Albert, Simon
simon.albert@bigpond.com
University of Queensland, AU (Marine Studies)
Marine biology, ichthyology-Marovo
NAT
UQ Marovo Project
Current affiliation, academic qualifications and contact details
Dr. Simon Albert
Environmental Engineering, The University of Queensland
BAppSc (Env)
PhD (Marine Science)
Email: s.albert@uq.edu.au
Phone: +61 7 4758 1442
Research record and ongoing work
Since early 2004 I have been involved in marine research in the Solomons Islands.
This began as part of a large University of Queensland project assessing the
environmental status of Marovo Lagoon. My role was specifically to understand
water quality conditions in Marovo, assess the health of coral reef communities and
document the likely external factors impacting on the lagoon (e. logging and
overfishing). During this period of research from 2004-2006 I spent 6 months in
Marovo and became aware of the need to communicate the scientific results back to
local people. To achieve this I worked with a graphic artist (Kate Moore) to develop
a range of reports and handouts in local vernacular which described the outcomes of
the research.
I have an extensive vocabulary of vernacular terms I cannot converse in Marovo
language. However, through a combination of Marovo, Pijin and English I am able to
communicate effectively. The University of Queensland’s work in Marovo has
expanded from purely research to include a large education and capacity building
component. Through the training of local staff it is anticipated the ongoing research
and management of marine resources will be conducted by Marovo people.
Over the past two years (2006-2008) I have become involved in a range of other
project in the Western Province of the Solomons. I have been working with Shankar
Aswani in Roviana Lagoon to conduct scientific surveys of the marine protected area
program. I was also involved in a post earthquake/tsunami survey of Ranongga to
assess potential impacts on fisheries in the area. I have maintained communication
with WWF and World Fish Center with the aim to assist further with fisheries issues
on Ranongga.
Key publications/reports/materials
Albert, S., Udy, J., Tibbetts, I., Duke, N., Neil, D., Love, M., Roelfsema, C. and Ross,
A. 2006. Chiniena ba lineana pa Marovo Lagoon [Condition of the marine
environments in Marovo Lagoon]. Report to Marovo community. University of
Queensland, Brisbane.
Albert, S., Love, M., Roelfsema, C., Duke, N., Udy, J. and Tibbetts, I. 2007. Marovo:
A lagoon and people facing change. In Duke et al. (eds) Conserving the
marine biodiversity of Marovo Lagoon: development of environmental
management initiative that will conserve the marine biodiversity and
productivity of Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. pp. 29-41. The University
of Queensland, Brisbane.
Albert, S., Love, M., Udy, J., Tibbetts, I., Roelfsema, C., Neil, D., Marion, G., Hough,
S., Ross A. and Duke, N. 2007. Science addressing community concerns
about the marine environment. In Duke et al. (eds) Conserving the marine
biodiversity of Marovo Lagoon: development of environmental management
initiative that will conserve the marine biodiversity and productivity of
Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. pp. 43-83. The University of Queensland,
Brisbane.
Albert, S., Udy, J. and Tibbetts, I. 2008. Responses of algal communities to gradients
in herbivore biomass and water quality in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands.
Coral Reefs. 27:73-82
Albert, S., J. Udy, G. Baines, and D. McDougall. 2007. Dramatic tectonic uplift of
fringing reefs on Ranongga Is., Solomon Islands. Coral Reefs 26(4):983-983.
Albert, S. 2007. The health of Melanesian coral reefs: Environmental drivers and
social responses., PhD Thesis, Centre for marine studies The University of
Queensland, Brisbane.
Albert, S., Udy, J., Tawake, A. and Vave, R. submitted Indicators of community
based marine management success in Fiji. Ocean and coastal management.
Aswani, S., Albert, S., Sabetian, A. and Furusawa, T. 2007. Customary and
management as precautionary and adaptive principles for protecting coral
reefs in Oceania. Coral Reefs 26(4): 1009-1021.
Albert, S., J. M. O'Neil, et al. 2005. Blooms of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya
majuscula in coastal Queensland, Australia: disparate sites, common factors.
Marine Pollution Bulletin 51(1-4): 428-437.
Udy, J., Gall, M., Longstaff, B., Moore, K., Roelfsema, C., Spooner, D.R. and Albert,
S. 2005. Water quality monitoring: a combined approach to investigate
gradients of change in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Marine Pollution
Bulletin 51(1-4): 224-238.
Further ideas and reflections
I am happy to assist in any way possible to ensure the success of this Research
Database.
MATERIALS
Albert et al (2007) Tectonic uplift of fringing reefs (online article).pdf
Albert et al (2008) Algae, gradients and water quality in Marovo Lagoon (report).pdf
Albert et al (2007) Conserving marine biodiversity of Marovo lagoon (report).zip
Albert et al (2007) Marine management options for Marovo Lagoon (report).pdf
Albert et al () Conditions of the marine environments of Marovo lagoon (report in
Marovo).pdf