North-west Marine Parks Advisory Committee

Kerrie is the Director of the Marine Parks Management West and North Section in the Marine and Island Parks Branch of Parks Australia.

She oversees management of the Ghost Nets Program, and the North, North-west and South-west Marine Park Networks which include 35 Australian Marine Parks that lie in Commonwealth waters off the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.

Cindy Bessey is a marine ecologist whose passion is understanding the role of lower trophic level organisms in sustaining diverse, productive and healthy ecosystems.

Cindy’s research projects have included investigating trophic interactions in threatened seagrass ecosystems, evaluating how commercially important fish populations are affected by varying environmental conditions, and assessing the risk that genetically modified fish pose to the natural environment.

She currently works on advancing environmental DNA (eDNA) collection techniques for successful implementation into bio-monitoring programs which are cost-effective, easily deployed and accessible to anyone. Her focus is on obtaining diversity data in coastal and offshore systems in order to evaluate ecosystem changes resulting from both anthropogenic and natural pressures.

Her international employment experience includes positions with the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in California, USA, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in British Columbia, Canada.

Todd is the Deputy Director of the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre and Senior Research Fellow in marine ecology in the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Western Australia.

He has over 14 years of experience in academic research and teaching that has centred on fish and shark ecology. During which time Todd has built a vast network with global experts and has worked around the world including Antarctica, Brazil, Indonesia, the UK, New Zealand, Japan and the US.

Todd’s current research focuses on hadal and abyssal ecology where he uses his extensive experience with underwater video technology and sampling methods. This research seeks to understand the distribution of deep-sea organisms across large spatial scales – within and between trenches, fracture zones, abyssal plains and among oceans.

Peter currently owns and operates a game fishing boat and has spent over 40 years operating boats in State and Commonwealth waters along the Western Australian coastline.

Peter has previously participated in fishing advisory groups and is currently the Honorary Secretary for the Western Australian Game Fishing Club and Game Fishing Association of Australia. He is also a life member and current President of the Perth Game Fishing Club and is responsible for the Rottnest Trench FAD program.

His technical and commercial experience in the petroleum industry adds to his perspective on marine issues.

A long-time traveller to the North-west and Kimberley coasts, Peter is passionate about the north-west marine environment.

Madeline Davey is a marine scientist specialising in marine conservation planning. She is currently completing a PhD at the University of Queensland, focusing on improving conservation outcomes through integrating monitoring data into marine spatial planning for coral reefs, and works as a spatial science consultant for various government and non-government groups.

With over 10 years’ experience in marine science and marine park design in Australia, Asia, and Africa, Madeline has worked across research, government, non-government, and international organisations and projects, focusing on using systematic conservation planning methods and tools to support a range of projects and outputs, ranging from community-led fisheries management to providing support for large scale zoning plans.

Madeline aims to bring a systematic conservation planning perspective to the advisory committee, aimed at providing better outcomes for stakeholders, users, and conservation, hoping to see Australian marine parks provide the best outcome for both nature and users.

Nicole’s PhD research at the University of Western Australia focussed on developing tools to design marine protected areas which are inclusive, equitable and effective at achieving both conservation and socio-economic objectives.

This involved developing and conducting face-to-face on-country surveys with marine communities, working in partnership with Traditional Owners across Western Australia, and using economic methods to estimate the impact of spatial closure scenarios.

Nicole now works at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) as a research scientist (social science). This role involves understanding the relationships between people and the DBCA’s national and marine park network to inform their management, and enhance their conservation and human connection potential.

Keld is a Government Affairs Advisor for Santos Limited, one of Australia’s largest oil and gas producers.

Prior to joining Santos in March 2021, Keld was a Director with the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) where he represented the oil and gas exploration, development and production industry in Australia. Keld also has experience as a Federal Government regulator of offshore petroleum and minerals titles.

Keld is an experienced policy, communications and government relations professional with an in-depth understanding of the Australian petroleum industry, exploration, energy markets and related policy issues. He has extensive experience in marine policy, offshore resource development and industry-led marine research.

Keld is committed to upholding the vision of protecting our unique marine environment, while acknowledging and supporting coastal communities and marine industries around the country.

Dean is a Yawuru Traditional Owner, senior member of the Yawuru Land and Sea Team and co- chair of the Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Advisory Group.

Dean has extensive knowledge and experience in saltwater country management, joint management and Indigenous science initiatives. His depth of cultural knowledge comes from a strong traditional connection to Yawuru saltwater country.

As a Director of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute and Yawuru Prescribed Body Corporate,he also brings strong board and committee experience that will be very valuable for the advisory committee.

Sean McNeair is a Malgana man and is the current Offshore Operations Manager for indigenous owned and operated wild Sea Cucumber harvesting business 'TIDAL MOON Pty Ltd' on Western Australia’s Coral Coast.

Tidal Moon works closely with Dept of Fisheries WA (DPIRD), Indigenous people and the Sea country of Guthaaguda (Shark Bay), including other extended coastal communities.

Brad currently works at the Harry Butler Institute (Murdoch University) having recently moved from Franklin Eco-Lab at the University of Queensland.

He is a Lead Scientist with the whale shark research and conservation group ECOCEAN Inc. Brad undertakes research in Marine Biology, focusing largely on the endangered whale shark.

Brad’s work has had significant impacts on the conservation of whale sharks, preparing the original species report for the United Nations IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which resulted in the whale shark being assessed, initially as vulnerable and now endangered.

Luke is currently a specialist environmental advisor and has held a number of positions, including environmental scientist, environmental regulator, and marine park manager. Luke is a recognised leader within marine park management in Western Australia, where he spent five years managing the amazing Shark Bay Marine Park (State waters) and Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

Throughout this time, Luke was responsible for the development and coordination of marine work plans and strategies, education, enforcement, research, visitor experience (including through the management of the Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience) and monitoring operations to deliver on statutory commitments and State Government priorities.

Luke has an international perspective as he was a representative to the UNESCO World Heritage Marine Program, an international network of marine managers from the 50 global Marine World Heritage Sites, who are tasked with the conservation of the world’s flagship marine protected areas.