About
Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
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
More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 38+ research outputs authored by Dr Adam Barnett from 2005 onwards.

Current Funding

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

WV Scott Charitable Trust - Research Grant

Developing Best Fishing Practices for Fish Welfare and Conservation: Evaluating Stress and Survivorship of Recreational Fish Species

Indicative Funding
$100,000
Summary
Sport fishing is one of the largest recreational activities worldwide. An important component in ensuring sustainable recreational fisheries is promoting ethical catch and release practices. This means it is important to understand the effects of capture and handling recreationally caught fish, so that the best fishing/handling practices can be developed. This project will measure the stress levels from the capture event, quantify post-release survival of key tropical recreational fish species, and use obtained information to develop best-practice guidelines to improve the survivorship and welfare of released fish. Results will be useful to inform a better management of fish stocks.
Investigators
Katya Abrantes, Adam Barnett, Marcus Sheaves and Carlo Mattone (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Recreational fisheries; Barramundi; Fish welfare; Stress

WV Scott Charitable Trust - Research Grant

Are We Killing Them With Kindness: Does Tourism Affect Shark Health?

Indicative Funding
$85,000
Summary
Shark tourism is a growing multi-million dollar industry worldwide, with many dive companies marketing trips specifically to feed sharks. Although it encourages conservation by creating public awareness, ecotourism also has the potential to adversely affect a target species by altering an animal`s natural behaviour. Despite being a controversial issue, there is still very limited information on how feeding sharks or tourism in general affects the natural behaviour and health of individuals. This project will use activity loggers and calorie value (i.e. energetic value) of the bait and natural prey to establish what the increase in energy expenditure due to tourism means for long-term health and fitness of the sharks.
Investigators
Adam Barnett and Katya Abrantes (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Shark Tourism; biologging; Energetics; Reef Sharks

WV Scott Charitable Trust - Research Grant

Culling Sharks: Public Safety or Senseless Slaughter?

Indicative Funding
$90,000
Summary
Commercial catch of tiger sharks remains unrestricted in Australia and shark control operations on the east coast of Australia target tiger sharks (~ 200 - 400 killed in Qld each year). The only form of full protection currently available is provided by the time spent in protected areas. This project will: identify critical areas for tiger sharks, evaluate the effectiveness of protected areas in the Great Barrier Reef, provide information on population connectivity (stock structure) of tiger sharks along the east coast of Australia, and assess the use of beaches and likely interactions with shark control programs. Information from this project will also contribute to the ongoing debate about shark culling programs and can be used for planning public safety.
Investigators
Adam Barnett and Katya Abrantes (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Shark; Migrations; Culling program; Protected Areas

Great Barrier Reef Marathon Research Fund - Research Fund

Megamouths of the Great Barrier Reef

Indicative Funding
$18,437
Summary
The aim is to understand habitat use and movement patterns of whale sharks and manta rays on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Determine the significance of the GBR for the sustainability of these species. Whale sharks and Manta Rays have a circumtropical distribution through all tropical and warm temperate seas. The north east of Australia is a hole in terms of global knowledge of these two large charismatic plankton feeders. Without basic knowledge on occurrence, habitat use and demography, we can't understand the importance of the GBR to these species. This research contributes to a better understanding of whale shark and manta ray ecology, and key habitats they use on the GBR. Such information contributes to species and ecosystem management and planning for long term sustainability.
Investigators
Adam Barnett and Richard Fitzpatrick (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Whale Shark; Habitat Use; Manta Ray; protected area; Migration; upwellings

WV Scott Charitable Trust - Research Grant

You Are What You Eat: Does Tourism Affect Shark Diets?

Indicative Funding
$47,000 over 2 years
Summary
This study will use stable isotope analysis to determine if bull sharks and whitetip reef sharks at a tourism site rely on food provided for food, or if they still consume mostly natural prey. Intraspecific differences in this diet will also be analysed for both shark species.
Investigators
Katya Abrantes and Adam Barnett (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Carcharhinus leucas (Charcharinidae); Triaenodon obesus; Stable Isotope Analysis; Shark Tourism; Provisioning Tourism

Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation Inc - Research Grant

Roles of batoids in coastal and reef ecosystems: impacts on predator and prey populations and the potential for energy transfer to adjacent subtidal and offshore communities

Indicative Funding
$17,500
Summary
This study will determine 1) the species composition, abundance, and biomass of batoid fauna in coastal sandflats and reef habitats, 2) the proportion of time different batoid fauna spend in intertidal versus subtidal zones, 3) the ecological importance of batoid utilization of intertidal habitats, and 4) how the above differ between sandflat and reef habitats. Results will contribute to understanding batoid community structure in different habitats and aid in identifying preferred habitat types throughout the year. In addition, understanding the ecological role of batoids in different habitats will stress the need for conservation of these species and development of more effective management strategies to mitigate catches in commercial fisheries.
Investigators
Katya Abrantes, Adam Barnett and Marcus Sheaves in collaboration with Kevin Crook (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Batoids; Acoustic Telemetry; Movement; Stable Iisotopes; Foodweb ecology; Abundance

ACIAR - Research Grant

FIS/2013/015 Sustainable Management of Sport Fisheries for Communities in Papua New Guinea

Indicative Funding
$688,131 over 5 years
Summary
The project aims to conduct the ecological, fisheries, social, business and tourism research needed to develop a viable local-based sport fishery for Black Bass in Papua New Guinea that can provide alternative livelihoods for local people.
Investigators
Marcus Sheaves, Jacob Wani, Ronnie Baker, Adam Barnett, Amy Diedrich, Murray Prideaux and Katya Abrantes in collaboration with Dean Jerry, Alf Kuilboer, Gianna Moscardo, Anne Swinbourne, Leban Gisawa, Peter Vincent, Jason Yip, Riccard Reimann and Ian Middleton (College of Science & Engineering, National Fisheries Authority, Papua New Guinea, College of Business, Law & Governance, College of Healthcare Sciences, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, National Department of Health (PNG), Baia Sport Fishing and Ok Tedi Development Foundation)
Keywords
Fish; Ecosystems; Sport Fishing; Estuary; Livelihoods; Food Security

National Geographic Society (USA) - Grant for Field-Based Scientific Research

Determining population structure and critical habitat as a means for conserving a key apex predator

Indicative Funding
$23,730
Summary
This study will 1) determine sevengill shark population structure (size structure and sex ratio) in PPBay, 2) identify if PPBay is a nursery/pupping area, and 3) investigate the connectivity (movements) between regions of south-east Australia (Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales). Results will contribute to determine the significance of PPBay and to define the stock structure of sevengills in Australia (e.g. if there is one or more stocks across their Australian distribution). For example, it is known that males can move between Tasmania and NSW, which is the south to north extremes of this species Australian distribution (suggesting one stock), but females do not appear to do the same. Establishing stock structure and connectivity is essential to understand and monitor the effects of fishing.
Investigators
Adam Barnett (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Population; Connectivity; Acoustic Tracking; Genetics

Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation Inc - Research Grant

Determining population structure and critical habitat as a means for conserving a key apex predator: the sevengill shark

Indicative Funding
$13,600
Summary
This study will: 1) determine sevengill shark population structure (size structure and sex ration) in PPBay, 2) identify if PPBay is a nursery/pupping area, and 3) investigate the connectivity (movements) between regions of south-east Australia (Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales). Results will contribute to determine the significance of PPBay and to define the stock structure of sevengills in Australia (e.g. if there is one or more stocks across their Australian distribution). For example, it is known that males can move between Tasmania and NSW, which is the south to north extremes of this species Australian distribution (suggesting one stock), but females do not appear to do the same. Establishing stock structure and connectivity is essential to understand and monitor the effects of fishing.
Investigators
Adam Barnett (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Population; Connectivity; Acoustic Tracking; Genetics

WV Scott Charitable Trust - Research Grant

Flatback turtle's whereabouts: Identifying migration pathways and critical foraging habitats to protect

Indicative Funding
$88,000
Summary
Flatback turtles Natator depressus are endemic to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Unlike other species of marine turtles, this species does not have an oceanic phase in its life cycle and is therefore restricted to waters off the Australian/PNG continental shelf. However, despite having one of the most restricted ranges of any of the sea turtles, scientists still know little about flatback turtle feeding ecology. The objectives of the project is to: 1) Study the migration pattern and habitat utilisation (breeding, foraging and/or residing) of flatback turtles from nesting beaches in Queensland using satellite tagging (x4) and stable isotope technology. 2) Sample the health parameters of flatback turtles to gain a baseline level of information about this species. 3) Determine flatback nesting in Upstart Bay (North Queensland) as the contribution this cohort makes to the greater Queensland Turtle Conservation Project.
Investigators
Adam Barnett, Ellen Ariel and Ian Bell (College of Science & Engineering, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences and Department of Environment and Heritage (SA))

WV Scott Charitable Trust - Research Grant

Sevengill sharks, the forgotten apex predator

Indicative Funding
$51,600
Summary
The broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus is a large (up to 3 m) coastal-associated apex predator with a wide temperate distribution. This species' trophic position rivals that of other species considered important upper tropic predators such as tiger sharks and white sharks. Yet in contrast to the latter two shark species, considerable less information is available on sevengill sharks. Sevengill sharks are a low value fishery species across their global distribution. However, there are no management policies or conservation considerations for this species in any country, and exploitation is currently unrestricted. This project will run for 2 years initially, but, because acoustic transmitters have a 10 year battery life, we are aiming for it to be ongoing.
Investigators
Adam Barnett (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
sevengill sharks

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation - Research & Development Funding - Research Grant

Life history specific habitat utilisation of tropical fisheries species

Indicative Funding
$300,000 over 3 years
Summary
To determine the stage specific habitat requirements of tropical inshore fish species.
Investigators
Marcus Sheaves and Adam Barnett in collaboration with Katya Abrantes, Ross Johnston, T Saunders, Randall Owens and Mark Read (College of Science & Engineering, Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)
Keywords
Fish; Habitat; Estuary; Great Barrier Reef
Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current
  • Roles of batoids in coastal and reef ecosystems: impacts on prey and predator populations and the potential for energy transfer to adjacent subtidal and offshore communities (PhD , Primary Advisor)
  • Population structure and connectivity of small-bodied benthic shark species: Comparing patterns across the Pacific, a case study of the genus Heterodontus (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

Connect with me
Share my profile
Share my profile:
jcu.me/adam.barnett

Email
Phone
Location
Advisory Accreditation
Primary Advisor
Find me on…
Icon for Scopus Author page

Similar to me

  1. Prof Marcus Sheaves
    College of Science & Engineering
  2. Prof Colin Simpfendorfer
    College of Science & Engineering
  3. Dr Eric Wolanski
    College of Science & Engineering
  4. Dr Katya Abrantes
    College of Science & Engineering
  5. Dr Andrew Chin
    College of Science & Engineering