A pioneering marine scientist, whose dedication has contributed to a greater understanding of the secret life of whales through their song, has today been honoured among Australia\u2019s top marine scientists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Robert McCauley, from Curtin University\u2019s Centre for Marine Science and Technology, has been named the Australian Marine Sciences Association\u2019s 2023 Jubilee Award winner for his outstanding contribution to marine research, spanning more than 30 years of recording captivating whale song, fish grunts and prawn pops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Curtin\u2019s Faculty of Science and Engineering Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Ogden said the award cemented Professor McCauley\u2019s place as one of Australia\u2019s pre-eminent experts in marine bioacoustics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRob\u2019s research into the impacts of sound on marine fauna, and developing passive acoustic methods for monitoring marine animals, is considered the very foremost in the world,\u201d Professor Ogden said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe wealth of knowledge accrued during his impressive career includes a library of long-term sound recordings, which has improved what we know of the distribution and abundance of whales around Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe has not only documented the effects of seismic surveys on whales and fishes, but also provided the first evidence of impacts on zooplankton and marine invertebrates, and his research outputs have supported the conservation and management of threatened species.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor McCauley, who joined Curtin as a researcher and lecturer in 1996, has inspired a new generation of marine scientists in the relatively new frontier of marine acoustics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He started recording marine sound in 1987, when he joined an underwater listening station off the North Queensland coast as part of an Australian Defence Force project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey were hearing all sorts of sounds under water and they needed someone to help decipher what they were hearing so they put a call out to marine scientists,\u201d Professor McCauley said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo one wanted to do it, so I put my hand up and that\u2019s where it all started. This award from my peers is very humbling and reminds me of all those who have supported me along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australian Marine Sciences Association President Professor Chris Frid said the award, in its 35th year, recognised renowned scientists whose research had revolutionised and improved the understanding of Australia\u2019s marine environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cProfessor McCauley has not only vastly raised awareness of underwater sounds and yielded fascinating new insight into Australia\u2019s marine life, he has inspired new generations of marine scientists embarking on their own research careers in marine bioacoustics,\u201d Professor Frid said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout his career, Professor McCauley has co-supervised 21 PhD students and mentored many more emerging academics in the field of marine bioacoustics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n