Abstract:
Surveys of subtidal rocky reefs were conducted in the Jervis Bay Marine Park (JBMP) as part of a broader study into the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Australian temperate waters. The study used the same standardised methodology used in baseline and long-term monitoring programs in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. Surveys assessed fish size, diversity and abundance, as well as macro invertebrate and algae abundance.Baseline surveys were conducted in 1996 (18 replicate sites), 2000 (24 replicates) and 2001 (25 replicates). Since establishment of the JBMP zoning plan in October 2002 three surveys in 2003, 2004 and 2005 have been completed at 27 sites. Sites were chosen to allow an approximately balanced design between treatments with 14 sites in sanctuary “no-take” zones and 13 reference sites where fishing is still permitted. Sites were also stratified by wave exposure between sheltered and exposed locations.A diverse fish fauna totalling 216 species has been recorded. Site attached species such as wrasse, damselfishes, red morwong Cheilodatylus fuscus and rock cale Crinodus lophodon, provided the most temporally and spatially stable components of the fish assemblage. More mobile and schooling species such as the snapper Acanthopagrus australis, and the bream Chrysophyrs auratus were highly variable between sites and between years. Newly-recruited juveniles of tropical species, which presumedly die each winter, also added considerable variation between years.
Authors:
Neville Barrett, GJ Edgar, AS Polacheck, T Lynch, F Clements
Year:
2023
Journal:
Technical Report
Reference Type:
345
Volume:
Pages:
Attachment:
https://atrc.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Jervis_Bay_2005_Report1642.pdf
