About

April is a senior research officer; her research activities explore fundamental concepts of coral reef fish ecology, with a particular focus on marine parks management and conservation of coral reef fish communities. Her current research activities are focused around monitoring fish communities and associated benthic habitats on inshore fringing coral reef habitats of the Great Barrier Reef. April has specialist skills in the identification and quantification of reef fishes, and is part of a collaborative team delivering a broad-scale integrated monitoring program for fishes on inshore reefs. 

April recently completed an Advance Queensland Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in collaboration with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, examining the contribution of conservation park (yellow) zones to biodiversity conservation in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Her PhD research focused on the importance of predatory fishes on reefs, and the trophic impacts of predator removals on coral reef fish communities. This project provided valuable information on how fishing of predators affects trophic dynamics on the Great Barrier Reef, and demonstrated the utility of no-take marine reserves in protecting ecosystem processes on reefs. Other research projects include investigation of the demographics, reproduction and habitat associations of nemipterid fishes, as well as collaborative projects examining spatial and temporal trends in coral trout abundance in the Capricorn Bunkers. April has co-supervised a research students and has held several roles as a course demonstrator in the College of Marine and Environmental Sciences.

Research student supervision

April is a Primary Advisor on the JCU registor of advisors, and able to serve on Higher Degree Research student advisory panels as priamry or secondary supervisor. April has supervised the following reserach projects:

  • Interrelationships between soft corals and reef associated fishes on inshore reefs of the Great Barrier Reef (Masters project, 2020)
  • The importance of predation of soft corals by reef fishes (Honours project, 2018)
  • Early life history of the monocle bream (Scolopsis bilineatus) based on otolith microstructure (Masters project, 2017)
Interests
Professional
  • Fisheries and community-based conservation initiatives
  • Collaborative partnerships with industry and management agencies
  • Collaboration with Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)
  • STEM based outreach programs
Research
  • Coastal marine fisheries
  • Marine reserves as fisheries management tools
  • Conservation and management
  • Trophic dynamics
  • Coral reef predators
Experience
  • 2022 to 2024 - Senior Research Officer, TropWATER (Townsville)
  • 2017 to 2022 - Research Fellow, James Cook University (Townsville)
  • 2016 to 2017 - Consultant (Aquatic Ecology), Northern Resource Consultants (Townsville)
  • 2011 to 2016 - Subject demonstrator, James Cook University (Townsville)
  • 2008 to 2009 - Subject demonstrator, Griffith University (Gold Coast)
  • 2007 to 2008 - Research Scientist, Griffith University (Gold Coast)
Research Disciplines
Honours
Awards
  • 2019 to 2020 - Environmental Enhancement Project Sustainability Grant ($218,000)
  • 2012 to 2016 - Australian Post-Graduate Scholarship
  • 2012 to 2016 - Queensland Government Smart Futures Scholarship
Fellowships
  • 2017 to 2020 - Advance Queensland Early Career Research Fellowship ($195,000)
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 14+ research outputs authored by Dr April Hall from 2012 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Evolution Mining - Sustainability Project Grant

The effectiveness of conservation park zones on the Great Barrier Reef

Indicative Funding
$218,000 over 3 years
Summary
This project will use empirically collected data to assess the conservation benefit of conservation park zones for fish assemblages on the Great Barrier Reef. The project is in collaboration with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Investigators
April Hall in collaboration with David Cameron (College of Science & Engineering and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)
Keywords
Marine Parks; Conservation; Coral reef fish ecology; Fish Assemblages; Management; Zoning

QLD Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation - Advance Queensland Research Fellowship

The value of conservation parks on the Great Barrier Reef

Indicative Funding
$180,000 over 4 years, in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority ($15,000)
Summary
This project examines the importance of partially protected areas on the Great Barrier Reef. Conservation park zones offer partial protection to coral reef ecosystems by limiting fishing impacts through use of restrictions on fishing gear. Conservation parks have the potential to provide a conservation middle ground by allowing limited extraction by fishers whilst still providing a conservation benefit. Despite this potential, little is known about the value of the zones. This project will be the first to examine how conservation park zones contribute to conservation and management of coral reef fish communities on the Great Barrier Reef.
Investigators
April Hall and Mike Kingsford (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Conservation; Marine Parks; Fishing Impacts; Fisheries Management; Zoning; Great Barrier Reef

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