Austin J. Gallagher
Marine Research and Outreach
Home
Background
Research
Publications
Documentary and Film
Photos
Contact
                                                     Ecology-Behavior-Physiology



Current Research Focus:
Integrated Ecological Risk Assessments (ERAs) of Shark Populations in the subtropical Atlantic


My current work takes a multi-disciplinary approach, utilizing various techniques and methodologies:


(a) Abundance, structure, and distribution of shark populations in southern Florida and the Northwest Caribbean

(b) Physiological and behavioral stress research, assessing the impacts of  fishing on elasmobranch species

(c) Feeding specialization and life history of predators through isotope analysis

(d) Functional ecology and movement analysis of large marine predators through satellite tagging

(e) Marine Ecotourism research: ecological and socio-economic impacts of shark diving


These projects involve behavioral, physiological, social science, and community-wide ecology techniques. You can track the sharks we are tagging here




   


Previous Research Projects

Stress Physiology of Sharks:
Examining the precision and efficacy of a portable clinical analyzer when examining selected blood acid-base properties in elasmobranch fishes (See publication page)

Does size structure dictate the functional response of a reef predator (Paracirrhites arcatus)?
-Moorea, French Polynesia, UC Berkeley Gump Marine Station (independent research)

        

Positive impacts of Southern California Marine Protected Areas on harvested reef-dwelling fishes
-Catalina Island, CA, USC Wrigley School for Environmental Studies

Examining the negative impacts of captivity on three shark species: The up-regulation of oxidative stress genes
-Catalina Island, CA, USC Wrigley School for Environmental Studies (independent research)


Energetic budgets associated with aggressive territoriality among the dusky gregory, Stegastes nigricans
-Moorea, French Polynesia, UC Berkeley Gump Marine Station