Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC)

Our Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) works with coastal industries and communities to develop practical and sustainable solutions for our unique coast and marine environments.

CMERC is the only research facility in Central Queensland focused on the southern Great Barrier Reef. Our work provides sustainable solutions to protect the reef, support Australia’s blue economy, aid agricultural communities, and collaborate with local communities. There is strong demand for innovation and evidence-based best practices, especially in verifying environmental offset projects. CMERC’s applied research addresses these needs.

Our vision is to undertake research that works with nature to build an economically and environmentally sustainable future to enrich our coastal communities. To achieve this, CMERC is taking a holistic approach that recognises the place of the communities and industries that live and work along our coastlines. This means our work entails far more than just monitoring the condition of our environments – CMERC is undertaking proactive applied research from coastal catchments to sea to develop practical solutions to the challenges facing coastal and marine ecosystems.

Practical solutions require multidisciplinary approaches and our researchers include:

ecologists
economists
biologists
chemists
engineers
social scientists.

This ensures our work accounts for all aspects of the interaction of the community and industry with coastal and marine ecosystems. We pride ourselves on conducting our research where it matters most by living and working in the communities we serve.

Our activities are also supporting the education of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science and Environment, which features a research-led teaching model to expose graduates to the expertise and innovation of CMERC’s world-class scientists.

Working With Nature: Investigations for Seawall Designs in the Port of Gladstone

Coastal structures can be more ecologically sustainable when strategies design for the inclusion and creation of local habitats.

Sea Flowers Growing Community Engagement for Seagrass Restoration

The project's goal is to engage community members in taking an active role in protecting the health of their coastal waterways by collecting seagrass flowers and seeds for use in habitat restoration programs.

Seagrass Enhancement via Aerial Drones (SEAD)

Seagrass loss often occurs through a process of gradual fragmentation to a critical threshold.

Prioritising Seagrass Restoration in the Whitsunday Islands

The program aims to develop a scientific, data-driven basis to support resilience-based management and to guide restoration activities for seagrass.

Restoring the 'Kidneys' of the Great Barrier Reef

CQUniversity’s seagrass restoration research program continues to explore ways to restore and grow seagrass meadows.

Integrated Habitat Restoration for the Discovery Coast

This represents a unique opportunity to research novel coastal management engineering projects and work with local communities and resource managers.

Seaweed Biofilters for Water Quality Improvement and Reef Protection

This project proposes to take advantage of seaweeds’ highly efficient nutrient uptake capacity to promote their use to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Knowledge to Improve the Assessment and Management of Giant Mud Crabs

Researchers are collaborating on a Fisheries Research and Development (FRDC) co-funded research project on mud crab populations in Queensland.

All Roads Flow to the Sea Capturing Road-based Plastic Pollution

Mismanaged plastic waste, predominantly from land-based sources, accumulates in the marine environment causing harm to many species.

Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Program (PCIMP)

Discover more about The Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Programme (PCIMP), a consortium of Gladstone-based portside industries and government.

Protecting and Enhancing High Value Fish Habitats Across Central QLD's Coast

The project is working to restore seagrass communities, considered to be critical fish habitat, that are declining due to habitat loss and degradation.

Waterway Health Reporting with Fitzroy Partnership for River Health

The purpose of this project is to provide technical scientific advice and coordination through the Fitzroy Partnership for River Health.

Integrated Habitat Restoration for the Discovery Coast

This represents a unique opportunity to research novel coastal management engineering projects and work with local communities and resource managers.

Prioritising Seagrass Restoration in the Whitsunday Islands

The program aims to develop a scientific, data-driven basis to support resilience-based management and to guide restoration activities for seagrass.

Restoring the 'Kidneys' of the Great Barrier Reef

CQUniversity’s seagrass restoration research program continues to explore ways to restore and grow seagrass meadows.

Where Does the Plastic Go? Microplastic Loading in Seagrass vs Mangroves

Plastic pollution from anthropogenic activities on land and sea is a ubiquitous global issue.

Assessing Presence of ECCs Associated with Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharges

Globally emerging contaminants of concern (ECCs) are found in groundwater, surface water, wastewater, drinking water and food sources.

Future-proofing the Aquaculture Industry

The project encompasses engagement with education and training providers.

Contacts

Headquartered on the shoreline of the Gladstone marina, CMERC is the only coastal and marine research facility based in Central Queensland and features world-class research equipment and laboratories with access to cutting-edge analytical capabilities.