the natural and social science information required to develop effective management strategies for the populations of marine species of conservation concern that occur in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Torres Strait.

Project 1.4.2 involves two key objectives:

• Evaluate the effects of acoustic alarms on the behaviour of wildlife bycatch:  The project will assess the capacity of acoustic alarms to minimise the bycatch of protected species in commercial gill nets without alienating the bycatch species from critical habitats.  This component will involve experimental evaluation of the behavioural and acoustic response of three species of coastal dolphins and at least one species of sea turtle to acoustic alarms.  A spatial risk assessment of various management options will also be completed.

• Evaluate the economic factors related to Indigenous hunting and its management:  The project will apply the hybrid economy framework (customary [non-market] state and market sectors) to an investigation of the economics of the Indigenous harvest of turtles and dugongs in the Torres Strait and northern Great Barrier Reef.  This component will investigate the economic costs and benefits (including social and health benefits) of management options available within this framework, including the possible role of payment for environmental services (PES).  This will be achieved through literature research, participant observation (fieldwork) with Torres Strait organisations and with a small sample of communities actively engaged in marine turtle and dugong harvesting.