After being awarded a PhD with Distinction by McGill University, Jessica became deputy director of the conservation organisation Project Seahorse. Jessica worked in SE Asia on the science and management of reef fisheries, including the application of novel statistical approaches to understanding catch and effort data. On moving to Perth, Jessica worked for the WA Department of Environment and Conservation and the Australian Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in policy and planning positions. At UWA, Jessica worked on the "Marine Futures" project prior to being appointed as inaugural director of the new Centre for Marine Futures.
Research
Professor Meeuwig's PhD research was on the subject of statistical modelling of aquatic ecosystems. She now focuses on how marine fish communities are affected for good or ill by human activities, such as resource extraction or protection. Her research projects include investigating the displacement of humpback whales as a result of coastal development, researching how sharks and fish use underwater banks and canyons, and how marine sanctuaries generate ecological and economic benefits.
Environmental campaigns
Professor Meeuwig is well known in Western Australia for her campaigning to protect the marine environment. She is a strong advocate for the creation of marine parks in Western Australia, an idea opposed by the WA state government.
In response to the deaths of 7 swimmers attacked by sharks between 2010 and 2013, the government of Western Australia implemented a shark culling scheme in 2014 - a policy which generated considerable controversy in WA. Professor Meeuwig made a submission opposing the scheme to the State Environmental Protection Agency backed by 300 of the world's leading marine scientists. Meeuwig has analysed the data from a similar scheme in Queensland and found no statistical evidence that it has proved effective in reducing deaths from shark attacks.
Bushmeat exploitation in tropical forests: an intercontinental comparison. JE Fa, CA Peres, J Meeuwig. Conservation Biology 16, 232-237
Bushmeat and food security in the Congo Basin: linkages between wildlife and people's future. JE Fa, D Currie, J Meeuwig. Environmental Conservation 30, 71-78
Biology of a seahorse species, Hippocampus comes in the central Philippines. NC Perante, MG Pajaro, JJ Meeuwig, ACJ Vincent. Journal of Fish Biology 60, 821-837
