The Townsville-based National Sea Simulator (SeaSim) is touted as the world's smartest aquarium. Manager Craig Humphrey, 44, confirms that the $35-million Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) device is a cut above other scientific aquariums — and more high-maintenance.
"The way we used to set up experiments is: go to Bunnings, load up a trolley with irrigation fittings and fully construct an experimental system within a week," the boyish-looking ecologist says.
"Now, we're using top-end gear," he says, adding that the lead-time for just buying the kit is up to 12 weeks. "And then the level of sophistication and the work that goes into this is much higher," he says.
On the upside, the simulator, which officially opened in August 2013, enables scrutiny of a wealth of species — the line-up ranges from coral, sponges, urchins and crabs to seasnakes. According to Humphrey, the most remarkable creatures in the tank are crown-of-thorns starfish.
Humphrey describes them as "absolutely amazing". "You can chop these things in half, and each half will wander off and regenerate," he says, adding that an adult the size of a dinner plate spawns half a million offspring.
Do not judge crown-of-thorns starfish for gobbling coral, he says.
"They're just absolutely fascinating." The key trait he needs to do his extraordinary job is down-to-earth: patience. Handling HR drama marked by "creative tension" demands bags of it, he says, adding that he has gone from supervising the odd student to handling a workforce that can be 15-strong.
Another quality that his job demands is attention to detail, which he learned through his university training, which drove home the importance of accuracy — thoroughness in the investigation process, to ensure that research results are right.
The stickler has come a long way from his north-eastern Victoria small town of origin, Tangambalanga. Working on local sites with his builder father helped him develop a hands-on, practical outlook, he says.
But his initial ambition was to play for Collingwood. Then, he toyed with becoming an architect, until a work experience stint killed that fantasy.
"I sat in an office all day with very little to do: in fact, in two weeks, I drew a small car park and nothing else," he says.
He wound up studying zoology and biology at bachelor then masters level, locally, at James Cook University — clearly a good move because his career quickly clicked into gear and stayed in gear.
Hired by AIMS as an experimental scientist in 2000, he held that post for no less than 12 years then became involved in the SeaSim's design-and-construction phase and walked into his managerial job that brings him an annual base salary of $120,000.
Despite his position, Humphrey is instantly likeable because of his breezy, even giggly manner and humble attitude. "I've been extremely lucky", he says, adding that most marine biologists do not see their job as work.
"It's basically a lifestyle — people are very passionate about the reef, and we are extremely privileged," he says, mentioning that he gets to go out and dive.
His main dream is that, by the time his kids grow up and have kids of their own, the reef will still be there — in the same condition as now.
With luck, his smart aquarium will yield insight into how his dream can be achieved. Just starting to glean his first findings, he is open to experiments running awry and still yielding "pleasant and unexpected outcomes."
