The Marine Adaptation Network encourages the synthesis of research answering marine sectoral questions of Australian regional or national importance. In 2011/2012 the network is funding a series of workshops to develop issues papers that synthesise existing and emerging research to address key marine climate change adaptation knowledge gaps.

The funding provided is intended to facilitate workshop(s) that enable selected synthesis project work to be undertaken by network members. It is imperative that any funded workshop leads to the submission of a paper for peer review and the production of an executive summary and information sheet that is useful for marine stakeholders and managers in any of the following marine sectors: marine aquaculture, commercial and/or recreational fishing, marine conservation or marine tourism. Funding will be provided to support travel and accommodation for 5-7 relevant people to participate in a workshop of duration for three full days - with up to two extra days set aside for travel, to/from the workshop venue, for participants travelling from afar.

For the Round One submissions (July-Dec 2011) two applications were funded:

“Ocean acidification: What are the environmental, social and economic ramifications for the
Australian mollusc and crustacean fisheries?”
Principle Investigator: Dr Russell Richards.
Workshop held in Brisbane from 23‐25 November 2011.

“Climate change and coral trout: adaptation options for commercial and recreational
fisheries.”
Principle Investigator: Dr Morgan Pratchett.
Workshop held in Townsville from 6‐8 December 2011.

For more information contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 03 6226 2134

NCCARF and the Australian Government Department of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) are leading the development of eight National Adaptation Research Plans (NARPs) corresponding to the eight Networks that have also been established.

The Marine Biodiversity and Resources NARP was released on 26 March 2010.  A call for expressions of interest (EOIs) for funding associated with the priorities followed, and closed on 7 May 2010. The funding is being administered by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).  The DCCEE and FRDC have requested that 14 (out of a total of over 60 applications received) are developed into full project proposals. 

The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan, a Summary of the plan and the Marine Biodiversity and Resources Implemention Plan are available online.

The Research Plan identifies research priorities in five main areas. These are marine aquaculture, commercial and recreational fishing, conservation management, tourism and recreational uses, and cross-cutting issues.

The development of a national set of priorities across the marine space is to be commended, and offers a chance for cross cutting research, rather than a segmented sub-sectoral funding approach. One of the network goals will be to promote research on both the funded and non-funded priorities in the coming years.

If you would like further information about the development of the NARP for Marine Biodiversity & Resources, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

NARP PROJECTS

Project 2010/564 — Pre-adapting a Tasmanian coastal ecosystem to ongoing climate change through reintroduction of a locally extinct species. Professor Nic Bax, University of Tasmania.

Project 2010/554 — Effects of climate change on reproduction, larval development and population growth of coral trout. Morgan Pratchett, James Cook University.

Project 2010/542 — A climate change adaptation blueprint for coastal regional communities. Dr Stewart Frusher & Nadine Marshall University of Tasmania and CSIRO - Climate Change Adaptation Flagship (CSIRO-CCAF).

Project 2010/536 — Beach and surf tourism and recreation in Australia: vulnerability and adaptation. Assoc Professor Mike Raybould, Bond University.

Project 2010/535 — Management implications of climate change effects on fisheries in Western Australia. Dr Nick Caputi, Department of Fisheries, WA.

Project 2010/534 — Ensuring that the Australian oyster industry adapts to a changing climate: a natural resource and industry spatial information portal for knowledge action and informed adaptation frameworks. Assoc Professor Andrew Davis, University of Wollongong.

Project 2010/533 — Human adaptation options to increase resilience of conservation-dependent seabirds and marine mammals impacted by climate change. Dr Alistair Hobday, CSIRO - CCAF.

Project 2010/532 — Changing currents in marine biodiversity governance and management responding to climate change. Michael Lockwood, University of Tasmania.

Project 2010/524 — Identification of climate-driven species shifts and adaptation options for recreational fishers: learning general lessons from a data rich case. Daniel Gledhill, CSIRO - CMAR.

Project 2010/521 — Vulnerability of an iconic Australian finfish (Barramundi, Lates calcarifer) and related industries to altered climate across tropical Australia.  Assoc Professor Dean Jerry, James Cook University.

Project 2010/510 — Adapting to the effects of climate change on Australia’s deep marine reserves.  Dr Ron Thresher, CSIRO - CCAF.

Project 2010/506 — Adaptive management of temperate reefs to minimise effects of climate change: developing effective approaches for ecological monitoring and predictive modelling.  Dr Neville Barrett, University of Tasmania.

The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Fund NCCARF has developed an overview of research priorities to help Australia better adapt to climate change regarding the diversity and health of life in the marine environment. The NCCARF National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plans are an important tool for coordinating climate change adaptation research across Australia. The plans identify critical gaps in the information available to decision-makers in key vulnerable sectors and regions, set national research priorities, and identify science capacity that could be harnessed to conduct priority research.

View the video (2:07)

The writing team was lead by:
Prof Bruce Mapstone (ACE CRC) (Chair)
Dr Peter Appleford (Victorian Fisheries)
Dr Kathleen Broderick (GBRMPA)
A/Prof Rod Connolly (Griffith University)
Dr John Higgins (DCCEE)
Dr Alistair Hobday (CSIRO)
Prof Terry Hughes (James Cook University)
Dr Paul Marshall (GBRMPA)
Prof Jan McDonald (NCCARF)
Marie Waschka (NCCARF)

The Marine Adaptation Network has awarded Research Support Grants to Honours and Masters students studying in 2010 and 2011.  The grant scheme provides funding for honours and masters students to cover research costs of selected eligible projects focused on climate change adaptation in Marine Biodiversity and Resources. For further information contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 03 6226 2134.

See the recipients of the 2010 and 2011 rounds of funding…

2010 RESEARCH SUPPORT GRANT RECIPIENTS

- Shawna Foo (University of Sydney) Read about Shawna’s student research project entitled “Impacts of climate change stressors on early development of the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii” in the Autumn 2011 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 5.
- Erinn Kelly (University of Adelaide) Read about Erinn’s student research project entitled “The politics of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in South Australia: a critical analysis of the establishment of marine protected areas” in the Winter 2011 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 4.
- Christopher Mabin (University of Tasmania) Read about Christopher’s student research project entitled “Effects of climate-driven East Australian Current (EAC) strengthening on kelp morphology, reproduction and development” in the Summer 2010 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 4.
- Fiona McDuie (James Cook University) Read about Fiona’s student research project entitled “Seabirds and Climate Change: Can Wedge-tailed Shearwaters adapt to changing environmental conditions?” in the Winter 2010 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 5.
- Claire O’Neill (University of New South Wales) Read about Claire’s student research project entitled “An integrated approach to the development of climate change policy and management strategies for marine resources in Torres Strait, Queensland” in the Spring 2010 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 5.
- Lorian Woolgar (University of Western Australia)

2011 RESEARCH SUPPORT GRANT RECIPIENTS

- Alexander Brazenor (James Cook University)
- Stuart Milburn (The University of New South Wales)
- Thomas Oliver (University of Wollongong)
- Julian O’Mara (University of Queensland) Read about Julian’s student research project entitled “Intertidal Wetlands and the Impact of Sea Level Rise in South East Queensland” in the Summer 2011/12 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 5.
- Lewa Pertl (The University of Tasmania)
- Rebecca Runting (The University of Queensland) Read about Rebecca’s student research project entitled “Does Less Mean More? The cost-effectiveness of process-based models and high resolution data for conservation planning under sea level rise” in the Spring 2011 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 7.
- Verity Wallace (The University of Western Australia)
- John Wright (University of Western Sydney)