Dolphin experts
Murdoch University has played a key role in investigating the health of dolphin populations in WA. Our experts are internationally recognised in the area of cetacean (whales and dolphins) monitoring, conservation and health.
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Dr Lars BejderImpact of tourism on whales and dolphins Dr Lars Bejder leads the world’s largest study into the impact of tourism on whales and dolphins, and Murdoch’s Cetacean Research Unit. His research on the impact of whale watching in Shark Bay led to the Western Australian Government’s decision to decrease the number of licensed dolphin watching tour operators in the state to ensure sustainability. Dr Bejder’s research is also helping the Hawaiian State Government in the US to create legislation protecting their native dolphins from the impact of tourism. |
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Dr Carly HolyoakeHealth investigation in cetaceans Dr Holyoake is the Marine Mammal Health Project Coordinator within the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Murdoch University. She is a veterinarian who has had experience with conducting disease surveillance type projects in both wildlife and domestic species. Dr Holyoake has played an important part in the investigation into the unusual dolphin mortalities that occurred in 2009 in the Swan Canning River, helping with post-mortem examinations and testing levels of contaminants and disease in the dolphins. |
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Dr Hugh FinnWildlife conservation, conservation biology Dr Hugh Finn is a post-doctoral fellow at Murdoch University research focus on black-cockatoos and bottlenose dolphins. He became involved with dolphins in the Swan River through his PhD research in Cockburn Sound and the Swan River from 2000-3. He is also involved with Dolphin Watch, a collaborative project with the Swan River Trust and Curtin University in which community volunteers record observations of dolphins within the Swan Canning Riverpark. His current research is examining the ecology of black-cockatoos in the Jarrah Forest and the Swan Coastal Plain. |
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Dr Nahiid StephensHealth investigation in cetaceans Dr Nahiid Stephens is based in the Anatomic Pathology Department within the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Murdoch University. Dr Stephens has an interest in marine mammal health investigation and conducts the post mortem and histopathological examination of cetaceans. Her latest work in this field as a team member of the Marine Mammal Health Project has been to support the WA Chief Scientist in advising the state government about the health of the Swan-Canning River and Peel-Leschenault dolphins following unusual mortalities in 2009. |
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Professor Neil LoneraganMarine and Estuarine Ecosystems, Fish and Fisheries Science Neil Loneragan is the Director of the Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research and holds the inaugural Chair in Fisheries Science at Murdoch University.In recent years Professor Loneragan has been researching ecosystem approaches to fisheries and cetacean populations, fisheries ecology and fisheries interactions with protected, threatened and endangered species. Prior to joining Murdoch, Professor Loneragan spent nearly 15 years with CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric research, investigating the linkages between coastal habitats, fisheries production (particularly penaeid prawns) and biodiversity and stock enhancement. His research in Australia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea has provided the basis for major reviews of mangrove fishery linkages and stock enhancement, and major multi-disciplinary research projects in fisheries ecology and prawn stock enhancement. He has published extensively in international journals and he has served on a variety of national and international committees for fisheries, marine ecosystems and stock enhancement. |
To reach these experts for media inquiries, contact:
| Hayley Mayne Media & Communications Coordinator Phone: 08 9360 2474 Mobile: 0402 288 815 Email: h.mayne@murdoch.edu.au |
Jo Manning Media & Communications Coordinator Phone: 08 9360 2985 Mobile: 0408 201 309 Email: j.manning@murdoch.edu.au |
For all other inquiries please ring reception on 08 9360 6000.
