The major challenges facing our oceans result from human activities and include pollution, disease, overfishing and climate change. MEG researchers are passionate about the marine environment and are keen to understand the prevalence and severity of these challenges and consider innovative ways to reduce their footprints. MEG projects include assessing plastic accumulation in commercially important fish,  parasites hitching a ride on marlin, prevalence of disease in sea urchins, virome signatures in fishes, impacts of trawling on community catch and survival of non-target species, and impacts of ocean acidification and rising sea temperature on a range of organisms.

Rapid population growth on a global scale requires innovative solutions to resource consumption. MEG is committed to reducing consumption of wild resources in the marine environment through the development of new and exciting aquaculture techniques. Williamson has been heavily involved in the initiation and establishment of land-based sea urchin aquaculture in Australia and was Chief Scientist for the aquaculture company AusUni Pty Ltd from 2006-2010. Students from MEG have worked on questions relating to the aquaculture of sea urchins and other species including abalone, barramundi and yellowtail kingfish in parallel with industry and government agencies.