Sam Allan is a Master’s research candidate with the Fish Ecology Lab in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney. His presentation focused on research conducted over the past 18 months in Sydney, concentrated in Botany Bay, Bondi and Manly, as well as Port Stephens. Sam presented findings from research work detailing how weedy seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) interact with their prey and habitat. He addressed the significance of these findings in relation to the conservation of this iconic species into the future as the climate changes.
Sam, a recipient of an OFF research grant, is passionate about marine conservation and is actively involved in local diving and surfing communities, as well as the marine science research field. He believes that conservation efforts for unique species, such as seadragons, can be effective in garnering awareness for broader conservation issues.
This presentation can be viewed on OFF’s YouTube channel here