Fresh By Design is a consultancy based in Moss Vale, NSW, that specialises in the design, supply, and construction of recirculating aquaculture systems in Australia and New Zealand. In this role I have made significant contributions to the successful on-time and on-budget delivery of major projects across Australia and New Zealand for Universities, research institutes and private organisations. As Project Coordinator, my role is to work closely with Project Managers across multiple projects to:• Design and construct aquaculture, research, and aquarium life support systems according to client requirements, industry standards, and best practices,• Track and monitor project progress against pre-determined milestones from inception to completion,• Track and monitor equipment, materials, and labour for project installation operations,• Manage and maintain OHS and compliance requirements across all projects,• Provide accurate project cost estimates for equipment supply, freight, and labour,• Prepare clear project proposals and tender documentation,• Maintain clear lines of communication with stakeholders, customers, and builders to ensure a seamless transition from project design through to system commissioning,• Provide post project support and problem solving.

Completed a PhD in sustainable tropical aquaculture, exploring the practical and economic feasibility of integrated aquaculture systems in Vietnam as part of an Australian Commission for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) project “Scaling-up community-based sea cucumber culture in Vietnam, Philippines, and northern Australia”.Research outputs:• Dobson, G.T., Duy, N.D.Q., Southgate, P.C., 2020. First assessment of the potential for co-culture of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) with Babylon snail (Babylonia areolata) in Vietnam. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 51, 527-541. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12676• Dobson, G.T., Duy, N.D.Q., Paul, N.A., Southgate, P.C., 2020. Assessing potential for integrating sea grape (Caulerpa lentillifera) culture with sandfish (Holothuria scabra) and Babylon snail (Babylonia areolata) co-culture. Aquaculture. 522, 735153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735153.• Dobson, G.T., Duy, N.D.Q., Southgate, P.C., 2020. Utilisation of organic matter from Babylon snail (Babylonia areolata) culture sediments by cultured juvenile sandfish (Holothuria scabra). Aquaculture Reports. 18, 100532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2020.100532.• Dobson, G.T., Duy, N.D.Q., Southgate, P.C., 2021. Preliminary assessment of large-scale co-culture of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) with the Babylon snail (Babylonia areolata) in earthen ponds and raceways. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 1-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12758• Dobson, G.T., Johnston, W.L., Duy, N.D.Q., Southgate, P.C., 2022. Assessing productivity and economic potential of pond-based culture of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) and Babylon snail (Babylonia areolata) in monoculture and four different coculture arrangements. Journal of Shellfish Research. 41(3), 361-367. https://doi.org/10.2983/035.041.0307

As a Senior Fisheries Technician for the Fisheries Research (Wild Fisheries) branch, I am responsible for planning and conducting field, laboratory and aquaria based research activities to collect and collate data on marine and estuarine habitats and recreationally/commercially important species. I am also responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of marine recirculating aquaculture systems in a specially designed research aquarium.

Working in a rotational role within the Department of Primary Industries Fisheries sector at Port Stephens Fisheries Research Institute, Taylor’s Beach, NSW, I was given the opportunity to undertake the following roles and research activities:• Threatened Species Officer – Threatened Species Management o Co-author on the Snowy River Endangered Ecological Community Species Impact Statement for recreation fishing.• Researcher – Marine Conservation Research – Seagrass unito Provided GIS assessment and analysis of seagrass cover/loss due to boats moorings in the Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie waterways.• Hatchery Technician – Aquaculture Research – Marine Fish Breedingo Contributed to ongoing externally funded clinical and nutrition research as well as marine and freshwater fish breeding for stock enhancement,o Provided technical expertise in live-feed and algae production, hatchery and grow-out of marine and freshwater fish, and maintenance of broodstock.• Hatchery Technician/Research Assistant – Aquaculture Research – Nutritiono Contributed to ongoing aquaculture nutrition research aimed at enhancing barramundi production.• Fisheries Technician – Fisheries Resource Assessmento Assisted with and contributed to research activities related to fish and crustacean stock enhancement along the NSW south coast, including conducting field surveys and sample collection during extended stays in the field,o Designed and constructed a state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) research facility used for research surrounding biological impacts of PFAS/PFOS contamination and remediation.