Personal information

seagrass, marine biology, ecology, resilience, recovery

Biography

Skye McKenna is a leading seagrass habitat ecologist whose work aims to bridge the gap between science, environmental management, industry, and community engagement. With over 20 years of experience in marine research, Skye's focus is on seagrass ecology, productivity, and resilience to environmental and anthropogenic disturbances.

Currently serving as a senior research officer at TropWATER, James Cook University, Skye leads, collaborates on and manages numerous projects with diverse stakeholders and funding agencies. Funding agencies include all levels of government, industry, Traditional Owners, Land and Sea Rangers and community groups.

Key industry projects include the Port of Townsville Channel Upgrade Seagrass Program for capital dredging and the North Queensland Bulk Ports/JCU partnership (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrSOT7XroqI). Skye's work has contributed significantly to the development of science-based solutions for the management of these critical marine habitats, particularly through the development of reactive and long-term monitoring programs to mitigate risks to seagrass ecosystems. Her work is not only important from an ecological standpoint but has also directly informed management practices, particularly in high-impact areas such as Queensland’s ports, dredging projects, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Skye’s research and management expertise extends beyond scientific studies into impactful community collaboration. More recently, Skye’s vision has centred on building and fostering genuine partnerships with First Nations communities along the Great Barrier Reef. She plays a key role in capacity-building projects with Traditional Owners and Rangers, where she helps to upskill Traditional Owners and Rangers in habitat mapping and monitoring of their Sea Country and the animals that live within sea Country https://www.tropwater.com/projects/building-capacity-of-gunggandji-mandingalbay-yidinji-rangers. Through these collaborations, Skye has fostered capacity building and knowledge sharing to empower local communities to help and heal sea Country, improve conservation practices and awareness, and facilitated scientific research on benthic habitats essential to species such as dugongs and turtles.

This blend of scientific research, management, and community engagement underscores Skye's extensive contribution to marine conservation. Skye's work represents a holistic approach to marine science, where rigorous research informs practical, industry and community-driven solutions.

Projects that I currently lead and manage include:

North Queensland Bulk Ports / JCU Partnership - Co-lead the seagrass habitat component of the 10 year partnership.
Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Sea Country Project: Creating healthy sea Country through building partnerships, connections and capacity 2022 - ongoing
Port of Townsville Channel Upgrade Seagrass Program - 2018 - ongoing
Wulgurukaba seagrass and megafauna project - 2024 - 2026
Ports North long-term seagrass monitoring and research programs in the ports of Karumba, Cairns & Mourilyan Harbour 2009 - ongoing.

Activities

Employment (2)

James Cook University Cairns Campus: Cairns, QLD, AU

2012-12-30 to present | Project leader/Research Officer (TropWATER)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries: Brisbane, AU

2003-09-01 to 2012-11-30 | Research Officer (Habitat monitoring)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Education and qualifications (1)

James Cook University: Townsville, Queensland, AU

2000 to 2003 | BSc Hns (Majoring Marine Biology & Zoology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Works (50 of 79)

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Seagrass spatial data synthesis from north‐east Australia, Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria, 1983 to 2022

Limnology and Oceanography Letters
2024-02 | Journal article
Contributors: A Carter; S McKenna; MA Rasheed; H Taylor; C van de Wetering; K Chartrand; C Reason; C Collier; L Shepherd; J Mellors et al.
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Synthesizing 35 years of seagrass spatial data from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, Queensland, Australia

Limnology and Oceanography Letters
2021-08 | Journal article
Contributors: Alex B. Carter; Skye A. McKenna; Michael A. Rasheed; Catherine Collier; Len McKenzie; Roland Pitcher; Rob Coles
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Declines of seagrasses in a tropical harbour, North Queensland, Australia, are not the result of a single event

Journal of Biosciences
2015 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84930381062

Contributors: McKenna, S.; Jarvis, J.; Sankey, T.; Reason, C.; Coles, R.; Rasheed, M.
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna via Scopus - Elsevier

Seagrass habitat of Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet: Annual and Quarterly Monitoring Report.

2015 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area seagrasses: Managing this iconic Australian ecosystem resource for the future

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
2015 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84921032680

Contributors: Coles, R.G.; Rasheed, M.A.; McKenzie, L.J.; Grech, A.; York, P.H.; Sheaves, M.; McKenna, S.; Bryant, C.
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna via Scopus - Elsevier

‘Port of Abbot Point - Initial light thresholds for modelling impacts to seagrass from the Abbot Point Growth Gateway Project’

2015 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Abbot Point Long-Term Seagrass Monitoring: Annual Report 2013-2014’

2015 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Hay Point & Keswick Island Seagrass & Benthic Habitat: baseline survey – 2014’

2015 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Karumba Long-term Seagrass Monitoring, November 2014

2015 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Reaping the benefits (and costs) of monitoring seagrass in Queensland Ports’.

2015 | Conference abstract
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Seagrasses in Port Curtis and Rodds Bay 2014: Annual long-term monitoring, biannual Western Basin, and updated baseline survey’

2015 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Western Basin and Channel Duplication Seagrass and Light Monitoring: January 2013 to May 2015

2015 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Contrasting recovery of shallow and deep water seagrass communities following climate associated losses in tropical north Queensland, Australia

Marine Pollution Bulletin
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84902082568

Contributors: Rasheed, M.A.; McKenna, S.A.; Carter, A.B.; Coles, R.G.
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna via Scopus - Elsevier

Port of Abbot Point proposed dredge footprint: Seagrass survey - December 2014.

2014 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Seagrass habitat of Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet: Annual and Quarterly Monitoring Report.

2014 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

The effects of climate on seagrass in the Torres Strait – 2011-2014 Report

2014 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Using MODIS data for understanding changes in seagrass meadow health: A case study in the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

Marine Environmental Research
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84900479823

Contributors: Petus, C.; Collier, C.; Devlin, M.; Rasheed, M.; McKenna, S.
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna via Scopus - Elsevier

‘Abbot Point Alternate Dredge Disposal Areas: benthic habitat survey – 2013’.

2014 | Conference abstract
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Baseline assessment of benthic communities (algae and macro-invertebrates) in the Port Curtis Region November 2013’

2014 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Long-term Seagrass Monitoring in the Port of Thursday Island: March 2014

2014 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Abbot Point Long-Term Seagrass Monitoring: Annual Report 2012-2013

2014 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Karumba Long-term Seagrass Monitoring, November 2013

2014 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Weipa long-term seagrass monitoring, September 2013’

2014 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Abbot Point Proposed Dredge Disposal Areas: Benthic Habitat Survey - 2013.

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Benthic macro-invertebrates of Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet: baseline survey – 2012/13.

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Seagrass habitat of Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet: Annual monitoring and updated baseline survey.

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Seagrass habitat of Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet: Sediment Seed Bank Analysis.

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Seagrass habitat of Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet: Sediment Seed Bank Analysis.

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Critical Marine Habitats in High Risk Areas, Torres Strait – Seo Reef to Kai-Wareg Reef’

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Long-term effects of major climatic events on the resilience and capacity for recovery of tropical seagrass habitats’.

2013 | Conference abstract
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Long-term seagrass monitoring in the Port of Mourilyan – 2012’

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Abbot Point Long-Term Seagrass Monitoring: Annual Report 2011-2012’

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Karumba Long-term Seagrass Monitoring, October 2012

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Townsville Annual Monitoring and Baseline Survey: October 2013’

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Townsville Long-Term Seagrass Monitoring: September 2012’

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Weipa long-term seagrass monitoring, August 2012’.

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Seagrass productivity, resilience to climate change and capacity for recovery in the Torres Strait – 2011- 2012 Report’

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Seagrass productivity, resilience to climate change and capacity for recovery in the Torres Strait – 2011- 2013 Report’

2013 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Critical Marine Habitats in High Risk Areas, Torres Strait – Woiz Reef to Kaliko Reef – 2012 Atlas.

2012 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Managing Risk to Seagrass.

2012 | Conference abstract
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Port of Karumba Long-term Seagrass Monitoring, November 2011.

2012 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Seagrass productivity, resilience to climate change and capacity for recovery in the Torres Strait – Interim report 2011.

2012 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Long-term effects of flooding events on the resilience and recovery of tropical seagrass habitats’.

2012 | Conference abstract
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Long-term seagrass monitoring in the Port of Thursday Island February 2012’.

2012 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Townsville Long-term Seagrass Monitoring, October 2011’

2012 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Port of Weipa Long-term Seagrass monitoring, 2000 – 2011’

2012 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Seagrass productivity, resilience to climate change and capacity for recovery in the Torres Strait 2011-2012’

2012 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

‘Seagrass productivity, resilience to climate change and capacity for recovery in the Torres Strait 2011-2012’

2012 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Critical Marine Habitats in High Risk Areas, Torres Strait – No. 2 Reef to Mabuiag Reef. 2011 Atlas.

2011 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna

Long-term seagrass monitoring in Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet – December 2009 and 2010.

2011 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Skye McKenna
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