In the first of the monthly art and natural history masterclasses in 2024, Grace Nye-Butler shared some amazing stories about the Tropical Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus) and the communities that coexist with this beautiful animal. Her stories spanned ecology, the wonders of the Coral Sea and how Japanese pearl divers built a thousand-year-old relationship with the Torres Strait Islanders and on the trade of pearls and Tropical Rock Lobster.
Grace is a PhD Candidate at UNSW using social ecology to understand marine debris in Australia. She spends much of her time in Cape York, working with First Nations Ranger groups along the Coral Sea to reduce and manage marine debris in their Sea Country. Grace also collaborates with Tangaroa Blue a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the removal and prevention of marine debris.
Grace's research is practical and impactful, emphasising collaboration to address the marine debris crisis in Australia. She engages with Government, citizen scientists, not-for-profit organisations, First Nations Rangers, and consumers to strengthen stakeholder networks. Grace firmly believes that a united, collaborative front is the key to effectively addressing and managing the pressing issue of marine debris in Australia.
Every winter Tropical Rock Lobsters undertake a mass migration up the Coral Sea to spawn along the beaches of PNG. These remarkable animals, characterised by their striking appearance and robust physiology, play a vital role in both ecological and cultural spheres. The migration of these awe-inspiring creatures not only adds a natural spectacle to the Coral Sea but also emphasises the intricate connection between marine life, environmental processes, and Australian culture. Coming under pressure from the huge influx of marine debris in the coral sea, Grace’s work is striving to protect these delicate ecosystems.
The event was photographed by Samee Lapham.
