Dr Owen Burnell
Biography
Dr Burnell has diverse expertise spanning fisheries modelling, fisheries biology and marine ecology. He currently leads numerous research activities within the fisheries program at SARDI, including stock assessment of abalone, design and analysis of fishery independent surveys, biological data collection, catch and effort analysis and management strategy evaluation.
Since joining SARDI Aquatic and Livestock Sciences in 2014, Dr Burnell has worked across numerous different fisheries in South Australia, including abalone, prawns, finfish and small pelagic fishes, with a focus on providing research that underpins the sustainable management of these fisheries.
His postgraduate research focussed on the influence of climate change on the physiology, growth and ecological impacts of key invertebrate species, such as urchins and abalone.
Research interests
- Management strategy evaluation techniques for Australia’s Abalone fisheries
- Modelling of catch and effort data to improve abundance indices used for stock assessment
- Using high resolution spatial data to improve existing performance indicators for stock assessment of dive fisheries
- Application of the daily egg production method
Qualifications
- PhD in Marine Biology, University of Adelaide, 2014 Thesis: Seagrass Ecology in a locally and globally changing environment
- BSc (Honours, First Class) in Marine Biology and Zoology, University of Adelaide, 2008
Publications
- Ward, TM, Burnell, OW, Ivey, A, Sexton, SC, Carroll, JC & Lyle, J (2016) Spawning biomass of jack mackerel (Trachurus declivis) off eastern Australia: Critical knowledge for managing a controversial fishery. Fisheries Research, 179:10-22
- Burnell, OW, Russell, BD, Irving, AD & Connell, SD (2014) Seagrass response to CO2 contingent on epiphytic algae: indirect effects can overwhelm direct effects. Oecologia 176: 871-882.
- Burnell, OW, Connell, SD, Irving, AD & Russell, BD (2013) Asymmetric patterns of recovery in two habitat forming seagrass species following simulated overgrazing by urchins. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 488: 114-120.
- Burnell, OW, Russell, BD, Irving, AD & Connell, SD (2013) Eutrophication offsets increased sea urchin grazing on seagrass caused by ocean warming and acidification. Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 485: 37-46.
