Senior Research Scientist (Monitoring) — Marine Science Program.
Tom's primary role is to coordinate and oversee the Department's marine monitoring program, which opperates throughout Western Australia's marine park network. Additionally, he is responsible for the design and implementation of fish monitoring activities within these parks and reserves.
Academic Qualifications
Current Academic Affiliation
Positions Held
Professional Memberships
French B, Wilson S, Holmes T, Rule M, Ryan N (2021). Comparing five methods for quantifying abundance and diversity of fish assemblages in seagrass habitat. Ecological Indicators 124, pp.
Goetze JS, Wilson S, Radford B, Fisher R, Langlois TJ, Monk J et al. [Holmes TH] (2021). Increased connectivity and depth improve the effectiveness of marine reserves. Global Change Biology 27, pp. 3432–3447
Harvey ES, McLean DL, Goetze JS, Saunders BJ, Langlois TJ, Monk J et al. [Wilson SK, Holmes TH] (2021). The BRUVs workshop: an Australia-wide synthesis of baited remote underwater video data to answer broad-scale ecological questions about fish, sharks and rays. Marine Policy 127,
Fulton CJ, Berkström C, Wilson SK, Abesamis RA, Bradley M, Åkerlund C et al. [Evans RD, Holmes TH] (2020). Macroalgal meadow habitats support fish and fisheries in diverse tropical seascapes. Fish and Fisheries 21, pp. 700–717
Hickey SM, Radford B, Roelfsema CM, Joyce KE, Wilson SK, Marrable D et al. [Holmes TH, Kendrick AJ, Murray K] (2020). Between a reef and a hard place: capacity to map the next coral reef catastrophe. Frontiers in Marine Science 7,
Langlois T, Goetze J, Bond T, Monk J, Abesamis RA, Asher J et al. [Holmes TH] (2020). A field and video-annotation guide for baited remote underwater stereo-video surveys of demersal fish assemblages. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 11, pp. 1401–1409
Vanderklift MA, Babcock RC, Barnes PB, Cresswell AK, Feng M, Haywood MDE et al. [Holmes TH, Tucker AD, Waples K, Wilson SK] (2020). The oceanography and marine ecology of Ningaloo, a World Heritage Area. Oceanography and Marine Biology: an Annual Review 58, pp. 143–178
Wilson S, Holmes T, Goetze J (2020). Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA): research and monitoring by the Marine Science Program. Lateral Lines: Australian Society for Fish Biology Newsletter 50(2), pp. 60–61
Zarco-Perello S, Carroll G, Vanderklift M, Holmes T, Langlois TJ, Wernberg T (2020). Range-extending tropical herbivores increase diversity, intensity and extent of herbivory functions in temperate marine ecosystems. Functional Ecology 34, pp. 2411–2421
Bach LL, Saunders BJ, Newman SJ, Holmes TH, Harvey ES (2019). Cross and long-shore variations in reef fish assemblage structure and implications for biodiversity management. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 218, pp. 246–257
Cresswell AK, Langlois TJ, Wilson SK, Claudet J, Thomson DP, Renton M et al. [Holmes TH] (2019). Disentangling the response of fishes to recreational fishing over 30 years within a fringing coral reef reserve network. Biological Conservation 237, pp. 514–524
Cresswell AK, Langlois TJ, Wilson SK, Claudet J, Thomson DP, Vanderklift M et al. [Holmes TH] (2019). Marine reserve assessments are sensitive to habitat, fishing activity and survey method: a 30-year meta-analysis from Ningaloo Reef (ABSTRACT). In AMSA 2019: Marine Science for a Blue Economy, 7-11 July 2019, Fremantle, Perth: Program Handbook p. 78
Fisher R, Shiell GR, Sadler RJ, Inostroza K, Shedrawi G, Holmes TH et al. (2019). epower: an R package for power analysis of Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) designs. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 10, pp. 1843–1853
Fulton CJ, Abesamis RA, Berkström C, Depczynski M, Graham NAJ, Holmes TH et al. [Wilson SK] (2019). Form and function of tropical macroalgal reefs in the Anthropocene. Functional Ecology 32, pp. 989–999
Hickey S, Barker K, Callow N, Cantin N, Case M, Davies H et al. [Holmes T, Kendrick A, Murray K, Wilson S] (2019). The capability of advanced and novel technology in managing coral reefs from heat wave events: a disaster risk management approach (ABSTRACT). In AMSA 2019: Marine Science for a Blue Economy, 7-11 July 2019, Fremantle, Perth: Program Handbook
Holmes T, Rule M, Bancroft K, Shedrawi G, Murray K, Wilson S, Kendrick A (2019). Ecological monitoring in the Shark Bay marine reserves 2019. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. Marine Monitoring Program Report 2, 92 p.
Moustaka M, Mohring MB, Holmes T, Evans RD, Thomson D, Nutt C et al. [Wilson SK] (2019). Cross-shelf heterogeneity of coral assemblages in northwest Australia. Diversity 11, pp.
Robbins WD, D’Cruz E, Holmes T, Kendrick A (2019). Marine park management in the Kimberley: combining traditional knowledge and western science (ABSTRACT). In AMSA 2019: Marine Science for a Blue Economy, 7-11 July 2019, Fremantle, Perth: Program Handbook
Strydom S, Murray K, Wilson S, Huntley B, Rule M, Heithaus M et al. [Holmes T, Kendrick A] (2019). Climatically-driven seagrass declines in Shark Bay World Heritage Area (ABSTRACT). In AMSA 2019: Marine Science for a Blue Economy, 7-11 July 2019, Fremantle, Perth: Program Handbook p. 194
Zarco-Perello S, Langlois TJ, Holmes T, Vanderklift MA, Wernberg T (2019). Overwintering tropical herbivores accelerate detritus production on temperate reefs. Proceedings of the Royal Society. B 286,
Cresswell A, Wilson S, Langlois T, Claudet J, Stuart-Smith R, Thomson D et al. [Holmes T] (2018). Investigating the effect of recreational fishing using 30 years of data from Ningaloo Marine Park, a meta-analysis (ABSTRACT). In Australian Coral Reef Society 91st Conference & AGM: Program, 15-17 May 2018, Exmouth, WA p. 30
Haberstroh J, McLean D, Holmes T, Langlois T (2018). Baited video, but not diver video, detects a greater abundance of legal size target species within no-take areas at Ningaloo (ABSTRACT). In Australian Marine Sciences Association, 55th Annual Conference, Adelaide, 1-5 July 2018: Program Book & Abstracts p. 143
Holmes T, Friedman K, Rule M, Bancroft K, Shedrawi G, Wilson S et al. [Kendrick A] (2018). Monitoring for a purpose: a strategic program for monitoring coral reef communities throughout Western Australia’s marine reserves (ABSTRACT). In Australian Coral Reef Society 91st Conference & AGM: Program, 15-17 May 2018, Exmouth, WA pp.
Strydom S, Rule M, Murray K, Wilson S, Holmes T, Kendrick A (2018). Climatically-driven seagrass declines in Shark Bay Marine Park. PowerPoint presentation at World Seagrass Conference 2018, International Seagrass Biology Workshop 13. 16 p.
Wilson SK, Depcyznski M, Fisher R, Holmes TH, Noble MM, Radford BT et al. [Rule M, Shedrawi G] (2018). Climatic forcing and larval dispersal capabilities shape the replenishment of fishes and their habitat-forming biota on a tropical coral reef. Ecology and evolution 8, pp. 1918–1928
Wilson SK, Graham NAJ, Holmes TH, MacNeil MA, Ryan NM (2018). Visual versus video methods for estimating reef fish biomass. Ecological Indicators 85, pp. 146–152
Depczynski M, Cure K, Egdar Z, George K, Holmes T, Howard A et al. [Wilson S] (2017). Key ecological processes in Kimberley benthic communities : fish recruitment : WAMSI Kimberley Marine Research Program, final report, subproject 1.1.2a. Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Perth. 33 p.
Graham NAJ, McClanahan TR, MacNeil MA, Wilson SK, Cinner JE, Huchery C et al. [Holmes TH] (2017). Human disruption of coral reef trophic structure. Current Biology 27, pp. 231–236
Holmes T, Wilson S, Bancroft K, Shedrawi G, Rule M, Murray K, Kendrick A (2017). Ecological monitoring in the Ningaloo marine reserves 2017. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. Marine Monitoring Program Report 1, 74 p.
Stuart-Smith RD, Edgar GJ, Barrett NS, Bates AE, Baker SC, Bax NJ et al. [Holmes TH] (2017). Assessing national biodiversity trends for rocky and coral reefs through the integration of citizen science and scientific monitoring programs. Bioscience 67, pp. 134–146
Wilson S, Holmes T (2017). Identifying nurseries and trends in fish recruitment to understand adult populations. World Heritage Connect 8, pp. 8–9
Wilson SK, Depczynski M, Fulton C, Holmes TH, Noble MM, Radford BT et al. (2017). Climatic conditions and nursery habitat quality provide indicators of reef fish recruitment strength. Limnology and Oceanography 62, pp. 1868–1880
Evans R, Holmes T, Shedrawi G (2016). Recruitment processes: a tale of survival. Landscope 32(1), pp. 47–52
Holmes T (2016). Fish recruitment at Ningaloo Reef. Poster displayed at Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival, May 25-May 29, Exmouth, W.A.. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kensington, WA. 1 p.
Holmes T (2016). Monitoring fish communities at Ningaloo Reef. Poster displayed at Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival, May 25-May 29, Exmouth, W.A.. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kensington, WA. 1 p.
Holmes TH, Wilson S, Evans R, Ayling T, Westera M, Halford A et al. (2016). Considering multiple factors in assessing the effectiveness of a large-scale marine protected area for conserving targeted fish communities (ABSTRACT). In Abstract Book: 13th International Coral Reef Symposium, 19-24 June, 2016, Honolulu, Hawai'i p. 148
Kendrick A, Wilson S, Friedman K, Waples K, Whiting S, Holmes T et al. [Rule M, Halford A] (2016). Strategic marine ecological research priorities for CALM Act marine parks and reserves 2016-2021. Conservation Science Western Australia 10, pp. 1–15
Lim IE, Wilson SK, Holmes TH, Noble MM, Fulton CJ (2016). Specialization within a shifting habitat mosaic underpins the seasonal abundance of a tropical fish. Ecosphere 7, pp. 1–13
Wernberg T, Bennett S, Babcock RC, de Bettignies T, Cure K, Depczynski M et al. [Holmes TH, Wilson S] (2016). Climate-driven regime shift of a temperate marine ecosystem. Science 353, pp. 169–172
Wilson S, Holmes T (2016). Department of Parks and Wildlife. Australian Society for Fish Biology Newsletter 46(2), pp. 66–67
Wilson SK, Depczynski M, Fulton CJ, Holmes TH, Radford BT, Tinkler P (2016). Influence of nursery habitat on the abundance of a coral reef fish (ABSTRACT). In Abstract Book: 13th International Coral Reef Symposium, 19-24 June, 2016, Honolulu, Hawai'i p. 373
Wilson SK, Depczynski M, Fulton CJ, Holmes TH, Radford BT, Tinkler P (2016). Influence of nursery microhabitats on the future abundance of a coral reef fish. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B 283, pp. 1–7
Coker DJ, Hoey AS, Wilson SK, Depczynski M, Graham NAJ, Hobbs J-PA et al. [Holmes TH] (2015). Habitat selectivity and reliance on live corals for Indo-Pacific hawkfishes (family Cirrhitidae). PLoS One 10, pp. 1–17
Wilson S, Holmes T (2015). Department of Parks and Wildlife. Australian Society for Fish Biology Newsletter 45(2), pp. 49–50
Ashworth EC, Depczynski M, Holmes TH, Wilson SK (2014). Quantitative diet analysis of four mesopredators from a coral reef. Journal of Fish Biology 84, pp. 1031–1045
Fulton C, Depczynski M, Radford B, Wilson S, Holmes T (2014). Seasonal cycles in Ningaloo seaweed meadows. Available at https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/publications-resources/111-science-division-information-sheets. 73/2014, 2 p.
Wilson S, Holmes T (2014). Department of Parks and Wildlife, Marine Science Program. Australian Society for Fish Biology Newsletter 44(2), pp. 66–67
Wilson SK, Fulton CJ, Depczynski M, Holmes TH, Noble MM, Radford B et al. (2014). Seasonal changes in habitat structure underpin shifts in macroalgae-associated tropical fish communities. Marine Biology 161, pp. 2597–2607
Cvitanovic C, Wilson SK, Fulton CJ, Almany GR, Anderson P, Babcock RC et al. [Friedman KJ, Holmes TH, Kendrick AJ, Simpson C, Waples K] (2013). Critical research needs for managing coral reef marine protected areas: perspectives of academics and managers. Journal of Environmental Management 114, pp. 84–91
Depczynski M, Gilmour JP, Ridgway T, Barnes H, Heyward AJ, Holmes TH et al. [Moore JAY, Wilson SK] (2013). Bleaching, coral mortality and subsequent survivorship on a West Australian fringing reef. Coral Reefs 32, pp. 233–238
Holmes TH, Wilson SK, Travers MJ, Langlois TJ, Evans RD, Moore G et al. [Douglas RA, Shedrawi G] (2013). A comparison of visual- and stereo-video based fish community assessment methods in tropical and temperate marine waters of Western Australia. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods 11, pp. 337–350
Holmes TH, Wilson SK, Vanderklift M, Babcock R, Fraser M (2012). The role of Thalassoma lunare as a predator of juvenile fish on a sub-tropical coral reef. Coral Reefs 31, pp. 1113–1123
Moore J, Bellchambers L, Depczynski M, Evans R, Evans S, Field S et al. [Friedman K, Holmes T, Shedrawi G, Wilson S] (2012). 2010-11 mass coral bleaching across 12º of latitude in WA. Poster presented at the 12th International Coral Reef Symposium, 9-13 July, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
Moore JAY, Barnes H, Evans R, Field S, Friedman K, Holmes T et al. [Shedrawi G, Wilson S] (2012). Extreme ocean warming drives coral bleaching across WA. Available at https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/publications-resources/111-science-division-information-sheets. 49/2012, 2 p.
Wilson S, Holmes T, Depczynski M (2012). Habitat associations of juvenile coral reef fish. Available at https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/publications-resources/111-science-division-information-sheets. 47/2012, 2 p.
Wilson SK, Babcock RC, Fisher R, Holmes TH, Moore JAY, Thomson DP (2012). Relative and combined effects of habitat and fishing on reef fish communities across a limited fishing gradient at Ningaloo. Marine Environmental Research 81, pp. 1–11
Depczynski M, Heyward A, Case M, Colquhoun J, O?Leary R, Radford B et al. [Wilson S, Holmes T] (2011). Methods of monitoring the health of benthic communities at Ningaloo: coral & fish recruitment: final report. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville. 109 p.
Holmes T, Friedman K, Bancroft K, Field S (2011). WAMMP, fish and coral surveys of the Rowley Shoals, 2011. Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA. Meta Data Report MDR_FishCoral_RSMP_201109, 59 p.
Wilson S, Holmes T (2011). Reef fish and corals: unlocking the secrets. Landscope 26(3), pp. 18–22
Stanley F, Morris K, Holmes T, Moore J (2010). Giant steps: industry and conservation make history through Gorgon. Landscope 25(4), pp. 10–16
Wilson SK, Depczynski M, Fisher R, Holmes TH, O'Leary RA, Tinkler P (2010). Habitat associations of juvenile fish at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia: the importance of coral and algae. PLoS One 5, pp. 1–8
Long SC, Holmes TH (2009). Comparative marine biodiversity of the Rowley Shoals 2007: benthic assemblages. Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA. Marine Science Program Data Report Series 7, 38 p.
