David Brewer.

Mr David Brewer: leading research on marine environmental management

Mr David Brewer draws on 20 years of research experience in his role as leader of the Marine Ecological Processes and Modelling Program at CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR).

  • 24 September 2009 | Updated 14 October 2011

Current activities

The Marine Ecological Processes and Prediction Program (MEPP) conducts research from CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR) laboratories based at Hobart, Tasmania, Floreat, Western Australia and Cleveland, Queensland.

Scientists in the MEPP group undertake extensive field programs, and laboratory and field-based experimental studies, to investigate:

  • the distribution, movements, status and connectivity of marine organisms, habitats and communities
  • oceanographic and trophic processes that shape ecosystem resilience
  • the impacts of natural processes and human activities.

This knowledge is harnessed in computer models that explore alternative patterns of resource use, and seek effective management pathways responsive to climate change, seasonal habits of marine organisms, and socio-economic change.

The research underpins a shift towards adaptive and flexible resource allocation at finer spatial and timescales, in areas such as fisheries regulation, biodiversity conservation and the balancing of multiple demands on the coastal zone.

It is generating a broader understanding of:

  • biodiversity values of marine environments
  • the effects of fishing on marine environments and their ecological and economic sustainability
  • population dynamics and sustainability of marine species and communities
  • performance management of marine protected areas
  • climate impacts on fisheries and marine communities
  • impacts of land-based industries on coastal marine ecosystems.

Mr Brewer's research activities include:

  • assessing sustainability of prawn trawl bycatch
  • impacts of mine waste disposal on coastal marine communities
  • bioregionalisation of Australian oceans
  • understanding and minimising impacts of threatened, endangered and protected marine species
    Mr Brewer manages a team of more than 100 marine scientists and technicians and is involved in projects relating to sustainability in marine ecosystems.

Background

Mr Brewer's research career has included:

  • understanding ecology of coastal and offshore tropical fish communities in north Australian and Indo-west pacific tropical habitats
  • assessing natural mortality of prawn stocks
  • fish feeding biology and ecology
  • design, implementation and assessment of bycatch reduction devices
  • risk assessment for tropical trawl bycatch
  • bycatch monitoring and sustainability assessments.

Academic qualifications

Mr Brewer has been awarded a:

  • Bachelor of Science from The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 
  • Masters of Science in fish feeding ecology also from The University of Queensland.

Achievements

Mr Brewer developed a recognition and reward system for CMAR staff and has held positions as a staff representative in science leadership teams.

He manages a team of more than 100 scientists and technicians and leads several research projects.

He has published more than 50 scientific papers in internationally refereed journals and more than 40 reports for CSIRO clients.

Find out more about CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.