Read more about the work of the PEAC Lab here

Rosie Brown

PhD candidate - Murdoch University

Rosie began her PhD in October 2023 and is expecting to complete her research by the end of 2026. With a Master's degree in Zoology from the University of Exeter, field experience working in Cyprus for the Society for the Protection of Marine Turtles (SPOT) and three years at the Olive Ridley Project, Rosie is well equipped to explore the environmental drivers of diet, nutritional status and habitat use of the foraging population of flatback turtles at Yawuru Nagulagun Roebuck Bay.

 

The specific objectives of this study are to:

  1. Describe the foraging flatback turtle population in terms of population demographics and population dynamics.  
  2. Review established and emerging methods for assessing the nutritional status of marine turtles. 
  3. Assess how the dynamic environment at Yawuru Nagulagun Roebuck Bay influences the nutritional status, diet and habitat use patterns of foraging flatback turtles.
     

A greater understanding of the above will help us predict how flatbacks may respond to environmental change in the future and will help us to implement conservation methods where necessary.

Rosie is supervised by Dr Sabrina Fossette in the North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program (NWSFTCP). Her research is a collaboration between the NWSFTCP; Murdoch University’s PEAC Lab within the Harry Butler Institute, where she is supervised by Dr Adrian Gleiss, Dr Jenna Hounslow and Dr Karina Jones; Nyamba Buru Yawuru Country Managers; and James Cook University. Rosie’s PhD is also supported by a Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, granted by the Ecological Society of Australia.

 

“I feel incredibly fortunate to study such an elusive species of marine turtle. There's still so much to unveil about flatback turtles, particularly in terms of their diet and overall body condition. I'm excited to uncover new insights in the next few years and add another piece to the puzzle in their protection.” - Rosie Brown

Project activities

  • To assess diet: stable isotope analysis of blood and skin samples and eDNA from the digestive tract
  • To assess nutritional status: weight, morphometrics, ultrasonography and bioelectrical impedance analysis 
  • To assess habitat use: biologging using CATS cameras and daily diaries

Rosie in the field

Rosie and NBY Country Manager Ron releasing a flatback turtle with a CATS cam on its shell. Photo - Tristan Simpson, DBCA

Rosie and Dr Karina Jones conducting ultrasonography on a flatback turtle to determine fat content. Photo - Tristan Simpson, DBCA

Rosie preparing blood samples taken from a flatback turtle. Photo - Tristan Simpson, DBCA

Rosie retrieving a CATS tag from Roebuck Bay using a VHF retriever. Photo - Tristan Simpson, DBCA

Rosie, Dr Karina Jones and ranger G collecting a flatback turtle from Yawuru Nagulagun Roebuck Bay. Photo - Tristan Simpson, DBCA

Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional owners throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.