Michael Thomas Sierp

Managing Director of Aquatic Biosecurity Pty Ltd with extensive experience in blue carbon, biosecurity and marine surveying projects. Former National Secretary and Board Director of Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors and non-executive Board Director of RecFish SA. Proven track record in leading award winning fishery habitat and blue carbon rehabilitation projects as Senior Projects Manager at OzFish Unlimited. Expertise in managing complex projects across government, academia, and private sectors, with a strong focus on stakeholder engagement and compliance with national and international regulations.

• Australian Institute of Marine Surveyors, previous associate member #814
• IMarEST – Biofouling Management Expert Group, previous member
• RecFishSA, previous member
• OzFish Unlimited, previous member

• SA Environment Awards – Working Together Award (Seeds For Snapper), 06/25
• Regional Showcase South Australia – Finalist (Warren Reservoir Cod Lodges), 06/21
• National Best Project Award. Australia Recreational Fishing Foundation ARFF, 06/19
• PIRSA Excellence in Leadership, 06/13

National Biofouling Management Guidelines for the Aquaculture Industry, 06/13, The National Marine Pest Research and Development Priorities, 06/13, The National Marine Pests Taxonomists List, 06/13, DRAFT Stock Enhancement and Translocation Policy, 06/09, Toward routine, DNA-based detection methods for marine pests, 06/10, Biomanipulation: A review of biological control measures in eutrophic waters, 06/08, Plankton dynamics in fertilised crayfish ponds with high hardness, 06/01, Recent Developments in Australian Aquaculture, 06/01, West Lakes: Bathymetry, Vegetation (Blue Carbon) and Hardness Mapping, 06/25, Yankalilla Bay Benthic Habitat (Blue Carbon) Condition Report, 06/25, Viability for the control of water quality by biomanipulation using Murray cod, 06/08, The impacts of nutrient manipulation and crayfish density on plankton and water quality in ponds, 06/98

• AquaVetMed: Disease Response Monitoring Design, 06/12
• AquaVetMed: Aquatic Vet Disease Surveillance Training, 06/11
• Total College: Biosecurity Emergency Response Training, 06/11
• Fleet SA Government off-road 4WD training Defensive Driving course, 06/11
• Reef Monitoring Training for the World Census of Marine Life, 06/10
• Shipping Industry Induction (Australian Shipowner’s Association), 06/09
• Leadership for the Future (SA Govt. / OZ Train), 06/07
• Practical Guide to Effective Contract Management, 06/07
• PIRSAFE training for state government managers, 06/05

Currently Dr Sierp is the Managing Director of a private consulting company called Aquatic Biosecurity Pty Ltd. Previously he was the elected National Secretary and SA State representative of the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) and non executive board director of RecFish SA. He has had significant success with a part time contract as Senior Projects Manager of OzFish Unlimited and ongoing contractor since 2018 towards fishery habitat and blue carbon rehabilitation initiatives. He was employed as a Government Biosecurity Manager in natural resources with a focus on maritime and the environment where he successfully chaired 11 federal and state government committees across a range of biosecurity related fields. Michael can manage any blue carbon, biosecurity, maritime, primary industry, or surveying projects from technical expert to director level with a high degree of confidence due to his education, work experience and business relationships. He has held senior positions in government, universities, and private business. He has developed a unique knowledge of the stakeholder groups of Australia through his committee, government, recreational and research experience. Post-university, his work has been conducted nationally, managing key stakeholder groups towards Australian state and federal law, policies, guidelines, and international maritime conventions. He currently operates as expert witness, inspector, science contractor from field operative up to executive levels.

• Australia
• India
• New Zealand
• United States of America
• China
• Uruguay

SA Environment Awards – Working Together Award (Seeds for Snapper - Blue Carbon initiative) 2025

Regional Showcase South Australia – Finalist (Warren Reservoir Cod Lodges), 2021

National Best Project Award, Australia, Recreational Fishing Foundation, ARFF - Reservoir access and stocking for conservation, 2019

PIRSA Excellence in Leadership 2013, Australian Testing Centre for Marine Pests

Innovation within Biosecurity SA, 2012, Australian Testing Centre for Marine Pests

Biosecurity SA Service to the Community Award, 2010, Wild Pacific Oyster Control Program

PIRSA Achievement Awards: Service to the Community Finalist, 2010

• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) accredited marine surveyor
• Marine Engine Driver (MED) Grade 2
• Divers Alert Network advanced oxygen provider
• Maritime Security Identification Card
• Australian Divers Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) Level 1
• Senior first aid and defibrillator training