Dr. Fabrice Jaine
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Fabrice is a Conjoint Lecturer at Macquarie University, Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Sydney Institute of Marine Science and Principal Science Officer for Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS, www.imos.org.au) based at the University of Tasmania. His research interests broadly revolve around the collection and delivery of open-access ocean observations to support collaborative scientific research and inform the sustainable management of marine ecosystems in light of conservation challenges associated with human activities (e.g. climate change, anthropogenic disturbance, unsustainable fisheries). His work often takes a multi-disciplinary approach to answer questions about the status of marine species and populations, combining his expertise in data science, marine megafauna, coral reef and pelagic marine systems, animal tracking, oceanography, citizen science and wildlife tourism.
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As part of his previous role at SIMS, Fabrice coordinated the Animal Tracking Facility of Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS, www.imos.org.au). Initiated in 2007, the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility aims to collate long-term observations on movements and distributions of marine species within coastal and oceanic waters, to inform the management of Australia’s marine resources. Additionally, Fabrice has collaborated on various research initiatives aimed at furthering knowledge of undocumented animal populations, identifying drivers of distributions and habitat use of elusive or threatened marine species and producing novel rapid assessment tools to describe the biodiversity of Marine Protected Areas and Pacific Island ecosystems.
Fabrice has a long history of conducting frontline research on the charismatic manta rays, since completing his PhD as part of Australia's 'Project Manta', a multi-disciplinary research program initiated at the University of Queensland. In recent years, Fabrice has co-led global efforts to identify knowledge gaps to advance research and conservation of manta and devil rays. In 2020, Fabrice was appointed as Scientific Adviser for the Manta Trust (www.mantatrust.org), a UK charity that spearheads global research and conservation efforts for mobulid rays.
Current Projects:
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Fabrice's current research explores the following themes through various active collaborations, grants and student supervision:
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Manta and Devil Rays
2009 - present
Population and movement ecology of manta and devil rays in Australia and globally. Currently helping develop manta ray research programs in French Polynesia and Raja Ampat.
Pelagic Vertebrates of the Lord Howe Island Marine Park
2018 - 2024
A multi-focus collaborative research program documenting the diversity and use of Marine Protected Areas around the World Heritage Lord Howe Island by pelagic marine vertebrates via animal tracking and environmental DNA metabarcoding. A collaboration between SIMS, the University of Western Australia, the Australian Museum and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Marine Parks).
Initially funded by Parks Australia and the Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation. Currently seeking further funding to expand on this research
Spawning Migrations of Yellowtail Kingfish
2021- 2024
This project addresses urgent knowledge gaps about the ecology and movements of the spawning Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) stock in NSW waters, as well as connectivity with other jurisdictions in eastern Australia.
Funded by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust and Victorian Recreational Grants Program
Movements of marine species in Australia's coastal waters
2016 - 2023
Continental-scale tracking of movements of Australian marine species to examine population structure, species distributions, migratory patterns and climate change impacts as part of Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS, www.imos.org).
Coastal Aggregations and Ecology of Australian Cownose Rays
2019 - present
A project that investigates the trends in sightings, catch and foraging ecology of elusive Australian cownose rays (Rhinoptera neglecta) off the coast of New South Wales, Australia. Preliminary outputs from this study have already greatly expanded knowledge about this species. A collaboration between Macquarie University, SIMS, NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries Research) and Newcastle University.
Funded through a Small Grant from the NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee. Currently seeking further funding to expand on this research
Sightings of the Elusive Endangered Ornate Eagle Ray in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
2014 - 2021
A long-term citizen science study to collate sufficient information on the elusive Ornate Eagle Ray to improve current knowledge of this endangered species and its occurrence in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.