Joe Perkin’s latest research, published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, provides the first comprehensive assessment of harmful dinoflagellate communities in Hervey Bay, a high-risk region for harmful algal blooms (HABs) in eastern Australia. Using DNA metabarcoding, the study identified a diverse range of toxic and non-toxic species, including several high-risk taxa detected in Australian waters for the first time. The findings highlight the ecological complexity of dinoflagellate communities and underscore the urgent need for continued monitoring in vulnerable coastal ecosystems.

A bubble plot from Joe’s paper showing toxic dinoflagellate abundance (total reads) across locations and substrates, including Karenia and Gambierdiscus.

Joe’s paper received a lot of attention in the media including ABC news! Great work Joe!