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Dawn at Magnetic Island
AboutTEVENE'I MARINE
The goal of TEVENE'I MARINE is to provide high quality scientific information about the ecology of coral reefs to a diverse range of clients, including Government Institutions, Private Business, University and Secondary school students, Eco-tourists, and Film-makers. Our specialty is Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest and most spectacular reef system! Our sincere hope is that through passing our knowledge on to others, we can help preserve the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, so that many future generations can enjoy the most intricate and complex ecosystem that nature has produced on this planet!
By the way - Tevene'i is the God of the Meteor to the Micronesian people in Kiribati. Follow this link to find out more about the name.
TEVENE'I MARINE was established in February 1997 by Dr. Andy Lewis. Andy is a graduate of the Department of Marine Biology at James Cook University in Townsville, which is renowned as one of the worlds best institutions for studying tropical marine biology, and particularly coral reef ecology. Other staff members and associates are also professional biologists with research experience on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Rainforest Ecosystems of North Queensland.
PROFILES - STAFF & ASSOCIATES
Andy Lewis B.Sc. (Hons 1A), Ph.D. JCU
Andy grew up in Western Australia, and developed his interest for marine biology while snorkelling and fishing on the remote reefs off the North-West coast as a teenager. He traveled to Townsville in 1987 to study marine biology at James Cook University. He investigated cephalopod (squid) reproductive biology for his Honours research degree, and then enrolled in a Ph.D. in 1992. His Ph.D. thesis focussed on the population dynamics of reef fishes, and their responses to coral disturbance. From 1992 to 1996 he made more than 200 individual trips to his study sites on the Central Barrier Reef, diving in every month of the year. Click here to see Andy's curriculum vitae. Andy established TEVENE'I MARINE in 1997, and since then has worked on numerous scientific and educational consultancy projects on the Great Barrier Reef. His other interests include playing drumkit & hand percussion, gardening, photography, kiteboarding, surfing, windsurfing, yoga, and bushwalking.
David Williamson B.Sc., M.Sc. JCU
David was raised in Western Australia, and moved to North Queensland in 1993 to begin a degree in Marine Biology & Zoology at JCU. He completed his B.Sc. in 1995 and spent the following 6 months working as a field assistant on research projects at JCU and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). In June 1996 he began working for AIMS as a technician in Mariculture (marine aquaculture) research and continued there for 18 months. Early in 1998 he began his Masters in the Marine Biology department at JCU. His project is examining the effectiveness of fringing reef marine reserves (green zones) in protecting commercially important fish stocks at the Palm Islands, the Whitsunday Islands and Magnetic Island (Great Barrier Reef). He is also a Director of Scientific Marine Pty. Ltd., a consulting firm based in Townsville (email scientific.marine@beyond.net.au). Dave’s other interests include playing music, karate, travelling, camping, surfing, diving and gardening.
Mike Emslie B.Sc.(Hons) JCU
Mike completed his Honours degree at JCU, investigating the reproductive biology and ecology of coral reef damselfish. He also worked as a research officer at James Cook University spending large amounts of time at sea on various research projects. He has worked as a consultant on Environmental Impact Assessments in the Central Pacific and as a researcher studying the offshore snapper fishery in the Northern Territory. Mike holds an ADAS Level 1 Commercial Diver certification with over 1000 hours logged, a coxswain's certificate and is a great reference for coral reef fish identification and ecology. Mike currently works with the Australian Institute of Marine Science on their reef monitoring team. Mike's other interests include playing guitar and bass, rugby, cricket, and camping.
Daniela Ceccarelli B.Sc., PhD, JCU
Daniela grew up in Italy, Switzerland, and Syria, and speaks 5 European languages. She developed her interest in the marine environment while snorkelling in the Mediterranean Sea off the Syrian coast, and came to Australia to see the Great Barrier Reef in 1994. She returned in 1995 to study marine biology at JCU, and finished her PhD in coral reef ecology in October 2004. She has worked as a teacher and researcher for the past 7 years, and is currently working as a consultant aquatic ecologist in Townsville. Click here to see Daniela's curriculum vitae. Daniela's other interests include teaching yoga, running, music, and art.
Lynda Curtis B.Sc., PhD, UQ
Lynda grew up in Brisbane and developed a love of the ocean from a young age whilst going on fishing and snorkeling trips with her family. She completed her honours in 2002 where she examined the physiological and behavioural effects of a parasitic isopod on its host cardinal fish. Lynda worked for the Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnership as a Scientific Support Officer for 18 months where she collaborated on many projects involving the monitoring and management of environmental health in the creeks, rivers, estuaries in South East Queensland and Moreton Bay. Lynda then returned to the University of Queensland to work as a Research Assistant for Dr Lexa Grutter in the Coral Reef Ecology Laboratory, a position which she held for one year before beginning her PhD in 2005 investigating the transmission of blood parasites between coral reef fish and their effect on host physiology.
Ant Backer B.Sc. JCU
Ant was born in Townsville, North Queensland, and grew up in the Wet Tropics World Heritage area where his love and interest of frogs and other vertebrate fauna developed. He completed his B.Sc at James Cook University, majoring in Zoology and Botany. Ant has been involved with numerous field trips to the high-altitude rainforests of both northern and southern Queensland, where he conducted extensive terrestrial vertebrate surveys while involved in research examining the effects of climate change on high altitude vertebrates and the decline of rainforest frogs throughout Queensland. Ant currently works as a Biodiversity Planning Officer with the Environmental Protection Agency. Aside from "frogging", Ant's other passions include playing good music, photography, and hiking.
Richard D. Braley BA Humboldt State Uni., M.Sc. Uni. Guam, Ph.D. Uni. NSW
Richard D. Braley is the founder and principal consultant of AQUASEARCH, an aquaculture consultancy business based in Townsville (email braley@austarnet.com.au ). Rick has over 24 years experience in the design, construction and maintenance of aquaculture systems for Giant Clams, Pearl oysters, Prawns and Trochus in the tropical regions of South-East Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific. Click here to see Rick's curriculum vitae.
Niklas Taylor BSc JCU
Nik spent his early years in the Solomon Islands, before eventually moving to Northern NSW. He started his University degree at JCU in 1993 majoring in Marine Ecology and GIS. Nik has worked on a variety of marine research projects including 5 years on the Crown-of-Thorns program for GBRMPA, coral studies for the University of Queensland, and base-line fish and benthic surveys in the Seychelles. He continues to work as a research diver for JCU. Nik's other interests include surfing, rugby union, and esoteric reading.
Greg Calvert B.Sc, PhD. JCU
