Profile
My initial involvement in BIOT explored the distribution of sharks in the mid-water. A baited camera survey across the Indo-Pacific allowed us to assess the conservation values for sharks of the BIOT MPA.
Whilst an ecologist at heart, I am increasingly interested in the human dimension of conservation, and the different ways in which the success and failures of marine reserves are linked to compliance and socio-economics. I am currently co-supervising a project, with Dr. Ana Nuno, exploring the socio-economic drivers of illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean and how it represents a challenge for BIOT.
I am fascinated by the potential of new technologies in addressing the requirements of reserve management. The technology I have been trialling in BIOT includes amphibious, fixed wing-drones and vessel-detection hydrophones. The drones are increasingly being tested for use elsewhere, including Belize and New Caledonia, rendering BIOT a test-bed of marine reserve technology.
I am a marine-biologist with a keen interest in oceanic and pelagic ecosystems. My research primarily focuses on the spatial ecology of predators such as sharks, rays, and their prey. A primary question driving my work over the last 5 years is how large-scale MPAs can be utilised to further conservation of open ocean species.
Biography
My Projects
Other interests
I am involved with a project assessing fish populations in Lake Victoria. We will use our fixed-wing drones to determine the spatial distribution of fishing pressures on the Silver Cyprinid.
I believe that patrol-based monitoring will be an increasingly important aspect of marine surveillance and ecological monitoring. The degree to which patrol-based monitoring can be used to detect meaningful patterns in human activity and wildlife population remains an open question, one that I am keen to address in my research.
My Publications
Influence of Altitude on Tropical Marine Habitat Classification using Imagery from Fixed-Wing, Water-Landing UAVs
Ellis, S.L., Taylor, M.L., Schiele, M. and Letessier, T.B. (2020) Influence of Altitude on Tropical Marine Habitat Classification using Imagery from Fixed-Wing, Water-Landing UAVs. Remote Sensing for Ecology and Conservation.
Amphibious Drone Field Report, Belize
Schiele, M. and Letessier, T. (2019) Amphibious Drone Field Report, Belize. In partnership with the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, Zoological Society of London, the Marine Management Organisation and the Bertarelli Foundation. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.35265.92004.
Reef Accessibility Impairs the Protection of Sharks
Juhel, J. B., Vigliola, L., Mouillot, D., Kulbicki, M., Letessier, T. B., Meeuwig, J. J., & Wantiez, L. (2018). Reef accessibility impairs the protection of sharks. Journal of applied ecology, 55(2), 673-683.
Isolation and No-Entry Marine Reserves Mitigate Anthropogenic Impacts on Grey Reef Shark Behavior
Juhel, J. B., Vigliola, L., Wantiez, L., Letessier, T. B., Meeuwig, J. J., & Mouillot, D. (2019). Isolation and no-entry marine reserves mitigate anthropogenic impacts on grey reef shark behavior. Scientific reports, 9(1), 2897.
Drivers of Abundance and Spatial Distribution of Reef-Associated Sharks in an Isolated Atoll Reef System
Tickler, D. M., Letessier, T. B., Koldewey, H. J., & Meeuwig, J. J. (2017). Drivers of abundance and spatial distribution of reef-associated sharks in an isolated atoll reef system. PloS one, 12(5), e0177374.
Sampling Mobile Oceanic Fishes and Sharks: Implications for Fisheries and Conservation Planning
Letessier, T. B., Bouchet, P. J., & Meeuwig, J. J. (2017). Sampling mobile oceanic fishes and sharks: implications for fisheries and conservation planning. Biological Reviews, 92(2), 627-646.
Remote Reefs and Seamounts are the Last Refuges for Marine Predators across the Indo-Pacific
Letessier, T. B., Mouillot, D., Bouchet, P. J., Vigliola, L., Fernandes, M. C., Thompson, C., … & Caley, M. J. (2019). Remote reefs and seamounts are the last refuges for marine predators across the Indo-Pacific. PLoS biology, 17(8), e3000366.