David Abdo
Ecologist And Natural Resource Manager
Wonnerup,WA
Summary
Experienced Environmental Manager... Determined and well-rounded individual with more than [Number] years working as Scientist within [Industry] industry. Sharp and focused professional offering skills in [Skill] and [Skill].
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Senior Manager Intelligence and Pollution Response
Dept. of Water and Environmental Regulation
08.2023 - 01.2024
- I led and provided direction to a multi-disciplinary team of 30 full-time staff (FTE) that delivered the state-wide environmental intelligence and pollution response program, as well as contributed to organisation reform of the group during re-structure
- As an authorised officer under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) I provided high-level support and advice on assurance activities and emergency response to the Director and Executive Director, as well as developing strategic relationships at the national, state and agency level.
Principal Environmental Officer
Dept. of Water and Environmental Regulation
10.2022 - Current
- As a subject matter expert, I lead and manage projects and contributed to the development and implementation of policies, strategies, systems and processes to support the functions of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
- Key achievements include the completion of section 38 environmental impact assessments as well as post-approval amendments, and auditing of environmental management plans under Part IV of the EP Act
- I have acted as Branch Manager (SCL5) on 3 occasions leading, advising and mentoring 10 FTE.
Senior Scientist
Dept. of Primary Industries & Regional Development
01.2022
- Contracted to provide technical advice and prepare scientific manuscripts (development, analysis and writing) for the Aquatic Science Habitat and Ecosystem Assessment group, as well as provide a critical review of legislative exemption and aquaculture permit referrals.
Commercial manager – Biosecurity
DHI Water And Environment
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Applying my technical knowledge and experience in benthic ecology and biosecurity as well as stakeholder engagement and negotiation, I led the development and expansion of the Vessel-Check vessel-related biosecurity risk assessment decision support tool, as well as marine impact assessment advice for clients
- I was successful in securing major long-term contracts with 3 state government biosecurity agencies, 2 major oil and gas companies, and biosecurity innovation project funding from the Australian Government
- I was awarded an Australian Government Environmental Biosecurity Award (2020) for my work on the project
- I managed a team of 8 FTE, many of which remotely located in different states.
Director
Alpha ENVIRONMENTAL management
01.2017 - 01.2020
- I have successfully run my consultancy service (Alpha Environmental Management), with 5 FTE, providing services covering commercial charter for marine research, servicing of marine and oceanographic equipment, hydrographic surveys, commercial diving support, remotely operated vehicles and drop camera surveys, deployment/retrieval of oceanographic equipment, scientific marine surveys
- I have also conducted marine education and public awareness programs
- I successfully secured several contracts, including a key $435,000 contract with the Department of Transport (contract no
- DOT407416).
Scientist
Dept. of Primary Industries & Regional Development
01.2011 - 01.2020
- Appointed as the Lead Scientist for the Ngari Capes Marine Park and temperate marine parks for the Department of Fisheries, leading a team of 3 FTE
- I successfully implemented the monitoring program, developing the Collaborative Operation Plans (with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions) and Departmental reporting to the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority
- The result was my progression to a Senior Scientist
- I was also the Department's representative on the Environmental Liaison Group, under the State Maritime Environmental Emergencies Plan
- I also undertook several additional projects related to environmental impact assessment such as the Part IV approval of the Mid-West Aquaculture Development Zone for the Department under the EP Act.
Research Scientist
Australian Institute of Marine Science
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Joining the Biodiversity Research pillar of AIMS, I was tasked with several key projects investigating impacts on sessile benthic organisms, in particular relating to marine development projects for the mining and oil and gas sectors (e.g
- Sedimentation effects on Porifera in the WA Kimberley region).
Senior Marine Scientist
MScience Pty Ltd
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Led key environmental impact assessment projects for nearshore and offshore marine developments, delivering timely and within-budget outcomes for clients
- I successfully tendered for a major impact assessment study on the impacts of gypsum on nearshore environments at Cape Cuvier, Dampier Salt (Rio Tinto); and completed water/sediment quality impacts and impacts on benthic systems projects for Woodside Pty Ltd.
Research Scientist
DeptARTMENT of Fisheries
01.2007 - 01.2009
- I undertook studies on the Houtman Abrolhos Islands conducting long-term monitoring of the benthic communities on the islands
- Additionally, I developed several technical projects to improve the monitoring program such as the creation of a cost-effective water motion-measuring device (evidenced in a peer-reviewed paper).
Research Scientist
Australian Institute of Marine Science
01.2003 - 01.2004
- I was responsible for sea-based field monitoring and reporting on benthic communities along the Great Barrier Reef for the Great Barrier Reef long-term monitoring program.
Education
Certificate III - Public Safety (Biosecurity Response Operations) -
Tocal College
2017
Certificate IV - Leadership and Management - undefined
Challenger TAFE
Doctor of Philosophy - undefined
University of Western Australia
Bachelor of Science (Marine Science) Honours - undefined
University of Western Australia
Skills
Exemplar Global Quality and Environmental Management Systems Lead Auditor (ISO 9001, 14001)Australian Maritime Safety Authority National Marine Oil Spill Plan Incident Management Trainingleadership and management of teams between 2 – 30 team membersresearch planning, field data collection and analysis; statistical analysis; peer-reviewed publicationsproject and contract managementstakeholder engagement and negotiationpolicy/legislation development, review and critiquerisk analysis, compliance and auditingenvironmental incident response
Adaptability and Flexibility
Team Collaboration
Written Communication
Problem-solving abilities
Quality Assurance
Awards Funding
- 2021, Environmental Biosecurity Award, Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (Australian Government)
- 2021, Biosecurity Innovation Project, $74,000
- 2019, National Marine Pest Reference Collection project, $200,000
- 2019, Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour Education Awareness Campaign Phase 2, $25,300
- 2018, Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour Education Awareness Campaign, $5,900
- 2017, Floating Rubbish Removal Service Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, $435,000
- 2014, Mid-West Aquaculture Development Zone Baseline Studies, $370,664
- 2010-2011, Effects of nearshore dredging on sponges, $120,906
- 2008-2010, Tactical Response Fund Grant 2008/085, $74,214
- 2008, International Science Linkage Grant (Australian Academy of Science), $8,390
- 2008, UWA Whitfeld Fellowship Development Grant
- 2006, UWA Graduate Research School Travel Grant
- 2004-2007, UWA Post Graduate Award
Academic Experience
Yeoh, D., Ecology and movement patterns of the fish fauna in the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park, Co-Supervisor, 2014-2018, National Marine Pest Sectoral Committee, WA Representative, 2018, 2020, Surveillance Work-Plan Task Group (TG), Emergency Response TG, Passive Surveillance Education and Awareness TG, Marina and Slipways TG, Ballast Water Management TG, and Antifouling and In-Water Cleaning TG, Member, 2018, 2020, WA Maritime Environmental Emergencies (MEE) Environmental Liaison Group, Member, DPIRD representative, 2017, 2019
Publications
- Cryptic biodiversity inhabiting coral reef sponges, George. A.M, Abdo, D.A., Muhammad Azmi Abdul Wahab. M.A., Merrick Ekins, M., Hooper, J.N.A., & Whalan, S., Marine Ecology, 10.1111/maec.12747, 2023
- A united front against marine invaders: developing a cost-effective marine biosecurity surveillance program through a collaborative government and industry partnership, McDonald, J.I., Wellington, C.M., Coupland, G., Pedersen, D., Kitchen, B., Bridgwood, S.D., Hewitt, M., Duggan, R., & Abdo, D.A., Journal of Applied Ecology, 57, 1, 77-84, 2019
- Sounding out pests: the potential of hydroacoustics in aquatic biosecurity surveillance and compliance, Abdo, D.A., Duggan, R.L., & McDonald, J.I., Biological Invasions, 20, 3409, 2018, 10.1007/s10530-018-1792-2
- A Review of Underwater Stereo-Image Measurement for Marine Biology and Ecology Applications, Shortis, M., Harvey, E., & Abdo, D., Oceanography and Marine Biology - An Annual Review, 47, 257-292, 2009
References
Can be provided on request
Timeline
Acting Senior Manager Intelligence and Pollution Response
Dept. of Water and Environmental Regulation
08.2023 - 01.2024
Principal Environmental Officer
Dept. of Water and Environmental Regulation
10.2022 - Current
Senior Scientist
Dept. of Primary Industries & Regional Development
01.2022
Commercial manager – Biosecurity
DHI Water And Environment
01.2020 - 01.2022
Director
Alpha ENVIRONMENTAL management
01.2017 - 01.2020
Scientist
Dept. of Primary Industries & Regional Development
01.2011 - 01.2020
Research Scientist
Australian Institute of Marine Science
01.2010 - 01.2011
Senior Marine Scientist
MScience Pty Ltd
01.2009 - 01.2010
Research Scientist
DeptARTMENT of Fisheries
01.2007 - 01.2009
Research Scientist
Australian Institute of Marine Science
01.2003 - 01.2004
Certificate III - Public Safety (Biosecurity Response Operations) -
Tocal College
Certificate IV - Leadership and Management - undefined
Challenger TAFE
Doctor of Philosophy - undefined
University of Western Australia
Bachelor of Science (Marine Science) Honours - undefined
University of Western Australia