Publications

Cortelezzi, P., Paulet, T.G., Olbers, J. M., Harris, J. M. & Bernard, A.T.F. (2022). Conservation benefits of a marine protected area on South African chondrichthyans. Journal of Environmental Management, 319 (1), 115691.

PhD title: Understanding the role of fish assemblages in blue carbon sequestration on continental shelves: nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation.

My research aims to elucidate the contribution marine ichthyofauna play in blue carbon sequestration on the continental shelf. The role of protection will be investigated by sampling both fish assemblages and sediments, on a spatial and temporal scale, in key areas of the North-West Shelf of Australia, such as Dampier Marine Park, Wandoo oil platform, which can act as a de facto MPA, and areas subject to bottom trawling. This research will generate benchmark data for the understudied pathway of carbon sequestration on the continental shelf mediated by fish and will shed light on the potential role of marine conservation as an efficient nature-based solution to tackle the negative effects of climate change.

BIO: I am originally from Italy, where I got my Bachelor in Natural Sciences at the University of Milan and my MSc in Marine Sciences at the University of Milan – Bicocca. For the research component of my master’s thesis, I studied the effects Marine Protected Areas have on chondrichthyans in South Africa, where I was introduced to stereo-BRUVS as an efficient method for monitoring fish communities and evaluating the effectiveness of MPAs.

After graduating I decided to join the Marine Futures Lab to investigate the role of marine protection as a nature-based solution to climate change. I’ve always been passionate about the protection of the ocean environment and this research will help in gain the understanding needed to protect fish communities and carbon stocks to mitigate climate changes, using novel techniques such as stereo-BRUVS in a hotspot of biodiversity, the NWS of Australia.

Contact

Marine Futures Lab, School of Biological Sciences
Oceans Institute
University of Western Australia M092
35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009

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