Chico Birrell M.Sc., G.Dip., B.Sc. ,Hons. Edin.,
CURRICULUM VITAE
Name: Mr. Chico Liam Birrell,
May 2005
Address: 47 Albury st, Pimlico, Townsville,
DoB: 10 August 1975,
4812 QLD, Australia
Status: married,
Telephone: +61 (0) 7 4775 7995
Nationality: British, Portuguese
Email: chico1@bigpond.net.au
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

James Cook University (Australia)
January 2001-September 2003
1) Master of Science (Research): Influences of algae on coral settlement, post-settlement
survival and community recovery on degraded coral reefs. Supervisors: Prof. B. Willis, Dr. L.
McCook.
2) Graduate Diploma of Research Methods in Marine Biology: I developed a theoretical and
practical background for coral reef research.

The University of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK)
1994-1998
BSc Ecological Science & Environmental Science honors, Thesis: A Simulation of the effects of
a coastal vegetation fire on near shore coral reefs. Provided me a sound understanding of
ecological theory, and environmental issues such as climate change.
PRE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
Escola Técnica Liceal de Santo António – Salesian monks (Estoril, Portugal):
Viragem, Evening Art School (Cascais, Portugal):
1987-1993
1991-1993
Externato Zambeze (Oeiras, Portugal):
1985-1987
St. Julian’s International School (Carcavelos, Portugal):
1981-1985
LANGUAGES
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English - Fluent
Portuguese - Fluent
Spanish - Fluent
French - Elementary
Portuguese > English
TRANSLATION ACREDITATION
NAATI (Australia) No. 52514
In progress: Spanish<>English<Portuguese
(Interpreter & translator)
TOURISM and INTERPRETOR/TRANSLATOR WORK EXPERIENCE

Interpreter and translator (Portuguese<>English)
April 2005 interpreter in forensic examination for court trial (Townsville, Australia); translation of
official letters.
February 2005 10th Capoeira Brazil Festival (Sydney, Australia); interpreter in a ten day martial
arts event of training workshops and social events; translation of Brasilian folkloric songs.

Tour Guide for Cosmos-Tourama
Aug
1998-Nov
2000
I was responsible for the travel logistics and cultural insight of up to 50 people in Spain, Portugal
and Morocco. I developed interpretation, business, organisation, and communication skills in a
wide range of topics between English, Portuguese and Spanish (all direction combinations).
1
LICENCES
FIRST AID & OTHER TRAINING

Dive instructor (P.A.D.I.)
650 dives
 Coxwain Boat Licence
(unrestricted)
 Marine Radio Operator,
ACA – 2001
 Driving license (B)
MEMBERSHIPS


First Aid: Emergency 1st
Aid & Isolated Area
Emergency Care
 Oxygen resuscitation
 Mapping: ESRI Arc-GIS I
 GBRMPA Tourism Staff
Certificate 2001
Australian Coral Reef
Society
 International Society for
Reef Studies
SCIENTIFIC WORK EXPERIENCE

Marine Biologist, Undersea Explorer November 2003-Present I research nautilus and reef
shark populations, water quality, undertake biological and ecological surveys, maintain a
database of reef sites, and do dive instructing, deckhand & interpreter (English<>Portuguese;
English<>Spanish) on a research/Ecotourism vessel (www.undersea.com.au).

December 2004 – May 2005
Coral Live History trait investigation
I conducted a thorough survey of coral life history traits to compile a database for all world
recognised taxa of zooxanthellate and azooxanthellate hard corals. (Dr. A. Baird, Dr. A. Kerr)
 Coral reproductive surveys on the Great Barrier Reef
November 2004
I surveyed populations of Acropora sp. in the Far northern section as part of a latitudinal study in
coral spawning sincrony, coordinated by Dr. A. Baird.
 Coral Spawning on the Great Barrier Reef
2001 and 2002
(alongside: Prof. B. Willis, Dr. A. Heyward, Dr. L. McCook, Dr. A. Negri, L. Harrington) I’ve worked
in the field and in laboratories at Lizard Island, Orpheus Island and Magnetic Island with spawning
corals, coral larvae and coral recruits.
 Coral Bleaching Hotspot surveys, GBR on A.I.M.S. vessel, 24 June – 13 July 2002 and
22-26 August 2002 (alongside: Dr. T. Done, Dr. R. Berkelmans, E. Turak, M. Wakeford). I
assisted in coral bleaching surveys on outer and midshelf reefs of the GBR, based on sea surface
temperature trends recorded. I also advanced my coral taxonomy skills.

Coral-Algal interactions & Herbivore Exclusion Experiments, April 2001-Aug 2002
(alongside:Prof. T. Hughes & Dr. L. McCook) Orpheus Island, GBR. In a study of overfishing
effects on coral reefs, I investigated influences of algae on coral recruits (5 days every 6-12 wks).

Coral sample collection & experimental site maintenance, Aug & Nov 2001
(alongside: Prof. B. Willis & Dr. K. Anthony), GBR. I helped collect and organise coral samples on
two 3-4 day trips to Brittomart, Bramble, & Trunk Reefs in the Palm Island Passage.
 Taxonomic description of macroalgal communities surrounding coral recruits, Sept, Oct
& Nov 2001 (alongside: Dr L. McCook) I surveyed reefs at High Island, the Franklin Islands, the
Clairemont Isles of Princess Charlotte Bay, and the Palm Islands, GBR.

Reef fish collection & predator-prey behaviour experiments,
April - May 2001
(alongside: PhD candidate Ameer Abdulla) Lizard Island Research Station, GBR. I assisted with
laboratory and field logistics at Lizard Island for experiments (one fortnight).

Sea Cucumber Collection
Feb-May 1994
Species collected: Holothuria nobilis.; Snorkel diver and deckhand (Cairns, Australia).
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SCIENTIFIC EXEDITIONS

The Bazaruto Expedition 97 (Leader, Portuguese<>English interpreter) Oct 1996-Dec 1997)
to Bazaruto Archipelago (Mozambique) aimed to coordinate marine conservation and transfer of
skills between Mozambican and European students, “The Sustainable Development of The Bazaruto
Archipelago” (WWF projuect) & the Bazaruto National Park. Scientific objectives: population
surveys of Holothuridae and seagrass habitat mapping.

Project Utila 96 (Team member, Spanish<>English interpreter) Aug 1995-Dec 1996)
Conservation research expedition to Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras. Members from the “Universidad
Autonoma de Honduras” and UK Universities today run by Coral Cay Conservation. Scientific
objectives: survey coral and reef fish surveys, assess impacts of tourist diving and local fishing;
map benthic habitats; survey populations of Caribbean lobsters and conch; document Black Band
Disease occurrence in corals.
COMPUTING SKILLS
 Microsoft Office (competent)  Statistics: Systat, SPSS, Minitab, Excel, (All competent)
 GIS software: ArcInfo & Idrisi (competent)  Adobe Photoshop, Coral Draw (competent).
TRAVEL:
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I’ve travelled in Australia, Vietnam, China, Outer Mongolia, Russia, Honduras, Mozambique, Cuba,
Morocco, USA, France, Thailand, and lived (>2yrs) in Australia, Portugal, Spain and the UK.
HOBBIES
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 Capoeira (Brasilian martial art)  Latin American dance  Sailing  Yoga (Ashtanga).
PUBLICATIONS

Birrell, C., McCook, L. & Willis, B. (2005) Effects of algal turfs and sediment on coral settlement
Marine Polution Bulletin 51: 408-414

Birrell, C., McCook, L. & Willis, B. (2003) Coral Recruit Algae Interactions on the GBR;
Australian Coral Reef Society Conference
 Milne et al. (1996) A study of the marine ecosystems of the Honduran island of Utila; 71pp
In preparation:
1) Birrell et al. (????) Algal influences on coral settlement and post-settlement survival: a review
2) Birrell et al. (????) Allelochemical effects of macroalgae on coral settlement
3) Birrell et al. (????) Early survival & growth of coral recruits on reefs dominated by fleshy algae
REFEREES
Assoc. Prof. Bette Willis
James Cook University
Bette.Willis@jcu.edu.au
Tel: + 61 (0) 7 4781 5349
_
Dr. Laurence McCook
G.B.R.M.P.A.
l.mccook@gbrmpa.gov.au
Tel: +61 (0) 7 4750 0700
3
Dr. Terry Done
Australian.Inst.Mar.Sci..
t.done@aims.gov.au
Tel: + 61 (0) 7 4753 4344