Our Managing Principal Dr John Thorogood founded FRC Environmental (then Fisheries Research Consultants) in 1984. Carol Conacher joined the firm as a Principal in 1995. Both John and Carol maintain a 'hands-on' involvement with every project undertaken by the firm.

Our scientific staff are the 'cream of the crop'. Their outstanding academic qualifications, professionalism and commitment to their work, make us the envy of our competitors. Critically, each ecologist and environmental scientist at FRC knows that good science isn't enough: there is a universal need to communicate the significance of results, in a manner that is meaningful to the client.

Our administrative staff share the commitment and enthusiasm of our scientists. FRC Environmental has adopted, adapted and invented a range of project and team management systems that enable our scientists to work effectively and efficiently. Our team is happy and so are our clients.

Managing Principal

John Thorogood M.Sc Ph.D., FAIB, FEIANZ Managing Principal

Dr John Thorogood Aquatic Ecologist / Fisheries Biologist John is FRC's Principal Biologist, and has specialist skills in environmental assessment, management and monitoring; fauna and flora surveys; and ecosystem studies. John has led or participated in a range of studies for Commonwealth, State and Local Government agencies, and major commercial clients across Australia and internationally. Whilst John's expertise lies principally in the fields of fish and fisheries, soft sediment, reef ecology and aspects of aquaculture, his broad experience has provided an unusual breadth of understanding. John was the first (and currently remains the only) Fellow of the Australian Institute of Biology affiliated with an organisation other than an academic or government research institution.

Scientific Staff

FRC Environmental's scientists are recognised experts in their field, and together make us the consultancy of choice when it comes to issues related to coastal, riverine and riparian ecosystems.

Carol Conacher B.Sc., M.Sc. prel. Principal Ecologist

Carol Conacher Principal Ecologist Carol Conacher is also a Principal Biologist with FRC Environmental, having over 19 years professional experience. Carol is a recognised authority on the aquatic macrophytes (ecology and management) of eastern and northern Australia, and has undertaken extensive habitat mapping, together with studies of productivity, reproductive ecology and health. Throughout her career, Carol has taken a holistic, systems approach to the interpretation of experimental, survey and monitoring data. She is particularly skilled in statistical analysis and the synthesis of complex and varied data sets into a coherent whole, and the presentation of data in easily understood formats.

Lauren Thorburn B. Sc. (Hons) Senior Environmental Scientist

Andrew Olds B. Sc. (Hons) Senior Aquatic Ecologist

Eric Vanderduys B. Sc. Associate Scientist

FRC Environmental's team of ecologists and environmental scientists offer expertise in areas that include: water quality, primary productivity, trophic ecology, nutrient tracing using stable isotopes, freshwater macro-invertebrates, phytoplankton and the macro-benthic invertebrate fauna of estuarine and coastal soft sediments.

185 Main Road, Wellington Point, Brisbane, QLD Australia 4160.

Phone: +61 7 3820 4900, Fax: +61 7 3207 5640, Email: info@frcenv.com.au