Alan Webb
Wetland ecologist - fish
Email: alan.webb@jcu.edu.au
Phone: 07 4781 6708
Location: DB19 105c
Alan recently joined ACTFR and he brings a wealth of experience in tropical fish biology. Previously Alan was an Associate Lecturer in the School of Tropical Biology at James Cook University and has undertaken over 18 years of research on exotic fish species in the tropics and is one of the leading authorities in Australia in this field.
Alan completed his MSc study in 1994 on ecological aspects of Mozambique tilapia and other introduced cichlids in northern Queensland and completed his PhD in 2003 on the ecology of invasions on non-indigenous fishes in northern Queensland
His research interests include: invasion ecology and risk assessment of aquatic organisms, fish parasitology, fishway design and biomonitoring and ecology of native freshwater fishes. Because of his background in teaching, Alan also has a strong interest in development and delivery of public education resources for wetland science and conservation in general and the management of exotic fishes in particular. This interest has extended even into the field of environmental poetry – among his work is the frontispiece to his PhD thesis aptly entitled: Ode to a Feral Fish!
O fish, little fish of beautiful hue
Did you come here by chance
Did you come from afar?
Are there others like you from similar climes
Beyond the horizon or round the next bend?
Are you looking for refuge, are you friend, are you foe
Where did you come from, where will you go?
Tell me, O fish, little fish of beautiful hue
Are you here for a while,
Or just passing through.
During the day, at ACTFR, he is part of the Tilapia project funded by Terrain (formerly FNQ NRM) and an exotic fish risk assessment project funded by MTSRF.
