Funded Post Doctoral Fellowships

Dr Amanda Hodgson
Murdoch University
2010 - Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to survey marine mammals: development of methodology and a comparison with manned aerial survey estimates.

The conservation and management of many marine mammal populations relies on accurate and precise estimates of their abundance, distribution and habitat use by conducting aerial surveys. We will determine whether Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can replace manned aircraft by (a) trialling various imaging systems and testing their suitability for accurately detecting and identifying marine mammals to species, and (b) directly comparing results manned and unmanned surveys. UAVs have the potential to reduce cost, eliminate human risk and provide more accurate survey data.

Dr Isabel Beasley
James Cook University
2011 - Improving the understanding of the conservation status of the Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins: Identification of critical habitats in the Gulf of Carpentaria and southern PNG

Australian Snubfin and humpback dolphins occur in small populations in northern Australian coastal waters.  Both species are susceptible to human activities, and there is significant concern about their viability. Southern PNG and the Gulf of Carpentaria are potentially important habitats for both species but information on their distribution and abundance is limited. This project aims to investigate the occurrence and distribution of these dolphins in key areas of this region in collaboration with Indigenous Sea Rangers and Traditional Owners.