Dr Bonnie Holmes’ research focuses on the biology and ecology of large sharks and fish. Bonnie has specialised in using techniques such as satellite telemetry to understand and answer complex questions about how these species use their habitat in time and space. Bonnie also has an interest in population genetics, and has undertaken behaviour ecology work on a diversity of keystone species marine species, ranging from teleost fishes to marine mammals. The research has been important for improving the sustainability of species management, as well as understanding food web ecology and how humans impact upon it.

Further to her applied research, Bonnie spent several years working in sustainability assessment at Fisheries Queensland where she was involved in developing key fisheries assessment techniques to monitor stock status of fisheries resources, as well as management of the aquatic invasives program for Biosecurity Queensland. Currently she has both HDR and Honours students working on invasive freshwater fish and invertebrate risk assessment, biology and genetics.

For students interested in pursuing HDR, Honours or special research projects please contact Bonnie via email bholmes@usc.edu.au.

Professional memberships

• Oceania Chondrichthyan Society – Council Member
• Australian Society for Fish Biology – Alien Fishes Committee Co-Chair
• Freshwater Vertebrate and Invertebrate Working Group – Environment & Invasives Committee, former Executive Officer

Awards

• 2012 — UQ HDR Travel Award (Domestic)                            
• 2011 — UQ HDR Travel Award (International)                     
• 2011 — Fellowships Fund Incorporated – The Audrey Jorss Fellowship 2011

Publications

Holmes, B. J., Williams, S. M. and Power, T. N. (In Press). Evidence of naturalisation of the invasive jaguar cichlid (Parachromis managuensis) in Queensland, Australia. BioInvasions Records.

Queiroz, N., Abascal, F., Afonso, P. […] Holmes, B., […] Sims, D.W. (2019). Global spatial risk assessment of sharks under the footprint of fisheries. Nature 572: 461–466.

Holland, K. A., Anderson, J. M., Coffey, D. M., Holmes, B. J., Meyer, C. G., Royer, M. A. (2019). A perspective on future tiger shark research. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:37. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5111.

Holmes, B. J., Pope, L. C., Williams, S. M., Tibbetts, I. R., Bennett, M. B. and Ovenden, J. R. (2018). Lack of multiple paternity in the oceanodromous tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Royal Society Open Science, 5: 171385. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171385.

Williams, S. M., Holmes, B. J., Tracey, S. R., Pepperell, J. G., Domeier, M. L., Bennett, M. B. (2017). Environmental influences and ontogenetic differences in vertical habitat utilisation of black marlin Istiompax indica in the southwestern Pacific. Royal Society Open Science, 4(11):170694. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170694.