Publications
Our mission is to conserve the marine environment through research, education, and sharing of knowledge. We do this through both direct conservation efforts and contributing to global marine research through scientific publications. In collaboration with NGO’s, marine biologists, and universities around the world our research contributes to the scientific community and can be used to help inform marine policy makers.
Discover recent publications below.
01
Citizen science approach of monitoring fish and megafauna assemblages in a remote Marine Protected Area
Authors: Rinaldi Gotama, Serena J. Stean, Lauren D. Sparks, Rahmadi Prasetyo, Pascal Sebastian
Institutions:
- Indo Ocean Project, Bali, Indonesia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Dhyana Pura University, Bali, Indonesia
- Indoneisan Marine Education & Research Organization, Bali, Indonesia
Published Date: June 19th, 2023
Journal: Regional Studies in Marine Science, p.103058.
Highlights: Marine Protected Areas (MPA) safeguard threatened marine ecosystems by protecting fish populations, limiting anthropogenic stressors, and providing additional livelihood for local populations. However, many MPAs do not function effectively due to lack of funding and manpower, engendering the need to find long-lasting, sustainable solutions to monitor and maintain MPA performance. In this study, we utilized citizen science involvement to survey select fish families, key fish species, and megafauna in Nusa Penida MPA, Indonesia using the roving survey method.
02
Widespread diversity deficits of coral reef sharks and rays
Authors: Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Michael R. Heithaus, M. Aaaron MacNeil, Damian D. Chapman, et al.
Collaboration:Global FinPrint, A Paul G. Allen initiative led by researches at Florida International University and collaborators from around the world
Published Date: July 16th, 2023
Journal: Science, Vol 380, Issue 6650, pp. 1155-1160
Highlights: In recent years, much attention has been given to catastrophic declines in sharks. Most of this attention has focused on large pelagic species that are highly threatened by direct and indirect harvest. Simpfendorfer et al. looked globally at the smaller, coral reef–associated species of sharks and rays and found steep declines in shark species (see the Perspective by Shiffman). Five of the most common reef shark species have experienced a decline of up to 73%. As shark species decline on coral reefs, ray species increase, indicating a community-wide shift. Species are best protected when active protections are in place, suggesting routes for better conservation. —Sacha Vignieri
03
Coral reef carnivorous fish biomass relates to oceanographic features depending on habitat and prey preference
Authors: Greta Sartori, Michelle L. Taylor, Pascal Sebastian, Rahmadi Prasetyo
Institutions:
University of Essex, United Kingdom
Indo Ocean Project, Indonesia
Dhyana Pura University, Bali, Indonesia
Published Date: Oct 19th, 2021
Journal: Marine Environmental Research, p.105504.
Highlights: Southern Indonesia is characterised by vertical mixing phenomena which drives the presence of marine megafauna. Large predatory fish can exploit ocean current and primary production patterns. The magnitude of the influence of oceanography on carnivorous fish depend on their living and feeding habits. Local oceanography must be considered when studying the movements of large motile species.
04
Global status and conservation potential of reef sharks
Authors: M. Aaron MacNeil, Demian D. Chapman, et al.
Collaboration: Global FinPrint, A Paul G. Allen initiative led by researches at Florida International University and collaborators from around the world
Published Date: July 22nd, 2020
Journal: Nature, 583, pp.801–806.
Highlights: Decades of overexploitation have devastated shark populations, leaving considerable doubt as to their ecological status. Yet much of what is known about sharks has been inferred from catch records in industrial fisheries, whereas far less information is available about sharks that live in coastal habitats. Here we address this knowledge gap using data from more than 15,000 standardized baited remote underwater video stations that were deployed on 371 reefs in 58 nations to estimate the conservation status of reef sharks globally.