Profiles
Rafael Leon
Rafael León
Junior Research Fellow - Fisheries
Room 34 , IMAS Taroona
Rafael is currently a Junior Research Fellow at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), where he is responsible for developing a better understanding of the growth of the southern rock lobster (SRL) in Tasmania to improve decision of translocating SRL. He has developed his career mostly in fisheries management with an extensive experience in small-scale fisheries in Chile. Once he successfully finished his Master of Applied Statistics, his career gained a strong quantitative orientation, and he has also taught statistics at undergraduate level. Rafael is committed to pursuing a career in research on natural resources management based on the analysis of the interaction between the social and ecological system; hence he completed a PhD examining Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) fisheries from a socio-economic perspective, which was strongly supported by a quantitative background.
Biography
Prior to his current position, Rafael undertook the CSIRO-UTAS PhD Program in Quantitative Marine Science, which was oriented to examine ITQ fisheries, including Tasmanian rock lobster, to understand the trading habits of fishers within quota markets and identify factors that prevent fishers from exercising resource stewardship. His findings provide guidance on the design of management measures for quota fisheries globally. Prior to commencing his PhD, Rafael completed an undergraduate degree and honours in Marine Science at the Catholic University of the North (Chile) and worked for five years in a consulting company oriented to fisheries management in the context of small-scaled fisheries. Later, he completed a Master degree of Applied Statistics at the University of Concepción (Chile) and worked in a statistical consulting company for three years.
Career summary
Qualifications
| Degree | Thesis Title | University | Country | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | The effect of catch shares strength on management of marine resources | University of Tasmania | Australia | 27/07/2015 |
| MAppStat | University of Concepción | Chile | 08/06/2004 | |
| BSc (1st Class Hons) | Diet and prey selection dynamics of Cancer polyodon Poepping 1836 in three different habitat types in Tongoy bay, Chile | Catholic University of the North | Chile | 15/12/2000 |
Languages (other than English)
- Spanish
Teaching
Natural Resource Management, Fisheries Science, Fisheries Management and Policy, Fisheries Governance, Stock Assessment, Experimental Economics, Applied Statistics, Marine and Estuarine Ecology
Teaching expertise
Rafael has two years of experience teaching Statistical and Experimental design, aimed at students of Biotechnology Engineering, San Sebastián University (Chile). Additionally, during the course of his PhD, he assisted four PhD students and one Master student to complete specific chapters of their thesis, providing statistical support.
View more on Mr Rafael Leon in WARP
Expertise
- Natural resource management
- Fisheries science
- Fisheries management and policy
- Fisheries governance
- Stock assessment
- Experimental economics
- Marine and Estuarine Ecology
Research Themes
Rafael's research aligns to the University's research theme of Marine, Antarctic and Maritime and Resources and Sustainability. His main responsibility in his current position is analysing fishing and biological data to improve management strategies in the southern rock lobster fishery; and examining the interaction between giant crab trap and benthic trawl fisheries to develop management options for resource sharing and minimisation of interaction. During his PhD studies he has analysed a number of ITQ fisheries in Australia and New Zealand, mostly southern rock lobster (SRL) and abalone fisheries, identifying factors that may prevent fishers from exercising resource stewardship. He also analysed the behaviour of quota owners and lease fishers in the quota market of the Tasmanian SRL fishery, applying Experimental Economics, Network Analysis and a variety of other kinds of modelling. Also, his research interests include understanding the interaction between ecological and social systems and their economic implications, modelling the stakeholders' behaviour when they make decisions related to the resources they use or when they interact with other sectors (e.g. interaction between commercial and recreational sectors). Rafael has used his statistical skills to carry out his research with a strong quantitative background.
Awards
- Commendation for oral presentation in the 6th World Fisheries Congress, Edinburgh 2012
- Becas Chile Scholarship, Program of advanced human capital, CONIYT, Chile 2010-2014
- Escuela de graduados (Graduate Office) Scholarship, University of Concepción, Chile 2003-2004
Fields of Research
- Fisheries management (300505)
- Aquaculture and fisheries stock assessment (300502)
- Aquaculture (300501)
- Noise and wave pollution processes and measurement (410502)
- Environment and resource economics (380105)
- Animal physiological ecology (310907)
- Fisheries sciences (300599)
- Animal systematics and taxonomy (310401)
Research Objectives
- Wild caught rock lobster (100307)
- Wild caught edible molluscs (100304)
- Wild caught crustaceans (excl. rock lobster and prawns) (100303)
- Fisheries - wild caught (100399)
- Fisheries - aquaculture (100299)
- Environmentally sustainable energy activities (170599)
- Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems (180601)
- Coastal or estuarine biodiversity (180203)
- Effects of climate change on Australia (excl. social impacts) (190504)
- Assessment and management of benthic marine ecosystems (180501)
- Fisheries - recreational freshwater (100301)
Publications
Rafael's publication history has been oriented towards understanding how lease fishers and quota owners behave in ITQ fisheries. Understanding how fishers behave under different management strategies, stock variation derived from environmental variation and how they interact with other stakeholders, may aid to improve the design of management measures. Also, Rafael is co-author in a number of publications oriented to examine biological and ecological aspects of marine exploited resources.
Total publications
19
Journal Article
(8 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Alter K, Andrewartha SJ, Morash AJ, Clark TD, Hellicar AD, et al., 'Hybrid abalone are more robust to multi-stressor environments than pure parental species', Aquaculture, 478 pp. 25-34. ISSN 0044-8486 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2017.04.035 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 15Web of Science - 14 Co-authors: Alter K; Andrewartha SJ; Clark TD | |
| 2017 | Hinojosa IA, Gardner C, Green BS, Jeffs A, Leon R, et al., 'Differing environmental drivers of settlement across the range of southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) suggest resilience of the fishery to climate change', Fisheries Oceanography, 26, (1) pp. 49-64. ISSN 1054-6006 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/fog.12185 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 16Web of Science - 15 Co-authors: Hinojosa IA; Gardner C; Green BS | |
| 2016 | Briceno F, Leon R, Gardner C, Hobday AJ, Andre J, et al., 'Spatial variation in mortality by in-pot predation in the Tasmanian rock lobster fishery', Fisheries Oceanography, 25, (Suppl 1) pp. 6-18. ISSN 1054-6006 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/fog.12115 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 8Web of Science - 8 Co-authors: Gardner C; Andre J; Frusher SD; Pecl GT | |
| 2015 | Emery TJ, Tisdell J, Green BS, Hartmann K, Gardner C, et al., 'An experimental analysis of assignment problems and economic rent dissipation in quota managed fisheries', Ocean & Coastal Management, 106 pp. 10-28. ISSN 0964-5691 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.01.008 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 5 Co-authors: Emery TJ; Tisdell J; Green BS; Hartmann K; Gardner C | |
| 2015 | Emery TJ, Tisdell J, Green BS, Hartmann K, Gardner C, et al., 'Experimental analysis of the use of fishery closures and cooperatives to reduce economic rent dissipation caused by assignment problems', ICES Journal of Marine Science, 72, (9) pp. 2650-2662. ISSN 1054-3139 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/icesjms/fsv148 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 7Web of Science - 7 Co-authors: Emery TJ; Tisdell J; Green BS; Hartmann K; Gardner C | |
| 2015 | Leon R, Gardner C, Van Putten I, Hartmann K, 'Changes in the lease and permanent sale quota markets of a rock lobster fishery in response to stock abundance', ICES Journal of Marine Science, 72, (5) pp. 1555-1564. ISSN 1054-3139 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/icesjms/fsu246 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 4 Co-authors: Gardner C; Hartmann K | |
| 2015 | Ramos JE, Pecl GT, Semmens JM, Strugnell JM, Leon RI, et al., 'Reproductive capacity of a marine species (Octopus tetricus) within a recent range extension area', Marine and Freshwater Research, 66, (11) pp. 999-1008. ISSN 1323-1650 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1071/MF14126 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 15Web of Science - 14 Co-authors: Ramos JE; Pecl GT; Semmens JM | |
| 2014 | Ramos JE, Pecl GT, Moltschaniwskyj NA, Strugnell JM, Leon RI, et al., 'Body size, growth and life span: implications for the polewards range shift of Octopus tetricus in south-eastern Australia', PLoS One, 9, (8) Article e103480. ISSN 1932-6203 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103480 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 25Web of Science - 460 Co-authors: Ramos JE; Pecl GT; Semmens JM |
Conference Publication
(3 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Emery TJ, Tisdell J, Hartmann K, Green BS, Gardner C, et al., 'An experimental analysis of assignment problems and economic rent dissipation in quota managed fisheries', Abstracts from the North American Association of Fisheries Economists 8th Biennial Forum: Economic Sustainability, Fishing Communities, and Working Waterfronts, 20-22 May, Ketchikan, Alaska, pp. 63-64. (2015) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Emery TJ; Tisdell J; Hartmann K; Green BS; Gardner C | |
| 2014 | Emery TJ, Tisdell J, Hartmann K, Green BS, Gardner C, et al., 'Assignment problems and economic rent dissipation in quota-managed fisheries', Program for the Australian Society for Fish Biology and Australian Society for Limnology Joint Congress, 30 June-4 July, Darwin, NT, pp. 5. (2014) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Emery TJ; Tisdell J; Hartmann K; Green BS; Gardner C | |
| 2014 | Emery TJ, Tisdell J, Hartmann K, Green BS, Gardner C, et al., 'Assignment problems and economic rent dissipation in quota-managed fisheries', Program for the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade 2014, 7-11 July, Brisbane, Australia (2014) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Emery TJ; Tisdell J; Hartmann K; Green BS; Gardner C |
Other Public Output
(8 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Gardner C, Ogier EM, Rust SA, Hartmann K, Leon RI, 'IMAS Submission to the Senate Inquiry on ITQs', Australian Senate, Hobart, Tasmania, 11 March (2021) [Report Other] Co-authors: Gardner C; Ogier EM; Rust SA; Hartmann K | |
| 2019 | Hartmann K, Gardner C, Leon R, Rizzari J, 'Fishery Assessment Report - Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishery 2017/18', Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, July (2019) [Report Other] Co-authors: Hartmann K; Gardner C; Rizzari J | |
| 2019 | Leon R, Perkins N, McLeay L, Reilly D, Kennelly S, 'Ensuring monitoring and management of bycatch in Southern Rock Lobster Fisheries is best practice', Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra, FRDC project 2017-082, November (2019) [Government or Industry Research] Co-authors: Perkins N; Reilly D | |
| 2019 | Semmens JM, Mendo T, Jones N, Keane JP, Leon R, et al., 'Determining when and where to fish: Linking scallop spawning, settlement, size and condition to collaborative spatial harvest and industry in-season management strategies', Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Australia, 978-1-925646-59-7, March 2019, pp. 1-84. (2019) [Government or Industry Research] Co-authors: Semmens JM; Mendo T; Jones N; Keane JP; Ewing G; Hartmann K | |
| 2018 | Ogier E, Gardner C, Hartmann K, Hoshino E, Leon R, et al., 'Economic and Social Assessment of Tasmanian Fisheries 2016/2017', Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, August (2018) [Report Other] Co-authors: Ogier E; Gardner C; Hartmann K; Hoshino E; Lyle J; Mundy C | |
| 2017 | Leon R, Gardner C, Hartmann K, 'Assessment of interaction between giant crab trap and benthic trawl fisheries', Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, October (2017) [Report Other] Co-authors: Gardner C; Hartmann K | |
| 2016 | Green B, Gardner C, Hartmann K, Leon R, Linnane A, et al., 'Dynamics of growth in translocated lobsters', FRDC Project No 2014/725 ASCRC, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, July (2016) [Report Other] Co-authors: Green B; Gardner C; Hartmann K; Linnane A | |
| 2016 | Green B, Gardner C, Hartmann K, Leon R, Linnane AJ, et al., 'Dynamics of growth in translocated lobsters', Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Australia, FRDC Project No 2014/725 ASCRC, July (2016) [Government or Industry Research] Co-authors: Green B; Gardner C; Hartmann K; Linnane AJ |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
8
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- The second stage is required to ensure that ConocoPhillips can collate and assess new data specific to the SRL populationwithin the ZMP, to inform future survey work and the ongoing management of this key natural feature. The output isexpected to be a final report containing the final literature review, fisheries data and a fisher survey
- Funding
- ConocoPhillips Australia ($39,620)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Semmens JM; Hartmann K; Leon RI; Twiname S; Tracey S
- Year
- 2022
- Description
- 3D Marine seismic surveys (MSS) are typically used by the petroleum industry to locatepotential oil and gas deposits. In Australia, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and EnvironmentalManagement Authority (NOPSEMA) requires an Environmental Plan (EP) be developed to demonstrate that theMSS will be carried out in a manner that is consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development,and that the environmental impacts and risks associated with the MSS will be reduced to as low as reasonablypracticable. However, during the public consultation phase of the EP, there is often a perceived conflict betweenthe proponents of the survey and the fishing industry, with the later party often concerned that the survey willharm the fishery stocks and their livelihoods. As such, there is a need to break the continual cycle where each EPseemingly triggers the same ill feeling and distrust from the fishing industry. One possible way to do this is tointroduce new seismic sources or ways of using current sources, such that some or all of the potential impactsare mitigated. While there are new seismic sources and source designs that should lessen any impact onanimals, these have not been tested with animals anywhere in the world and have never been tested or used inAustralia in general and only sparsely overseas. As such there is an urgent need to compare a current industrystandard seismic array to arrays using alternate sources of seismic signals or different source designs todetermine the relative impact of each on marine animals, while also comparing the quality of the geophysicalrecords obtained from each source. This approach would put Australian fisheries management, NOPSEMA,Australian Oil and Gas, the fishing industry, etc. ahead of the game of determining what alternate sources willreduce conflict between two key industries. It would also move us into a position to start mitigating the impacts ofseismic surveys, rather than the situation we currently have, where each individual seismic survey causes a largeamount of angst between a large number of stake holders.
- Funding
- Fisheries Research & Development Corporation ($998,608)
- Scheme
- Grant
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Day R; Leon RI; Semmens JM; McCauley R
- Period
- 2021 - 2023
- Description
- This project will address identified shortcomings in the quality of data currently available for Giant Crab stock assessment and fisheries management (Tas, Vic and SA). This project will look to develop a method for fishers to images of crabs on the vessel. The images will processed using Visual Intelligence methods to determine length, sex and unique ID for each crab. This data will be used in stock assessment models to make more accurate assessment. Hopefully this process will be rolled out across the Giant Crab fishery and a database of images can be collected and stored in a central repository.
- Funding
- Fisheries Research & Development Corporation ($135,000)
- Scheme
- Grant
- Administered By
- Victorian Fisheries Authority
- Research Team
- Jeavons T; Hadley SA; Leon RI; Quigley B; Tran SN
- Period
- 2021 - 2023
- Funding
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania ($30,000)
- Scheme
- Grant
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Leon RI
- Year
- 2020
- Description
- Conduct the Giant Crab and Southern Rock Lobster stock assessments for the Victorian Fisheries Authority. Review a new stock assessment model. Run sensitivity analyses across the range of input parameters. Conduct ongoing work on developing the harvest strategy to meet the needs of these
- Funding
- Victorian Fisheries Authority ($474,823)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Hartmann K; Gardner C; Leon RI
- Period
- 2019 - 2022
- Description
- This project will address identified shortcomings in performance relative to bycatch reporting, assessment and management in the Southern Rock Lobster (SRL) fisheries (SA, VIC and TAS), and aims to raise the standard to best practice. Bycatch data collection protocols will be assessed according to international standards, and a risk assessment will be performed to evaluate potential impacts of the SRL fisheries on bycatch species. Those species identified as higher risk will be assessed using data-poor stock assessment methods, and finally, some performance indicators will be developed toprovide guidance on management strategies.
- Funding
- Fisheries Research & Development Corporation ($225,282)
- Scheme
- Grant
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Leon RI; Kennelly S; McLeay L; Linnane A; Reilly D
- Period
- 2018 - 2019
- Funding
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania ($143,275)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Leon RI
- Year
- 2016
- Funding
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania ($296,970)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Leon RI
- Year
- 2016
Research Supervision
Current
1
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | AI in Giant Crab Fishery | 2021 |