Marine research internships

This project aims to quantify cleaner organism activity and client fish interaction dynamics across two reef sites using a standardised stationary visual census methodology (Côté 2000; Bshary & Grutter 2002). By evaluating visit duration, client posing behaviours and cleaning-event frequency, the study seeks to determine how cleaner species (e.g. wrasses such as Labroides dimidiatus, and cleaner shrimps) interact with key client fish, particularly commercially important taxa (e.g. Epinephelidae, Lutjanidae) and key functional groups. Understanding these mutualistic networks gives valuable insight into localised fish habitat use and overall reef health.

The intern is trained in both our fish monitoring methods and behavioural observation protocols. Conducting timed 20-minute stationary visual observations at identified cleaning stations along established depth contours, they assess key interaction indicators:

1. interaction frequency and duration: total cleaning events and time spent per client species within the observation window;
2. client species diversity and commercial species use: identifying target clients, with a focus on key commercial taxa and herbivorous functional groups;
3. behavioural dynamics: client posing behaviour, cleaner activity rates, and inspection vs. bite counts.

The resulting metrics are integrated with our long-term fish data to generate a Cleaner Mutualism Index, which is then evaluated alongside live hard coral cover and target fish biomass across monitoring sites to assess how cleaning station activity relates to local fish populations.

Suggested outputs

1. A refined Cleaning Station Assessment Protocol for MCP to use in future, including a standardised visual training guide (e.g. a photographic catalogue of local cleaner species, client posing behaviours and active station identification).
2. A report summarising key findings across monitoring sites, including an assessment of the Cleaner Mutualism Index relative to commercial fish biomass and live hard coral cover, with supporting statistical analyses.
3. Recommendations highlighting key cleaning hotspots and client species, which may assist future management plans.

References

• Côté, I. M. (2000) 'Evolution and ecology of cleaning symbioses in the sea', Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 38, pp. 311-355.
• Bshary, R. and Grutter, A. S. (2002) 'Asymmetric cheating opportunities and partner control in a cleaner fish mutualism', Animal Behaviour, 63(3), pp. 547-555.

This project aims to quantify herbivorous fish grazing pressure across two reef sites using a standardised focal bite count methodology (Bellwood & Choat 1990). By evaluating bite rates and substrate targeting at a fine scale, the study seeks to determine how algal consumption by key herbivorous functional groups (scrapers and excavators such as Scarinae, and grazers and detritivores such as Acanthuridae; Green & Bellwood 2009) varies across sites and influences macroalgal cover.

The research is critical for identifying key grazing mechanisms, evaluating top-down ecosystem regulation, and understanding reef resilience against algal phase shifts following severe weather or bleaching events.

The intern is trained in both our fish monitoring methods and additional behavioural monitoring methods, conducting 3-minute timed focal observations on individual target herbivores along established depth contours. Using a multi-metric behavioural framework, they assess key grazing indicators:

1. bite frequency: total bites taken per 3-minute observation window;
2. target substrate selection: the proportion of bites on epilithic turf algae, macroalgae or crustose coralline algae;
3. functional group dynamics: estimated total length and functional role of target individuals relative to bite efficiency.

The resulting grazing pressure metrics are combined with our invertebrate monitoring data (specifically densities of herbivorous Diadema spp.) to generate a Total Grazing Index. This index is then evaluated alongside other metrics, such as live hard coral cover, macroalgal cover, coral-to-algae ratios and total herbivore biomass, to assess how benthic community structure shifts in response to total grazing pressure.

Suggested outputs

1. A refined Herbivore Grazing Assessment Protocol for MCP to use in future, including a standardised visual training guide (e.g. a photographic catalogue of target herbivore species, functional groups, size classes and feeding scars).
2. A report summarising key findings across monitoring sites, including statistical analyses of the Total Grazing Index relative to fish functional groups, size classes, Diadema spp. densities and macroalgal cover.
3. Recommendations identifying functional grazing mechanisms and key herbivorous taxa, which may assist future management plans.

References

• Bellwood, D. R. and Choat, J. H. (1990) 'A functional analysis of grazing in parrotfishes (family Scaridae): the ecological implications', Environmental Biology of Fishes, 28(1), pp. 189-214.
• Green, A. L. and Bellwood, D. R. (2009) Monitoring functional groups of herbivorous reef fishes as indicators of coral reef resilience: a practical guide for coral reef managers in the Asia Pacific region (No. 7). IUCN working group on Climate Change and Coral Reefs. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

This project carries out a long-term assessment of commercially important fish populations, using categorical size data to determine population status and inform management decisions. The first phase is a review of our existing dataset to select the fish families of interest. Later research focuses on the life history of different species and groups, identifying any seasonal differences to refine family selection and, where possible, size thresholds for the juvenile-to-adult transition, critical for recognising when individuals join the breeding population.

The project assesses population changes over time, specifically before and after MPA status, and may also look at the role of seagrass habitats during juvenile stages. Fisherfolk forums explore fishers' perceptions of MPAs, catch trends, sustainability and ethical questions around artisanal fisheries. The intern is trained in our fish monitoring methods to support the research.

Suggested outputs

1. Identification of at-risk commercial fish populations, considering their importance to food security for local communities, and greater fisherfolk awareness of sustainable and ethical practices.
2. A report with an initial review, research findings with statistical analysis, and potential management recommendations (e.g. minimum catch sizes, fishing moratoriums or gear revisions).
3. Suggestions for future research to support long-term sustainability.

This project assesses coral reef biodiversity by analysing fish and invertebrate communities, using both existing and newly collected data. Data collected before January 2025 had to be condensed to match our recently updated monitoring lists, and the intern was trained in our fish and invertebrate monitoring methods. A key part of the analysis is generating species accumulation curves to track species richness and assess how well survey effort captures community diversity. Further work looks at how variables such as MPA status, time, season, substrate composition and environmental factors affect biodiversity.

Suggested outputs

1. A comparison of two species diversity indices (Shannon and Simpson) and the most appropriate one for MCP to use in future reports.
2. A report summarising biodiversity results, including key influencing factors and supporting statistical analysis.
3. Suggested updates to our long-term monitoring programme based on the species accumulation curves.

This project assesses the effectiveness of local marine protected areas through a systematic evaluation of key ecological and socio-economic factors, either by comparing MPAs with non-MPA sites to evaluate conservation impact, by collecting baseline data from the newest MPAs in the region, or both. Factors include contribution to food security (commercial fish and invertebrate biomass), coral reef health and resilience, ecosystem functioning, tourism value and other relevant indicators.

Findings are compared with external regional data to put each factor in context, then quantified and weighted to build a traffic light system. This lets MCP keep monitoring MPA performance over time and report results to local government units, stakeholders and other organisations. The intern was trained in our fish and invertebrate monitoring methods alongside the project.

Suggested outputs

1. A traffic light system tool for MCP to use in future reporting and decision-making.
2. A comprehensive report on MPA effectiveness for selected sites, identifying the best and worst performing MPAs, with statistical analysis.
3. Site-specific management recommendations to improve MPA performance.

This project aims to quantify the structural complexity of reef habitats across three sites using a standardised quadrat-based habitat assessment tool (based on the Hunt et al. 2020 scorecard). By evaluating complexity at a fine scale, the study seeks to determine how the micro-architecture of the reef (crevices, coral height, growth forms) influences the distribution and abundance of marine life. This matters for identifying high-value habitats and predicting how changes in reef structure, for example from bleaching or storm damage, might affect local biodiversity.

The intern is trained in our substrate monitoring methods and runs 1 m × 1 m quadrat surveys alongside our long-term monitoring, every 10 m along a 30 m belt transect. A multi-metric scorecard assesses key indicators of complexity:

1. vertical relief: the height and variety of coral structures;
2. surface rugosity: the 'nook and cranny' factor of the benthos;
3. substrate diversity: the proportion of different growth forms, such as branching vs. massive corals.

The resulting habitat assessment scores are compared with our data on fish populations, invertebrates, substrate cover and predation rates for the same 30 m sectors, to assess how community composition may shift with the physical environment.

Suggested outputs

1. A refined habitat assessment score method and tool for MCP to use in future, including a visual scorecard reference guide (e.g. a photographic catalogue of patches representing each score from 0 to 5).
2. A report summarising key findings across the three sites, with statistical analysis, an evaluation of how well the scorecard works locally, and the implications of habitat degradation for marine life.
3. Recommendations identifying which structural elements matter most for local species, which may assist future management plans.

This project evaluates larval settlement and early recruitment across three reef sites using artificial settlement tiles, to identify the environmental and material factors that influence recruitment success and contribute to long-term reef resilience monitoring. MCP staff run a pilot study first to refine the methods and possible analyses. Sites may be selected for vulnerability (e.g. substrate loss, low coral cover) or high management priority (e.g. greatest human influence).

Tiles are deployed at the selected sites and monitored over six months, testing different materials (ceramic and concrete) and surface topographies (smooth vs. rough, including grooves and pits) for their effect on recruitment rate and species diversity. Monitoring may use in situ observations, photo analysis or both, identifying recruits to genus level where possible. The intern is also trained in our substrate monitoring methods.

Suggested outputs

1. A catalogue of recruit types observed across all sites, with photos.
2. A report summarising recruitment results, including an assessment of tile materials and topographies, site-specific observations (e.g. sedimentation, predation) and supporting statistical analysis.
3. Identification of any at-risk or low-recruitment sites, with suggestions for management or further research.