JCU alarmist studies proved wrong by peers

A group of international scientists who have spent three years seeking to replicate the alleged effects of CO2 emissions on reef fish have found that eight previous studies published by scientists from James Cook University’s Coral Reef Centre cannot be validated at all.

The Clark et al (2020) report titled Ocean acidification does not impair the behaviour of coral reef fishes* completely refutes claims that some species of reef fish are facing extinction and provides evidence of the need to establish a scientific quality assurance watchdog.

This once again calls into question the validity of some of the research which is being published on the effects of climate on marine life.

Seven leading international scientists (from Australia, Canada, Norway and Sweden) have taken it upon themselves to ‘check the science’ if you will, regarding the effects of CO2, or acidification of our oceans, on species of reef fish.

The Clark et al, (2020) group wanted to check on claims documented in eight previous studies from JCU’s Coral Reef Centre which claim rising CO2 levels were causing strange and destructive behaviours in reef fish – making them hyperactive, altering their vision, causing them to be attracted rather than repelled by the smell of predators – all factors which could cause populations to be dramatically reduced.

Scientist Timothy Clark from Deakin University led the group which conducted a major three-year study of six fish species.

In not one instance could they replicate the alarming effects which have been claimed by the small group of JCU researchers.

In their article they state ‘We comprehensively and transparently show that—in contrast to previous studies—end-of-century ocean acidification levels have negligible effects on important behaviours of coral reef fishes…’.

That’s a 100 per cent failure rate. There is not one jot of evidence to support the alarmist claims being made by these JCU researchers.

These findings provide a glaring example of why we need to establish a scientific quality assurance agency.

Further cause for concern was that a scientist who was found guilty of fabricating data in Sweden was involved in some of the JCU studies. 

JCU have promised to investigate the work of this marine biologist – Oona Lonnstedt – yet it’s been nearly two years since she was found guilty in Sweden and it appears they are just getting started(article link below) on this investigation.

JCU needs to act and I would hope that the Australian Research Council will ensure they do.

These scientists and universities are generously funded by the Commonwealth to conduct their research, and their findings are used as the basis for decision making on policy.

We need to be confident in that research, and that is why independent quality assurance is needed.

There are questions to be answered here because the findings of these seven international scientists would seem to indicate that Professor Peter Ridd was right to distrust some of the work coming out of the Coral Reef Centre.

I will be raising these very serious concerns with Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel.

Myself and my NQ colleagues – Members for Herbert and Leichhardt Phil Thompson and Warren Entsch, and Senator Susan McDonald – have issued an invitation to Dr Finkel to visit North Queensland so that we can further raise our concerns that poor science is underpinning state government decisions which penalise farmers, graziers and fishermen.

LINKS

Ocean acidification does not impair the behaviour of coral reef fishes – Timothy D. Clark et al (2020) published in Nature –08.01.20

Study disputes carbon dioxide-fish behaviour link – Martin Enserink

Ex-judge to investigate controversial marine research – John Ross