Dr David Souter

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Most marine invasive species have been introduced to Australian waters unintentionally through shipping activities and mariculture.

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Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are marine mammals, which are commonly known as sea cows. Australia is home to most of the world’s dugongs. They live in northern waters between Shark Bay in Western Australia and Moreton Bay in Queensland. One of the reasons for nominating the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Area in 1981 was its importance as a feeding ground for large populations of dugongs.

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Tropical northern Australian waters are home to a number of harmful jellyfish, including the large multi-tentacled deadly box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri and several species of smaller jellyfish known to cause the debilitating Irukandji syndrome.

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Coral reef fish are caught by hook and line along the length of the Great Barrier Reef from the Torres Strait south to Fraser Island. More than 120 fish species are caught in the commercial line fishery, although only a few of them are actively targeted by commercial fishers. The high-value target species include coral trout, red throat emperor, red emperor, tropical snapper and Spanish mackerel.

Recreational anglers also target these species, particularly highly prized trophy species such as Spanish mackerel, red emperor and coral trout.

Research on the biology of fish species and the impacts of fishing is helping managers balance the needs of users while maintaining reef fish stocks and the reef ecosystem for future generations.

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