About

Dr Andrew was born and raised in southeast Asia where he became fascinated with fish and fisheries, especially sharks. After his family returned to Australia, Andrew pursued his passion for marine science and has been working in marine research since the 1990s, first in the marine ecotourism and education industry, and then ten years working at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) on coral reef surveys, impact assessments and environmental monitoring. He also developed training and capacity building and Citizen Science programs such as the Eye on the Reef Program. While at the GBRMPA, Andrew was also the editor of the State of the Great Barrier Reef Report, a synthesis of the status, pressures, management and state of knowledge about the Great Barrier Reef. He is currently an editor for the journal Pacific Conservation Biology

Since moving to James Cook University in 2008, Andrew's research has focused on coastal ecology and fisheries, particularly sharks and rays. He is especially interested in the life history and spatial ecology of coastal predators, inter-disciplinary fisheries and conservation research, and has keen interests in coastal fisheries in SE Asia and the Pacific. Andrew is involved in research on shark fisheries in Papua New Guinea, and also works in Indigenous Knowledge and community based coastal and fisheries management, such as with the Yuku Baja Muliku Traditional Owners in Cape York. He is currently working on a project with commercial fishers to trial new gear to reduce the bycatch of sharks in gillnets. In previous projects, Dr Andrew worked on satellite tagging hammerhead sharks, and the 'Shark Report Card" an assessment of Australia's sharks. He is one of the founders of the Oceania Chondrichthyan Society, a scientific society supporting research, management, and conservation of sharks and rays, and is a long term member of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group. Andrew also serves on the scientific advisory board of the Save Our Seas Foundation

Andrew also has research interests in coral reefs and in the effects of climate change on coastal fisheries and sharks and rays, and risk assessment and synthesis approaches to inform policy development. In 2011, he wrote The status of coral reefs of the Pacific and Outlook 2011  which synthesised the status, current level of knowledge, and future outlook for the coral reefs of 22 Pacific Island nations. In Oct 2017, Andrew launched Shark Search Indo-Pacific, a new long term program to document the diversity and values of sharks and rays across the Indo-Pacific, and the threats they face across the region. Each country report builds the foundations for interdisciplinary community-based research and management projects to tackle these issues. 

Andrew is also committed to teaching and outreach. He teaches fisheries subjects MB5610, MB5014/3014, and MB5620 at JCU, and runs intensive field-based coral reef ecology and marine park management courses for third year and postgraduate students. He works with the tourism industry Master Reef Guides, writes articles about marine research for mainstream media. From time to time, he takes (frozen) sharks and rays to surrounding high schools to help students understand the importance of fishing sustainably and of protecting marine habitats. This includes a long involvement with the ATSIMS program to encourage Indigenous school students to get involved with marine science.  

Teaching
  • MB3014: Managing Tropical Fisheries (Level 3; TSV)
  • MB5610: Fishing Gear and Technologies (Level 5; TSV)
Interests
Professional
  • I am interested in capacity building and collaborative learning with traditional communities in the Asia-Pacific, specifically in understanding and empowering communities in using Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Traditional Fisheries Management in mainstream natural resource management
  • I use a collaborative, and consultative research to help people fish sustainably while maintaining environmental values
  • I am mindful of the primacy of ethical approaches to fisheries science in the Global South
  • I lead inter-disciplinary fisheries projects that consider different aspects of the socio-ecological system. These projects are collaborative and co-managed to ensure relevance to real-world problems, and legitimacy with the people and industries involved.
Research
  • I work on foundational fisheries science such as the life history and ecology of target and bycatch species, and documenting fisheries patterns and trends. Specific research interests include:
  • Solution focused and collaborative science to reduce fisheries bycatch
  • The effects of climate change on sharks and rays, fish and fisheries
  • Ecological roles of predators in marine ecosystems
  • The contribution of marine protected areas to managing and conserving mobile marine predators
  • Building sustainable and resilient coastal fisheries in the Asia-Pacific region
  • State of the environment assessment and reporting
  • The interactions between sharks and people, and ways to reduce the risks of unwanted shark encounters
Teaching
  • Fisheries management and sustainability
  • Conservation and management of the marine environment - specifically coastal and coral reef ecosystems
Experience
  • 2016 to 2018 - Research fel,low AIMS@JCU, JCU & AIMS (Townsville, Australia)
  • 2013 to 2015 - Research Fellow, James Cook University (Queensland, Australia)
  • 2008 to 2013 - PhD Candidate, James Cook University (Queensland, Australia)
  • 1998 to 2013 - Education officer, Reef HQ Aquarium (Queensland, Australia)
  • 2010 to 2011 - Chief Investigator - consulting, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (Townsville, New Caledonia, French Polynesia)
  • 1998 to 2008 - Project Officer and Project Manager, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Queensland, Australia)
  • 1998 to 1999 - Intern, Australian Institute of Marine Science (Townsville, Australia)
  • 1998 - Marine Biologist, Heron Island Resort (Queensland, Australia)
Research Disciplines
Honours
Awards
  • 2018 - Winner College of Science and Engineering 3MT competition [science communication]
  • 2017 - Australian Coral Reef Society People's Choice award for the conference presentation "Do Marine Parks Save Sharks?"; established researcher category
  • 2017 - Winner Early Career Researcher category and People's Choice category, 3MT competition
  • 2015 to 2016 - Science Ambassador - Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Marine Science program
  • 2015 - Queensland Young Tall Poppy Award for "outstanding achievement in scientific research and science communication"; Australian Institute of Policy and Science
  • 2014 - Dean's Award for Research Higher Degree Excellence
  • 2013 - Science Ambassador for the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Marine Science (ATSIMS) Program 2013
  • 2008 to 2013 - Conference awards from the Australian Coral Reef Society, Australian Society for Fish Biology, Australian National Network in Marine Science, Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, and James Cook University
  • 2007 - Commonwealth Medal for efforts in environmental impact assessment, environmental monitoring and promoting sustainable management of sharks and rays in the Great Barrier Reef
Fellowships
  • 2004 - Churchill Fellowship, Conservation and management of coastal sharks and rays
Memberships
  • 2010 to 2018 - Australian Society for Fish Biology
  • 2007 to 2018 - IUCN Shark Specialist Group
  • 2007 to 2018 - Founding member of the Oceania Chondrichthyan Society, current Vice President
  • 1998 to 2017 - Australian Coral Reef Society
  • 2010 to 2012 - Society for Conservation Biology
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 85+ research outputs authored by Dr Andrew Chin from 2003 onwards.

Current Funding

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

Save Our Seas Foundation - Small Grant

Underwater drones can shine a light on the night-time side of shark science

Indicative Funding
$14,909 over 1 year
Summary
Elasmobranch species face an unprecedented conservation crisis, and informative research is still missing for many species. Elasmobranchs are active during the night, but diving operations are limited by safety concerns and there are only a few night-time studies available. For this reason, the knowledge of elasmobranch species is not representative and biased by day-time surveys. To overcome the safety limitations of divers' surveys at night, this project will systematically test the use of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) as a method to perform underwater surveys, specifically targeting elasmobranchs at night.
Investigators
Martina Lonati, Andrew Chin and Stacy Bierwagen (College of Science & Engineering and Research Division)
Keywords
ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicles); Nocturnal; Elasmobranchs; Temporal; Survey; Reef-associated

PADI Foundation - Research Grant

PADI Aware global citizen science shark monitoring program.

Indicative Funding
$65,264 over 2 years
Summary
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the world's largest certifying agency for recreational SCUBA divers, certifying an estimated 1 million divers every year. The PADI Aware Foundation runs PADIS environmental program and has a specific interest in shark conservation. Under this Agreement, Andrew Chin will provide specialist advice and technical support to (1) redevelop the PADI Shark diver specialty course; and (2) help design and launch a new Global shark sightings citizen science program.
Investigators
Andrew Chin in collaboration with Ian Campbell (College of Science & Engineering and PADI Foundation)
Keywords
Shark; Scuba Diving; Conservation; Citizen Science; Stingray; Marine megafauna

Save Our Seas Foundation - Grant

Conserving riverine elasmobranchs in Borneo, focusing on threatened river sharks (Glyphis sp.)

Indicative Funding
$128,652 over 3 years
Summary
By 2050 the capital of Indonesia will be relocated to East Kalimantan, Borneo, increasing human population density and pressures on Borneo?s river environments through small-scale fishing and commercial developments. In March 2020, we obtained evidence of what is likely an undescribed Glyphis species persisting in southern Borneo. Additionally, there are four poorly known endangered ray species in freshwaters of Borneo?s rivers. In collaboration with Hasanuddin University, this projects aims to survey major river systems in East, North, and West Kalimantan to locate and taxonomically describe the southern Borneo Glyphis species, and fill knowledge gaps on the distribution and status of Borneo?s freshwater rays.
Investigators
Andrew Chin, Naomi Gardiner and Michael Grant in collaboration with Benaya Simeon, William White and Jamaludin Jompa (College of Science & Engineering, Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesia Program, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation and Hasanuddin University)
Keywords
River sharks; Conservation; Riverine; Fisheries; Borneo; Livelihoods; Glyphis sp., Carcharhinidae

Shark Conservation Fund - Small Grant

Southeast Asian shark and ray research and conservation capacity building workshop 2019

Indicative Funding
$41,411 over 5 years
Summary
Capacity building workshop for South East Asian shark and ray researchers, NGOs, academics, fisheries officers and government agencies. The project will bring together participant from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines for a workshop at JCU-Singapore in shark field research techniques, analysis of movement data and fisheries risk assessment.
Investigators
Andrew Chin and Neil Hutchinson in collaboration with Vinay Udawyer (College of Science & Engineering and Australian Institute of Marine Science)
Keywords
capacity building; Fisheries; Shark; Marine Parks; Management; conservaton

Synchronicity Earth - Small Grant

SEA shark conservation and management workshop

Indicative Funding
$11,673
Summary
JCUA and JCUS are running a capacity building workshop at JCU Singapore from 25 to 29 September 2023 for delegates across SE Asia in shark research and conservation. This funding provides additional funds to support travel for delegates to attend the event.
Investigators
Andrew Chin and Neil Hutchinson (College of Science & Engineering and Corporate P&L)
Keywords
Capacity building; Conservation; Stingrays; Southeast Asia; Shark; Fisheries

Save Our Seas Foundation - Small Grant

SEA shark conservation and management workshop (TOP UP FUNDING #2)

Indicative Funding
$7,602
Summary
JCUA and JCUS are running a capacity building workshop at JCU Singapore from 25 to 29 September 2023 for delegates across SE Asia in shark research and conservation. Unfortunately, costs have increased significantly post COVID, and these increases exceed the original budget. This funding from the Save Our Seas Foundation provides additional funds to support travel for delegates to attend the event.
Investigators
Andrew Chin and Neil Hutchinson (College of Science & Engineering and Corporate P&L)
Keywords
Capacity building; Conservation; Stingrays; Southeast Asia; Shark; Fisheries

Save Our Seas Foundation - Grant

Rewriting the sawfish story: Inspiring community driven conservation of sawfishes in Papua New Guinea.

Indicative Funding
$13,587 over 1 year
Summary
Recent surveys in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have identified the region as a global refuge for one of the most threatened elasmobranch families, sawfish (Pristidae). Unfortunately, the same surveys also indicated negative population trends with incidentally caught sawfish being retained for consumption and sale, or killed and discarded by small-scale fishers. Communities in PNG share rich traditional land and water ownership values, and legislative protection is unlikely to manifest any changes in attitudes without additional community driven education and conservation effort. Distribution of educational materials provide an effective and alternative method for initiating community driven conservation of sawfish in PNG.
Investigators
Michael Grant and Andrew Chin in collaboration with Madeline Green (College of Science & Engineering and University of Tasmania)
Keywords
Conservation; Sawfish; Biodiversity; Riverine; Fisheries; Coastal

QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Contract Research

Scientific advice underpinning shark smart messaging ? Phase 1

Indicative Funding
$11,665 over 1 year
Summary
Examine and synthesise the scientific evidence underpinning Shark Smart messages to advise QLD DAF and communities about the scientific voracity surrounding safety advice and community claims. This is the first phase of a larger project. Funding for Phase 2 will depend on the outcomes of Phase 1.
Investigators
Andrew Chin in collaboration with Michael Joyce and Kristen Hoel (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Shark; Safety; Risk; Evidence; Attack
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
  • Sharks and rays in time: the importance of temporal scales in the approaches used to investigate species (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
  • Sharks in Culture: Exploring Cultural Connections to Bridge the Gap between Conservation, Livelihoods and People (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
  • Life-history, ecology and fisheries of the Blackspot shark (Carcharhinus sealei) and Bluespotted maskray (Neotrygon spp.) in Southeast Asia: implications for conservation and management (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Completed
Data

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit Research Data Australia.

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)

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Email
Phone
Location
  • 34.140, Earth & Environmental Sciences (Townsville campus)
Advisory Accreditation
Primary Advanced Advisor
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