Victoria Cole

With 15 years of experience in experimental marine ecology (in Australia and South Africa) at universities and government, I am interested in the complex ecological interactions that influence marine biodiversity, with a focus of restoration. I aim to understand how natural and anthropogenic factors (small-scale and large-scale processes) influence biodiversity in habitats made by shellfish reefs (mussels and oysters), and the consequences of habitat loss and change. My research is important in the context of shellfish reef restoration and determining the success of shellfish reefs under anthropogenic stress (e.g. ocean warming and acidification, pollution, urbanisation, and harvesting).

I am employed as a Research Scientist by the NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries at the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute. I am working on Shellfish Reef Restoration funded by the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy.