David Currie
Subprogram Leader–Benthic Ecology
Areas of expertise:
Ecology of marine benthos, aquatic pollution, environmental assessment, ecological effects of fishing, remote sensing.
Countries of work experience:
Australia, New Zealand, UK.
Experience and qualifications:
Since obtaining his PhD in marine ecology from the University of New England in 1990, David has developed a strong background in benthic ecosystem research. For much of the 1990’s David was employed by Victoria’s Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute and lead research into the ecological effects of commercial scallop harvesting in Port Phillip Bay, and the impacts of introduced marine pests on temperate Australian coastal waters. David has worked more recently on the ecology of intertidal wetlands as a member of the Coastal Zone CRC, and has developed several significant consultancies for CQU’s Centre for Environmental Management. These have included investigations into the ecological consequences of land reclamation, spoil dumping and the impoundment of rivers on the productivity of estuarine ecosystems. Results of these studies have been extensively published in the international press (over 20 papers) and are widely cited. David joined SARDI in 2004 and presently leads research into benthic processes and trophic linkages to demersal fisheries in South Australia.
Professional appointments:
2004–present: Sub–program leader, SARDI Aquatic Sciences, Adelaide, Australia.
2001–2004: Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Environmental Management, Central Queensland University, Gladstone, Australia.
2001: SAS Analyst, Medibank, Australian Government, Canberra, Australia.
1991–1999: Research Scientist, Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute, Queenscliff, Australia.
1985–1990: Tutor and Research Assistant, Zoology Department, University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
1984–1985: Research Scientist, Clyde River Purification Board, Glasgow, Scotland.
1983: Research Assistant, University of Auckland, Leigh Marine Laboratory, Leigh, New Zealand.
1982: Site Assistant, Sea Fish Industry Authority, Marine Laboratory, Ardtoe, Scotland.
Research and Consulting:
2004– present: Studies to assess the effectiveness of the Great Australian Bight Marine Park in preserving benthic biodiversity.
2003–2004: Studies on the population and community ecology of demersal fish, infauna, seagrass and mangroves in Port Curtis Estuary.
2002–2003: Assessment of the effects of heavy metal tailings on benthic communities in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon.
2001–2002: Macrobenthic community responses to changing freshwater flows in the Fitzroy River.
1997–1999: Audit of the distribution and abundance of invasive marine species in the Ports of Portland, Melbourne, Hastings and Geelong.
1996–1997: Benthic habitat classification of Victoria’s 13 candidate MPA’s using hydroacoustic and video techniques.
1995–1996: Impact of exploratory offshore drilling on benthic communities in the Minerva gas field, Port Campbell.
1991–1995: Multi–discipline studies to assess the ecological effects of commercial scallop dredging on the ecology of Port Phillip Bay.
1985–1990: Studies on the ecology and population dynamics of intertidal molluscs intropical, temperate and Antarctic waters.
1984–1985: Environmental assessment of industrial discharges in the Solway Firth andClyde Estuary.
Contact:
Dr David Currie
SARDI Aquatic Sciences
Tel: 08 8207 5318
Fax: 08 8207 5481
E–mail: currie.david@saugov.sa.gov.au