Project Leader and Host Organisation
Dr David Blair, James Cook University
Project Description and Objectives
For detailed descriptions of the outputs for
this project for Year 4 (2009/2010) of the MTSRF Research
Programme, see the Annual Research
Plan.
In order to adequately protect the
biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), there is an urgent
need to determine the presence of pest species within marine and
adjacent coastal habitats of the GBR region and the magnitude of
the threat they pose. This will assist in the development of
appropriate detection, eradication, monitoring and management
strategies for research users including the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority and Biosecurity Queensland. This project
addresses one group of marine pests of potential concern in the GBR
- toxic microalgae.
Key objectives of this project include:
-
Development of monitoring techniques (molecular probes) to
detect, identify and quantify abundance of endemic and invasive
toxic microalgae;
-
Assessment of the magnitude of seasonal variation in abundance
of toxic microalgae in parts of the GBR Province (Magnetic Island,
Orpheus Island and nearby reefs); and
-
Assessment of public awareness of the threat posed by ciguatera
poisoning, the current impact of ciguatera on regional communities
and potential correlations between the incidence of poisoning and
season, location (i.e. hotspots) or fish species.
