Ruth H Thurstan

Post-doctoral Researcher

Gehrmann Building, Level 8

School of Biological Sciences – UQ

St Lucia QLD 4072

Australia

T: +61 7 3365 2529

r.thurstan@uq.edu.au


Research interests

Historical ecology

Shifting baselines in marine ecosystems

Drivers of change to marine communities

Current project

Historical ecology of Australian marine mega-fauna and fisheries

Qualifications

PhD in Historical Marine Ecology – University of York, UK

MSc in Marine Environmental Management – University of York, UK

BSc in Marine Biology – University of Liverpool, UK

Publications

  • Thurstan, R.H., Campbell, A.B. and Pandolfi, J.M. 19th century narratives reveal historic catch rates for Australian snapper. In press. DOI: 10.1111/faf.12103 Thurstan et al 2014
  • Thurstan, R.H. and Roberts, C.M (2014). The past and future of fish consumption: can supplies meet healthy eating recommendations? Marine Pollution Bulletin: In press. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.09.016. Thurstan and Roberts 2014
  • Thurstan, R.H., Hawkins, J.P. and Roberts, C.M (2013). Origins of the bottom trawling controversy in the British Isles: 19th century witness testimonies reveal evidence of early fishery declines. Fish and Fisheries. In press. DOI: 10.1111/faf.12034. Thurstan et al 2013
  • Thurstan, R.H., Hawkins, J.P., Raby, L. and Roberts, C.M (2013). Oyster (Ostrea edulis) extirpation and ecosystem transformation in the Firth of Forth, Scotland. Journal for Nature Conservation. In press. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2013.01.004. Thurstan et al 2013
  • Howarth, L.M., Roberts, C.M., Thurstan, R.H. and Stewart, B.D (2013). The unintended consequences of simplifying the sea: making the case for complexity. Fish and Fisheries. In press. DOI 10.1111/faf.12041. Howarth et al 2013
  • Thurstan, R.H., Hawkins, J.P., Neves, L. and Roberts, C.M (2012). Are marine reserves and non-consumptive activities compatible? A global analysis of marine reserve regulations. Marine Policy 36: 1096-1104. Thurstan et al 2012
  • Thurstan, R.H., Brockington, S. and Roberts, C.M (2010). The effects of 118 years of industrial fishing on UK bottom trawl fisheries. Nature Communications 1(15): 1-6. Thurstan et al 2010
  • Thurstan, R.H. and Roberts, C.M (2010). Ecological meltdown in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland: 120 years of change in a coastal marine ecosystem. PLoS ONE 5(7): e11767. Thurstan et al 2010
  • Thurstan, R.H., Roberts, C.M., Hawkins, J.P. and Neves, L (2009). Highly protected Marine Conservation Zones: defining damaging and disturbing activities. CCW Policy Research Report No. 09/01.
  • Thurstan, R.H., Roberts, C.M., Hawkins, J.P. and McAuslan, L.A.B (2008). Marine reserves in Northern Ireland: the way forward. WWF Northern Ireland and Ulster Wildlife Trust, UK.
  • Roberts, C.M., Brown, R.L., Thurstan, R.H. and Hawkins, J.P (2008). Selecting and implementing Highly Protected Marine Reserves in Wales. CCW Policy Research Report No. 08/17.

Popular articles

 

  • Saving the swimming dead. Saltwater Science, Oct 2014. Website.
  • Will there be enough fish to go around? The Conversation, Oct 2014. Website.
  • Open and shut case. BSAC SCUBA magazine article, August 2013. Article
  • Fishing up the past. Significance magazine article, August 2013. Website. Article

Conference proceedings

  • Novel solutions to conservation data gaps. Symposium session: International Marine Conservation Congress, Glasgow, UK, August 2014.
  • Using popular media to provide insights into historical fisheries. Abstracts: 3rd International Marine Conservation Congress, Glasgow, UK, August 2014.
  • Using insights from the past to reshape the future. ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies Symposium, Canberra, Australia, July 2014.
  • ‘Old man schnapper’. Abstracts: Australian Society for Fish Biology. Hamilton, New Zealand, August 2013.
  • Reconstructing the historical ecology of Queensland snapper: the changing fortunes of an iconic fishery. Abstracts: HMAP, Oceans Past IV. Fremantle, Australia, November 2012.
  • Origins of the bottom trawling controversy in the British Isles. Abstracts: HMAP, Oceans Past IV. Fremantle, Australia, November 2012.
  • Inconsistencies between health recommendations and fish availability: are there enough fish to go around? Abstracts: 2nd International Marine Conservation Congress, Victoria, B.C. 14-18th May 2011. Society for Conservation Biology: Marine Section.
  • Historical decline of demersal fisheries and future management implications in UK waters. Progress in Marine Conservation in Europe. von Nordheim, H., Krause, J.C. and Maschner, K (Eds) (2011). Proceedings of the Symposium, 2-6th November 2009, Stralsund, Germany. BfN-Skripten 287.
  • A 120 year time series of landings and fishing effort data reveals drastic declines in fish abundance in UK and European seas. Abstracts: International Marine Conservation Congress, Washington D.C., 19-24th May 2009. Society for Conservation Biology: Marine Section.

Selected media

  • Nature World News. Health experts say, ‘Eat more fish’, despite dwindling supplies. Link.
  • The Guardian. Bottom trawling: how to empty the seas in just 150 years. Link.
  • Nature News. Fishermen report on stocks from beyond the grave. Link.
  • The Sunday Times. Clyde cleaned out to become marine desert. Link.