Paul’s work on coral reefs includes environmental impact studies of power and desalination plants, industrial expansion, land reclamation and dredging on coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and Australia. 

In 2010, he organised a SECORE training workshop in Singapore on coral reproduction techniques to mass-produce coral recruits for use in public aquaria, research and restoration. 

More recently, he provided technical support on the Douglas Shoal Reef Remediation program which advises the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on the most cost-effective restoration strategy for the world’s largest ship grounding. 

Paul is lead author of a landmark review paper on environmental impacts of dredging on coral reefs, and co-author of a PIANC report used throughout industry as guideline for ‘best management practices’ for dredging and port construction around coral reefs.