Dr Glenn Moore is the Curator of Fish at WA Museum and the State-recognised authority for the identification and taxonomy of marine and freshwater fish. He is regularly involved in scientific projects to grow our understanding of Western Australian biodiversity and biogeography.

In his role as Curator, Glenn is responsible for maintaining the quality, documentation and development of the State’s fish collection, which includes almost 200,000 specimens from around the world. 

With more than 25 years of experience, Glenn is also known as an expert Ichthyologist, or in simple terms, a fish scientist.

Gaining samples and data from field trips is fundamental to Glenn’s research.  By immersing himself in the environment of these underwater creatures, he can reveal important information about fish distributions, habitat preferences and other aspects of their lives. It can also lead to the discovery of new species.

An important part of field trips is collaborating with colleagues from other museums and research facilities around the country. On a recent trip to Western Australia’s Kimberley region, Glenn collaborated with a colleague from the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

The purpose of the trip was to explore remote waterways, document the variety of fish living there, research the interrelationships between the two and search for new species of fish.

Ichthyologists use several different techniques for collecting fish specimens. The method chosen depends on the location, the target species and the sampling required to obtain as much of an area's biodiversity as possible.

Out on the ocean, scientists may favour SCUBA diving, fishing with nets and traps or even a standard fishing rod. However, there are occasions where alternative approaches are required.

During Glenn’s recent trip, electro-fishing was the method used. This involves safely pulsing an electric current through the water, stunning the fish long enough to enable them to be scooped up and examined. Fish not needed for the research are released back into the water.

The specimens collected are studied and compared with other species and collections. This involves taking detailed measurements, counting and analysing features including spines, scales and teeth, undertaking genetic analyses and carefully mapping their distributions, culminating in research papers and reports.

The specimens are held as a permanent record in the State’s collection, and other scientists worldwide can access and use them. The distributional data will eventually be available through the Atlas of Living Australia.

As an active collaborator with researchers from across Australia and the globe, Glenn is dedicated to raising awareness about fish and fostering an understanding of their role in the world.