JCU > Research Portfolio > Prof Marcus Sheaves

About

Marcus Sheaves is a Professor in the College of Science and Engineering, where he is Director of Special Projects. Marcus also leads JCU’s Estuary and Coastal Wetland Ecology Research Group, and, JCU’s Marine Data Technology Hub.

Marcus has researched ecosystem and fisheries ecology of tropical coastal systems, estuaries, coastal wetlands and mangroves since the early 1990s. His research has focussed particularly on nursery ground utilisation and values, the role of connected habitat mosaics in ecosystem functioning, functional mapping of marine habitats, the use of developing technology (e.g. artificial intelligence) in environmental problem-solving, and critical thinking in environmental decision-making. He has published widely with over 75 peer reviewed publications over the last 5 years. Marcus leads a number of substantial research projects within Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region. He has extensive collaborations with research and management organisations both within Australia and internationally.

Teaching

MB3270: Coastal, Estuarine and Mangrove Ecosystems (Level 3; TSV)
MB5004: Marine Conservation Biology (Level 5; TSV)
MB5270: Coastal, Estuarine and Mangrove Ecosystems (Level 5; TSV)
MB5310: Marine Reserves as Fisheries Management Tools (Level 5; TSV)
MB5610: Fishing Gear and Technologies (Level 5; TSV)

Interests

Research

The ecology of estuaries and coastal wetland ecosystems, in particular in: nursery ground function, animal habitat relationships, the role of ecosystem mosaics and connectivity
Ecosystem repair and rejuvenation, contributions to food security and the effects of climate change
Fisheries, food web, seascape and spatial ecology

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Honours

Awards

2006 - Best Paper of the Year; 'Coral Reefs' - Journal of the International Society of Reef Studies

Fellowships

2009 - Australian Academy of Sciences Study Fellowship

Other

2012 - Primary Postgraduate Advisor of the Year, James Cook University

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

Hayes M, McClure E, York P, Jinks K, Rasheed M, Sheaves M and Connolly R (2020) The differential importance of deep and shallow seagrass to Nekton assemblages of The Great Barrier Reef. Diversity, 12 (8), Article: 292, DOI:10.3390/d12080292.
Henderson C, Gilby B, Schlacher T, Connolly R, Sheaves M, Maxwell P, Flint N, Borland H, Martin T and Olds A (2020) Low redundancy and complementarity shape ecosystem functioning in a low-diversity ecosystem. Journal of Animal Ecology, 89, pp. 784-794, DOI:10.1111/1365-2656.13148.
Henderson C, Gilby B, Schlacher T, Connolly R, Sheaves M, Maxwell P, Flint N, Borland H, Martin T, Gorissen B and Olds A (2020) Landscape transformation alters functional diversity in coastal seascapes. Ecography, 43 (1), pp. 138-148, DOI:10.1111/ecog.04504.
Jinks K, Rasheed M, Brown C, Olds A, Schlacher T, Sheaves M, York P and Connolly R (2020) Saltmarsh grass supports fishery food webs in subtropical Australian estuaries. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 238, Article: 106719, DOI:10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106719.
Sheaves M, Abrantes K, Barnett A, Benham C, Dale P, Mattone C, Sheaves A, Waltham N and Bradley M (in press) The consequences of paradigm change and poorly validated science: the example of the value of mangroves to fisheries. Fish and Fisheries, , DOI:10.1111/faf.12479.
Waltham N and Sheaves M (2020) Thermal exposure risks to mobile tropical marine snails: are eco-engineered rock pools on seawalls scale-specific enough for comprehensive biodiversity outcomes? Marine Pollution Bulletin, 156, Article: 111237, DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111237.
Waltham N, Elliott M, Lee S, Lovelock C, Duarte C, Buelow C, Simenstad C, Nagelkerken I, Claassens L, Wen C, Barletta M, Connolly R, Gillies C, Mitsch W, Ogburn M, Purandare J, Possingham H and Sheaves M (2020) UN decade on ecosystem restoration 2021-2020 - what chance for success in restoring coastal ecosystems? Frontiers in Marine Science, 7, Article: 71, pp. 1-5, DOI:10.3389/fmars.2020.00071.
Abrantes K, Sheaves M and Fries J (2019) Estimating the value of tropical coastal wetland habitats to fisheries: caveats and assumptions. PLoS ONE, 14 (4), Article: e0215350, DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0215350.
Baker R, Barnett A, Bradley M, Abrantes K and Sheaves M (2019) Contrasting seascape use by a coastal fish assemblage: a multi-method approach. Estuaries and Coasts, 42 (1), pp. 292-307, DOI:10.1007/s12237-018-0455-y.
Barnett A, McAllister J, Semmens J, Abrantes K, Sheaves M and Awruch C (2019) Identification of essential habitats: including chimaeras into current shark protected areas. Aquatic Conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems, 29 (6), pp. 865-880, DOI:10.1002/aqc.3087.
Bradley M, Baker R, Nagelkerken I and Sheaves M (2019) Context is more important than habitat type in determining use by juvenile fish. Landscape Ecology, 34, pp. 427-442, DOI:10.1007/s10980-019-00781-3.
Creighton C, Prahalad V, McLeod I, Sheaves M, Taylor M and Walshe T (2019) Prospects for seascape repair: three case studies from eastern Australia. Ecological Management and Restoration, 20 (3), DOI:10.1111/emr.12384.

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 162+ research outputs authored by Prof Marcus Sheaves from 1992 onwards.

Current Funding

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

Australian Research Council - Linkage - Infrastructure (L-IEF)

Australian Acoustic Observatory: A Network to Monitor Biodiversity

Indicative Funding: $927,000 over 3 years (administered by QUT)
Summary: Acoustic sensing is transforming environmental science by recording vocal species 24 x 7, providing data of unparalleled spatial and temporal resolution for ecosystem monitoring and research. This is particularly relevant to Australia's fragile and mega-diverse environment and Australia has leading research expertise in this emerging field. The proposed observatory will be the world's largest terrestrial acoustic sensor network comprising 450 listening stations deployed across Australia. Funds will purchase autonomous sound recorders and online storage and processing hardware. Data will be freely available to all online, enabling new science in understanding ecosystems, long-term environmental change, data visualisation and acoustic science.
Investigators: Paul Roe, David Watson, Richard Fuller, Stuart Parsons, Tomasc Bednarz, Margot Brereton, Lin Schwarzkopf, Dale Nimmo, Berndt Janse van Rensburg, Martine Maron, Marcus Sheaves, Paul McDonald and Gary Luck (Queensland University of Technology, Charles Sturt University, The University of Queensland, College of Science & Engineering and The University of New England)
Keywords: Monitoring; Frogs; acoustic; Birds

WV Scott Charitable Trust - Research Grant

Addressing urgent welfare concerns for Blackspotted Croaker (Protonibea diacanthus) populations in Queensland

Indicative Funding: $50,000
Summary: The Blackspotted Croaker (also known as black jewfish) is targeted by commercial, recreational, indigenous and charter fishing groups. Since 2017 there has been a rapid increase in targeted commercial fishing effort for Blackspotteed Croaker in Queensland. Given the high value of Blackspotteed Croaker, their vulnerability as aggregating species and the absence of a stock assessment to inform how many populations need to be managed, updated biological/ecological information (Including stock structure) are needed for assessment and protection of Blackspotted Croaker stock(s) in Queensland. The study aims at identifying stock structure and connectivity (including aggregation time) in order to improve management of th species across Queensland.
Investigators: Marcus Sheaves, Adam Barnett, Carlo Mattone and Michael Bradley (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Population Genetic Structure; Fisheries Management; Epinephelus nigritus (Serranidae); Blackspotted Croaker

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation - Annual Competitive Round

Application of a machine learning approach for effective stock management of abalone

Indicative Funding: $115,649 over 3 years
Summary: Determining the number and size distribution of abalone present at various stages of production is critical information for effective stock management. Currently the Australian abalone aquaculture industry spends in the order of $25,000 per annum, per farm, gathering this information by hand. However, the resulting data is of mediocre quality, is limited in its scope, and collecting the data causes stress to the animals which can compromise growth and survival. Automated counting and measuring of abalone will increase farm efficiency and productivity in the short term and, in the longer term, will provide an advanced platform for further R&D improvements. Artificial intelligence and machine learning has now matured to a point that accurately counting and measuring abalone is possible using this approach. This project would involve the development, training and validation of a machine learning model to identify, segment and measure quantitative abalone traits in production systems, and render the product data to be accessible and applicable for farmers.
Investigators: Jan Strugnell, Marcus Sheaves, Carlo Mattone, Ickjai Lee, Joanne Lee, Jason Holdsworth and Art (Hemmaphan) Suwanwiwat (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Abalone (Haliotidae); Machine Learning

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) - Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR)

Building local capacity for aquatic wildlife?s sustainable management: Patagonia, Argentina

Indicative Funding: $11,210
Summary: Patagonia, Argentina, is facing alarming aquatic wildlife resource risks. This project will build local capacity for the sustainable management of Patagonian wildlife resources by skilling scientists at the Patagonian National Centre through a new collaboration agreement with James Cook University.
Investigators: Adam Barnett and Marcus Sheaves in collaboration with Alejo Irigoyen (College of Science & Engineering and Centro Nacional Patagonico (CENPAT))
Keywords: Capacity Building; Education; Animal movement technology; Predators

Hinchinbrook Shire Council - Contract Research

Lower Herbert Drainage Concerns-Mangrove Expansion

Indicative Funding: $29,033 over 2 years
Summary: The Project aims at assessing the effect of removing overhanging mangrove trees that have grown over artificially made channels over the last few decades. The mangrove pose a threat to the water flow, causing the drain to overfill during periods of heavy rainfall and flood the surrounding areas.
Investigators: Marcus Sheaves, Nathan Waltham, Carlo Mattone and Michael Bradley (College of Science & Engineering and TropWATER)
Keywords: Mangrove Forest; Nursery Grounds; Clearance

World Wide Fund for Nature - Contract Research

From Coastal Communities to Cloud Communities ? New Application and Artificial Intelligence to Monitor Fish Stocks Using Photos ? Application Development

Indicative Funding: $53,100 over 2 years
Summary: The Project aims at develop an artificial intelligence capable to autonomously identify fish species and number from images collected at fish markets in remote location, so that effective catch rate can be evaluated and management policies can be developed.
Investigators: Marcus Sheaves, Carlo Mattone, Michael Bradley, Joanne Lee, Jason Holdsworth, Art (Hemmaphan) Suwanwiwat and Ickjai Lee (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Phone App; Caught Fish; Catch Rate

WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - Contract Research

Identification of benthic structure using machine learning

Indicative Funding: $36,200 (administered by Wa Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development)
Summary: The Project aims at automating the classification of benthic structure and biota from images using machine learning
Investigators: Marcus Sheaves, Bronson Philippa, Carlo Mattone and Michael Bradley (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Benthic Assessment; Machine Learning

Ecological Society of Australia - Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment

Assessing the roles of batoids in coastal sandflats

Indicative Funding: $6,750
Summary: This project will develop and implement innovative data collection methods using drone technology to assess the roles of batoids in coastal sandflats. Specifically, we will be developing methods to map the locations of batoid feeding pits, calculate the volume of sediment turned over, and gain detailed behavioural observations. Results from this research will highlight the important roles batoids play in coastal sandflats and provide a useful tool for assessing the foraging impacts of batoids on sandflats that can be applied on a global scale. Additionally, we will determine if feeding pit counts can be used to estimate the abundance of batoids on a sandflat. If successful, this technique has broad application potential for monitoring batoid populations which will be vital for their conservation.
Investigators: Kevin Crook, Adam Barnett, Marcus Sheaves and Katya Abrantes (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Batoids; Foraging ecology; Bioturbation; Behaviour; Mapping; Drones

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: $294,000 over 2 years
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 and Marcus Sheaves in collaboration with Carlo Mattone (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Recreational fisheries; Barramundi; Fish welfare; Stress

MAKO Tidal Turbines Pty Ltd - Contract Research

Barney Point Turbine Monitoring

Indicative Funding: $27,457
Summary: Monitoring surface video, underwater video, underwater acoustic and sidescan data streams using AI (January-April 2019) (including monthly regular reporting, final reporting and feasibility analysis), to assess whether the tidal turbine impacts fish and other aquatic organisms during its operations.
Investigators: Marcus Sheaves, Carlo Mattone and Dmitry Konovalov (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Impact Assessment; Tidal turbine monitoring

World Wide Fund for Nature, Australia - Consultancy

Queensland Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery Electronic Observer

Indicative Funding: $6,000
Summary: To understand the value of a new technique for collecting critical fisheries information regarding target, bycatch and threatened species interactions in the coral reef fin fish fishery through electronic observation and machine learning.
Investigators: Marcus Sheaves and Carlo Mattone (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Fisheries Management; Line Fishers

QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Tenders

Identification and Restoration of Intertidal Fish Nursery Habitat in the Baffle Catchment

Indicative Funding: $266,456 over 2 years
Summary: This project aims to identify high intertidal fish nursery habitat pools in the Baffle Drainage Basin (BDB), assess their value to fish, evaluate the current state of their functionality, prioritise pools for restoration and identify viable restoration solutions. By involving local stakeholders, local government, regional NRM and State Government scientists and managers, a network of users will gain an understanding of how these habitats function and can be restored, based upon this baseline research.
Investigators: Marcus Sheaves, Nathan Waltham, Martha Brians, Maria Zann and Janine Sheaves (College of Science & Engineering and TropWATER)
Keywords: Estuary; Intertidal; Salt Marsh; Wetlands; Mangroves

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

Population structure and connectivity of small-bodied benthic shark species: Comparing patterns across the Pacific, a case study of the genus Heterodontus (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Assessing the Functional Roles of Batoids in Coastal Sandflats (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Drivers of Migration in Elasmobranchs (Masters , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Habitat Use, Movement Patterns and Trophic Ecology of Sharks and rays within Mangrove Forests (PhD , Advisor Mentor)
Herbivores as ecosystem engineers in tropical seagrass meadows: Grazing impacts on meadow structure and ecosystem service delivery. (PhD , Advisor Mentor)
A transdisciplinary evaluation of forest retention policies and practices in the Australian context (PhD , Advisor Mentor)
Understanding the social dynamics of tilapia pond aquaculture in a rural developing pacific islands context (PhD , Advisor Mentor)
Effects of Biodiversity and Environment on Benthic Ecosystem Functioning of Tropical Estuaries. (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change in the Tropics: Livelihood Sustainability of North Queensland Commercial Fishers (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Effects of Environmental Variation on Habitat Use and Movement of the Blacktip Reef Shark, Carcharhinus Melanopterus. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Assessing the potential for recreational fishing to contribute to conservation of coastal marine species and habitats (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Mapping Coastal Wetland Extent, Heterogeneity and use by Aquatic Fauna using Drone Technology (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Developing High-Performance Deep Learning Tools for Marine Habitat Monitoring (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)

Completed

Integrated assessment of ecosystem connectivity and functioning: coastal forest avifauna of northeast Australia (2018, PhD , Primary Advisor)
The effects of a changing marine environment on the bioeroding sponge Cliona orientalis (2018, PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Context dependence in the habitat relationships of coastal and marine fishes (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Dissolved oxygen as a constraint for the structure of mangrove fish assemblages and their patterns of mangrove utilisation: a comparison between natural and disturbed mangrove ecosystems through the Austra (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Mangrove Restoration, A Case for an Evidence Based Approach (2015, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Measuring productivity of Australian tropical estuaries using standing stock analysis (2020, Masters , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Viruses in coral reef sponges (2020, PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Spatio-temporal dynamics and population biology of the Fly River Herring (Nematalosa papuensis): implications for freshwater lake management in Papua New Guinea (2016, PhD , Primary Advisor)
Benthic infauna of mangrove forests: dissolved oxygen and environmental settings determine their community composition and function (2017, PhD , Primary Advisor)
Novel approach for the classification of habitats in tropical estuaries exposed to urban and industrial development (2019, PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)

Data

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.

Dubuc, A. (2019) Dataset: fish assemblages and environmental parameters in Bourake. James Cook University
Bradley, M. (2019) Data from: Context is more important than habitat type in determining use by juvenile fish. James Cook University

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.