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Trophic cascades in Australian seagrasses: linking nutrients to survival and growth of commercially-important fishes. Despite its high conservation status and importance to commercial and recreational fisheries, seagrass is still declining in Australian waters. By investigating a trophic cascade that links nutrient pollution to the growth and survivorship of seagrass and commercially-important juvenile fishes, our study fills knowledge gaps crucial for improved future management of seagrass hab ....Trophic cascades in Australian seagrasses: linking nutrients to survival and growth of commercially-important fishes. Despite its high conservation status and importance to commercial and recreational fisheries, seagrass is still declining in Australian waters. By investigating a trophic cascade that links nutrient pollution to the growth and survivorship of seagrass and commercially-important juvenile fishes, our study fills knowledge gaps crucial for improved future management of seagrass habitats. The primary outcome of this study will be a model that can predict how changes in nutrient pollution will influence population dynamics of commercially-important fish species supported by seagrass. This information has, therefore, direct relevance to managers of estuarine and coastal environments at all levels of government - local, state and federal.Read moreRead less
A genetic and experimental assessment of the frequency and importance of hybridisation of Black and Yellow Fin Bream. Bream (Acanthopagrus spp.) species underpin several valuable and heavily exploited fisheries in eastern Australia, but the two principal species, yellowfin (A. australis) and black (A, butcheri), interbreed significantly. This hybridisation is poorly documented and, with increasing harvests, could lead to long-term economic impacts and severe repercussions on biodiversity. It cou ....A genetic and experimental assessment of the frequency and importance of hybridisation of Black and Yellow Fin Bream. Bream (Acanthopagrus spp.) species underpin several valuable and heavily exploited fisheries in eastern Australia, but the two principal species, yellowfin (A. australis) and black (A, butcheri), interbreed significantly. This hybridisation is poorly documented and, with increasing harvests, could lead to long-term economic impacts and severe repercussions on biodiversity. It could, for example, increase the risk of localised extinctions and impact on genetic diversity of both species. We will use an innovative combination of molecular genetics and breeding experiments to: (i) determine frequency and direction of hybridisation; (ii) infer strength of genetic connections among estuaries; and, (iii) explore implications for sustainable fisheries management.Read moreRead less
Stocking of fish and prawns at ecologically determined densities into Australian estuaries. Increasing numbers of people like to go fishing, and to catch a fish, which translates into tourism income and aquaculture business. Restocking is a fisheries management option when the natural supply or survival of larvae is limited. This study will determine for the first time the ecologically appropriate abundance of small mulloway and prawns that an estuary can sustain. We will assess the extra eff ....Stocking of fish and prawns at ecologically determined densities into Australian estuaries. Increasing numbers of people like to go fishing, and to catch a fish, which translates into tourism income and aquaculture business. Restocking is a fisheries management option when the natural supply or survival of larvae is limited. This study will determine for the first time the ecologically appropriate abundance of small mulloway and prawns that an estuary can sustain. We will assess the extra effort needed to release larvae into particular key habitats, and develop new technologies to identify our larvae from the wild. Our findings will be relevant to restocking of Australia's inland rivers, which at present has little ecological basis.Read moreRead less
Investigations of Australian Hematodinium species (sp.): a dinoflagellate parasite damaging major crustacean fisheries in Australia and worldwide. The dinoflagellate Hematodinium species (sp.) causes a deadly infection in crustaceans worldwide and a recent outbreak in Shark Bay, WA highlights its importance in Australian waters. This project will provide a first nationwide survey of commercially important crustacean stocks enabling the Australian fisheries authorities to assess the full scale ....Investigations of Australian Hematodinium species (sp.): a dinoflagellate parasite damaging major crustacean fisheries in Australia and worldwide. The dinoflagellate Hematodinium species (sp.) causes a deadly infection in crustaceans worldwide and a recent outbreak in Shark Bay, WA highlights its importance in Australian waters. This project will provide a first nationwide survey of commercially important crustacean stocks enabling the Australian fisheries authorities to assess the full scale of the problem. Also, we will develop a simple, easy-to-use tool for diagnosis and management of Hematodinium sp. This project will expand the diversity of parasites studied in Australia by including this relatively poorly studied but damaging group. This project will also foster interdisciplinary collaborations within Australia, and internationally.Read moreRead less
Reducing the bycatch pf juvenille bream, luderick and mullet in the NSW ocean haul fishery. To ensure long-term sustainability of the targeted species, it is imperative that the ocean haul fishery implements conservation-orientated practices. Failure to reduce the mortality of bycaught bream, luderick and mullet in the ocean haul fishery is likely to impact on the quality of both commercial and recreational fishing for these important species. The aims of the project are to (i) determine selecti ....Reducing the bycatch pf juvenille bream, luderick and mullet in the NSW ocean haul fishery. To ensure long-term sustainability of the targeted species, it is imperative that the ocean haul fishery implements conservation-orientated practices. Failure to reduce the mortality of bycaught bream, luderick and mullet in the ocean haul fishery is likely to impact on the quality of both commercial and recreational fishing for these important species. The aims of the project are to (i) determine selectivity of the existing nets used and (ii) to develop and assess modifications to gears that reduce bycatch. More specifically the utility of simple changes to existing mesh sizes and shapes to improve selectivity and bycatch reduction devices will be investigated. The expected outcomes of this project will be the conservation of hundreds of thousands of juvenile fish ensuring a better fishery, whilst also securing the economic and social structure of coastal communities that support this fishery.Read moreRead less
Feeding and breeding: Rainfall effects on connectivity and fidelity of iconic coastal fishes. Large predatory fish are of great significance to recreational anglers, not only for their trophy status but also for their disproportional fecundity and contribution to future fishing. Remarkably, the distribution and movements of large estuarine fish in estuaries and the coastal ocean are unknown, despite their importance to the national economy. We will determine the role of freshwater discharge an ....Feeding and breeding: Rainfall effects on connectivity and fidelity of iconic coastal fishes. Large predatory fish are of great significance to recreational anglers, not only for their trophy status but also for their disproportional fecundity and contribution to future fishing. Remarkably, the distribution and movements of large estuarine fish in estuaries and the coastal ocean are unknown, despite their importance to the national economy. We will determine the role of freshwater discharge and oceanography on the coastal and estuarine habitat requirements, movements and home ranges of mulloway, flathead and bream from the scale of hours to years, and extend these findings to evaluate population sub-structuring and connectivity in the context of a changing climate.Read moreRead less
Marine Reserves as Fisheries Management Tools: A Long-term, Experimental Approach. Marine reserves, areas permanently closed to fishing, are potentially valuable fisheries management tools. Reserves may sustain fisheries external to them by containing undisturbed breeding stocks and becoming net exporters of adults and propagules. Our studies in the Philippines suggest that such benefits may only eventuate after 5-15 years of effective protection. This project will continue our long-term (17-25 ....Marine Reserves as Fisheries Management Tools: A Long-term, Experimental Approach. Marine reserves, areas permanently closed to fishing, are potentially valuable fisheries management tools. Reserves may sustain fisheries external to them by containing undisturbed breeding stocks and becoming net exporters of adults and propagules. Our studies in the Philippines suggest that such benefits may only eventuate after 5-15 years of effective protection. This project will continue our long-term (17-25 year) studies of abundance and yield at 3 established reserves, and use a replicated experiment at 3 new reserves, to test if reserves can enhance local fish biomass and catch. We will also compare effects of reserves in Australia and the Philippines.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100059
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Dual frequency identification SONAR (DIDSON) facility for sampling benthic and pelagic fish populations. Many Australians enjoy marine and freshwater resources, and we are exploiting fisheries and waterways in particular at an increasing rate. Effective management of fisheries requires understanding the abundance and behavior of fish. This facility will provide novel acoustic video technology for researchers to count fishes and sharks near weirs, under wharves or logs, and within seagrass beds. ....Dual frequency identification SONAR (DIDSON) facility for sampling benthic and pelagic fish populations. Many Australians enjoy marine and freshwater resources, and we are exploiting fisheries and waterways in particular at an increasing rate. Effective management of fisheries requires understanding the abundance and behavior of fish. This facility will provide novel acoustic video technology for researchers to count fishes and sharks near weirs, under wharves or logs, and within seagrass beds. The dual frequency identification sonar (DIDSON) will also allow accurate and standardised study of fish movements in response to floods, algal blooms or re-stocking events without disturbing the fish or their habitats. This will enhance our understanding of the top-down control by fish of aquatic ecosystems that are directly adjacent to human activity.Read moreRead less