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Professor Mike Steer

Biography

Professor Steer brings over two decades of expertise in marine science to his role at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). His expertise spans various fields including fish biology, fisheries science, cephalopod ecology, molecular science, fishery reform, gear selectivity, and fleet dynamics, providing direction for numerous applied research initiatives that have advanced Australia’s seafood industry.

Professor Steer's strategic leadership centres on forging genuine relationships to facilitate collaborations with stakeholders and industry partners, ensuring SARDI's work remains pertinent and impactful in fisheries management and sustainable livestock practices. He drives meaningful advancements, bridging the gap between academia and industry to address critical challenges in South Australia's aquatic ecosystems and livestock industries.

Research interests

  • Multi-species harvest strategy development in community-shared fisheries
  • The impact of a changing environment to wild fisheries and aquaculture production
  • Innovation in estimating fishable biomass to support stock assessment
  • Challenges in reducing methane emission in ruminants
  • Circular economy solutions and value adding in the seafood and livestock industries

Qualifications

  • PhD, 2004, University of Tasmania
  • BSc (Hons), 1999, James Cook University
  • BSC, 1998, James Cook University and Flinders University

Professional affiliations

  • Chair, National Coastal Research Vessels Working Group
  • Member, Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC), SA Research Advisory Committee
  • Member, National Marine Science Committee
  • Member, South Australian Beef and Sheep Industry Blueprint Working Group
  • South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)

Publications and reports

FisheriesAquaculture
Assessment of the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery in 2018picture_as_pdf(PDF, 8.7 MB)
This report is the third in the annual reporting series for the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF). Data considered in this report extend for 35 years from 01 January 1984 to 31 December 2018. It provides a description of the dynamics of the multi-species, multi-gear…
Fisheries
King George Whiting (Sillaginodes punctatus) spawning dynamics in South Australia’s southern gulfspicture_as_pdf(PDF, 3.8 MB)
The overarching aim of this study was to investigate the spawning dynamics of King George Whiting (Sillaginodes punctatus: Perciformes) in South Australia’s southern gulfs and Investigator Strait. This study was the first to apply a modified daily egg production method (DEPM) to …
Fisheries
Developing a fishery independent estimate of biomass for Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus)picture_as_pdf(PDF, 2.5 MB)
This study was undertaken by the South Australia Research and Development Institute (SARDI). Through overcoming considerable technical challenges, this study was the first to successfully develop a relatively non-destructive molecular probe that can reliably identify Snapper (Chr…
AquacultureMarine ecosystems
Assessing new technologies and techniques that could improve the cost-effectiveness and robustness of recreational fishing surveyspicture_as_pdf(PDF, 4.5 MB)
Currently, the most significant gap in our knowledge in assessing the status of community-shared fisheries is determining the relative contribution by the recreational sector. To explore this issue, a two-day national workshop was held from 10-12 July 2018 at the South Australian…
Fisheries
South Australian Charter Boat Fishery 2017/18picture_as_pdf(PDF, 3.5 MB)
This report summarises information on spatial and temporal patterns in nominal catch and effort, client dynamics, fishing activities, and wildlife interactions in the South Australian Charter Boat Fishery (SACBF) between 2007/08 and 2017/18. Nominal catch and estimated weight dat…
View all publications
Professor Mike Steer

Contact information

Title: Executive Director

Keywords

multi-species harvest strategy developmentcommunity-shared fisheriesimpact of a changing environmentswild fisheries and aquaculture productionfisheries management