Name: Chico Liam Birrell

Chico Birrell M.Sc., G.Dip., B.Sc. ,Hons. Edin., CURRICULUM VITAE May 2005

Name: Mr. Chico Liam Birrell,

DoB: 10 August 1975,

Status: married,

Nationality: British, Portuguese

Address: 47 Albury st, Pimlico, Townsville, 4812 QLD, Australia

Telephone: +61 (0) 7 4775 7995

Email:

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

· James Cook University (Australia) January 2001-September 2003

1) Master of Science (Research): Influences of algae on coral settlement, post-settlement survival and community recovery on degraded coral reefs. Supervisors: Prof. B. Willis, Dr. L. McCook.

2) Graduate Diploma of Research Methods in Marine Biology: I developed a theoretical and practical background for coral reef research.

· The University of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK) 1994-1998

BSc Ecological Science & Environmental Science honors, Thesis: A Simulation of the effects of a coastal vegetation fire on near shore coral reefs. Provided me a sound understanding of ecological theory, and environmental issues such as climate change.

PRE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

Escola Técnica Liceal de Santo António – Salesian monks (Estoril, Portugal): 1987-1993

Viragem, Evening Art School (Cascais, Portugal): 1991-1993

Externato Zambeze (Oeiras, Portugal): 1985-1987

St. Julian’s International School (Carcavelos, Portugal): 1981-1985

LANGUAGES TRANSLATION ACREDITATION

· English - Fluent

· Portuguese - Fluent

· Spanish - Fluent

· French - Elementary

· Portuguese > English

NAATI (Australia) No. 52514

In progress: Spanish<>English<Portuguese

(Interpreter & translator)

TOURISM and INTERPRETOR/TRANSLATOR WORK EXPERIENCE

· Interpreter and translator (Portuguese<>English)

April 2005 interpreter in forensic examination for court trial (Townsville, Australia); translation of official letters.

February 2005 10th Capoeira Brazil Festival (Sydney, Australia); interpreter in a ten day martial arts event of training workshops and social events; translation of Brasilian folkloric songs.

· Tour Guide for Cosmos-Tourama Aug 1998-Nov 2000 I was responsible for the travel logistics and cultural insight of up to 50 people in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. I developed interpretation, business, organisation, and communication skills in a wide range of topics between English, Portuguese and Spanish (all direction combinations).

LICENCES FIRST AID & OTHER TRAINING MEMBERSHIPS

· Dive instructor (P.A.D.I.) 650 dives

· Coxwain Boat Licence (unrestricted)

· Marine Radio Operator, ACA – 2001

· Driving license (B)

· First Aid: Emergency 1st Aid & Isolated Area Emergency Care

· Oxygen resuscitation

· Mapping: ESRI Arc-GIS I

· GBRMPA Tourism Staff Certificate 2001

· Australian Coral Reef Society

· International Society for Reef Studies

SCIENTIFIC WORK EXPERIENCE

· Marine Biologist, Undersea Explorer November 2003-Present I research nautilus and reef shark populations, water quality, undertake biological and ecological surveys, maintain a database of reef sites, and do dive instructing, deckhand & interpreter (English<>Portuguese; English<>Spanish) on a research/Ecotourism vessel (www.undersea.com.au).

· Coral Live History trait investigation December 2004 – May 2005

I conducted a thorough survey of coral life history traits to compile a database for all world recognised taxa of zooxanthellate and azooxanthellate hard corals. (Dr. A. Baird, Dr. A. Kerr)

· Coral reproductive surveys on the Great Barrier Reef November 2004

I surveyed populations of Acropora sp. in the Far northern section as part of a latitudinal study in coral spawning sincrony, coordinated by Dr. A. Baird.

· Coral Spawning on the Great Barrier Reef 2001 and 2002

(alongside: Prof. B. Willis, Dr. A. Heyward, Dr. L. McCook, Dr. A. Negri, L. Harrington) I’ve worked in the field and in laboratories at Lizard Island, Orpheus Island and Magnetic Island with spawning corals, coral larvae and coral recruits.

· Coral Bleaching Hotspot surveys, GBR on A.I.M.S. vessel, 24 June – 13 July 2002 and 22-26 August 2002 (alongside: Dr. T. Done, Dr. R. Berkelmans, E. Turak, M. Wakeford). I assisted in coral bleaching surveys on outer and midshelf reefs of the GBR, based on sea surface temperature trends recorded. I also advanced my coral taxonomy skills.

· Coral-Algal interactions & Herbivore Exclusion Experiments, April 2001-Aug 2002

(alongside:Prof. T. Hughes & Dr. L. McCook) Orpheus Island, GBR. In a study of overfishing effects on coral reefs, I investigated influences of algae on coral recruits (5 days every 6-12 wks).

· Coral sample collection & experimental site maintenance, Aug & Nov 2001

(alongside: Prof. B. Willis & Dr. K. Anthony), GBR. I helped collect and organise coral samples on two 3-4 day trips to Brittomart, Bramble, & Trunk Reefs in the Palm Island Passage.

· Taxonomic description of macroalgal communities surrounding coral recruits, Sept, Oct & Nov 2001 (alongside: Dr L. McCook) I surveyed reefs at High Island, the Franklin Islands, the Clairemont Isles of Princess Charlotte Bay, and the Palm Islands, GBR.

· Reef fish collection & predator-prey behaviour experiments, April - May 2001

(alongside: PhD candidate Ameer Abdulla) Lizard Island Research Station, GBR. I assisted with laboratory and field logistics at Lizard Island for experiments (one fortnight).

· Sea Cucumber Collection Feb-May 1994

Species collected: Holothuria nobilis.; Snorkel diver and deckhand (Cairns, Australia).
SCIENTIFIC EXEDITIONS

· The Bazaruto Expedition 97 (Leader, Portuguese<>English interpreter) Oct 1996-Dec 1997)
to Bazaruto Archipelago (Mozambique) aimed to coordinate marine conservation and transfer of skills between Mozambican and European students, “The Sustainable Development of The Bazaruto Archipelago” (WWF projuect) & the Bazaruto National Park. Scientific objectives: population surveys of Holothuridae and seagrass habitat mapping.

· Project Utila 96 (Team member, Spanish<>English interpreter) Aug 1995-Dec 1996)
Conservation research expedition to Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras. Members from the “Universidad Autonoma de Honduras” and UK Universities today run by Coral Cay Conservation. Scientific objectives: survey coral and reef fish surveys, assess impacts of tourist diving and local fishing; map benthic habitats; survey populations of Caribbean lobsters and conch; document Black Band Disease occurrence in corals.

COMPUTING SKILLS

· Microsoft Office (competent) · Statistics: Systat, SPSS, Minitab, Excel, (All competent)

· GIS software: ArcInfo & Idrisi (competent) · Adobe Photoshop, Coral Draw (competent).

TRAVEL: _

I’ve travelled in Australia, Vietnam, China, Outer Mongolia, Russia, Honduras, Mozambique, Cuba, Morocco, USA, France, Thailand, and lived (>2yrs) in Australia, Portugal, Spain and the UK.

HOBBIES _

· Capoeira (Brasilian martial art) · Latin American dance · Sailing · Yoga (Ashtanga).

PUBLICATIONS

· Birrell, C., McCook, L. & Willis, B. (2005) Effects of algal turfs and sediment on coral settlement Marine Polution Bulletin 51: 408-414

· Birrell, C., McCook, L. & Willis, B. (2003) Coral Recruit Algae Interactions on the GBR; Australian Coral Reef Society Conference

· Milne et al. (1996) A study of the marine ecosystems of the Honduran island of Utila; 71pp

In preparation:

1) Birrell et al. (????) Algal influences on coral settlement and post-settlement survival: a review

2) Birrell et al. (????) Allelochemical effects of macroalgae on coral settlement

3) Birrell et al. (????) Early survival & growth of coral recruits on reefs dominated by fleshy algae

REFEREES _

Assoc. Prof. Bette Willis

James Cook University

Tel: + 61 (0) 7 4781 5349

Dr. Laurence McCook

G.B.R.M.P.A.

Tel: +61 (0) 7 4750 0700

Dr. Terry Done

Australian.Inst.Mar.Sci..

Tel: + 61 (0) 7 4753 4344