Marine Modelling Synthesis, Application and Development (B3.10)

Task leader: Professor Tom Hardy, James Cook University.

Task associate: NA.

The CRC Reef through the Marine Modelling Unit (MMU) of James Cook University has access to considerable numerical modelling expertise and established models of hydrodynamics, waves, particle tracking and sediment transport. This expertise has been used to produce outputs for a variety of users, in both research and consulting modes.

The physical processes modelled include:

• Tracks, pressures, winds, waves, currents and storm surge during tropical cyclones.

• Waves and 2- and 3-D currents during non-cyclonic conditions.

• Transport of water-borne substances including larvae, pollutants and sediment.

The continued public and scientific interest in threats to water quality from land-based sources, sea temperatures and coral bleaching and the doubted possibility of sustainable fisheries requires CRC Reef to maintain sophisticated modelling capabilities for improved understanding, prediction and application. This task will seek partners among other CRC researchers to achieve synthesis outcomes, where the whole is considered rather than several separate, loosely connected parts. We have already started doing this with groups working with exotic species, water quality and the effects of line fisheries.