Rob Coles – The Conversation

greenantphoto/Getty

July 15, 2026

Water pollution has long been a threat to the Great Barrier Reef – plans to fix it aren’t up to the task

Jon C. Day, James Cook University and Rob Coles, James Cook University

There’s one big threat facing the Great Barrier Reef which Australian authorities can solve. But will they?

Green sea turtle eating seagrass off Lizard Island. Abbi Scott

May 24, 2018

Dugong and sea turtle poo sheds new light on the Great Barrier Reef’s seagrass meadows

Samantha J Tol, James Cook University; Alana Grech, James Cook University; Paul York, James Cook University, and Rob Coles, James Cook University

New research highlights the role of sea turtles and dugong in the dispersal of seeds and maintenance of seagrass meadows, an important marine habitat and the primary food source for both animals.

Port developments shouldn’t be assessed individually. AAP Image/Dave Hunt

November 1, 2013

It all adds up: port development on the Great Barrier Reef

Alana Grech, Macquarie University; Bob Pressey, James Cook University, and Rob Coles, James Cook University

The Queensland and Australian government’s draft strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area has been released today. The strategic assessment was prompted by the 2012 UNESCO-IUCN…

Contact Rob for