In Bouraké, Australian researchers study reef fish resilience

International collaboration · April 2026

Australian researchers in Bouraké studying reef fish resilience to climate change

As part of a collaboration funded by the French Embassy in Australia (Australian-French Student Exchanges in the Pacific 2025) and the University of Adelaide,
two researchers joined the MaHeWa team to conduct studies on reef fish in the Bouraké lagoon — a naturally extreme environment characterized by high temperatures, low oxygen levels, and acidification, making it a natural analogue of future ocean conditions.

Dr Angus Mitchell

Studies the behavioural responses of reef fish in Bouraké compared to nearby “normal” reef environments,
both in summer and winter. His work aims to determine whether behavioural plasticity can act as a mechanism
for adaptation to climate change.

Hayley Kennedy — PhD candidate, University of Adelaide

Studies the physiological and cellular responses of reef fish in Bouraké. She conducts aquarium experiments
to quantify tolerance to climate-related stressors (CTmax, pH, oxygen) and analyses cellular stress biomarkers
to identify the mechanisms that allow fish to cope with climate change.