Current activities

Background

Andrew Chin has worked in marine research since the 1990s. Starting in the marine ecotourism and education industry, Andrew then spent ten years working at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) on coral reef surveys, impact assessments and environmental monitoring, and also developing training and capacity building Citizen Science programs such as the Eye on the Reef Program. While at the GBRMPA, Andrew was also the editor of the State of the Great Barrier Reef Report, a synthesis of the status, pressures, management and state of knowledge about the Great Barrier Reef. 

Since moving to James Cook University in 2008, Andrew's research has focused on coastal ecology and fisheries, particularly sharks and rays. He is particularly interested in the spatial ecology of coastal predators, and has a special interest in coastal fisheries in the Pacific. Andrew is involved in a research project working on shark fisheries in Papua New Guinea, and has specific interests in bringing Indigenous Knowledge and community management practices together with coastal fishery management. He is working on a collaborative fisheries project with the Yuku Baja Muliku group in Cape York. Andrew is currently an AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow working on the connectivity and management of hammerhead sharks. He also working on a project to develop the Australian Shark information System and Report Card, a system to link research about sharks and ray to shark conservation and management efforts. He is one of the founders of the Oceania Chondrichthyan Society, a scientific society supporting research, management and conservation of sharks and rays. He is also developing projects on stingray ecology, conservation and ecotourism.

Andrew also has research interests in Pacific coral reef ecosystems and in the effects of climate change on coastal fisheries and sharks and rays. In 2011, he wrote The status of coral reefs of the Pacific and Outlook 2011 for the GCRMN. This work synthesised the status, currect level of knowledge and future outlook for the coral reefs of 22 Pacific Island nations.

Andrew is also committed to teaching and runs intensive field-based coral reef ecology and marine park management courses for third year and postrgradtuate students. He also teaches in education centres, writes articles about marine research for mainstream media and from time to time, takes (frozen) sharks and rays to surrounding high schools to help students understand the importance of fishing sustainably and of protecting marine habitats.   

Academic qualifications

PhD, B App Sci (Hons), Grad Dip ED

Membership of key national committees

President: Oceania Chondrichthyan Society