Prof Colin Simpfendorfer ~ Professor - Personal Chair
College of Science & Engineering
- About
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- Teaching
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- BS1001: Introduction to Biological Processes (Level 1; TSV)
- EV5962: Governance - Ridge to Reef (Level 5; TSV)
- MB3014: Managing Tropical Fisheries (Level 3; TSV)
- MB5014: Managing Tropical Fisheries (Level 5; TSV)
- MB5610: Fishing Gear and Technologies (Level 5; TSV)
- MB5620: Grand Challenges in Fisheries (Level 5; TSV)
- Interests
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- Research
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- Status and sustainable use of elasmobranch populations
- Science for the conservation of elasmobranch populations
- Nursery areas for sharks
- Analytical tools for acoustic monitoring studies
- Experience
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- 2006 to present - Professor, James Cook University (Townsville, Queensland)
- 1999 to 2006 - Senior Scientist, Mote Marine Laboratory (Sarasota, Florida, USA)
- 1993 to 1999 - Senior Research Scientist, Western Australian Fisheries (Perth, Western Australia)
- 1987 to 1993 - Academic Level A, James Cook University (Townsville, Queensland)
- Research Disciplines
- Socio-Economic Objectives
Prof Colin Simpfendorfer is a Professor of Marine Biology in the College of Science and Engineering. He has more than 25 years of experience in researching sharks, and has published extensively in the scientific literature on shark biology, ecology, fisheries and conservation. His expertise on sharks has been recognized by his appointment as the Co-Chair of the IUCN’s Shark Specialist Group.
Colin is a graduate of James Cook University, having undertaken both his undergraduate and postgraduate training in Townsville. After completing his PhD he worked on shark fisheries at the Western Australian Fisheries Department before moving to Florida to work at the Centre for Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory. He returned to JCU in 2007 to lead the Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre, where he has helped build a research group focused on improving our understanding of sharks and how best to conserve and manage their populations.
- Honours
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- Awards
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- 2013 - Advisor of the Year Award, Advisory Panel Category - Highly Commended
- 2011 - JCU Faculty of Science and Engineering Dean's Research Award (Group)
- Other
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- 2012 to 2015 - Co-Chair IUCN Shark Specialist Group
- Publications
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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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- Baje L, Smart J, Grant M, Chin A, White W and Simpfendorfer C (in press) Age, growth and maturity of the Australian blackspot shark (Carcharhinus coatesi) in the Gulf of Papua. Pacific Conservation Biology,
- Buddle A, Van Dyke J, Thompson M, Simpfendorfer C and Whittington C (2019) Evolution of placentotrophy: using viviparous sharks as a model to understand vertebrate placental evolution. Marine and Freshwater Research, 70 (7). pp. 908-924
- George L, Martins A, Heupel M and Simpfendorfer C (2019) Fine-scale movements of juvenile blacktip reef sharks Carcharhinus melanopterus in a shallow nearshore nursery. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 623. pp. 85-97
- Grant M, Kyne P, Simpfendorfer C, White W and Chin A (2019) Categorising use patterns of non-marine environments by elasmobranchs and a review of their extinction risk. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 29 (3). pp. 1-22
- Hays G, Bailey H, Bograd S, Bowen W, Campagna C, Carmichael R, Casale P, Chiaradia A, Costa D, Cuevas E, de Bruyn P, Dias M, Duarte C, Dunn D, Dutton P, Esteban N, Friedlaender A, Goetz K, Godley B, Halpin P, Hamann M, Hammerschlag N, Harcourt R, Harrison A, Hazen E, Heupel M, Hoyt E, Humphries N, Kot C, Lea J, Marsh H, Maxwell S, McMahon C, di Sciara G, Palacios D, Phillips R, Righton D, Schofield G, Seminoff J, Simpfendorfer C, Sims D, Takahashi A, Tetley M, Thums M, Trathan P, Villegas-Amtmann S, Wells R, Whiting S, Wildermann N and Sequeira A (2019) Translating marine animal tacking data into conservation policy and management. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 34 (5). pp. 459-473
- Heupel M, Munroe S, Ledee E, Chin A and Simpfendorfer C (2019) Interspecific interactions, movement patterns and habitat use in a diverse coastal shark assemblage. Marine Biology, 166 (6).
- Mizrahi M, Duce S, Pressey R, Simpfendorfer C, Weeks R and Diedrich A (2019) Global opportunities and challenges for shark large marine protected areas. Biological Conservation, 234. pp. 107-115
- Scott M, Heupel M, Simpfendorfer C, Matley J and Pratchett M (2019) Latitudinal and seasonal variation in space use by a large, predatory reef fish, Plectropomus leopardus. Functional Ecology, 33 (4). pp. 670-680
- Thorbjørnsen S, Moland E, Simpfendorfer C, Heupel M, Knutsen H and Olsen E (2019) Potential of a no-take marine reserve to protect home ranges of anadromous brown trout (Salmo trutta). Ecology and Evolution, 9 (1). pp. 417-426
- Baje L, Smart J, Chin A, White W and Simpfendorfer C (2018) Age, growth and maturity of the Australian sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon taylori from the Gulf of Papua. PLoS ONE, 13 (10).
- Bierwagen S, Heupel M, Chin A and Simpfendorfer C (2018) Trophodynamics as a tool for understanding coral reef ecosystems. Frontiers in Marine Science, 5.
- Bierwagen S, Emslie M, Heupel M, Chin A and Simpfendorfer C (2018) Reef-scale variability in fish and coral assemblages on the central Great Barrier Reef. Marine Biology, 165.
- More
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 217+ research outputs authored by Prof Colin Simpfendorfer from 2002 onwards.
- Current Funding
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Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors - Global Partnership for Sharks & Rays (GPSR)
Global Shark Trends Project
- Indicative Funding
- $134,766 over 3 years (administered by Simon Fraser University)
- Summary
- This project will deliver planning tools and communicate knowledge of the trajectories and extinction risk of shark and ray populations. We will provide the first indices of the effects of fisheries exploitation (and other threats) upon chondrichthyans for incorporation into intergovernmental processes, (inc. 5th Global Biodiversity Outlook and UN Sustainable Development Goal annual reporting. These indicators have the potential to set the ocean conservation agenda for the next decade beyond 2020 as decision-makers look forward to developing targets out to 2030. Critically, these outcome-focused indicators and priorities can help maximise the effectiveness of conservation actions and reduce the risk of squandered investment.
- Investigators
- Nick K Dulvy and Colin Simpfendorfer in collaboration with Cassie Rigby and Melissa Joyce (Simon Fraser University and College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Shark; Conservation; ICUN Red List; Ray Crystal-Structure; population status
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation - Research Grant
Global Shark and Ray Initiative (activity support)
- Indicative Funding
- $105,542 over 4 years (administered by Wildlife Conservation Society)
- Summary
- The purpose of this grant is to enable the necessary coordination among the GSRI partners to deliver the Global Shark and Ray Conservation Strategy. Continuing to work together, the GSRI will maximize collective expertise, investments, and respective strengths to support the delivery of the goals and objectives of this collaborative strategy. Supporting this continued coordination will ensure the success of concurrent collaborative GSRI projects and enable the design and implementation of others.
- Investigators
- Colin Simpfendorfer (College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Shark; Fisheries Management; Ray; Conservation
Save Our Seas Foundation - Grant
SOSF Global Sawfish Search
- Indicative Funding
- $253,655 over 3 years
- Summary
- This project will enhance global conservation efforts for sawfishes by using environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to undertake a global survey of their current distribution. eDNA represents a cost effective, accurate and simple method for broad-scale surveys of rare and threatened species such as sawfishes. Field and laboratory techniques will be validated for all five sawfish species, a global sampling plan developed and implemented, and the results synthesized to produce revised current distributions of sawfish species.
- Investigators
- Colin Simpfendorfer and Dean Jerry in collaboration with Madalyn Cooper, David Morgan, Peter Kyne and John Carlson (College of Science & Engineering, Murdoch University, Charles Darwin University and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
- Keywords
- Sawfish; Threatened Species; eDNA; Sawfish; marine conservation
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission - Contract Research
Operational Planning for Shark Biological Data Improvement Terms of Reference
- Indicative Funding
- $40,450
- Summary
- The objective of this study is to compile, review and prioritise a list of biological data gaps for the WCPFC key shark species and propose a practical plan for filling them
- Investigators
- Colin Simpfendorfer and Andrew Chin (College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Shark; Life History; research planning
WWF Hong Kong - Contract Research
A Practical Guide to the Effective Creation and Management of MPAs for Sharks and Rays
- Indicative Funding
- $38,299
- Summary
- This project will translate the outcomes of a larger project on shark and ray MPAs into a practical guide for use by marine park managers and policy makers. The guide will be developed with WWF and made widely available.
- Investigators
- Colin Simpfendorfer in collaboration with Cassie Rigby (College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Shark; Marine Protected Areas; Environmental Management
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors - Global Partnership for Sharks & Rays (GPSR)
Maximising outcomes for shark and ray MPAs
- Indicative Funding
- $740,629 over 2 years
- Summary
- This project will investigate the benefits of using marine protected areas (MPAs) for shark and ray conservation. It will combine work reviewing the current state of knowledge, synthesis or shark and ray movement data to better inform MPA design, identification of socioeconomic factors that affect MPA success, and spatial modelling to identify the areas where MPAs will be of greatest benefit. I will include partnerships with AIMS and Simon Fraser University.
- Investigators
- Colin Simpfendorfer and Amy Diedrich in collaboration with Michelle Heupel and Nick K Dulvy (College of Science & Engineering, Australian Institute of Marine Science and Simon Fraser University)
- Keywords
- Marine Protected Areas; movement ecology; Shark; Conservation Planning; ray; Spatial Planning
ACIAR - Research Grant
Sustainable management of the shark resources of Papua New Guinea: socioeconomic and biological characteristics of the fishery
- Indicative Funding
- $161,192 over 6 years (administered by CSIRO)
- Summary
- The shark fishery in PNG is the country's5th most important export fishery worth about K8 million annually. Sharks are also important to the artisanal fishery and are a potential resource for ecotourism. It is also highly likely that the shark resources of PNG are shared with neighbouring countries, e.g. Australia, Indonesia, and adjacent South Pacific island nations such as the Solomon Islands. Sharks and rays are particularly vulnerable to over-exploitation due to their life history characteristics, and declines can affect livelihoods of communities. The PNG National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has identified a need to improve fisheries management, underpinned by an assessment of the shark and ray fisheries.
- Investigators
- William White, Ludwig Kumoru, Colin Simpfendorfer, Sharon Appleyard and Andrew Chin in collaboration with Jonathan Smart (Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation, National Fisheries Authority, Papua New Guinea and College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Shark; Ray; Papua New Guinea; Fishery; Management; Conservation
Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA/APSOI) - Contract Research
Ecological Risk Assessment for Deepwater Chondrichthyans
- Indicative Funding
- $10,012
- Summary
- Australia is obliged to fulfil elements of the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) Scientific Committee work plan to provide advice o the impacts of fishing on associated species. James Cook University undertook preliminary work to develop an ecological risk assessment (ERA) for deepwater sharks by compiling input values of species productivity attributes from the scientific literature and other sources. The ERA was then progressed at a workshop with SIOFA Contracting Parties. JCU will now provide expert review of SIOFA ecological risk assessment data, outputs and reports and assist with the preparation of a scientific paper for publication.
- Investigators
- Colin Simpfendorfer and Cassie Rigby (College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Deepwater Ecology; Shark; Ray Crystal-Structure; Ecological Risk Assessment
Australian Institute of Marine Science - Contract Research
JCU - AIMS Shark Collaboration
- Indicative Funding
- $178,119 over 3 years
- Summary
- Funding will support a joint post-doc between JCU and AIMS to assist with collaborative projects the ecology and conservation of sharks.
- Investigators
- Colin Simpfendorfer and Michelle Heupel in collaboration with Andrew Chin (College of Science & Engineering and Australian Institute of Marine Science)
- Keywords
- Shark; Ecology; Coral Reef Ecosystems; Hammerhead Sharks
CSIRO - Contract Research
Australian Sawfish Population Viability Analysis
- Indicative Funding
- $15,000
- Summary
- Sawfish are the most threatened group of elasmobranch. Australia is home to 4 species and is one of the last refuges where viable populations exist. However, data is limited and the threats in Australia have not been adequately assessed. This project will use population viability analysis to examine the potential effects of fishing on Australian populations.
- Investigators
- Colin Simpfendorfer (College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Sawfish; Threatened Species; Fishing; Pristidae; population viabilityh
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources - Contract Research
Life history attributes data for deepwater sharks ecological risk assessment
- Indicative Funding
- $25,454
- Summary
- This project will gather information on the life history of deepwater shaks from the Pacific and Indian Oceans for use in developing a qulaitative isk assessment for deepwater fisheries.
- Investigators
- Colin Simpfendorfer and Cassandra Rigby (College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Deepwater ecology; Shark; Ray; Ecological Risk Assessment
Wildlife Conservation Society - Contract Research
Shark Rapid Assessment Toolkit
- Indicative Funding
- $15,604
- Summary
- This project will develop tools that developing countries can use to assess the status of their shark and ray resources. It is a partnership between WWF, JCU, AIMS, USP and CSIRO.
- Investigators
- Colin Simpfendorfer (College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Shark fisheries
- Supervision
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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
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- Distribution, Abundance and Conservation Threats of Elasmobranchs in the River Systems of Papua New Guinea (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
- Resolving the global occurrence and distribution of sawfishes using genetic techniques (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
- Assessing ecological risk posed to common rays by prawn trawling (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
- The biology and ecology of Carcharhiniform sharks in the Gulf of Papua prawn trawl fishery;; (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
- Ecology of rays on tropical coral reefs (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
- Examining Coral Reef Carrying Capacity and Trophic Roles of Grey Reef Sharks in the Central GBR. (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
- A holistic approach to shark fisheries science and management: The role of contempory indigenous knowledge (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
- Conservation Genomics and Ecology of True Sea Snakes (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Effects of Environmental Variation on Habitat Use and Movement of the Blacktip Reef Shark, Carcharhinus Melanopterus. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of Marine Sanctuaries for Wide-Ranging Animals: A Case Study of the Cook Islands Shark Sanctuary. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Habitat Use, Movement Patterns and Trophic Ecology of Sharks and rays within Mangrove Forests (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- A Challenging Environment in a Changing World for Juvenile Sharks: Ecological Energetics of Climate Change with Implications Toward Conservation (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
- Conservation Biology of Wedgefishes and giant guitarfishes (Order Rhinopristiformes) (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
- Completed
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- The ecology of shark-like batoids: implications for management in the Great Barrier Reef region (2014, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Large bodied fish communities and drivers of use in the shallow waters of a coastal habitat mosaic (2015, Masters , Secondary Advisor)
- Habitat and dietary selectivity of nearshore shark populations (2015, PhD , Primary Advisor)
- Movements, Habitat Use and Connectivity of Reef-associated Sharks: Implications for Management and Conservation (2015, PhD , Primary Advisor)
- Diversity in Shark Nursery Area Function in the Great Barrier Reef (2015, PhD , Primary Advisor)
- Life history of deepwater chondrichthyans (2015, PhD , Primary Advisor)
- Movement of an exploited coral reef teleost across multiple temporal and spatial scales (2015, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Improving understanding of spatial ecology through network analysis of acoustic monitoring data (2016, PhD , Primary Advisor)
- Spatial ecology of true sea snakes (Hydrophiinae) in coastal waters of North Queensland (2016, PhD , Primary Advisor)
- Investigation of Coral Trout (Plectropomus spp.) Movement Patterns and Resource Use: A Multidisciplinary Approach Using Acoustic Telemetry and Dietary Indicators (2016, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Life history and demographic modelling of shark species caught in Indo-Pacific fisheries (2017, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Understanding the risk to flatback turtles (Natator depressus) from expanding industrial development in Western Australia (2017, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Population genomics informs conservation and management of the Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) at local, regional and oceanic scales (2017, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Scaling up to form marine protected area networks: the role of coordination of initiatives and institutional collaborations in the Philippines (2014, PhD , Associate Advisor)
- Refining the ecological role of stingrays in coral reef ecosystems (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
- Data
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These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit the JCU Research Data Catalogue.
- D'Anastasi, B. (2018) Conservation genomics of Western Australian Aipysurus group sea snake species. James Cook University
- Harry, A. (2012) Data for: Comparison of the reproductive ecology of two sympatric blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus and Carcharhinus tilstoni) off north-eastern Australia with species identification inferred from vertebral counts. James Cook University
- Collaboration
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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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