Ryan Day

Senior research fellow, University of Tasmania
Ryan Day is one of the Animal Ethics committee Chairs and a Research Fellow in Marine Animal Physiology and Biochemistry at University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. One of his primary research areas are in measuring the impact of seismic surveys on marine invertebrates. In this field, his research has used quantification of acid-base physiology, haemolymph electrolyte and mineral homeostasis, immune function and oxidative stress to assess the health status of marine invertebrates including lobster, scallops to evaluate the impact of exposure to seismic air gun signals. The outcomes of this research have been incorporated by the federal regulatory body (NOPSEMA) for impact assessments to minimise harm to marine life. In his second primary research area, Ryan investigates approaches for reducing post-harvest loss in marine fisheries, with a current focus on the live export southern rock lobster fishery. This research developed in response to reports of large-scale mortalities within the lobster processing industry. In conducting an assessment of haemolymph physiology, including biochemistry and immune function, his research in collaboration with a veterinary epidemiology team, determined the cause of mortality was sub-optimal holding and handling conditions, rather than a pathogen as was initially feared. In response, Ryan authored an industry best practices guide with recommendations on handling and water quality management. Implementation of these recommendations has been attributed to eliminating mass mortality events and halving mortality rates by industry partners. This work has recently been extended to the fishing vessel component of the industry and projects to apply this research to other marine invertebrate fisheries are in development. In addition to his recent work with invertebrates, Ryan’s PhD research focused on digestive physiology in marine fishes, in which he characterised digestive strategies in fishes that lack a stomach.