Bertarelli-Annual-Report-2024-FULL - Flipbook - Page 31
Marine Science 2024
Joanna Harris
Edward Robinson
PhD student at the University of Plymouth
PhD student at the University of Plymouth
“With the unsustainable
depletion of manta and
devil rays in the Indian Ocean,
the Chagos Archipelago no-take
MPA is a refuge that supports their
survival, so ensuring their ongoing
protection in the region is
essential.”
“From basin scale
processes causing deep
coral bleaching, to local
processes driving sub-atoll scale
ecosystem variability, understanding
the oceanography is key in developing
our understanding of marine
ecosystems allowing us to improve
long-term conservation
strategy.”
Joanna’s PhD research examined the dynamic interactions
between reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi), zooplankton,
and physical oceanographic processes. Her work
provided key insights into how reef manta rays utilise the
Chagos Archipelago’s ecosystems and the environmental
factors that influence their movements. This research
enhanced the understanding of the role of the MPA in
providing refuge for the species within the Indian Ocean
and led to the designation of Egmont Atoll as an IUCN
Important Shark and Ray Area.
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Ted’s PhD was on the physical drivers of ecosystem
variability in the Chagos Archipelago. His research
included work on mesophotic coral bleaching as a
result of changing thermocline depths, Indian Ocean
dipole influence on manta ray behaviour, and overall
ecosystem impacts due to the 2019 extreme Indian
Ocean dipole event.
