DEAKIN University’s new Professor of Marine Science Graeme Hays hopes to make Warrnambool a major player in international marine and aquaculture research.
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After taking on the role, Professor Hays will be involved in research projects at the Warrnambool campus ranging from local plankton populations to changes in global ocean biology.
The appointment is part of Deakin University’s $5 million investment over five years in marine and aquaculture research and teaching in Warrnambool.
According to Professor Hays, this will put the university among the world’s elite.
“The central objective is to be involved in high-level research that will have a huge impact on ecology in general and marine science in particular,” he said.
Professor Hays will work at a state level to review trends in plankton populations and to investigate the implications such changes may have on fisheries, particularly on endangered species.
On a national level he will be involved in research on sea turtles, chiefly on their nesting areas in northern regions of Australia. Internationally he will undertake projects looking at long-term biological change in oceans and the implications of climate change and over-fishing.
“It is a three-tiered approach across unicellular plankton at the bottom of the food chain to mega vertebrates such as leatherback turtles.”
Professor Hays’ previous work includes research which helped to address issues relating to growth in jellyfish numbers and the management changes that may be needed to address related problems.
“One hypothesis is that jellyfish are in abundance because of over-fishing of other stocks. They have a huge impact. There are examples of kills in salmon farms and thousands of people being taken to hospital in one weekend in France from jellyfish stings.”
He has also researched the impact of climate change on unicellular plants, and the migration and reproduction habits of turtles.
The university’s marine investment includes a state-of-the-art research vessel and soon-to-be-built saltwater aquaculture facility.