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Spot a Shark
Since 2021, I have led the Spot a Shark program, directing the collection and analysis of photographic data to support outcomes for the grey nurse shark species. This is a citizen science program where I help drive the diving community to share their photos (old or new) of grey nurse sharks. Then using photo-ID techniques and specialist software I analyse those photos to determine the individual shark. Sometimes I can work out who the shark is without the aid of the software since all the grey nurse sharks have unique spot patterns that become recognisable the more you do this activity. What started as a fun way to keep my active mind occupied has become an obsession. I am seeing predictability with the migration movements of the sharks, spotting friendship groups, working out their favourite sites, seeing their health change over the years and contributing to scientific research on the shark population. Learn more about Spot a Shark by exploring my website for this organisation. My current research is to review the migration patterns more closely. My previous research includes the following: |
Population Monitoring
University of Sunshine Coast Led by Tori Withington, under Dr Ross Dwyer's supervision, and me as a co-author This project aims to assess the current population abundance and population trends of the east coast population of grey nurse sharks using photographic identification methods and the photograph dataset in Sharkbook. It is expected that due to increased protection methods we will see an increase in the overall population of grey nurse sharks on the east coast of Australia, providing insight into the current and ongoing conservation and management of this species across the Queensland and NSW border. Found in coastal regions around the world, their populations are in decline. Ongoing population assessments for the global and local populations provide the data essential for the ongoing conservation of this species. Results so far place the total population of Grey nurse sharks along the East Coast at approximately 3400 individuals, with approximately 1500 breeding adults.
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Long-term Reliability of Photo-ID
University of Sunshine Coast Led by Sofia Bachels, under Dr Ross Dwyer's supervision, and me as a co-author This study assesses the long-term reliability of photo- ID data using machine learning software, Miew ID within Sharkbook. The study seeks to understand if photo identification match success is influenced by undocumented fading within C. taurus’ photo
identifiable spot patterns. Further research is necessary for the confirmation and quantification of changes in pigment over time, and for the improvement of Miew ID algorithm performance. The strengths and current limitations of photo ID as a long-term documentation technique are highlighted by this study, supporting its continued development and refinement for future conservation. |
Long-Term Injury Assessment
University of Sunshine Coast Led by Tegan Jennings, under Dr Ross Dwyer's supervision, and me as a co-author This project aims to monitor whether the grey nurse shark population is stable, declining, or recovering from fishing related impacts. This study is vital for evaluating the effectiveness of management strategies and identifying species at risk of extinction. Collecting this information can help evaluate cumulative pressures like fishing, habitat degradation, and climate change, which is particularly important for long-lived, slow reproducing species, where the effects of threats may take years to manifest. This study found that despite the introduction of Marine Protected Areas along the East coast of Australia (where recreational fishing is still mostly allowed) there has been no improvement of fishing injuries over a 20 year period.
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Important Shark and Ray Areas
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Led by Dr Asia Armstrong, with me listed as an acknowledgement on the papers The Important Shark and Ray Area project focuses on habitats and provides the scientific data and evidence governments need to establish effective sanctuaries for threatened species.The ISRA program is executed by an international team of scientists, conservationists, policy-makers, and marine protected areas practitioners committed to advancing our knowledge on habitats that are critical for conserving sharks, rays, and chimaeras. Following a review of photo-ID data made available through the Sharkbook.ai database, I was able to contribute to a number of studies and received approvals to gain international recognition of 15 sites in Australia and a migration corridor:
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Points to populations
Queensland Government Authored by Dr Ross G. Dwyer, Dr Simon J. Pierce, Dr Christine L. Dudgeon, Dr Carley Kilpatrick, Sarah Han-de-Beaux, Jarrod Cameron, Tegan Jennings, Victoria Withington, Sofia Bachels, Christoph A. Rohner The overall objective of this project was to use photo identification (photo-ID) methods to assess if the population size of this Endangered species in Queensland (QLD) waters (Nature Conservation Act 1992) has increased following protections, and if the incidence of fishing related injury (a proxy for fishing-related mortality) has reduced.
This paper combines findings from the above research projects led by the University of Sunshine Coast. |
Scoliosis in Grey nurse sharks
TBD Prof Adam Stowe, Dr Simon J. Pierce, Ross Dwyer The objective of this study is to understand what causes scoliosis and understand how it impacts a shark's life. Is it genetics? Is it from trauma? Is it from the water quality? This study hopes to use Photo-ID over time as a method to understand this condition more closely.
At this stage there have been various scientists asking for help in understanding this problem. I am not sure who will run the final paper, but through the use of the data that Spot a Shark manages I hope to help. |
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Underwater Research Group of NSW
Since 2021, I have been the Secretary of the Underwater Research Group of NSW, the oldest dive club in Australia. This is a community of citizen scientists who want to do more than just dive; they want to dive with purpose. The community shares a common passion to protect the marine environment, learn more about the world, and promote science. In my role, I have helped foster other marine champions including for the Weedy Sea dragon. While being a champion for grey nurse sharks, I am able to share experience and ideas with other members in the club who wish to protect seahorses, seaweed, sea slugs or other marine life. Key research that I support from within this club includes the annual Sea Slug census, the Weedy Sea Dragon project and of course grey nurse shark research. |