Carissa Klein
Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1735 Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920
Associate Professor
Carissa Klein
Email: : c.klein@uq.edu.au
Phone: : +61 7 336 56074
Positions
Affiliate of Centre for Marine Science : Centre for Marine Science : Faculty of Science
Affiliate of Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science : Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science : Faculty of Science
Principal Research Fellow, ARC Funded : School of the Environment : Faculty of Science
Overview
Background
Carissa Klein is an ARC Future Fellow at The University of Queensland and Deputy Director of The Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science. She is a conservation scientist and leads a research group called The Ocean Conservation Team, a group of students and post-doctoral researchers focused on developing science to support marine and coastal conservation. Her team's research is motivated by real-world conservation management and policy problems and is done in partnership with numerous non-government organisations (e.g. Wildlife Conservation Society), government departments (e.g., Sabah Parks in Borneo), and foundations (e.g., Minderoo) around the world. Her research group specialise in integrating social, economic, and ecological information to develop solutions that improve outcomes for nature and people. Their generally falls into three themes: land-sea conservation planning, marine spatial planning (ocean zoning), and sustainable seafood.
Carissa has degrees in Chemistry (BA, 2000), Environmental Science (BA, 2000), Environmental Science and Management (MS, 2006) and Conservation Science (PhD, 2010). Her postgraduate studies were at The University of California, Santa Barbara and The University of Queensland. She has received numerous competitive awards, including two that acknowledge her achievements in setting up successful and lasting international collaborations: The Asia Pacific Economic Corporation Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) and the American Australia Association Sir Keith Murdoch Fellowship.
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Availability
Associate Professor Carissa Klein is: : Available for supervision
Fields of research
Ecology Environmental Sciences
Qualifications
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, The University of California, Santa Barbara
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Sustainable Seafood
Global per capita seafood consumption has over doubled since the 1960s. Fisheries and aquaculture provide more than 3.1 billion people with ~20% of their animal protein. Although aquaculture is a rapidly increasing seafood source, fisheries remain important not only as a direct source of seafood, but indirectly, providing fishmeal required for many types of aquaculture. This reliance on fishing has caused widespread declines in fisheries, which comes with severe ecological and socioeconomic consequences. Our research focuses on improving the sustainability of the seafood we eat, focusing on seafood trade and consumption.
Read more Read less - #### Marine Protected Areas and Ocean Zoning
Protected areas are the cornerstone of most marine and terrestrial biodiversity conservation strategies worldwide. The principal focus of our protected area work is on developing techniques for designing protected areas that incorporate ecological and evolutionary processes, habitat condition, and socioeconomic knowledge. Given that most protected area design programs involve some form of zoning, like in the Great Barrier Reef, we also develop methods for zoning the ocean for multiple uses (e.g., fishing, energy use, recreation, mining, aquaculture) and multiple types of protected areas (e.g., IUCN I-VI). This work has been pursued in partnership with government and non-government institutions involved in marine zoning exercises in Australia, UK, Papua New Guinea, USA, and Malaysia. For example, we supported the Malaysian government in zoning their first multi-zone marine park (1.02 million hectares). Our zoning work has been supported by many external organisations, including the Australian Government, World Wildlife Fund Malaysia, and The Wildlife Conservation Society
Read more Read less - #### Land Sea Conservation Planning
We produce quantitative models that predict how various land-uses – including oil palm, agriculture, urban development, and forestry – impact seagrass, mangrove, and coral reef ecosystems and marine species. These models were developed to inform conservation and management decisions. Using decision science, we develop methods for determining the most cost- effective strategies for conserving coastal ecosystems, answering questions like: Should we protect or restore the land or sea to conserve sea grass? Where is the best place for developing agriculture or forestry to minimise negative impacts on coral reefs?
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Works
Search Professor Carissa Klein’s works on UQ eSpace
All (112) Journal Article (103) Other Outputs (3) Conference Publication (3) Book Chapter (3)
2026
Journal Article
Australia’s harmful fossil fuel approvals
Thomas, Hannah, Possingham, Hugh, Klein, Carissa, Watson, James E. M. and Ward, Michelle (2026). Australia’s harmful fossil fuel approvals. Science, 391 (6780), 32-32. doi: 10.1126/science.aed7274
Australia’s harmful fossil fuel approvals
2025
Journal Article
Quality of marine protected areas is critical to achieving global biodiversity targets
Stephenson, Fabrice, Horta e Costa, Barbara, Addamo, Anna M., Bueno, Paula, Costello, Mark John, Dudley, Nigel, Eskuche-Keith, Patrick A., Fox, Helen E., Gill, David, Gordó-Vilaseca, Cesc, Grorud-Colvert, Kirsten, Klein, Carissa, Moore, Pippa J., Morgan, Lance E., Nalven, Katharine B., Paredes, Felipe, Pike, Elizabeth P., Rao, Madhu, Sullivan-Stack, Jenna, Weiskel, Heidi S. W., Wenzel, Lauren, Wells, Sue and Claudet, Joachim (2025). Quality of marine protected areas is critical to achieving global biodiversity targets. NPJ Ocean Sustainability, 4 (1) 63. doi: 10.1038/s44183-025-00169-8
Quality of marine protected areas is critical to achieving global biodiversity targets
2025
Journal Article
A review of the application of coral reef condition indicators in conservation planning
Davey, Madeline, Klein, Carissa J, Roelfsema, Chris, Kuempel, Caitlin D and Possingham, Hugh (2025). A review of the application of coral reef condition indicators in conservation planning. Ecological Indicators, 179 114222, 114222. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.114222
A review of the application of coral reef condition indicators in conservation planning
2025
Journal Article
Seafood Sustainability Challenges for Import-Dependent Nations
Dominguez-Martinez, Rosa Mar, Klein, Carissa J., Blanchard, Julia L., Farmery, Anna, Kuempel, Caitlin D., Roberson, Leslie, Spillias, Scott and Cottrell, Richard S. (2025). Seafood Sustainability Challenges for Import-Dependent Nations. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/23308249.2025.2555853
Seafood Sustainability Challenges for Import-Dependent Nations
2025
Journal Article
Marine conservation leadership: does Australia walk the talk?
Klein, Carissa, Becker, Kate, Carrasco Rivera, David E., Davey, Madeline, Dominguez‐Martinez, Rosa Mar, Grantham, Hedley, Lucas, Benjamin, Possingham, Hugh, Roberson, Leslie, Wakwella, Ama, Wenger, Amelia and Watson, James E. M. (2025). Marine conservation leadership: does Australia walk the talk?. Conservation Letters, 18 (5) e13147, 1-10. doi: 10.1111/conl.13147
Marine conservation leadership: does Australia walk the talk?
2025
Journal Article
Opportunity to leverage tactics used by skilled fishers to address persistent bycatch challenges
Roberson, Leslie A., Brown, Christopher J., Klein, Carissa J., Game, Edward T. and Wilcox, Chris (2025). Opportunity to leverage tactics used by skilled fishers to address persistent bycatch challenges. Fish and Fisheries, 26 (2), 193-202. doi: 10.1111/faf.12873
Opportunity to leverage tactics used by skilled fishers to address persistent bycatch challenges
2025
Journal Article
A new seafood import policy for nations to combat illegal fishing
Roberson, Leslie, Hosch, Gilles, Wilcox, Chris, Domiguez-Martinez, Rosa Mar, Sant, Glenn and Klein, Carissa (2025). A new seafood import policy for nations to combat illegal fishing. Conservation Letters, 18 (1) e13091. doi: 10.1111/conl.13091
A new seafood import policy for nations to combat illegal fishing
2024
Journal Article
Environmental law reform needed to manage trade of Australia’s threatened marine species
Dominguez-Martinez, Rosa Mar, Roberson, Leslie, Gephart, Jessica, Wilcox, Chris, Sant, Glenn and Klein, Carissa (2024). Environmental law reform needed to manage trade of Australia’s threatened marine species. npj Ocean Sustainability, 3 (1) 45. doi: 10.1038/s44183-024-00085-3
Environmental law reform needed to manage trade of Australia’s threatened marine species
2024
Journal Article
Cumulative human impacts on global marine fauna highlight risk to biological and functional diversity
O'Hara, Casey C., Frazier, Melanie, Valle, Mireia, Butt, Nathalie, Kaschner, Kristin, Klein, Carissa and Halpern, Benjamin S. (2024). Cumulative human impacts on global marine fauna highlight risk to biological and functional diversity. PLoS One, 19 (9 September) e0309788, e0309788. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309788
2024
Journal Article
Quantifying global redundant fisheries trade to streamline seafood supply chains
Kuempel, Caitlin D., Arnett, Emma and Klein, Carissa J. (2024). Quantifying global redundant fisheries trade to streamline seafood supply chains. PLoS One, 19 (7) e0305779, 1-12. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305779
Quantifying global redundant fisheries trade to streamline seafood supply chains
2024
Journal Article
Spatial and life history variation in a trait-based species vulnerability and impact model
Fleury, Aharon G., O’Hara, Casey C., Butt, Nathalie, Restrepo, Jaime, Halpern, Benjamin S., Klein, Carissa J., Kuempel, Caitlin D., Gaynor, Kaitlyn M., Bentley, Lily K., Richardson, Anthony J. and Dunn, Daniel C. (2024). Spatial and life history variation in a trait-based species vulnerability and impact model. PLoS One, 19 (6) e0305950, 1-16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305950
Spatial and life history variation in a trait-based species vulnerability and impact model
2024
Journal Article
Nitrogen loading resulting from major floods and sediment resuspension to a large coastal embayment
Grinham, Alistair, Costantini, Tony, Deering, Nathaniel, Jackson, Cameron, Klein, Carissa, Lovelock, Catherine, Pandolfi, John, Eyal, Gal, Linde, Michael, Dunbabin, Matthew, Duncan, Brendon, Hutley, Nicholas, Byrne, Ilha, Wilson, Craig and Albert, Simon (2024). Nitrogen loading resulting from major floods and sediment resuspension to a large coastal embayment. Science of the Total Environment, 918 170646, 170646. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170646
Nitrogen loading resulting from major floods and sediment resuspension to a large coastal embayment
2024
Journal Article
A spatial framework for improved sanitation to support coral reef conservation
Kuempel, Caitlin D., Thomas, Jacqueline, Wenger, Amelia, Jupiter, Stacy D., Suárez-Castro, Andrés F., Nasim, Nabeela, Klein, Carissa and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2024). A spatial framework for improved sanitation to support coral reef conservation. Environmental Pollution, 342 123003, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123003
A spatial framework for improved sanitation to support coral reef conservation
2023
Journal Article
Redistribution of fishery benefits among commercial and recreational fishers caused by offsetting
Ma, Deqiang, Rhodes, Jonathan, Klein, Carissa J. and Maron, Martine (2023). Redistribution of fishery benefits among commercial and recreational fishers caused by offsetting. Marine Policy, 158 105881, 105881. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105881
Redistribution of fishery benefits among commercial and recreational fishers caused by offsetting
2023
Journal Article
Connecting conservation and culture: The importance of Indigenous Knowledge in conservation decision-making and resource management of migratory marine species
McLean, Mercedes, Warner, Brian, Markham, Robert, Fischer, Mibu, Walker, Jim, Klein, Carissa, Hoeberechts, Maia and Dunn, Daniel C. (2023). Connecting conservation and culture: The importance of Indigenous Knowledge in conservation decision-making and resource management of migratory marine species. Marine Policy, 155 105582, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105582
2023
Other Outputs
Measures to prevent the importation of illegal, unreported and unregulated seafood: Discussion paper
Hosch, Gilles, Roberson, Leslie, Cottrell, Richard, Harrison, Emily, Klein, Carissa, Domiguez-Martinez, Rosa Mar, Sant, Glenn and Wilcox, Chris (2023). Measures to prevent the importation of illegal, unreported and unregulated seafood: Discussion paper. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/0fd4e88
Measures to prevent the importation of illegal, unreported and unregulated seafood: Discussion paper
2023
Journal Article
Small island nations can achieve food security benefits through climate-adaptive blue food governance by 2050
Teneva, Lida, Free, Christopher M., Hume, Andrew, Agostini, Vera N., Klein, Carissa J., Watson, Reg A. and Gaines, Steven D. (2023). Small island nations can achieve food security benefits through climate-adaptive blue food governance by 2050. Marine Policy, 151 105577, 105577. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105577
2023
Journal Article
Quantifying the accessibility of sustainable seafood in south-eastern Queensland, Australia
Vella, Tia, Roberson, Leslie, Kuempel, Caitie and Klein, Carissa (2023). Quantifying the accessibility of sustainable seafood in south-eastern Queensland, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 74 (15), 1340-1354. doi: 10.1071/mf23054
Quantifying the accessibility of sustainable seafood in south-eastern Queensland, Australia
2022
Journal Article
Multinational coordination required for conservation of over 90% of marine species (vol 27, pg 6206, 2021)
Roberson, L. A., Beyer, H. L., O'Hara, C., Watson, J. E. M., Dunn, D. C., Halpern, B. S., Klein, C. J., Frazier, M. R., Kuempel, C. D., Williams, B., Grantham, H. S., Montgomery, J. C., Kark, S. and Runting, R. K. (2022). Multinational coordination required for conservation of over 90% of marine species (vol 27, pg 6206, 2021). Global Change Biology, 28 (22), 6834-6834. doi: 10.1111/gcb.16401
2022
Journal Article
Global fishing between jurisdictions with unequal fisheries management
Klein, Carissa J., Kuempel, Caitlin D., Watson, Reg A., Teneva, Lida, Coll, Marta and Mora, Camilo (2022). Global fishing between jurisdictions with unequal fisheries management. Environmental Research Letters, 17 (11) 114004, 1-9. doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/ac97ab
Global fishing between jurisdictions with unequal fisheries management
Funding
Current funding
- 2021 - 2027
What's the catch? Social and environmental sustainability of seafood
ARC Future Fellowships
Past funding
- 2024 - 2025
Community Climate Action for the Great Barrier Reef - What Can I Do?
GBRF Accelerator Grants
Open grant - 2023 - 2025
Leveraging individual operator skill to reduce threatened species bycatch in prawn trawl fisheries
Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation Inc
Open grant - 2022 - 2023
Mapping social values and activities of recreational motor vessel users in Moreton Bay
The Moreton Bay Foundation Members Projects
Open grant - 2020 - 2022
Integrated land-sea conservation planning for human and ecosystem health
Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
Open grant - 2020 - 2021
Assessing the vulnerability of marine species to a broad range of human activities
The University of Queensland in America, Inc
Open grant - 2017 - 2020
Deriving ecologically relevant load targets to meet desired ecosystem condition for the Great Barrier Reef: a case study for seagrass meadows in the Burdekin region (NESP Tropical Water Quality Hub)
Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited
Open grant - 2016 - 2019
Planning for the impacts of land-uses on coral reef fisheries
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2014 - 2021
NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub
National Environmental Science Program
Open grant - 2014
Papua New Guinea Marine Planning - Training and Planning II
Commonwealth Department of the Environment
Open grant - 2014 - 2016
Great Barrier Reef Resilience
World Wide Fund for Nature Australia
Open grant - 2014 - 2019
Reconciling the triple bottom line of social equity, economic return, and environmental benefits in conservation decision making
UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Open grant - 2014
Training PNG Department of the Environment and Conservation Staff in Marxan (with a marine focus) and supporting the use of Marxan for conservation planning throughout PNG waters.
Commonwealth Department of the Environment
Open grant - 2014 - 2017
Planning for the impacts of land-uses on coral reef fisheries and livelihoods under different climate scenarios
The Nature Conservancy
Open grant - 2014 - 2019
Reconciling the triple bottom line of social equity, economic return, and environmental benefits in conservation decision making
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2013
Great Barrier Reef resilience investment plan
World Wide Fund for Nature Australia
Open grant - 2012
Conserving biodiversity and fishery livelihoods in the Coral Triangle using marine protected areas
UQ Early Career Researcher
Open grant - 2011 - 2012
2011 UQ Trans-Pacific Fellowship - Conservation planning in the Coral Triangle
UQ Trans-Pacific Fellowship
Open grant - 2011 - 2014
Prioritising socially and economically viable land- and sea-based investments to protect coral reefs
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2011
Prioritising socially and economically viable land- and sea-based investments to protect our coral reefs
UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Open grant - 2009 - 2010
Optimising Ecosystem Management Project
New Zealand Department of Conservation
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Supervision
Availability
Associate Professor Carissa Klein is: : Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Social and environmental sustainability of seafood
This project aims to improve the social and environmental sustainability of wild caught seafood globally. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of seafood trade and sustainability using interdisciplinary approaches that account for social sustainability concepts and the displacement of fishing impacts. Expected outcomes include innovative approaches that can improve the traceability and sustainability of seafood and new international collaborations. This should provide significant benefits to the ocean, by proposing innovative ways for protecting the ocean through improving the sustainability of trade policies, and to the billions of people that depend on a healthy ocean for their health and livelihood.
The student would investigate the social, economic, and environmental implications of disparate trade and international fishing scenarios, using Australia as an example. The ideal student will have quantitative modelling skills (or the ability and interest to learn these skills) and interests in environmental policy, environmental economics, biodiversity conservation, or ecosystem services. The project is funded by an ARC Future Fellowship with opportunities to attend international science and policy meetings.
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Supervision history
Current supervision
- Doctor Philosophy
##### Evaluating sustainability challenges and policy needs in global seafood trade to improve biodiversity conservation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Leslie Roberson - Doctor Philosophy
##### Life Cycle Assessment: energy efficiency to mitigate climate change in Indonesia aquaculture industry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ron Johnstone, Dr Zannie Langford - Doctor Philosophy
##### A Global Initiative for Dynamic Pollution Mapping and Management in Coral Reef Ecosystems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Chris Roelfsema, Dr Amelia Wenger - Doctor Philosophy
##### Assessing and planning for sediment and nutrient pollution impacts on coastal ecosystems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amelia Wenger - Doctor Philosophy
##### Integrated watershed management for public and ecosystem health in the Pacific Islands: overlapping drivers and strategies to prevent leptospirosis and improve coral reef health
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Helen Mayfield, Professor Colleen Lau, Dr Amelia Wenger - Doctor Philosophy
##### Using coral reef condition indicators for more effective protected area planning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Chris Roelfsema, Professor Hugh Possingham - Doctor Philosophy
##### Classifying and understanding the effectiveness of ecological corridors and their role in wider landscape and seascape integrity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Daniel Dunn, Professor James Watson - Doctor Philosophy
##### Effective marine conservation planning for vulnerable species
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Richardson, Dr Jason Everett, Associate Professor Daniel Dunn - Master Philosophy
##### Evaluating label accuracy in Australian seafood
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cynthia Riginos
View all 9 current supervisions View less
Completed supervision
- 2021
Doctor Philosophy
##### Reducing fishing impacts on species of conservation concern at multiple scales
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Salit Kark, Professor James Watson - 2023
Doctor Philosophy
##### Restoration of marine coastal environments for climate change adaptation and mitigation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Lovelock - 2022
Doctor Philosophy
##### Impacts of marine heatwaves to kelp forests and climate-smart conservation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham - 2021
Doctor Philosophy
##### Climate velocity in the ocean and its implications for conservation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Richardson - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Improving Marine Conservation Planning in a Time of Global Change
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham, Professor James Watson - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Decision-support for marine spatial prioritisation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham - 2017
Doctor Philosophy
##### Managing direct and indirect threats to marine ecosystems to balance multiple objectives
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Richardson, Professor Hugh Possingham - 2014
Doctor Philosophy
##### Advancing spatial prioritization for coral reef ecosystems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
View all 8 completed supervisions View less
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Associate Professor Carissa Klein's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:
External profiles
Personal links
- Personal profile
- Google Scholar
- Marine Wilderness Video Abstract
- Seafood and Threatened Species Video Abstract
- Documentary Give Flake a Break
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science
- Ocean Conservation Team
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Social media
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