Frank William Moorhouse

Frank William Moorhouse (1895 – 7 August 1967) was an Australian marine biologist. He is primarily known for his service as the Chief Inspector of the Fisheries and Game Department of South Australia from 1936 to 1959.

Early life Frank William Moorhouse was born in Taringa, a suburb of Brisbane. one of whom was the wife of William Jolly, first Lord Mayor of Brisbane. He trained as a teacher at Taringa State School, and then transferred to Herberton State School after he was accredited. Moorhouse enlisted in the Army during World War I, serving in Egypt and France.

In the 1930s, Moorhouse worked as a marine biologist for the Queensland government and the Great Barrier Reef Committee, studying the commercial potential of trochus, sponges and beche de mer. From 1930-1931, Moorhouse undertook research on Mer (Murray Island) and made a number of films, documenting residents' daily lives and events. He left his government position and started a business from Low Island, collecting trochus shells for sale and farming sponges. This enterprise was disrupted by the 1935 cyclone which swamped the island, and a theft of his stock by fishermen further discouraged his plans. which planned to pursue tuna, sardines, tommy ruffs, garfish, mackerel and salmon. Moorhouse recommended that the South Australian government loan the Haldane family 20,000 pounds. They used this money to build a super vessel at Port Lincoln. It would revolutionise the industry.

He received a Coronation Medal in 1953.

Moorhouse retired from the Fisheries and Game Department in 1959, after 23 years advocating for the industry. Moorhouse died on 7 August 1967 and was buried in Queensland.