Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland
The Honourable Tim Mulherin

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Fish habitat scholarships lure talented researchers

9 September 2009

Fish habitat scholarships lure talented researchers

What makes a great fish habitat? That’s the question two young researchers are delving into as part of a Fisheries Queensland scholarship program.

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said two honours students from the University of Queensland were awarded Marine Fish Habitat (MFH) scholarships earlier this year.

“Honours students Kate Maguire and Patrick Gartrell had been putting seagrasses and coral reefs under the microscope,” the Minister said.

“The MFH scholarship funding of $5000 will help Kate and Patrick further highlight the importance of marine fish habitats to fisheries.

“When the students’ projects are complete, their research will give the department a better understanding of the issues faced in marine fish habitats.

“Kate’s project aims to improve the department’s knowledge of seagrass fish habitats by examining possible halo effects of boat moorings in Moreton Bay.

“Patrick’s project has focused on the feeding habitats of herbivorous fish such as parrotfish in Moreton Bay’s coral reefs.

“This is important for understanding how these species dominate grazing of algae and seaweeds in the reef.

“The students’ research projects will be complete in December and the results should be available early next year.”

Mr Mulherin said it was vital that fish habitats continued to be protected to help sustain fisheries resources.

“This is why the department encourages research through avenues such as the MFH scholarships,” he said.

“2009 is the 40th anniversary of the first Declared Fish Habitat Area (FHA) in Queensland and there are now more than 880,000 hectares of protected habitat.

“Declared Fish Habitat Areas, and all fish habitats, support food production for many species such as prawns and crabs, as well as providing nursery habitat and shelter for juvenile fish.

“The habitats also provide a connection for many species needing to move in and out of freshwater to breed and complete their lifecycle.

“Kate and Patrick are currently researching marine fish habitats and fish use of these habitats in Moreton Bay, including at sites within Declared Fish Habitat Areas.”

Mr Mulherin said the scholarship program was in its fourth consecutive year with UQ.

“In 2008 the department also expanded the program to include James Cook University and Central Queensland University,” he said.

“This was based on the success of the program with UQ here in southern Queensland.”

The MFH Scholarships program is managed within Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries Urban Fish Habitat Management Research Program.

For more information about the scholarships or fish habitats contact the Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.

Media: Matt Watson 3239 3120

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