Background
In an effort to reduce costs and preserve Australia’s unique ecosystems, Collaborative Research Grant project, led by researchers from Murdoch University, has tested biosecurity experts to determine how maritime biosecurity surveillance could be enhanced.
Overseas deployment of maritime vessels is a critical function of the Royal Australian Navy and is important in keeping Australia’s borders secure.
“When naval and commercial vessels return home to Australia from international waters, they can inadvertently bring with them non-native and invasive species attached to their hull,” said lead researcher Dr. Matthew Thompson, Senior Lecturer in Cognition at Murdoch University.
“Navy rely on visual inspection of vessels above and below water to detect these threats, increasing Defence operational costs. The implications of incorrectly identifying biosecurity threats can be devastating to Australia both economically and ecologically,” said Dr. Matthew Thompson.
Approach
Dr. Thompson and his team were awarded $110, 868 from the Defence Science Centre in 2020 to develop an evidence base for ‘just in time’ training tools to enhance Australian maritime biosecurity effectiveness.
“In this project, we set out to enhance maritime biosecurity effectiveness for naval vessels by measuring human cognitive performance,” Dr. Thompson said.
“In addition to creating a fit-for-purpose defence biosecurity identification database, we now have the information we need to understand just how challenging detecting these threats can be.”
As part of the project, an extensive database of 2059 marine species images were created, distributed across 23 invasive marine species and 181 similar counterparts. Researchers then adapted established discrimination tasks to test the cognitive performance of novices against biosecurity experts.
“Our findings also have implications for government and citizen-science approaches to mitigating biosecurity threats. We now have a foundation to design and test training tools to improve human performance in biosecurity and mitigate the threat of invasive marine species in Defence and industry,” Dr. Thompson said.
Outcome
The CRG project provided the researchers with a basis to help develop new, fruitful collaborations with Defence and other safety-critical domains of expert decision making, where lives and livelihoods are at risk.
“We are now part way through a larger project aimed again at measuring and improving human cognitive performance, but this time for navy submarine personnel,” Dr. Thompson said.
The team has successfully applied the human performance principles developed as part of their CRG project to help the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
Leveraging their collaborations and CRG funding success, the team has achieved over $500,000 in additional funding, building WA’s future capacity for undertaking defence-relevant research.
The DSC, part of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, offers support to Western Australian institutions to develop local capabilities and research to find solutions for current and future Defence developments.
Learn more about Defence Science Centre grants programs
