About

Agnes’s research mainly focuses on the use of cutting-edge and traditional molecular approaches for the conservation and protection of Australia’s unique aquatic and marine ecosystems. She also uses genomic tools to address the challenging issues and opportunities surrounding food security by informing selective breeding programs for the aquaculture Industry in Australia.

Agnes' current projects include:

  • using environmental DNA (eDNA) to address a broad range of biosecurity and ecological conservation applications. In particular, Agnes has developed innovative eDNA methods for detecting aquatic and marine pest species (e.g. tilapia) and species of conservation concern (sawfish, hammerhead sharks) across Australia (SOSF) and in Guam (US Navy). She recently published a chapter on the use of eDNA techniques for the study of shark biology;
  • working with farms and Industry to generate novel genomic resources to improve efficiencies in aquaculture production in Black tiger prawns (P. monodon) (ARC ITRH Advanced Prawn Breeding Hub);
  • explore and evaluate the potential efficacy of coral restoration methods used globally on Australia's Great Barrier Reef (NESP TWQ Hub)

A complete list of publications is available here.

Experience
  • 2020 to present - Senior Research Scientist, James Cook University (Townsville, QLD, Australia)
  • 2016 to 2020 - Research Fellow, James Cook University (Townsville, QLD, Australia)
  • 2010 to 2014 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The University of Auckland (Auckland, New Zealand)
Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles
Book Chapters
More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 19+ research outputs authored by Dr Agnes Le Port from 2008 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

United States Navy - Detection of scalloped hammerhead sharks in Apra Harbor and adjacent nearshore waters, Guam using environmental DNA

Detection of scalloped hammerhead sharks in Apra Harbor and adjacent waters, Guam using Environmental DNA

Indicative Funding
$273,586 over 3 years (administered by University of Guam)
Summary
Scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) are anecdotally reported in Apra Harbor, Guam, but their spatial and temporal patterns of occurrence are not well understood. Lack of knowledge of population abundance, distribution, and habitat use also extends across the geographic range of the Indo-West Pacific subpopulation. All S. lewini are nationally protected under the Endangered Species Act, and their occurrence within Apra Harbor is of concern to management and conservation strategies and mission-essential operations of the U.S. Department of Navy. This project will determine the temporal and spatial distribution and habitat use of the scalloped hammerhead shark within Apra Harbor and Orote Peninsula nearshore waters.
Investigators
Tom Schils, Jan Strugnell, Agnes Le Port and Roger Huerlimann in collaboration with Madalyn Cooper (University of Guam and College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
eDNA; Guam; Sphyrna lewini (Sphyrnidae); scalloped hammerhead shark
Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Completed
Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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Email
Location
  • 32.019B, Sir George Fisher Research Building (Townsville campus)
Advisory Accreditation
Primary Advisor
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Similar to me

  1. Dr Roger Huerlimann
    College of Science & Engineering
  2. Prof Dean Jerry
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  3. Prof Jan Strugnell
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  4. Dr Gregory Maes
    Marine & Aquaculture Sciences