Dr Colin Limpus

Colin is the Chief Scientific Officer of Threatened Species Operations for the Queensland Department of Environment and Science. With over sixty years of research experience, Colin has significant expertise in studying the biology, reproductive ecology, population dynamics, population genetics and migration of marine turtles. Colin’s knowledge and advice is trusted by Australian and international governments and has influenced the development of policy and management for several marine species. His service to environmental science, particularly the conservation of sea turtles and as a mentor to young scientists, earned him recognition as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2020. 

Colin is an Adjunct Associate Professor at several Queensland universities, previous COP appointed Scientific Councilor for the UNEP Convention for Conservation of Migratory Species, past President and board member of the International Sea Turtle Society, and recipient of several civil and scientific awards. 

“The NWSFTCP has achieved a tremendous amount. When the project started, the flatback was one of the least understood sea turtle species globally. The work to date has been able to focus significant research programs, bringing in academics and local knowledge from Traditional Custodians, and the knowledge base for flatbacks is now an order of magnitude greater than when we started. It’s a tremendous step forward for this species.”