UQ student Kate Fraser is helping sustain fish species in southern Queensland thanks to a State Government scholarship with the University of Queensland.
Ms Fraser, a Marine Studies Honours student in the School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management (GPEM), received a $5,000 scholarship, funded by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), to support her research project studying habitats of Queensland’s continental shelf fish.
“The specific aims of my study are to determine whether there is a significant correlation between the composition of bottom dwelling fish populations among three different habitat types and between two different depth ranges; and identify and describe these fish groupings” Ms Fraser said.
The project could help fishery managers to determine which habitats should be protected to best ensure future fisheries production.
“Improved knowledge of species habitat use may also lead to long-term benefits for offshore recreational and commercial fishers and assist in helping plan marine protected areas” Ms Fraser said.
In her project, Ms Fraser analysed and indexed eighty-five one hour video samples, collected using Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations, and used them to compare the different groupings of fish species present in different habitats and depths.
Her findings on continental shelf species will complement DEEDI’s Animal Science research on the key rocky reef species snapper, pearl perch and teraglin jewfish.
Scholarship funding supports the associated research expenses such as field work and laboratory costs and assists young students launch their careers in fisheries research.
Media: Kate Swanson (GPEM Marketing and Communications; 07 3346 7406 or k.swanson@uq.edu.au)
