Professor Matthew Taylor
Conjoint Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Career Summary
Biography
For a publication list please visit my Google scholar profile at scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=zj5I8MwAAAAJ&hl=en
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales
- Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry), University of New South Wales
- Bachelor of Science (Marine Science)(Honours), University of New South Wales
Keywords
- Crabs
- Ecotoxicology
- Estuaries
- PFAS
- Prawns
- Trawl Fisheries
Professional Experience
Academic appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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19/4/2018 - | Conjoint Professor | School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Australia |
1/1/2010 - 30/6/2011 | Lecturer in Applied Marine Ecology | University of New South Wales School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences Australia |
Professional appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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1/7/2015 - | Principal Research Scientist - Estuarine Fisheries | Port Stephens Fisheries Institute Fisheries Research Branch Australia |
1/7/2011 - 30/6/2015 | Senior Research Scientist | Port Stephens Fisheries Institute Fisheries Research Branch Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Chapter (1 outputs)
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2022 |
Szabo EA, Arundell EJ, Farrell H, Imlay A, King T, Shadbolt C, Taylor MD, 'Responding to incidents of low-level chemical contamination and deliberate contamination in food', Ensuring Global Food Safety: Exploring Global Harmonization 359-377 (2022) In many countries, chemicals in food are controlled through broad risk management structures operating at various levels of government and the food supply chain. When contaminatio... [more] In many countries, chemicals in food are controlled through broad risk management structures operating at various levels of government and the food supply chain. When contamination events occur, such as when controls fail, the response should be commensurate with the risk presented. Risk analysis provides a structured framework applicable to a broad range of circumstances and can lead to effective response strategies. This chapter presents three updated case studies focusing on the use of risk analysis in the regulatory response to food contamination events occurring in Australia. The case studies include two examples of chemical contamination of food arising from either an environmental (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances; PFASs) or naturally occurring (ciguatoxins in seafood) source. As the same risk analysis framework would be used irrespective of the type of hazard, in the absence of a recent deliberate case of chemical contamination of food within Australia, an example of a deliberate case of physical contamination (needles in strawberries) is discussed. The following discussion will demonstrate how risk analysis enables the regulatory response to these incidents to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
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Journal article (208 outputs)
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2024 |
Swadling DS, Knott NA, Taylor MD, Rees MJ, Cadiou G, Davis AR, 'Consequences of Juvenile Fish Movement and Seascape Connectivity: Does the Concept of Nursery Habitat Need a Rethink?', Estuaries and Coasts, (2024) [C1] Estuarine and adjacent inshore habitats have long been recognised as important nursery areas for fishes before they disperse to coastal habitats. Assessing nursery function suppor... [more] Estuarine and adjacent inshore habitats have long been recognised as important nursery areas for fishes before they disperse to coastal habitats. Assessing nursery function supports spatial and fisheries management, yet work commonly focusses on singular habitat types. Re-considering how juvenile fish connect habitats may improve our understanding of nursery function and the scales that recruits are supplied to coastal fisheries. This study quantified the juvenile movements of two harvested fishes in south-eastern Australia, luderick (Girella tricuspidata) and yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus australis). Acoustic tags were used to track 33 luderick and 20 yellowfin bream from seagrass meadows for up to ~400¿days in Jervis Bay Marine Park. Both species had relatively small home ranges (< 7 km2) and exhibited site attachment to seagrass meadows where they were released. Most luderick and yellowfin bream were detected moving 100¿s metres to kilometres to reefs adjacent to seagrass, although these movements were not habitat shifts. Rather, reef-ward movements represented repeated visits that lasted days to months before fish returned to seagrass, suggesting that these movements may be explorations in search of suitable adult habitat. Strong retention within an existing marine reserve was observed, with only five of 33 fish tagged within reserves crossing the boundary into fished waters. Overall, our results demonstrate that juvenile fish use and connect multiple habitat types during their movements. These findings support the broadening of the nursery concept from single habitats to a mosaic of functionally connected habitat patches (dubbed ¿seascape nurseries¿).
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2024 |
Vendl C, Taylor MD, Bräunig J, Ricolfi L, Ahmed R, Chin M, et al., 'Profiling research on PFAS in wildlife: Systematic evidence map and bibliometric analysis', Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 5 (2024) [C1] Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been in use for over 70 years. Their ubiquitous distribution and harmful effects pose... [more] Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been in use for over 70 years. Their ubiquitous distribution and harmful effects pose a threat to wildlife worldwide. To provide a comprehensive synopsis and show the gaps and gluts of existing research on PFAS exposure in wildlife, we created a systematic map and bibliographic analysis of the literature. We followed our protocol to conduct a systematic literature search on Scopus, Web of Science and five other databases. In two steps (title/abstract/keywords and full-text), we screened peer-reviewed empirical articles, preprints and theses in English that studied the concentration of at least one of 34 PFAS compounds in free-ranging wildlife or their parts/products. Following the protocol, we extracted data and performed a critical appraisal. We included 581 publications. From the first and only paper in 2001, there was a linear annual increase to 54 papers in 2021. While PFOS (97% of studies), PFOA (91%) and long-chain PFAS in general were the most measured, few studies investigated new-generation PFAS (e.g. GenX and ADONA). Across the studied 1042 species from 26 taxonomic classes, the most frequent were the common carp (Cyprinus carpio, 8%), polar bear (Ursus maritimus, 6%) and European perch (Perca fluviatilis, 5%). Most sampling took place in the United States (17%), Norway (13%), Canada (12%) and China (10%), which were also the main publishing countries. Polar regions attracted significant research interest from countries all around the globe. Aquatic habitats (marine: 31%, freshwater: 28%) of temperate zones were the most common locations for sample collection. We encourage researchers to work towards closing the following gaps: investigating new-generation PFAS, assessing PFAS in mid- and low-income countries and performing more long-term studies, especially on invertebrates. We note the recent rise in studies on the physiological consequences of PFAS exposure and encourage further work on this crucial topic. Furthermore, we recommend that the statement of potential and actual conflicts of interest, and the provision of raw data and analysis code should be made compulsory by all journals and routinely enforced. This practice will mitigate conflict of interest and ensure reproducibility.
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2024 |
Stoot LJ, Butler GL, Niella Y, Doran GS, Thiem JD, Taylor MD, Baumgartner LJ, 'Environmental Effects on the Seasonal Distribution of an Estuarine Species Neoarius graeffei in Northern New South Wales, Australia', Estuaries and Coasts, 47 229-243 (2024) [C1] Coastal river systems provide essential habitats for a diversity of fish species that transition marine, estuarine, and freshwater environments to complete their lifecycles. Movem... [more] Coastal river systems provide essential habitats for a diversity of fish species that transition marine, estuarine, and freshwater environments to complete their lifecycles. Movement among and within these environments is important to access resources that optimise growth, survival, and reproduction. Knowledge on the movements, including the drivers, underpins management strategies, although this information is often lacking for many species. We used acoustic telemetry to quantify the relative importance of a range of abiotic stimuli in relation to seasonal movement patterns in blue salmon catfish Neoarius graeffei throughout an unregulated coastal river catchment, the Clarence River in northern New South Wales, Australia. Neoarius graeffei continuously occupied the Clarence River system for the duration of the 1-year study and were mostly confined to estuarine reaches, with occasional movement into freshwater habitats. Seasonal differences in habitat occupation were observed, with N. graeffei using habitats close to the river mouth in winter and upstream estuary habitats in spring. Broad-scale movement patterns were influenced by both water temperature and river flow, and high-flow events (> 1.5 m) resulted in short-term changes (~ 10 days) in habitat use. Sex-specific differences in seasonal habitat use were also observed which we hypothesise is linked to contrasting energetic investment in reproduction. The response of N. graeffei to changes in river flow highlights the need for assessment on these impacts for estuarine-dependent species more broadly, in the face of climate change and increased river regulation.
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2024 |
Taylor MD, Chick RC, 'Utility of a modified lightweight recreational scallop dredge for surveys of estuarine ark clams (cockles)', Fisheries Research, 269 (2024) [C1] Arcid cockles support extensive subsistence, recreational and commercial fisheries across the world. In south-eastern Australia, there is minimal published research and a lack of ... [more] Arcid cockles support extensive subsistence, recreational and commercial fisheries across the world. In south-eastern Australia, there is minimal published research and a lack of quantitative surveys for the primary harvested species, Sydney Cockle Anadara trapezia, with which to inform management of the resource. Here, we describe the modification and application of an off-the-shelf lightweight recreational scallop dredge for conducting scientific surveys of arcid clams in estuarine soft sediment habitats. Specifically, we look at performance of the gear for sampling medium-large (>45 mm shell length) cockles, and report on the outcomes of preliminary trials of the gear for surveying Sydney Cockle. Efficiency trials showed that the gear captured and retained ~95% of the cockles in the tow path, however efficiency decreased in compacted sediments (~66%). Trial surveys captured cockles between 33 and 78 mm shell length, at densities as high as 186 individuals 100 m-2. The modified scallop dredge provides a robust and portable (~10 kg weight) fishing gear for sampling estuarine soft sediment habitats from small vessels. Both the sampling gear, and the methodology presented here, are broadly applicable for surveying arcid cockles and other bivalve species from similar soft sediment habitats elsewhere.
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2024 |
Becker A, Butcher PA, Morris S, Champion C, Peddemors VM, Lowry MB, Taylor MD, 'Interactions between White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and artificial reefs along the east-coast of Australia', Fisheries Research, 273 (2024) [C1] Artificial reefs are deployed for a variety of reasons, often to enhance the productivity of commercial or recreational fisheries. Threatened, endangered or protected (TEP) specie... [more] Artificial reefs are deployed for a variety of reasons, often to enhance the productivity of commercial or recreational fisheries. Threatened, endangered or protected (TEP) species are generally not the target of artificial reef programs, but may interact with the structures, raising questions as to whether the reefs might provide resources, or represent a threat due to aggregated fishing pressure. A comprehensive acoustic tagging program of White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) has been running along the east-coast of Australia since 2015. At the same time, monitoring programs, including the installation of acoustic listening stations, were undertaken at seven artificial reefs. This provided the opportunity to monitor interactions between this TEP species and artificial reefs. We recorded 590 interactions from 199 different White Sharks over a four-year period. Most interactions were short, with a mean duration of 14 min and 90% lasting less than 40 min. When the duration of interactions was modelled against a suite of environmental and biological predictor variables, only Chl-a and shark length were influential, but resulted in only very small changes (< 10 min) in the duration of interactions across their range of values. There were temporal trends regarding the frequency of interactions, these were consistent with previously described migration patterns of the eastern Australasian population. Visits were more common at artificial reefs at southern latitudes during summer to autumn, and northern latitudes during winter. There was no evidence of any shark becoming resident at one of the structures, given the short duration of interactions, it is unlikely aggregated fishing pressure at artificial reefs pose a threat to White Sharks. The interactions are likely driven by their inquisitive nature and the timing related to broad scale migratory movements. This study highlights the usefulness of acoustic telemetry networks in monitoring interactions between artificial reefs and TEP species.
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2024 |
Clarke TM, Whitmarsh SK, Jaine FRA, Taylor MD, Brodie S, Payne NL, et al., 'Environmental drivers of yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi, activity inferred through a continental acoustic tracking network', Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 34 (2024) [C1] Identifying the species response to changing environments can contribute towards proactive and adaptable resource management and, although obtaining observations can be logistical... [more] Identifying the species response to changing environments can contribute towards proactive and adaptable resource management and, although obtaining observations can be logistically challenging for aquatic species, can be postulated through monitoring. A network of acoustic tracking receivers (n¿=¿93) across south-eastern Australia was used to identify the effects of environmental conditions on the activity of the yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi, n¿=¿63), an economically important species with a crucial role in pelagic ecosystems. Activity (measured via tri-axial acceleration) provides an insight into the energetic expenditure of animals, which is linked to movement, behaviour, and physiological processes. Kingfish activity was strongly influenced by sea surface temperature and hour of day, with smaller effects from distance to nearest landmass and bathymetry. Activity also decreased during higher tides and periods of greater moon fraction. Findings show that the energetic responses of kingfish are sensitive to long- and short-term changes, which can regulate behaviours and physiological processes. Changes in kingfish activity and movement (residency and space use) were further investigated at a seasonal aggregation in a small temperate estuary (approx. 120¿km2; Coffin Bay, South Australia), where individuals remained during the austral spring and summer (September¿April), with a complete exodus in winter. Fifty per cent of tagged fish returned to this estuary in three consecutive years, indicating its importance for aggregating kingfish. While residing in Coffin Bay, kingfish activity varied between interconnected areas, with temperature, hour of day, tide height, and moon fraction again identified as important explanatory variables. These findings have implications for the energetic budgets of large pelagic fish in subtropical and temperate regions, which are facing rapidly changing climates. These results are important for understanding and accounting for the potential responses and physiological impacts of future climatic conditions on migratory pelagic species.
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2024 |
Taylor MD, Langdon KA, Smith JA, Stevenson G, Edge K, 'Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in fish and crustaceans of a recreationally fished estuary, following targeted remediation.', Sci Total Environ, 921 171089 (2024) [C1]
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2023 |
Taylor MD, 'Perfluoroalkyl acid depuration from the edible tissues of a migratory recreationally fished species', Marine Pollution Bulletin, 196 (2023) [C1] Environmental emissions of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) impact estuarine species and the fisheries that rely on them. Migratory estuarine fishes may be captured for consumption in... [more] Environmental emissions of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) impact estuarine species and the fisheries that rely on them. Migratory estuarine fishes may be captured for consumption in areas distant to known contaminant sources, but exposure risk depends on how quickly contaminants are depurated. This baseline presents the outcomes from a novel experiment simulating the migration of a popular recreational fish species (Dusky Flathead, Platycephalus fuscus) following environmental exposure to PFAAs, and assessing depuration from edible muscle tissues. Over the 33-day experiment, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) concentrations declined slowly, with modelling suggesting that concentrations fell below the relevant screening value (5.2 µg kg-1) within ~558 h (285¿1372 h; 90 % CI). Low concentrations (<1.2 µg kg-1) of perfluorohexane sulfonate also depurated rapidly. This study provides useful information for assessing potential exposure risk posed by recreationally targeted fish migrating away from contaminated areas. The experimental design employed has a real-world context that is relevant for future studies.
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2023 |
van der Meulen DE, Walsh CT, Reinfelds IV, Payne NL, Ives MC, Roberts DG, et al., 'Estuarine movements in a sparid hybrid complex', MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH, 74 625-640 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Becker A, Fielder DS, Lowry MB, Taylor MD, 'Suitability of saltmarsh creeks as release locations for stocked Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus)', Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 292 (2023) [C1] Enhancing local marine fish population through stocking programs is widely undertaken around the world. The family Sciaenidae is particularly well represented in marine stocking p... [more] Enhancing local marine fish population through stocking programs is widely undertaken around the world. The family Sciaenidae is particularly well represented in marine stocking programs where they are released to enhance both commercial and recreational fisheries. In Australia, a stocking program of the sciaenid Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) is currently underway with fingerlings being released into deep water habitat within estuaries. However, many estuaries also contain fringing saltmarsh and mangrove creeks which may provide resource-rich release habitat locations. To examine the suitability of marsh creeks as stocking sites, we used acoustic telemetry and monitored the habitat use and movement of 30 hatchery reared fish, released into wetlands of the Hunter River estuary. After initially rapidly dispersing the region covered by the array due to high salinities, some fish returned when physicochemical conditions improved. Despite being detected within the array almost daily for four months, none of the returned fish ever re-entered the marsh creeks. This study confirms releases of juvenile Mulloway should continue to focus on deeper waters which appears to be provide nursery habitat for this species. More broadly, this shows stocked fish will seek out better resourced habitats, and an understanding of these requirements which informs release strategies that place fish as close to these habitats as logistically possible would optimise stocking outcomes.
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2023 |
Stelling-Wood TP, Gribben PE, Birch G, Bishop MJ, Blount C, Booth DJ, et al., 'A deep dive into the ecology of Gamay (Botany Bay, Australia): Current knowledge and future priorities for this highly modified coastal waterway', Marine and Freshwater Research, 74 1003-1025 (2023) [C1] Context: Gamay is a coastal waterway of immense social, cultural and ecological value. Since European settlement, it has become a hub for industrialisation and human modification.... [more] Context: Gamay is a coastal waterway of immense social, cultural and ecological value. Since European settlement, it has become a hub for industrialisation and human modification. There is growing desire for ecosystem-level management of urban waterways, but such efforts are often challenged by a lack of integrated knowledge. Aim and methods: We systematically reviewed published literature and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and consulted scientists to produce a review of Gamay that synthesises published knowledge of Gamay's aquatic ecosystem to identify knowledge gaps and future research opportunities. Key results: We found 577 published resources on Gamay, of which over 70% focused on ecology. Intertidal rocky shores were the most studied habitat, focusing on invertebrate communities. Few studies considered multiple habitats or taxa. Studies investigating cumulative human impacts, long-Term trends and habitat connectivity are lacking, and the broader ecological role of artificial substrate as habitat in Gamay is poorly understood. TEK of Gamay remains a significant knowledge gap. Habitat restoration has shown promising results and could provide opportunities to improve affected habitats in the future. Conclusion and implications: This review highlights the extensive amount of knowledge that exists for Gamay, but also identifies key gaps that need to be filled for effective management.
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2023 |
Heimhuber V, Raoult V, Glamore WC, Taylor MD, Gaston TF, 'Restoring blue carbon ecosystems unlocks fisheries' potential', Restoration Ecology, 32 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Ochwada-Doyle F, Hughes J, Fowler AM, Murphy J, Stark K, Lowry M, et al., 'Quantifying the potential impact of reducing recreational harvest limits on the catch of a key marine species using off-site angler survey data', ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE, 80 295-307 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Becker A, Pederson H, Lowry MB, Fielder DS, Taylor MD, 'Implications of habitat use and movement of stocked juvenile dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus) on stock enhancement release strategies', FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND ECOLOGY, 30 536-544 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Camp EV, Johnson DD, Taylor MD, 'Modelling the potential consequences of adaptive closure management in a penaeid trawl fishery', Aquaculture and Fisheries, 8 190-201 (2023) [C1] Spatial management of fishing effort can be used to avoid catching undesirable size classes for target species, and improve yield-per-recruit for the exploited stock. Adaptive clo... [more] Spatial management of fishing effort can be used to avoid catching undesirable size classes for target species, and improve yield-per-recruit for the exploited stock. Adaptive closure management has been proposed as a means to more effectively utilise spatial management, however these management provisions often lack quantitative evaluation which constrains the information available to inform decisions. We demonstrate the use of a spatially and size structured population dynamics model to evaluate the potential impact of spatial management on a multijurisdictional fishery for a highly migratory species (eastern king prawn, Penaeus [Melicertus] plebejus). Under current conditions in the fishery, the overall effect of closures on harvest was estimated to be comparatively minor, regardless of assumptions about how effort or fisher behavior are affected by spatial management. Alternative assumptions about the movement patterns of eastern king prawn had little influence on the impact of closures on overall harvest. However, when effort was increased to historic levels similar to those observed when the closures were implemented, a much greater impact on overall harvest was observed. The approach taken and simulation outcomes are discussed in the context of spatial management for both eastern king prawn, and penaeid fisheries more broadly.
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2023 |
Connolly RM, Jinks K, Shand A, Taylor MD, Gaston TF, Becker A, Jinks EL, 'Out of the shadows: automatic fish detection from acoustic cameras', AQUATIC ECOLOGY, 57 833-844 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Ochwada-Doyle FA, Miles N, Hughes JM, Murphy JJ, Stark KE, Lowry MB, et al., 'Interannual variation in a freshwater recreational fishery under the influence of drought, bushfires, floods and a global pandemic', MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH, [C1]
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2023 |
Becker A, Lowry MB, Fowler AM, Taylor MD, 'Hydroacoustic surveys reveal the distribution of mid-water fish around two artificial reef designs in temperate Australia', Fisheries Research, 257 (2023) [C1] Artificial reef designs have evolved rapidly over the past two decades, but further work is needed to inform how specific design features affect reef function. In south-eastern Au... [more] Artificial reef designs have evolved rapidly over the past two decades, but further work is needed to inform how specific design features affect reef function. In south-eastern Australia, most artificial reefs consist of either a field of concrete modules, or large steel structures which are deployed to enhance recreational fisheries. To evaluate how these two designs might influence the densities and distribution of fish, hydroacoustic surveys were completed across multiple concrete module and steel reefs located in the temperate inshore environment of New South Wales, Australia. There were no differences in the densities of fish between the two reef types, however there was an interactive effect between reef design and distance-from-structure. Fish associated with steel reefs at greater distances from the structure, with this effect occurring throughout the water column. Steel reefs had higher relief and may therefore provide more structure to support mid-water fish at greater distances up in the water column. Assemblages were dominated by small pelagic species that likely benefit from such high relief structure. In contrast, the concrete module reef fields provide numerous structures for mid-water fish to congregate, which may therefore reduce competition for space and the need to disperse large distances from the reef. At both reef types, fish densities were greatest in the direction of prevailing currents, which may reflect foraging behaviour by small zooplanktivores which were the most abundant type of species observed. Regardless of the area occupied by artificial reefs or the type of material, the inclusion of high vertical relief structures appears an important design feature in establishing mid-water fish assemblages.
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2023 |
Schilling HT, Johnson DD, Hanamseth R, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'Long-term drivers of catch variability in south-eastern Australia's largest portunid fishery', Fisheries Research, 260 (2023) [C1] Portunid crab fisheries are socially and economically valuable yet are characterised by high inter-annual variability. Competing hypotheses about factors contributing to this vari... [more] Portunid crab fisheries are socially and economically valuable yet are characterised by high inter-annual variability. Competing hypotheses about factors contributing to this variability concern the environment, climate, and fisher behaviour. Here, we investigate variability in commercial catch, through a case study of the most heavily exploited estuary in southeastern Australia (Wallis Lake). Four main hypotheses were identified based on the broader portunid published literature: 1) Freshwater flow may cause poor recruitment due to increased offshore spawning and unfavourable dispersal of larvae, 2) Winter and spring harvesting may impact the following summer harvest by removing the spawning stock biomass (recruit overfishing); 3) Environmental factors including sea surface temperature and onshore winds may influence supply-side processes and recruitment success, contributing to catch fluctuations; and 4) Climatic indices such as the Inter Pacific Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) may correlate with longer-term fluctuations in the fishery. We find evidence in support of hypotheses 2 and 4, with winter harvest negatively impacting the following January - April harvest and the PDO being positively correlated with January - April catch rates. Harvesting in June ¿ November disproportionally impacts large females, and it may be possible to incorporate controls on winter fishing effort through co-management arrangements to achieve the best economic, environmental and social outcomes from the fishery. Such controls may lead to improved summer catch rates by protecting unspawned eggs during the winter months. The hypotheses explored here may provide insight in the variability observed in portunid fisheries around the world.
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2023 |
Martinez-Baena F, Raoult V, Taylor MD, Gaston TF, McLeod I, Bishop MJ, 'Trophic Structure of Temperate Australian Oyster Reefs Within the Estuarine Seascape: a Stable Isotope Analysis', Estuaries and Coasts, 46 844-859 (2023) [C1] Remnant oyster reefs support diverse communities of invertebrates and fish, and there is growing interest in restoring this important habitat. Whether the construction of new oyst... [more] Remnant oyster reefs support diverse communities of invertebrates and fish, and there is growing interest in restoring this important habitat. Whether the construction of new oyster reefs will enhance or simply redistribute existing fisheries¿ productivity depends on their trophic role¿which, to date, is unknown for Australian estuaries. In this study, conducted in Port Stephens, Australia, stable isotope analysis was used to determine trophic linkages among remnant oyster reefs and their resident and transient species. Specifically, this study elucidated whether the potential trophic linkages could be arising through the direct consumption of reef-forming bivalves or from the uptake of oyster-generated organic matter found in the sediment and consumption of reef-dwelling organisms. A total of six primary producers and 35 consumers of distinct feeding guilds were sampled. Results indicated oyster reefs are contributing to the trophic ecology of both resident and transient species, both through direct predation on the reef bivalves but also indirectly through consumption of the reef benthic organic matter and consumption of other reef-dwelling organisms. Oysters and mussels were an important prey group (> 40% contribution) for three resident and five transient species, including polychaetes, blue swimmer crabs, toadfish, luderick, leatherjackets, oyster gobies, and stingarees. Benthic organic matter from the oyster reef was found to be a primary resource for 12 residents and four transient species, including crabs, shrimps, gastropods, and fish. Oyster reefs are key foraging grounds in the estuarine seascape, and their restoration will enhance fisheries productivity by broadening the trophic resource base and contribute to the estuarine energy transfer to higher trophic levels.
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2023 |
Premachandra HKA, Becker A, Millard K, Johnston D, Subramanian S, Kumar M, et al., 'Genomic analyses indicate two blue swimmer crab species in Australia, evidence for natural interspecific hybridization and genetic structure within species with implications for fisheries management and stock enhancement', Fisheries Research, 265 (2023) [C1] Blue swimmer crab species are widely distributed in Indian and west Pacific Oceans including the coastline around Australia and have been identified as potential candidates for st... [more] Blue swimmer crab species are widely distributed in Indian and west Pacific Oceans including the coastline around Australia and have been identified as potential candidates for stock enhancement. A recent taxonomic review revealed the presence of two blue swimmer crab species in Australia, namely Portunus armatus which is found around most of the Australian coastline, and Portunus pelagicus which is found in the northern coast where it is sympatric with P. armatus. It is important to understand population structure and genetic diversity of Portunus spp. to efficiently manage stocks. In the present study we investigated species classification and population structure of Portunus spp. in Australia using full and partial genomic information, namely mitochondrial COX1 gene sequences derived from whole genome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers developed from partial genome sequencing. Blue swimmer crab samples were collected from the western (n = 52), northern (n = 17) and eastern (n = 110) coasts of Australia. Genetic diversity and population genetic structure were assessed for within and between region variation. Our genomic results indicated the presence of two blue swimmer crab species in Australia. One, namely, P. pelagicus was found only in Northern Territory (Darwin), and other, namely P. armatus was found around Australia. There was evidence of natural hybridisation between two species in Northern Territory (Darwin) where they were sympatric. P. armatus populations from the western, northern and eastern regions were genetically different although there were no significant genetic differences observed between the Queensland and New South Wales populations nor between the two neighbouring populations in Western Australia. Results found in the present study supports the view that the P. armatus populations in western, northern and eastern regions of Australia should be treated as at least three different stocks. A lack of genetic structuring along the eastern coast suggests blue swimmer crabs can be considered as a single stock along the sampled range at least in relation to fisheries enhancement, release programs and broodstock management.
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2023 |
Udyawer V, Huveneers C, Jaine F, Babcock RC, Brodie S, Buscot MJ, et al., 'Scaling of Activity Space in Marine Organisms across Latitudinal Gradients', American Naturalist, 201 586-602 (2023) [C1] Unifying models have shown that the amount of space used by animals (e.g., activity space, home range) scales allometrically with body mass for terrestrial taxa; however, such rel... [more] Unifying models have shown that the amount of space used by animals (e.g., activity space, home range) scales allometrically with body mass for terrestrial taxa; however, such relationships are far less clear for marine species. We compiled movement data from 1,596 individuals across 79 taxa collected using a continental passive acoustic telemetry network of acoustic receivers to assess allometric scaling of activity space. We found that ectothermic marine taxa do exhibit allometric scaling for activity space, with an overall scaling exponent of 0.64. However, body mass alone explained only 35% of the variation, with the remaining variation best explained by trophic position for teleosts and latitude for sharks, rays, and marine reptiles. Taxonspecific allometric relationships highlighted weaker scaling exponents among teleost fish species (0.07) than sharks (0.96), rays (0.55), and marine reptiles (0.57). The allometric scaling relationship and scaling exponents for the marine taxonomic groups examined were lower than those reported from studies that had collated both marine and terrestrial species data derived using various tracking methods. We propose that these disparities arise because previous work integrated summarized data across many studies that used differing methods for collecting and quantifying activity space, introducing considerable uncertainty into slope estimates. Our findings highlight the benefit of using large-scale, coordinated animal biotelemetry networks to address cross-taxa evolutionary and ecological questions.
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2022 |
Hanamseth R, Johnson DD, Schilling HT, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'Evaluation of a novel research trap for surveys of blue swimmer crab populations', Marine and Freshwater Research, 73 812-822 (2022) [C1] Surveying free-ranging crab populations is important for monitoring the health of exploited stocks and predicting future productivity. Here, we present a novel research trap desig... [more] Surveying free-ranging crab populations is important for monitoring the health of exploited stocks and predicting future productivity. Here, we present a novel research trap design for use in fisheries-independent surveys of blue swimmer crab (Portunus armatus) populations, and evaluate the trap against some existing approaches within an independent survey framework. Specifically, the trap design aimed to improve efficiency for capturing smaller crabs, without adversely affecting catches of larger crabs. We quantify and report the abundance and selectivity of these traps, relative to co-located samples obtained using beam trawls and standard commercial round traps, to establish whether these small-mesh traps may offer any improvements over existing survey methods. Comparison and evaluation of these small-mesh traps against other existing survey gear, in different places and at different times, showed that the traps are more effective at catching smaller crabs when they are present, and equally or more effective at catching larger size classes of crabs. The beam trawl appeared to be effective at capturing a reasonable size range of crabs; however, the number of crabs caught (using a similar investment of time) was substantially lower than that caught in traps. This novel small-mesh research trap appears suitable for fisheries-independent surveys of portunid crab species.
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2022 |
Martínez-Baena F, Lanham BS, McLeod I, Taylor MD, McOrrie S, Bishop MJ, 'De novo reefs: Fish habitat provision by oyster aquaculture varies with farming method', Aquaculture Environment Interactions, 71-84 (2022) [C1] Aquaculture industries have the capacity to produce positive ecosystem service benefits, such as the provision of habitat to wild animals. Oyster cultivation is the oldest and lar... [more] Aquaculture industries have the capacity to produce positive ecosystem service benefits, such as the provision of habitat to wild animals. Oyster cultivation is the oldest and largest aquaculture industry in south-eastern Australia. Oyster spat are grown to marketable size in rackand-rail (¿racks¿) or longline-and-basket (¿baskets¿) configurations, which add structure to estuarine waters. This study assessed: (1) how the fish communities associated with oyster farms vary with production method; (2) how communities of fish utilise oyster infrastructure, as compared to adjacent natural habitats; and (3) whether oyster infrastructure can serve as de facto oyster reefs by supporting similar fish communities. Remote underwater video surveys, conducted during summer and winter of 2 study years, revealed that fish observations and species richness were generally greater for rack than basket cultivation. Both types of oyster farms supported at least as many species of fish as adjacent natural habitats, including oyster reef, seagrass, mangrove and bare sediment. Fish communities were, in general, most similar between racks and baskets and most dissimilar between racks and bare sediments. Oyster farms supported species of fish otherwise limited to habitats with wild oysters, and unique harvested fish species were ob served more frequently at racks. Fish use of oyster-growing infrastructure for foraging and shelter mirrored use of natural biogenic habitats. Overall, this study suggests that the oyster aquaculture infrastructure can support fish communities with species composition similar to those of natural biogenic habitats, although this service is dependent on farming method. Ecosystem services provided by aquaculture should be considered in estuarine habitat enhancement, conservation and restoration.
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2022 |
Vendl C, Pottier P, Taylor MD, Bräunig J, Gibson MJ, Hesselson D, et al., 'Thermal processing reduces PFAS concentrations in blue food A systematic review and meta-analysis', Environmental Pollution, 304 (2022) [C1] Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment and often ingested with food. PFAS exposure in people can have detrimental health consequences. Theref... [more] Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment and often ingested with food. PFAS exposure in people can have detrimental health consequences. Therefore, reducing PFAS burdens in food items is of great importance to public health. Here, we investigated whether cooking reduces PFAS concentrations in animal-derived food products by synthesizing experimental studies. Further, we examined the moderating effects of the following five variables: cooking time, liquid/animal tissue ratio, cooking temperature, carbon chain length of PFAS and the cooking category (oil-based, water-based & no-liquid cooking). In our systematic review searches, we obtained 512 effect sizes (relative differences in PFAS concentration between raw and cooked samples) from 10 relevant studies. These studies exclusively explored changes in PFAS concentrations in cooked seafood and freshwater fish. Our multilevel-meta-analysis has revealed that, on average, cooking reduced PFAS concentrations by 29%, although heterogeneity among effect sizes was very high (I2 = 94.65%). Our five moderators cumulatively explained 49% of the observed heterogeneity. Specifically, an increase in cooking time and liquid/animal tissue ratio, as well as shorter carbon chain length of PFAS (when cooked with oil) were associated with significant reductions in PFAS concentrations. The effects of different ways of cooking depended on the other moderators, while the effect of cooking temperature itself was not significant. Overall, cooking can reduce PFAS concentrations in blue food (seafood and freshwater fish). However, it is important to note that complete PFAS elimination requires unrealistically long cooking times and large liquid/animal tissue ratios. Currently, literature on the impact of cooking of terrestrial animal produce on PFAS concentrations is lacking, which limits the inference and generalisation of our meta-analysis. However, our work represents the first step towards developing guidelines to reduce PFAS in food via cooking exclusively with common kitchen items and techniques.
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2022 |
Hewitt DE, Schilling HT, Hanamseth R, Everett JD, Li J, Roughan M, et al., 'Mesoscale oceanographic features drive divergent patterns in connectivity for co-occurring estuarine portunid crabs', FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY, 31 587-600 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Becker A, Taylor M, Folpp H, Lowry M, 'Revisiting an artificial reef after 10 years: What has changed and what remains the same?', Fisheries Research, 249 (2022) [C1] To overcome anthropogenic impacts which have reduced fisheries productivity due to habitat limitations, artificial reefs have been deployed in increasing numbers throughout the wo... [more] To overcome anthropogenic impacts which have reduced fisheries productivity due to habitat limitations, artificial reefs have been deployed in increasing numbers throughout the world. A significant body of research has been undertaken to evaluate the response of fish assemblages to reef deployments, however the majority of these studies only cover the first year post-deployment. The few studies spanning 10 years or more suggest these time frames are required to properly document the performance of artificial reefs. We monitored artificial reefs, deployed to enhance recreational fisheries, over two time periods separated by 10 years, with each period lasting two years. In the first two years the fish assemblage on artificial reefs was distinct to those on nearby natural reefs, with this pattern found to remain consistent after 10 years. Recreationally important species were recorded during the first two years, however the abundances of some increased after 10 years and additional species targeted by anglers were only observed during the latter sampling period. No decline in the abundances of recreationally important species were recorded after 10 years. Despite a lack of convergence with fish assemblages at natural reefs, the artificial reefs continued to meet their pre-deployment goals of enhancing local recreational fisheries.
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2022 |
Martínez-Baena F, Lanham BS, McLeod IM, Taylor MD, McOrrie S, Luongo A, Bishop MJ, 'Remnant oyster reefs as fish habitat within the estuarine seascape', Marine Environmental Research, 179 (2022) [C1] Interest in oyster reef conservation and restoration is growing globally, but particularly in Australia, it is unclear the extent to which oyster reefs complement (versus replicat... [more] Interest in oyster reef conservation and restoration is growing globally, but particularly in Australia, it is unclear the extent to which oyster reefs complement (versus replicate) habitat provisioning by other structured habitats in the seascape. Remote underwater video surveys of two east Australian estuaries revealed that at high tide, oyster reefs not only supported distinct fish communities to bare sediments but also to adjacent seagrass beds and mangrove forests. Fish observations in oyster reefs were close to double that of mangroves and seagrass, with species richness, abundance, feeding and wandering behaviours similar. Several species of blenny and goby were unique to oyster reefs and oyster-containing mangroves, whilst recreationally fished species such as bream and mullet were more abundant on oyster reefs than in other habitats. Resolving the association between oyster reefs and fish species within the broader seascape will assist in developing restoration and management strategies that maximise fisheries benefit.
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2022 |
Sarakinis KG, Taylor MD, Johnson DD, Gillanders BM, 'Determining population structure and connectivity through otolith chemistry of stout whiting, Sillago robusta', Fisheries Management and Ecology, 29 760-773 (2022) [C1] Fish otoliths encode information on surrounding environmental conditions. This study used otolith chemistry to investigate population structure and potential connectivity in stout... [more] Fish otoliths encode information on surrounding environmental conditions. This study used otolith chemistry to investigate population structure and potential connectivity in stout whiting (Sillago robusta) along the east coast of Australia. Otoliths were analysed for both minor and trace elements, targeting the otolith core (location of birth) and otolith edge (location of capture), along with Ba:Ca transects to investigate life histories. Significant differences were found between core and edge signatures as well as among sample zones for select trace and minor elements. Otolith edge signatures showed evidence of some heterogeneity among zones, likely influenced by both environmental and physiological factors. This combination of factors is reflected in poor separation of sample zones from the multielement analysis, suggesting that future research may benefit from incorporating additional natural markers. Transects reflected some degree of individuality in Ba:Ca profiles, with evidence for potential exposure to upwelling events, or movement from shallow, inshore habitats into deeper waters. The variation in Ba:Ca profiles among fish suggests that populations are comprised of both resident and migratory individuals. While analysis of otolith chemistry could not reliably separate capture locations, patterns in the data suggest that inshore juvenile habitats are likely to be important in supporting exploited populations.
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2022 |
Hanamseth R, Hewitt DE, Johnson DD, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'An automated image analysis system for estimating fecundity in portunid crabs', Fisheries Research, 245 (2022) [C1] Robust assessment of exploited crustacean stocks requires estimates of reproductive output in relation to size and environmental variability. An automated, high-throughput image a... [more] Robust assessment of exploited crustacean stocks requires estimates of reproductive output in relation to size and environmental variability. An automated, high-throughput image analysis approach was developed for estimating fecundity in crabs (using Blue Swimmer Crab, Portunus armatus). The approach employed a waterproofed flatbed scanner, whereby images of egg samples were digitised, followed by automated analysis of each image using customised computer macros. Paired counts (of the same samples) were also conducted using traditional counting of eggs under a compound microscope. Trials demonstrated that the high-throughput technique was 6 times faster than the microscope technique, and simultaneously provided information on egg size. Egg count data collected using the high-throughput technique was modelled to inform the collection of samples for estimation of fecundity in Blue Swimmer Crab. This simulation found that conducting egg counts on as few as 10 egg masses per month produced a 90% probability that the estimate of mean eggs-per-gram-of-egg-mass was within 15% of the actual mean (for upscaling across the population). Quantifying temporal variation in fecundity, and potential environmental drivers of this variation, is important in the assessment of crab stocks and ensuring sustainable commercial and recreational harvest. This method of counting eggs has broad applications for other highly fecund, egg-bearing species.
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2022 |
Raoult V, Taylor MD, Schmidt RK, Cresswell ID, Ware C, Gaston TF, 'Valuing the contribution of estuarine habitats to commercial fisheries in a seagrass-dominated estuary', Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 274 (2022) [C1] Estimating the economic value of ecosystem services derived from estuarine habitats is important for prioritising management, conservation, and restoration activities, but remains... [more] Estimating the economic value of ecosystem services derived from estuarine habitats is important for prioritising management, conservation, and restoration activities, but remains challenging. Recently, a novel approach to estimate the value of estuarine habitats for species commercially harvested from estuaries was developed, which incorporates Bayesian stable isotope mixing models that identify the underlying primary production responsible for the nutrition of these species and links this to the value of product for fisheries. However, the difficultly of separating common primary nutrient sources in estuaries; saltmarsh grass (Sporobolus virginicus) and seagrasses, means application of this approach has been constrained to estuaries with little or no seagrass. Here, we extend this approach and examine the use of tri-variate (C, N and S) isotopic composition to model the comparative economic value of saltmarsh, seagrass, and other producer groups, for a commercial fishery. Isotope data indicated that grouped estuary producers contributed 44 ± 16% (mangrove and saltmarsh succulents), 22 ± 11% (saltmarsh grass), 11 ± 6% (fine benthic organic matter) and 23 ± 11% (seagrasses) of exploited species diets. Although seagrass and saltmarsh contributions were reasonably similar, the areal coverage of saltmarsh habitats was ~10% that of seagrasses. This affected the area-standardised valuation of these habitats, which suggested that saltmarsh had the highest value (AUD $621 ± 191 ha-1y-1) followed by mangroves (AUD $227 ± 66 ha-1y-1), while seagrasses had the lowest value (AUD $63 ± 29 ha-1y-1). These results highlight the impact of areal coverage on the comparative value of estuarine habitats, but also highlight that habitats with lesser areal extent but higher proportional contribution to diets of exploited species may present a higher priority for conservation or repair.
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2022 |
Niella Y, Smoothey AF, Taylor MD, Peddemors VM, Harcourt R, 'Environmental Drivers of Fine-Scale Predator and Prey Spatial Dynamics in Sydney Harbour, Australia, and Adjacent Coastal Waters', Estuaries and Coasts, 45 1465-1479 (2022) [C1] Greater Sydney is the largest coastal city in Australia and is where bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are present every summer and autumn. A decade of acoustic telemetry data was... [more] Greater Sydney is the largest coastal city in Australia and is where bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are present every summer and autumn. A decade of acoustic telemetry data was used to identify drivers of space use for bull sharks and their potential prey, according to standardised 6-h intervals using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models. Influences of environmental, physical, and biological variables on the areas of space use, location, and predator¿prey co-occurrence were investigated with generalised additive mixed models. Rainfall in the catchment affected space use for all animals (i.e. teleost species and both sexes of sharks), with varying temporal responses. Male sharks responded most promptly to high rainfall moving upstream in < 1¿day, followed by teleosts (2 to 7¿days), and female bull sharks after 4¿days. Environmental luminosity affected male shark dispersal and space use, possibly indicating use of visual cues for foraging. Physical characteristics of habitat were important factors driving spatial overlaps between predator and prey in estuarine areas. In sandy embayments < 10-m deep, males and female bull sharks overlapped with different species, whereas males and silver trevally (Pseudocaranx georgianus) co-occurred in deep holes (> 30¿m). Shark size influenced overlap between sexes, with smaller females less likely to co-occur with larger males (~ 50¿cm). Variability in space use suggests spatial segregation by sex and size in bull sharks, with individuals targeting similar prey, yet either in different areas or at different times, ultimately enabling them to exploit different resources when in the same habitats.
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2022 |
Swadling DS, Knott NA, Taylor MD, Coleman MA, Dayis AR, Rees MJ, 'Seascape connectivity of temperate fishes between estuarine nursery areas and open coastal reefs', JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, 59 1406-1416 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Premachandra HKA, Becker A, Taylor MD, Knibb W, 'Eastern king prawn Penaeus plebejus stock enhancement Genetic evidence that hatchery bred prawns have survived in the wild after release', Frontiers in Genetics, 13 (2022) [C1] Eastern king prawn (Penaeus plebejus) is endemic to eastern Australia and is of high commercial and recreational value. As part of a recreational fisheries enhancement initiative,... [more] Eastern king prawn (Penaeus plebejus) is endemic to eastern Australia and is of high commercial and recreational value. As part of a recreational fisheries enhancement initiative, hatchery reared juveniles from Queensland were released into two, more Southern New South Wales (NSW) estuaries between 2014 and 2015. Responsible stock enhancement programs rely on knowledge of the population structure of the released species. Previously, in consideration of fisheries data, it was assumed the king prawn populations in Australia are one single breeding stock. In the present study, our first aim was to test this posit of no genetic differentiation using mtDNA control region (mtCR) sequences from the wild samples collected from four estuaries ranging from Queensland/NSW border (source of the stocked animals) to Southern NSW. The second objective was to test for signals of hatchery-released animals in the two stocked estuaries. All four surveyed populations had an extremely high level of haplotype diversity (average h = 99.8%) and low level of haplotype sharing between populations. Estimates of PhiPT values were <0.01 or close to zero and AMOVA test did not indicate any significant differences among populations. Further, phylogenetic analysis and principal coordinate analysis did not support division of samples by population. Collectively these results suggest that eastern king prawn populations along the NSW coast can be considered as a single stock and stocking from the Queensland samples will not necessarily impact the genetic composition of the overall stock. After stocking of two estuaries, sharing of haplotypes was moderate to very high in the stocked sites (>80% in some collections) but negligible in the two unstocked estuaries (=2%, which is assumed to be background coancestry unrelated to the hatchery). Moreover, some haplotypes present in the hatchery broodstock were detected in stocked sites, but not in unstocked sites. The highest stocking signal was detected in the estuary which becomes isolated from the sea by sand barrier suggesting such ¿lakes¿ maybe more favourable for stocking than estuaries directly open to the sea. Findings in the current study should assist in designing and implementation of future prawn stocking programs.
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2022 |
Matley JK, Klinard NV, Barbosa Martins AP, Aarestrup K, Aspillaga E, Cooke SJ, et al., 'Global trends in aquatic animal tracking with acoustic telemetry', Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 37 79-94 (2022) [C1] Acoustic telemetry (AT) is a rapidly evolving technique used to track the movements of aquatic animals. As the capacity of AT research expands it is important to optimize its rele... [more] Acoustic telemetry (AT) is a rapidly evolving technique used to track the movements of aquatic animals. As the capacity of AT research expands it is important to optimize its relevance to management while still pursuing key ecological questions. A global review of AT literature revealed region-specific research priorities underscoring the breadth of how AT is applied, but collectively demonstrated a lack of management-driven objectives, particularly relating to fisheries, climate change, and protection of species. In addition to the need for more research with direct pertinence to management, AT research should prioritize ongoing efforts to create collaborative opportunities, establish long-term and ecosystem-based monitoring, and utilize technological advancements to bolster aquatic policy and ecological understanding worldwide.
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2022 |
Taylor MD, Johnson DD, 'Adaptive Spatial Management to Deal with Postflood Inshore Bycatch in a Penaeid Trawl Fishery', NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT, 42 334-342 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Russell A, Taylor MD, Barnes TC, Johnson DD, Gillanders BM, 'Habitat transitions by a large coastal sciaenid across life history stages, resolved using otolith chemistry', Marine Environmental Research, 176 (2022) [C1] Many coastal species move between estuarine and coastal environments throughout their life. Migration patterns develop as a result of ecology and evolution and must be understood ... [more] Many coastal species move between estuarine and coastal environments throughout their life. Migration patterns develop as a result of ecology and evolution and must be understood to effectively manage harvested stocks. This study examined movements across estuarine and coastal marine habitats in adult Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus); a commercially, indigenous and recreationally harvested sciaenid of south-eastern Australia. Chemical profiles across the otolith (ear bone) were used to examine transitions between estuary and marine habitats over life history. Patterns in otolith Ba:Ca concentrations indicated that the majority of fish migrated between estuary and marine habitats, but a small proportion of fish appeared to remain in either the estuary or the marine habitat. Such movements may potentially be driven by a range of biological and environmental factors. This approach allows questions about the life history and habitat use of Mulloway to be addressed, which will aid management and provide a platform for future research on Mulloway, other sciaenid's and coastal migratory species.
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2022 |
Taylor MD, Hall KC, Johnson DD, 'Effects of spatial management of a penaeid fishery on other target fish species in eastern Australia', FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND ECOLOGY, 29 575-585 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Schilling HT, Hewitt DE, Malan N, Taylor MD, Johnson DD, 'Cross-jurisdictional larval supply essential for eastern Australian spanner crabs (Ranina ranina)', Marine and Freshwater Research, 73 1353-1368 (2022) [C1] Context: The spanner crab (Ranina ranina) stock of eastern Australia is distributed across two state jurisdictions and, as a non-migratory species with a pelagic larval phase, con... [more] Context: The spanner crab (Ranina ranina) stock of eastern Australia is distributed across two state jurisdictions and, as a non-migratory species with a pelagic larval phase, connectivity within this stock is likely to occur by larval dispersal, driven by ocean currents. Aims: To understand connectivity and patterns of larval supply in the eastern Australian spanner crab stock. Methods: Lagrangian particle tracking methods were used to simulate larval transport around the key spanner crab fishing regions in eastern Australia. Key results: Spawning off central Queensland (Qld) supplies a large proportion of recruits, supporting both the Qld and New South Wales (NSW) fisheries. Lagged larval settlement showed significant correlations to catch-per-unit-effort and the proportion of total harvest taken within the NSW fishery, providing evidence to suggest that the NSW fishery may be reliant on spawning activity in Queensland. Conclusions: The Qld and NSW fisheries are highly connected and the broad-scale patterns identified by the current modelling approach could provide an indicator of potentially good or bad recruitment years, particularly as finer resolution, and refined reproductive biology knowledge on spanner crabs becomes available. Implications: The Qld and NSW fisheries are highly connected with a source-sink structure and it is recommended that a co-management strategy be adopted.
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2022 |
Nolan SEF, Johnson DD, Hanamseth R, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'Reproductive biology of female blue swimmer crabs in the temperate estuaries of south-eastern Australia', Marine and Freshwater Research, 73 366-376 (2022) [C1] The blue swimmer crab (BSC, Portunus armatus) is an economically and culturally important species distributed throughout the coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Reproductio... [more] The blue swimmer crab (BSC, Portunus armatus) is an economically and culturally important species distributed throughout the coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Reproduction of BSC is poorly understood in south-eastern Australia, a region that is experiencing substantial tropicalisation from global warming. We examined gonadal development, egg-mass relationships, and the influence of temperature on gonadal development and egg production within five different estuaries spanning ~2.5° of latitude. A negative correlation between the gonadosomatic index (GSI, an index of gonadal development and reproductive investment) and hepatosomatic index (HSI, an index of energy storage) was observed in only the final stages of ovarian development. The weight of the egg mass increased logarithmically with body mass, accounting for up to 55% of total body mass, which was significantly larger than observed in other studies. Thermal performance curves showed a peak in individual reproductive output at a mean monthly temperature of ~24°C, at which the individual egg mass weight reached a maximum and the HSI reached a minimum. Environmentally driven variation in BSC reproduction has implications for population productivity and inter-Annual variation in recruitment.
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2022 |
Gacutan J, Lal KK, Herath S, Lantz C, Taylor MD, Milligan BM, 'Using Ocean Accounting towards an integrated assessment of ecosystem services and benefits within a coastal lake', One Ecosystem, 7 (2022) [C1] Coasts lie at the interface between terrestrial and marine environments, where complex interrelationships and feedbacks between environmental, social and economic factors provide ... [more] Coasts lie at the interface between terrestrial and marine environments, where complex interrelationships and feedbacks between environmental, social and economic factors provide a challenge for decision-making. The knowledge and data needed to link and measure these multiple domains are often highly fragmented and incoherent. Ocean Accounting provides a means to organise relevant ocean data into a common framework, grounded in existing international statistical standards for national and environmental-economic accounting. Here, we test Ocean Accounting within Lake Illawarra, New South Wales (Australia), compiling accounts for the years between 2010 and 2020, inclusive, to measure the extent of coastal vegetation (mangrove, tidal marsh and seagrass) and associated ecosystem services flows (climate change mitigation, eutrophication mitigation) in physical and monetary terms and associated production and employment within sectors of the ocean economy. The accounts show an increase in mangroves by 2 ha and a decrease in seagrass of 80 ha. A net increase was observed in the amount of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus sequestered across coastal vegetation, due to the expansion of mangroves. Alongside changes in ecosystem extent, a 2-fold increase in full-time ocean-related employment was observed. Fisheries catch also showed significant variation over the 10-year period, where dependencies were observed between commercial species with seagrass and tidal marsh. The relationships and measures derived from accounts provide a cohesive and integrated understanding to provide information for the management and standardised ecosystem service assessments.
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2021 |
Taylor MD, Johnson DD, Nilsson S, Lin CY, Braeunig J, Mueller J, Bowles KC, 'Trial of a novel experimental design to test depuration of PFASs from the edible tissues of Giant Mud Crab following exposure under natural conditions in the wild', Science of the Total Environment, 758 (2021) [C1] Poly and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are highly resistant to environmental degradation, and have been detected in a broad... [more] Poly and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are highly resistant to environmental degradation, and have been detected in a broad range of terrestrial and aquatic species. Portunid crabs have been shown to accumulate comparatively high concentrations of PFASs, but previous work examining depuration in crabs was inconclusive. Here, we trialled a novel experimental design to study depuration of PFASs from edible tissues of portunid crabs, using paired claw samples, and trial this design with Giant Mud Crab Scylla serrata exposed to the contaminant under natural conditions. We found evidence for depuration of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), but with depuration half-lives as high as 40 days (for PFOS). We also observed substantial variability in the data, including differences in PFAS concentrations between claws from the same individuals, potentially resulting from claw loss and re-growth prior to capture. These results have broad implications for assessing and minimising exposure risk in seafood species.
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2021 |
Taylor MD, Gillanders BM, Nilsson S, Bräunig J, Barnes TC, Mueller JF, 'Migration histories and perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) loads in an estuarine fish: A novel union of analyses to understand variation in contaminant concentrations', Environmental Pollution, 276 (2021) [C1] Previous studies have shown that accumulation of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the tissues of aquatic species is highly variable. Movement and migration patterns in these specie... [more] Previous studies have shown that accumulation of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the tissues of aquatic species is highly variable. Movement and migration patterns in these species represent an important consideration when evaluating contaminant accumulation in exposed biota, and may have a large influence on the risk profiles for migratory seafood species. In this study, relationships between PFAA concentrations in muscle and liver tissue, and recent fish migration history (inferred from metals profiles in fish otoliths, otherwise known as otolith chemistry) were evaluated in Sea Mullet (Mugil cephalus). A greater number of PFAAs, and higher concentrations, were found in liver compared to muscle tissue. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was present in highest concentrations in both muscle and liver tissues, and there was strong correlation in concentrations between these two tissues. PFOS was found to decrease and increase alongside recent strontium and barium concentrations (respectively) in the otolith, suggesting higher concentrations of PFAAs in fish recently exposed to comparatively lower salinity environments. This study highlights how otolith chemistry can be employed to examine links between contaminant concentrations in fish, and their recent migration history. This approach shows promise for studying contaminant residues in mobile seafood species within the natural environment. The results show that increasing association with brackish water, as identified using otolith chemistry, correlates with increased PFAA contamination.
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2021 |
Taylor MD, Hale D, Johnson DD, 'Biological evaluation of an existing spatial management network for an exploited penaeid species', Regional Studies in Marine Science, 47 (2021) [C1] Spatial management may be employed to achieve objectives aimed at maintaining or enhancing productivity and sustainability of exploited populations. Spatial management is used in ... [more] Spatial management may be employed to achieve objectives aimed at maintaining or enhancing productivity and sustainability of exploited populations. Spatial management is used in penaeid fisheries to alter the spatiotemporal distribution of fishing effort to achieve outcomes such as avoidance of undesirable size-classes. Eastern King Prawn (Penaeus [melicertus] plebejus; EKP) is a valuable penaeid species for which harvest is supported by an extensive spatial management network, however these closures have never been evaluated. We examine temporal variation in biomass and size structures within three trawl closure areas spanning four degrees of latitude. There was substantial spatial variation in EKP biomass among locations, fished and non-fished zones and sampling periods, which appeared to be influenced by depth, temperature and distance to the adjacent estuarine nursery. Size structure varied among locations and sampling periods, and differed inside and outside of closure areas, however in many cases the majority of prawns that were protected within closure areas were consistently smaller than the estimated size at first capture for optimal yield per recruit. The data suggest that the closures are likely to be effective at achieving their objective, but there may be some scope for adaptive management.
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2021 |
Junk EJ, Smith JA, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'Bioenergetics of blue swimmer crab (Portunus armatus) to inform estimation of release density for stock enhancement', Marine and Freshwater Research, 72 1375-1386 (2021) [C1] Stock enhancement is a contemporary management method employed to support fisheries productivity. Blue swimmer crab (Portunus armatus) is a widely distributed species that has bee... [more] Stock enhancement is a contemporary management method employed to support fisheries productivity. Blue swimmer crab (Portunus armatus) is a widely distributed species that has been identified as a candidate for stock enhancement; however, the release strategy and ecological impact of releases have not yet been assessed. Here, we (1) quantify the bioenergetics of blue swimmer crab, (2) estimate consumption rates, and (3) develop these relationships in a stocking model to assess appropriate release densities and associated trophic impacts. Static respirometry was used to measure the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of blue swimmer crab at three temperatures (19, 24, and 29°C). RMR was found to increase with temperature (Q10 = 2.32), and was 73% higher when crabs were at a premoult or moulting stage. Parameters derived from respirometry experiments were applied to estimate blue swimmer crab stocking density in a south-eastern Australian estuary, by adapting an existing production-based simulation model. The model estimated a median stocking density of ~1.2 crabs per 100 m2. A sensitivity analysis showed that the growth rate was the most influential parameter in this model, showing the importance of this parameter when assessing stocking scenarios.
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2021 |
Butcherine P, Kelaher BP, Taylor MD, Lawson C, Benkendorff K, 'Acute toxicity, accumulation and sublethal effects of four neonicotinoids on juvenile Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon)', Chemosphere, 275 (2021) [C1] Neonicotinoid pesticides have been detected in aquatic habitats, and exposure may impact the health of aquatic organisms such as commercially-important crustaceans. Black Tiger Sh... [more] Neonicotinoid pesticides have been detected in aquatic habitats, and exposure may impact the health of aquatic organisms such as commercially-important crustaceans. Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) is a broadly distributed and high-value shrimp species that rely on estuaries for early life stages. Differences in the acute toxicity and accumulation of different neonicotinoids in tissues of commercial crustaceans have not been widely investigated. This study compared acute toxicity, uptake, and depuration of four neonicotinoids; thiamethoxam, clothianidin, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid, on juvenile P. monodon and their effects on enzyme biomarkers. Acute toxicity (48-h LC50) was determined as 190 µg L-1 (clothianidin), 390 µg L-1 (thiamethoxam), 408 µg L-1 (imidacloprid), and >500 µg L-1(acetamiprid). To assess uptake and elimination, shrimp were exposed to a fixed 5 µg L-1 water concentration for eight days (uptake) or four days of exposure followed by four days of depuration (elimination). Neonicotinoid water and tissue concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry following solid-phase extraction and QuEChER extraction respectively. The lower toxicity associated with acetamiprid could be associated with lower accumulation in the tissue, with concentrations remaining below 0.01 µg g-1. The activity of acetylcholinesterase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase in abdominal tissues was determined by spectrophotometric assay, with significant sublethal effects detected for all four neonicotinoids. Depuration reduced the tissue concentration of the active ingredient and reduced the activity of oxidative stress enzymes. Given acetamiprid showed no acute toxicity and reduced impact on the enzymatic activity of P. monodon, it may be an appropriate alternative to other neonicotinoids in shrimp producing areas.
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2021 |
Taylor MD, Suthers IM, 'The Socio-ecological System of Urban Fisheries in Estuaries', Estuaries and Coasts, 44 1744-1751 (2021) [C1] Fisheries and urban marine ecology meet within¿the world¿s densely populated estuaries and coasts, where the imperative of dredging, construction and catchment modification occurs... [more] Fisheries and urban marine ecology meet within¿the world¿s densely populated estuaries and coasts, where the imperative of dredging, construction and catchment modification occurs alongside the socio-economic characteristics of urban communities. Estuarine fisheries in urban areas have often shifted away from commercial harvest towards recreational fishing, fuelled by a diverse range of motivational factors. These systems are thus often¿dominated by recreational and subsistence fisheries, with the fisheries system variously impacted by eutrophication, contamination and pollution, altered trophic structure, habitat loss and hard structure. Urban marine ecosystems may be distinguished by the absence of spawning by exploited finfish, coupled with the gradual loss of environmental signals for recruitment, reduced larval supply and loss of nursery habitats for juveniles, but alongside an abundance of hard structure habitats for adults. The shift from commercial fishing to preferential harvest of more predatory ¿sportfish¿ means that the historical trophic structure has shifted towards lower trophic levels (e.g. prawns, detritivores, planktivores). We outline urban estuarine fisheries ecology as a developing paradigm defined by the unique ecological attributes of urbanised estuaries, the socio-economic objectives of fishers therein, and bottlenecks to productivity of the¿species they exploit. We identify goals for future research and management and illustrate these concepts through discussion of stock enhancement with a¿large estuarine predatory fish.
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2021 |
Hawke T, Bino G, Kingsford RT, Iervasi D, Iervasi K, Taylor MD, 'Long-term movements and activity patterns of platypus on regulated rivers', Scientific Reports, 11 (2021) [C1] The platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal, endemic to freshwater habitats of eastern Australia. There are gaps in the understanding of platypus movement behaviour within river systems... [more] The platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal, endemic to freshwater habitats of eastern Australia. There are gaps in the understanding of platypus movement behaviour within river systems, including spatial and temporal organization of individuals. We tracked movements of 12 platypuses on the regulated Snowy and Mitta Mitta Rivers for up to 12-months, the longest continuous tracking of platypus using acoustic telemetry. Platypuses remained relatively localized, occupying 0.73¿8.45¿km of river over 12¿months, consistent with previous tracking studies over shorter periods. Males moved further than females, and larger males had higher cumulative movements, suggesting a possible relationship to metabolic requirements. Platypuses moved greater distances on the Mitta Mitta River, possibly associated with impacts of altered flow regimes to their macroinvertebrate diet. Increased movements and diurnal activity during winter were primarily driven by males, possibly attributable to breeding behaviours, rather than increased costs of winter foraging. Evidence for relatively small movements has implications for declining populations, given areas of localised declines are unlikely to be supplemented by migrating platypuses, especially when dispersal is restricted by dam walls. Understanding platypus movement behaviour is pertinent for their conservation, as water resource development and habitat modification continue to reduce connectivity between populations across their distribution.
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2021 |
McLuckie C, Moltschaniwskyj N, Gaston T, Dunstan RH, Crompton M, Taylor MD, 'Survival, Growth, and Metabolic Changes in Eastern School Prawn (Metapenaeus macleayi) across a Spectrum of Salinities', Thalassas, 37 97-106 (2021) [C1] Variation in salinity is one of the principal changes in estuarine physicochemistry that can impact the productivity of estuarine species. The effect of salinity on the mortality,... [more] Variation in salinity is one of the principal changes in estuarine physicochemistry that can impact the productivity of estuarine species. The effect of salinity on the mortality, growth, and metabolite profiles of juvenile Eastern School Prawn (Metapenaeus macleayi) was evaluated across a salinity gradient ranging from 0.2¿36 over 60¿days. Survival was >70% for salinity treatments other than the lowest salinity. Survival was 0% in the lowest salinity and all prawns had died within 3¿days. Salinity did not appear to impact relative growth across the range of salinities examined. In contrast, relative somatic condition was greater at lower salinities and was negatively correlated with salinity, indicating lower salinities promote enhanced somatic condition in School Prawn. Total fatty acid concentration showed no relationship with salinity or somatic condition index. However, total fatty acid concentration did have a significant positive relationship with total amino acid concentration. Total amino acid concentration showed no linear relationship with salinity or somatic condition index. Quantitative profiling of individual fatty acids and amino acids showed some changes in response to salinity. Alpha-aminoadipic acid showed a significant positive relationship with salinity. These complex patterns suggest several shifts in cellular chemistry may occur throughout the salinity range investigated, potentially with metabolic consequences. These results highlight the complex responses of estuarine crustaceans to changes in salinity.
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2021 |
Hewitt DE, Taylor MD, Raoult V, Smith TM, Gaston TF, 'Diet-tissue discrimination and turnover of d Rationale: Stable isotopes are used to study trophic and movement ecology in aquatic systems, as they provide spatially distinct, time-integrated signatures of diet. Stable isotop... [more] Rationale: Stable isotopes are used to study trophic and movement ecology in aquatic systems, as they provide spatially distinct, time-integrated signatures of diet. Stable isotope ecology has been used to quantify species-habitat relationships in many important fisheries species (e.g., penaeid prawns), with approaches that typically assume constant values for diet-tissue discrimination and diet-tissue steady state, but these can be highly variable. Here we provide the first report of these processes in Metapenaeus macleayi (eastern school prawn). Methods: Here we explicitly measure and model carbon (d13C) and nitrogen (d15N) diet-tissue discrimination and turnover in eastern school prawn muscle tissue as a function of experimental time following a change in diet to an isotopically distinct food source. Results: Diet-tissue discrimination factors were 5 and 0.6¿ for d13C and d15N, respectively. Prawn muscle tissue reached an approximate steady state after approximately 50 and 30 days for d13C and d15N. Half-lives indicated faster turnover of d15N (~8¿days) than d13C (~14 days). Conclusions: Our diet-tissue discrimination factors deviate from ¿typical¿ values with larger values for carbon than nitrogen isotopes, but are generally similar to those measured in other crustaceans. Similarly, our estimates of isotopic turnover align with those in other penaeid species. These findings confirm muscle tissue as a reliable indicator of long-term diet and movement patterns in eastern school prawn.
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2021 |
Lawson CL, Taylor MD, Smith JA, Payne NL, Semmens JM, Suthers IM, Brodie S, 'Bioenergetic Model Sensitivity to Diet Diversity Across Space, Time and Ontogeny', Frontiers in Marine Science, 8 (2021) [C1] Consumption is the primary trophic interaction in ecosystems and its accurate estimation is required for reliable ecosystem modeling. When estimating consumption, species¿ diets a... [more] Consumption is the primary trophic interaction in ecosystems and its accurate estimation is required for reliable ecosystem modeling. When estimating consumption, species¿ diets are commonly assumed to be the average of those that occur among habitats, seasons, and life stages which introduces uncertainty and error into consumption rate estimates. We present a case study of a teleost (Yellowfin Bream Acanthopagrus australis) that quantifies the potential error in consumption (in mass) and growth rate estimates when using diet data from different regions and times and ignoring ontogenetic variability. Ontogenetic diet trends were examined through gut content analysis (n = 1,130 fish) and incorporated into a bioenergetic model (the ¿primary¿ model) that included diet variability (n = 144 prey sources) and ontogenetic changes in metabolism (1¿7 year) to estimate lifetime consumption. We quantified error by building nine model scenarios that each incorporated different spatiotemporal diet data of four published studies. The model scenarios produced individual lifetime consumption estimates that were between 25% lower and 15% higher than the primary model (maximum difference was 53%, range 11.7¿17.8 kg). When consumption (in mass) was held constant, differences in diet quality among models caused a several-fold range in growth rate (0.04¿1.07 g day¿1). Our findings showcase the large uncertainty in consumption rate estimates due to diet diversity, and illustrate that caution is required when considering bioenergetic results among locations, times, and ontogeny.
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2021 |
zu Ermgassen PSE, Baker R, Beck MW, Dodds K, zu Ermgassen SOSE, Mallick D, et al., 'Ecosystem Services: Delivering Decision-Making for Salt Marshes', Estuaries and Coasts, 44 1691-1698 (2021) [C1] Tidal marshes are one of the world¿s most economically valuable habitats; yet, they have experienced large and persistent declines globally. Increased knowledge of the ecosystem s... [more] Tidal marshes are one of the world¿s most economically valuable habitats; yet, they have experienced large and persistent declines globally. Increased knowledge of the ecosystem services delivered by marshes has become a powerful tool to conserve and restore them. But hesitancies regarding valuations and their application in decision-making remain. Here we draw on the literature and collective experience of participants in the ¿Concepts and controversies in tidal Marsh ecology revisited¿ workshop, November 2 and 3, 2019, Mobile, AL, to provide a concise snapshot of the current field of salt marsh ecosystem service valuation, discuss the possible risks in salt marsh valuation, and the importance of stakeholder engagement to mitigate them. We provide examples of the application of valuation in conservation-related decision-making, illustrating the growing operationalization of ecosystem services in incentivizing salt marsh conservation and restoration. Ecosystem service quantification and valuation is already playing an important role in decision-making by coastal risk managers, insurers, engineers, and policy makers. While there are legitimate criticisms of valuation techniques and remaining uncertainties in ecosystem service delivery that arise both through natural variability across space and time and through differing and shifting cultural values, our perspective is that the rise of big data, the development of valuation techniques, a growing understanding and application of environmental justice practices, and increasing interdisciplinarity to tackle these complex issues are paving the way for valuation to play a critical role in decision-making around salt marshes.
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2021 |
Hawke T, Bino G, Kingsford RT, Iervasi D, Iervasi K, Taylor MD, 'Fine-scale movements and interactions of platypuses, and the impact of an environmental flushing flow', Freshwater Biology, 66 177-188 (2021) [C1] The platypus is a cryptic mammal that inhabits freshwater streams and rivers of eastern Australia. Tracking the movements of wild platypuses has been notoriously difficult due to ... [more] The platypus is a cryptic mammal that inhabits freshwater streams and rivers of eastern Australia. Tracking the movements of wild platypuses has been notoriously difficult due to the animals' morphology and methodological limitations. Knowledge of fine-scale movements and interactions among individuals remain particularly poorly understood, as do responses to changes in hydrology. We tracked movements of 15 platypuses (six females, nine males) downstream of the Jindabyne Dam on the Snowy River, using externally attached acoustic transmitters (September¿November 2017), to assess spatio-temporal activity patterns among individuals and changes in movement and activity before and after an environmental flushing flow. As the study took place during the breeding season, we expected to observe overlap in area of activity among males and females, but not among males due to increased territoriality during these months. We also anticipated that a large flow event would impact their activity and foraging behaviour, possibly displacing platypuses downstream. Overlaps in area of activity and temporal co-occurrence within a pool varied among individuals, with two resident males exhibiting some spatial overlap of activity and varying temporal co-occurrence, despite tracking during the breeding season. All six tracked females were captured in the same pool and appeared to be residents, possibly highlighting preferences for certain habitats during the breeding months. We found no evidence that the movements of adult platypuses were affected by an environmental flushing flow, with no significant changes to area of activity, number of detections, or daily range of movements. However, foraging duration increased in the week after the flow, possibly associated with increased prey availability. These findings suggest that territoriality between males during and after the breeding season may depend on platypus density and resource availability and that pools with high resource availability may support several breeding females.
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2021 |
Becker A, Lowry MB, Taylor MD, 'Receiver tilt: a scourge for aquatic telemetry or useful predictor variable', Animal Biotelemetry, 9 (2021) [C1]
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2021 |
Puckeridge AC, Becker A, Taylor MD, Lowry MB, McLeod J, Schilling HT, Suthers IM, 'Foraging behaviour and movements of an ambush predator reveal benthopelagic coupling on artificial reefs', Marine Ecology Progress Series, 666 171-182 (2021) [C1] The behaviour of coastal fishes to new habitats and trophic opportunities provided by artificial reefs may reveal the key processes which sustain fish production at these reefs. W... [more] The behaviour of coastal fishes to new habitats and trophic opportunities provided by artificial reefs may reveal the key processes which sustain fish production at these reefs. We quantified the trophic link between benthic predators and pelagic forage fish from the movement and foraging behaviour of an ambush predator, the bluespotted flathead Platycephalus caeru leo - punctatus, around an artificial reef in relation to schools of small pelagic fish. We used a network of acoustic receivers to monitor the fine-scale movements of 48 acoustically tagged flathead around 5 groups of artificial reef modules for 8 mo in conjunction with acoustic surveys of pelagic bait fish and sustained monitoring of current speed and direction. Flathead were highly associated with the artificial reef, with 44% of detections within 10 m of the modules. Flathead had a considerable degree of fidelity to the reef system, with an average residency period of 84 d yr-1 (residency index = 0.23, SD = 24 d). Low activity was recorded by accelerometers in the north-east of the artificial reef. This coincided with high densities of forage fish which were also found inside the stomachs of the flathead. Artificial reefs with high vertical relief allow planktivores to feed through more of the water column, fixing more pelagic biomass into the system. Defining the residency and trophic connectivity of fish at artificial reefs is critical to clarify the production-attraction debate and the sustainability of fishing at artificial reefs.
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2021 |
McLuckie C, Moltschaniwskyj N, Gaston T, Taylor MD, 'Effects of reduced pH on an estuarine penaeid shrimp (Metapenaeus macleayi)', ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, 268 (2021) [C1]
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2021 |
Kimball ME, Connolly RM, Alford SB, Colombano DD, James WR, Kenworthy MD, et al., 'Novel Applications of Technology for Advancing Tidal Marsh Ecology', Estuaries and Coasts, 44 1568-1578 (2021) [C1] Over the last 20 years, innovations have led to the development of exciting new technologies and novel applications of established technologies, collectively increasing the scale,... [more] Over the last 20 years, innovations have led to the development of exciting new technologies and novel applications of established technologies, collectively increasing the scale, scope, and quality of research possible in tidal marsh systems. Thus, ecological research on marshes is being revolutionized, in the same way as ecological research more generally, by the availability of new tools and analytical techniques. This perspective highlights current and potential applications of novel research technologies for marsh ecology. These are summarized under several themes: (1.) imagery ¿ sophisticated imaging sensors mounted on satellites, drones, and underwater vehicles; (2.) animal tracking ¿ acoustic telemetry, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, and satellite tracking, and (3.) biotracers ¿ investigation of energy pathways and food web structure using chemical tracers such as compound-specific stable isotopes, isotope addition experiments, contaminant analysis, and eDNA. While the adoption of these technological advances has greatly enhanced our ability to examine contemporary questions in tidal marsh ecology, these applications also create significant challenges with the accessibility, processing, and synthesis of the large amounts of data generated. Implementation of open science practices has allowed for greater access to data. Newly available machine learning algorithms have been widely applied to resolve the challenge of detecting patterns in massive environmental datasets. The potential integration on digital platforms of multiple, large data streams measuring physical and biological components of tidal marsh ecosystems is an opportunity to advance science support for management responses needed in a rapidly changing coastal landscape.
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2021 |
Russell A, Taylor MD, Barnes TC, Johnson DD, Gillanders BM, 'Potential linkages between juvenile nurseries and exploited populations of Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus), explored using otolith chemistry', Fisheries Research, 243 (2021) [C1] Many exploited coastal species rely on estuarine nurseries, however, the importance of different estuaries and their contribution to exploited populations can vary. Identification... [more] Many exploited coastal species rely on estuarine nurseries, however, the importance of different estuaries and their contribution to exploited populations can vary. Identification of connectivity between source nurseries and exploited populations is important for effective habitat and fishery management. We present a case study which employs otolith chemistry to investigate source-sink population dynamics across broad spatial scales for an exploited migratory sciaenid, Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus). Specifically, we compared the otolith chemical fingerprints of juveniles in putative estuarine nurseries across south-eastern Australia with the sub-yearling chemical fingerprints of post-recruited fish in the exploited component of the stock. Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) suggested that two of the eight estuarine nurseries sampled were particularly important sources of Mulloway recruits, and there was strong evidence of stock mixing which exceeded that expected from historic tag-recapture studies. However, there was some uncertainty in the patterns resolved. Variation in otolith signatures between the known-source juveniles and post-recruit fish may be explained by inter-annual variability in these systems, caused by extensive flooding on the central and northern-NSW coast during the study period. These events contributed considerable extrinsic variation to the chemical composition, influencing the lack of overlap between otolith chemistry of putative nurseries and sub-yearling otolith chemistry of exploited fish. The approach presented highlights the importance of considering inter-annual variability when examining source-sink relationships in long-lived species, but the use of otolith fingerprints shows promise for evaluating these questions for both Mulloway and other exploited fish species.
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2021 |
Russell AL, Gillanders BM, Barnes TC, Johnson DD, Taylor MD, 'Inter-estuarine Variation in Otolith Chemistry in a Large Coastal Predator: a Viable Tool for Identifying Coastal Nurseries?', Estuaries and Coasts, 44 1132-1146 (2021) [C1] Coastal estuaries provide essential juvenile habitat for many commercially and recreationally important fish, which may move between estuarine and coastal environments throughout ... [more] Coastal estuaries provide essential juvenile habitat for many commercially and recreationally important fish, which may move between estuarine and coastal environments throughout their life. Identifying the most important estuarine nurseries that contribute to the broader stock can support targeted management of juvenile and spawning populations. The objective of this study was to (1) compare chemical fingerprints within sagittal otoliths of juvenile Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) sampled from putative south-eastern Australian nurseries, (2) assess their potential as natural tags to distinguish nursery grounds for the broader coastal Mulloway stock and (3) assess the viability of otolith chemistry as a fisheries management tool when limited to opportunistic, fisheries-dependant, otolith sample collection from by-catch. Otoliths from juvenile Mulloway (0 to 3¿years, 4 to 44.8¿cm total length) were obtained from 8 major estuaries and 2 inshore ocean locations along coastal south-eastern New South Wales, Australia, from April 2015 to July 2018. Concentrations of Sr, Ba, Mg, Mn and Li in the otolith region corresponding to the juvenile nursery stage were determined using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The element to Ca ratios of fish from coastal estuaries differed significantly among collection areas, based upon multivariate elemental fingerprints, with some exceptions. When the otoliths of fish were analysed in a multinomial logistic regression (MLR) classifier, there was an overall mean allocation success of 59% to the estuary of capture. This study highlights the use of otolith ¿fingerprints¿ as natural tags in Mulloway, and contributes to progressive research in environmental reconstruction applications of otolith chemistry.
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2021 |
van Putten EI, Pinkard E, O Grady A, Schmidt RK, Cresswell I, Raoult V, Taylor MD, 'Stakeholder perspectives on the value proposition of enterprise-level natural capital accounting for three primary industries', Environment Systems and Decisions, 41 541-555 (2021) [C1] Globally we are experiencing a decline in aggregate natural capital. Many primary industries and enterprises are highly dependent on renewable and non-renewable natural capital, b... [more] Globally we are experiencing a decline in aggregate natural capital. Many primary industries and enterprises are highly dependent on renewable and non-renewable natural capital, but there has been little focus on measuring and monitoring the flows benefits from natural capital. Natural capital accounting can help by potentially enabling the enterprise to better adapt and respond to risks in the future. To assist future implementation of natural capital accounting we assess the value proposition perceived by primary industry stakeholders. We use three primary industries in Australia as case studies (cotton, forestry and fisheries), and surveyed 140 stakeholders across the three industries. Interviewees generally suggested natural capital accounting is of public benefit by improving environmental outcomes. Private benefits are obtained through industry gaining social licence, greater market access and better business models. Although there was general agreement over improved environmental outcomes and access to premium markets, there were differences between industries and stakeholders. There were some concerns across the industries about the potential costs natural capital accounting may add to normal business operations and the lack of consistency in practices. Mainstreaming natural capital accounting across primary industries will mean that the value propositions and the implementation barriers need to be addressed. Overall the value proposition of implementing natural capital accounts at the enterprise level must stack up favourably against its costs.
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2021 |
Taylor MD, Johnson DD, 'Connectivity between a spatial management network and a multi-jurisdictional ocean trawl fishery', Ocean and Coastal Management, 210 (2021) [C1] Spatial management is often applied in penaeid trawl fisheries to avoid non-optimal size classes of target species, by providing areas of refuge from trawl fishing effort. Efficie... [more] Spatial management is often applied in penaeid trawl fisheries to avoid non-optimal size classes of target species, by providing areas of refuge from trawl fishing effort. Efficient application of spatial management relies on having a detailed knowledge of animal movements, particularly for species with complex life histories. Using Eastern King Prawn (Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus; EKP) as a case study, we examine how spatial and temporal factors can influence connectivity between a spatial management network designed to protect small prawns from capture by trawlers, and a multi-jurisdictional (Queensland [Qld] and New South Wales [NSW]) fishery. Over 7500 prawns were tagged across multiple years in three northern NSW spatial management areas, and 786 tagged prawns were recaptured across both jurisdictions. The majority of prawns tended to be recaptured from deeper waters adjacent to, or directly north of, the spatial management areas, but tagging location and release timing influenced recapture patterns. Cohorts tagged early in the growth season showed lower recapture rates, but were larger on average at recapture, and had migrated further. Prawns reached the fishery in the adjacent jurisdiction (Qld) within 54 days-post tagging, but for most cohorts the majority of recaptures were in NSW zones. Overall, there was good connectivity between all spatial management areas and the NSW fishery, and tagged prawns also reached the Qld spawning areas. This represents an optimal scenario for NSW fishers (who forgo capture of prawns within these spatial management areas): the prawns protected in the closure areas primarily contribute to harvest of larger sized prawns within NSW waters; and a portion of the protected prawns survive to reach the southern Queensland spawning grounds, which is the primary source of recruits for northern NSW nurseries. These findings are broadly relevant to defining the role and impact of established and proposed spatial management networks within penaeid fisheries.
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2021 |
Lédée EJI, Heupel MR, Taylor MD, Harcourt RG, Jaine FRA, Huveneers C, et al., 'Continental-scale acoustic telemetry and network analysis reveal new insights into stock structure', Fish and Fisheries, 22 987-1005 (2021) [C1] Delineation of population structure (i.e. stocks) is crucial to successfully manage exploited species and to address conservation concerns for threatened species. Fish migration a... [more] Delineation of population structure (i.e. stocks) is crucial to successfully manage exploited species and to address conservation concerns for threatened species. Fish migration and associated movements are key mechanisms through which discrete populations mix and are thus important determinants of population structure. Detailed information on fish migration and movements is becoming more accessible through advances in telemetry and analysis methods however such information is not yet used systematically in stock structure assessment. Here, we described how detections of acoustically tagged fish across a continental-scale array of underwater acoustic receivers were used to assess stock structure and connectivity in seven teleost and seven shark species and compared to findings from genetic and conventional tagging. Network analysis revealed previously unknown population connections in some species, and in others bolstered support for existing stock discrimination by identifying nodes and routes important for connectivity. Species with less variability in their movements required smaller sample sizes (45¿50 individuals) to reveal useful stock structure information. Our study shows the power of continental-scale acoustic telemetry networks to detect movements among fishery jurisdictions. We highlight methodological issues that need to be considered in the design of acoustic telemetry studies for investigating stock structure and the interpretation of the resulting data. The advent of broad-scale acoustic telemetry networks across the globe provides new avenues to understand how movement informs population structure and can lead to improved management.
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2021 |
Bennett MA, Becker A, Gaston T, Taylor MD, 'Connectivity of Large-Bodied Fish with a Recovering Estuarine Tidal Marsh, Revealed Using an Imaging Sonar', Estuaries and Coasts, 44 1579-1587 (2021) [C1] Tidal wetlands represent important fish habitats, particularly as nurseries for many exploited species. However, usage of these habitats by large-bodied fish is poorly studied. Im... [more] Tidal wetlands represent important fish habitats, particularly as nurseries for many exploited species. However, usage of these habitats by large-bodied fish is poorly studied. Imaging sonar represents a relatively novel technology for ecologists and allows for the discrete observation of fish in conditions where a light-based camera is ineffective, such as turbid estuarine habitats. An imaging sonar uses sound waves to create video-like images where swimming direction, fish length and distance from the sonar can be inferred. This technology was applied to examine connectivity of large-bodied fish between a recovering Ramsar-listed wetland and the adjacent estuary, by censusing fish traversing the entrance to the wetland. Fish lengths ranged between ~ 8 and 109¿cm. More fish were observed traversing the entrance to the wetland during the day (~ 365¿fish¿h-1) compared with night (~ 198¿fish¿h-1), possibly as a predator avoidance strategy. Under some conditions, biomass flux of large-bodied fish was estimated to exceed 100¿kg¿fish¿h-1. Fish did not appear to have a consistent preference for moving with or against the flow of the tide. These novel findings highlight the utility of imaging sonar for conducting fish census in wetland habitats and also highlights that wetlands are valuable habitats for large-bodied fish.
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2021 |
Blount C, Komyakova V, Barnes L, Smith ML, Zhang D, Reeds K, et al., 'Using ecological evidence to refine approaches to deploying offshore artificial reefs for recreational fisheries', Bulletin of Marine Science, 97 665-698 (2021) [C1] Artificial reefs have many applications but are best known for their deployments to enhance recreational fisheries by creating new habitat in areas where natural reef is otherwise... [more] Artificial reefs have many applications but are best known for their deployments to enhance recreational fisheries by creating new habitat in areas where natural reef is otherwise limited. The expectation is that fish assemblages will take up residence on artificial reefs and that these assemblages will become at least similar, if not more diverse and abundant, to those on natural reefs. Although designed, purpose-built artificial reefs are becoming more widely used in support of recreational fisheries and many of the historic issues have been resolved, conservation practitioners and managers still face challenges as to the type, number, and arrangement of structures and where to deploy them to maximize benefits and minimize risks. The ecological literature was reviewed to develop and enhance contemporary principles of artificial reef best practices for utilization. Our review identified optimal shapes, vertical relief, void spaces, and unit arrangements for increasing volumes and diversity of catch to recreational fishers and we provide a tool for identifying the least constrained areas for artificial reef deployment. We suggest; (a) monitoring of noncatch motivators in combination with quantitative indicators of the fishing activity (e.g., catch rate and effort) will provide the best understanding of success or failure of an artificial reef deployment; (b) choosing target species for informing purpose-built artificial reef designs to be reef-associated, demersal, philopatric, territorial, and obligatory reef species that are desired by local recreational fishers; and (c) considering the ecosystem services provided by artificial reefs beyond those associated with recreational fishing.
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2021 |
Cárcamo PF, Henríquez-Antipa LA, Galleguillos F, Figueroa-Fábrega L, Taylor MD, 'Marine stocking in Chile: a review of past progress and future opportunities for enhancing marine artisanal fisheries', Bulletin of Marine Science, 97 729-748 (2021) [C1] Chile has a long history of restocking, stock enhancement, and translocation to support artisanal or small-scale fisheries; however, these programs have been scarcely discussed in... [more] Chile has a long history of restocking, stock enhancement, and translocation to support artisanal or small-scale fisheries; however, these programs have been scarcely discussed in the scientific literature. Here, we present a review of previous initiatives and discuss specific areas for future progress. We identified 204 releases across 117 different areas, involving 7 taxonomic groups and 22 species (20 marine and 2 freshwater). Marine stocking mainly occurred within the context of the spatial framework through which artisanal fisheries are managed [Management and Exploitation Areas for Benthic Resources (MEABR)], and over 60% involved translocation of wild individuals rather than release of hatchery-reared seed. While ¿stock enhancement¿ was the primary intention for most releases, it is unclear whether depleted spawning biomass or other recruitment limitations were the primary motivation, and few projects reported more than one stocking event. The echinoid Loxechinus albus and the gastropod Concholepas concholepas were the main target species. Only 6% of projects examined reported positive results that could be linked to releases, and none reported the use of tagging or analysis of costs or benefits. There are several areas for targeted development that should improve the social and economic outcomes from marine stocking activities. This synthesis provides a snapshot of marine stocking in Chile to date and highlights opportunities that are relevant to both Chile and other nations with substantial small-scale fisheries.
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2021 |
Becker A, Lowry MB, Fielder DS, Taylor MD, 'Dispersal of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) from a coastal embayment following a recreational fisheries enhancement stocking program: Attempts to integrate aquaculture and habitat-based initiatives', Bulletin of Marine Science, 97 615-629 (2021) [C1] Fisheries enhancement initiatives including marine stocking and artificial reef deployments are becoming increasingly common in many parts of the world. Combining the two by relea... [more] Fisheries enhancement initiatives including marine stocking and artificial reef deployments are becoming increasingly common in many parts of the world. Combining the two by releasing hatchery reared fish onto artificial reefs is used in sea-ranching operations but is an approach rarely adopted for recreational fisheries. Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) form a valuable recreational fishery in Australia and in 2018 a pilot stocking program was initiated to enhance this fishery. Fish were released onto estuarine artificial reefs in Botany Bay to evaluate if estuarine artificial reefs are suitable release habitat for juvenile yellowtail kingfish and to monitor their dispersal patterns using acoustic telemetry and a tag-recapture program. Both approaches showed similar patterns, indicating juvenile yellowtail kingfish rapidly dispersed from the release location and can travel at least 60 km during their first weeks in the wild. Twenty percent of the acoustically tagged fish entered nearby estuaries to the north and south and dart tagged fish were also recaptured in these estuaries, indicating that the estuaries provide habitat for juveniles. There was little interaction between stocked fish and two large coastal artificial reefs positioned near Botany Bay. Stocked yellowtail kingfish will likely disperse rapidly from release locations which is consistent with their pelagic life history. While this may present challenges to fisheries managers, increasing release numbers to maintain stocking densities over a broader area may provide a solution. Future releases of fish on coastal natural and artificial reefs are an important next step in refining stocking practices for this species and will help further identify key juvenile habitats.
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2021 |
Taylor MD, Premachandra HKA, Hurwood DA, Dammannagoda ST, Chan KH, Mather PB, et al., 'Genetic evaluation of the unknown contribution of stocked fish in angler catches: a case study using mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus', Bulletin of Marine Science, 97 599-614 (2021) [C1] Stock enhancement involves the augmentation of wild populations with hatchery-reared recruits. Stock enhancement generally also includes a postrelease monitoring program which tra... [more] Stock enhancement involves the augmentation of wild populations with hatchery-reared recruits. Stock enhancement generally also includes a postrelease monitoring program which tracks stocked individuals within the fishery, and this relies on having a means to identify the likely origin of recaptured fish (e.g., physical, otolith, or genetic tags). This study reports the application of sibship analysis to retrospectively infer the origin of mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) within stocked estuaries when other means of identification were not available. Eight cohorts of mulloway were stocked into two estuaries across a seven-year period, but only some of the fish released during the program were physically marked with chemical otolith stains. Fish were sampled from stocked estuaries (mostly through an angler-based sampling program) and genotyped for six microsatellite loci, alongside 129 fish sampled from nonstocked estuaries. The presence of multiple sibs within the mixed populations in stocked estuaries was used to infer the origin of captured fish against a background of sibship for known-origin individuals (verified by otolith marks) and sibship levels within unstocked estuaries. The analysis suggested hatchery-reared fish could have contributed 9% of individuals sampled from the augmented populations (7% when corrected for background sibship). The proportion of fish inferred to be of hatchery origin decreased with size (likely due to mortality and migration), and the expected contribution rates for hatchery-reared fish differed among cohorts. The results highlight that sibship analysis may be useful for retrospective genetic evaluation of stocked estuaries.
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2020 |
Taylor MD, Silburn J, Booth DJ, Johnson DD, 'Impact of Spatial Management on Nontarget Species in an Oceanic Penaeid Trawl Fishery', North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 40 509-520 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Camp EV, Lorenzen K, Taylor MD, 'Impacts of habitat repair on a spatially complex fishery', Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 244 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
McLuckie C, Moltschaniwskyj N, Gaston T, Dunstan RH, Crompton M, Butcherine P, et al., 'Lethal and sub-lethal effects of environmentally relevant levels of imidacloprid pesticide to Eastern School Prawn, Metapenaeus macleayi', Science of the Total Environment, 742 (2020) [C1] Pesticides are frequently employed to enhance agricultural production. Neonicotinoid pesticides (including imidacloprid) are often used to control sucking insects but have been sh... [more] Pesticides are frequently employed to enhance agricultural production. Neonicotinoid pesticides (including imidacloprid) are often used to control sucking insects but have been shown to impact aquatic crustaceans. Imidacloprid is highly water soluble and has been detected in estuaries where it has been applied in adjacent catchments. We examined the impact of environmentally relevant concentrations of imidacloprid on Eastern School Prawn (Metapenaeus macleayi), an important exploited crustacean in Australia. Prawns were held for 8 days in estuarine water containing 0¿4 µg L-1 of imidacloprid to assess potential lethal and non-lethal impacts. There was a non-linear relationship between exposure concentration and tissue concentration, with tissue concentrations peaking at exposures of 1.4 µg L-1 (1.16 to 1.64 µg L-1, 90% C.I.). There was no evidence for direct mortality associated with imidacloprid exposure, but exposure did influence the organism metabolome which likely reflects alterations in metabolic homeostasis, such as changes in the fatty acid composition which indicate a shift in lipid homeostasis. There was a positive correlation between exposure concentration and moulting frequency. Shedding of the exoskeleton may represent a mechanism through which prawns can expel the contaminant from their bodies. These results indicate that prawns experience several different sub-lethal effects when exposed to these pesticides, which may have implications for the health of populations.
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2020 |
Silburn J, Johnson DD, Booth DJ, Taylor MD, 'The effect of subsampling when monitoring bycatch in a penaeid trawl fishery', Fisheries Research, 224 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Becker A, Lowry MB, Taylor MD, 'Scales of spatial and temporal variation of small bodied nekton within intermittently closed/open lakes and lagoons (ICOLLs) in south-eastern Australia', Regional Studies in Marine Science, 33 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Taylor MD, Becker A, Quinn J, Lowry MB, Fielder S, Knibb W, 'Stock structure of dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus) to inform stocking management', Marine and Freshwater Research, 71 1378-1383 (2020) [C1] Delineating stocks and quantifying population structure are critical for the management of exploited populations, but the stock structure of many species remains unclear. In New S... [more] Delineating stocks and quantifying population structure are critical for the management of exploited populations, but the stock structure of many species remains unclear. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, a marine stock enhancement program for dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus) is developing, and knowledge of stock structure is required to inform enhancement strategies, as well as to support broader fisheries management. A combination of mitochondrial and microsatellite markers was used in this study to evaluate structuring among fish from eight estuaries, spanning the majority of the NSW coast. Pairwise comparisons of mitochondrial haplotypes revealed that seven of the eight estuaries were genetically homogeneous (St Georges Basin was distinct). Moreover, analysis of molecular variance showed that 97% of sequence diversity occurred within estuaries. The results from microsatellite markers were almost identical to those for mitochondrial DNA, with St George's Basin having the only distinct genotype, and within estuary variation accounting for 99% of the genotype variation. Isolation by distance analysis showed that <5% of genetic variation was due to distance. These results indicate that dusky flathead forms a single stock across NSW, where mixing most likely occurs during early life phases and through limited adult migration. The outlying estuary, St Georges Basin, likely suffers from limited connectivity due to a constricted entrance, and it is possible that stocking may improve local genetic diversity.
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2020 |
Swadling DS, Knott NA, Rees MJ, Pederson H, Adams KR, Taylor MD, Davis AR, 'Seagrass canopies and the performance of acoustic telemetry: Implications for the interpretation of fish movements', Animal Biotelemetry, 8 (2020) [C1] Background: Acoustic telemetry has been used with great success to quantify the movements of marine fishes in open habitats, however research has begun to focus on patterns of mov... [more] Background: Acoustic telemetry has been used with great success to quantify the movements of marine fishes in open habitats, however research has begun to focus on patterns of movement and habitat usage within more structurally complex habitats. To date, there has been no detailed assessment of the performance of acoustic telemetry within seagrass, which forms a crucial nursery and foraging habitat for many fish species globally. Information on the detection range of acoustic receivers within seagrass is essential to guide receiver array design, particularly positioning systems. Here, we compare detection ranges for transmitters (Vemco V7) within and above the seagrass to determine impacts on the performance of a Vemco Positioning System (VPS). We also investigate the influence of environmental conditions (i.e. wind, time of day, background noise, atmospheric pressure and depth) on detection probability. Results: The performance of the VPS declined dramatically when the transmitters were positioned within the seagrass (positional accuracy = 2.69 m, precision = 0.9 m, system efficiency (i.e. the proportion of successful positions) = 5.9%) compared to above the canopy (positional accuracy = 2.21 m, precision = 0.45 m, system efficiency = 30.9%). The reduction in VPS efficiency when transmitters were within seagrass was caused by a decline in the detection range of receivers (range of 50% detections) from 85 to 40 m, as this limited the ability of the three receivers to simultaneously detect transmissions. Additionally, no detections were recorded for the transmitters within seagrass at a distance greater than 150 m from the receiver. Increasing wind speed from 0 to 50 km h-1 correlated with a 15% reduction in detections while detection probability decreased from 0.8 during the day to 0.55 at night, due to higher in-band noise (69 kHz). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that tagged fish ensconced within seagrass are unlikely to be detected by receivers or positioned by a VPS. Further, we demonstrate that wind conditions and the time of day create temporal variation in detection probability. These findings highlight the need for telemetry studies to perform in situ range testing and consider how fish use vegetated habitats such as seagrasses when positioning receivers and interpreting data.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]
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2020 |
Thiem JD, Wooden IJ, Baumgartner LJ, Butler GL, Taylor MD, Watts RJ, 'Hypoxic conditions interrupt flood-response movements of three lowland river fish species: Implications for flow restoration in modified landscapes', Ecohydrology, 13 (2020) [C1] Movement and migration of freshwater fish for the purpose of feeding, dispersal, and spawning are essential life history components often linked to river flows. Understanding move... [more] Movement and migration of freshwater fish for the purpose of feeding, dispersal, and spawning are essential life history components often linked to river flows. Understanding movement responses to abiotic stimuli such as river flows is crucial to inform effective management, especially considering that river regulation is contributing to global population declines. We examined the flow-related movements of three species of lowland river fish endemic to eastern Australia (golden perch Macquaria ambigua, Murray cod Maccullochella peelii, and silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus) over an 18-month period in a large anabranch system of the Murray River, south-eastern Australia. The telemetry study encompassed periods of extreme low river discharge, moderate discharge rates within the normal regulated operating range for this system, and a large overbank flood event that created hypoxic blackwater conditions and led to significant fish kill events. Movement of all three species was strongly affected by discharge rates, and although the direction and magnitude of responses varied by species, river discharge in general had a significant positive effect on the scale of movement. All species initiated large-scale directional movements in response to flooding, and some emigration occurred; however, hypoxia-induced mortality ultimately killed a large proportion of the tagged fish. The results of the current study highlight the significant challenges of managing flow restoration in highly modified landscapes that are prone to hypoxic conditions. We reiterate the value of connectivity, especially where it enables fish to access suitable refuges during periods of poor water quality and subsequently recolonize when conditions improve.
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2020 |
Hewitt DE, Smith TM, Raoult V, Taylor MD, Gaston TF, 'Stable isotopes reveal the importance of saltmarsh-derived nutrition for two exploited penaeid prawn species in a seagrass dominated system', Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 236 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Taylor MD, Johnson DD, 'Evaluation of adaptive spatial management in a multi-jurisdictional trawl fishery', Regional Studies in Marine Science, 35 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Mcluckie C, Moltschaniwskyj N, Gaston T, Dunstan RH, Crompton M, Taylor MD, 'Lethal and sublethal effects of simultaneous exposure to hypoxia and aluminium on juvenile eastern school prawn', Marine and Freshwater Research, 71 697-707 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Adams KR, Gibbs L, Knott NA, Broad A, Hing M, Taylor MD, Davis AR, 'Coexisting with sharks: a novel, socially acceptable and non-lethal shark mitigation approach', Scientific Reports, 10 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Becker A, Taylor M, McLeod J, Lowry M, 'Application of a long-range camera to monitor fishing effort on an offshore artificial reef', Fisheries Research, 228 (2020) [C1] A land-based long-range camera was developed and tested at an artificial reef site in south-east (SE) Australia to monitor levels of recreational fishing effort across a range of ... [more] A land-based long-range camera was developed and tested at an artificial reef site in south-east (SE) Australia to monitor levels of recreational fishing effort across a range of 9 km. The camera had 50x magnification and was operated remotely through a 4 G-LTE network, including the ability to focus and program time intervals between images. The camera was powered by a 12 V system charged through 3 × 180 W solar panels. The camera was tested over an 8-month period where photographs were taken every 15 min during daylight hours, imagery taken at this time was used to estimate fishing effort (vessel hours day-1). The long-range camera was successful in producing photographs of boats fishing on the artificial reef across the 9 km range. This capability was ground-truthed by placing a research vessel on the reef at known times and cross referencing this in photographs taken during these periods. Camera performance did diminish at times during the first few hours after sunlight, particularly during the warmer months, this was most likely caused by atmospheric turbulence occurring across the 9 km range. Although not the primary focus of the study, it was found that fishing effort at the study site varied between weekdays and weekends, with increased activity occurring during the latter. The long-range camera is likely useful beyond monitoring artificial reefs and would provide opportunities for monitoring offshore infrastructure such as aquaculture leases, or fishing effort in marine protected areas.
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2019 |
Creighton C, Prahalad VN, McLeod I, Sheaves M, Taylor MD, Walshe T, 'Prospects for seascape repair: Three case studies from eastern Australia', ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION, 20 182-191 (2019) [C1]
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2019 |
Taylor MD, Braunig J, Mueller JF, Crompton M, Dunstan RH, Nilsson S, 'Metabolomic profiles associated with exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aquatic environments', ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS, 21 1980-1990 (2019) [C1]
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2019 |
Taylor MD, Moltschaniwskyj NA, Crompton MJ, Dunstan RH, 'Environmentally Driven Changes in Fatty Acid Profiles of a Commercially Important Penaeid Prawn', Estuaries and Coasts, 42 528-536 (2019) [C1]
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2019 |
Taylor MD, Loneragan NR, 'Catchment-derived stressors, recruitment, and fisheries productivity in an exploited penaeid shrimp', Regional Studies in Marine Science, 29 (2019) [C1]
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2019 |
Russell A, MacFarlane GR, Nowak B, Moltschaniwskyj NA, Taylor MD, 'Lethal and Sub-Lethal Effects of Aluminium on a Juvenile Penaeid Shrimp', Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences, 35 359-368 (2019) [C1]
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2018 |
Taylor MD, Creighton C, 'Estimating the Potential Fishery Benefits from Targeted Habitat Repair: a Case Study of School Prawn (Metapenaeus macleayi) in the Lower Clarence River Estuary', Wetlands, 38 1199-1209 (2018) [C1]
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2018 |
Taylor MD, Becker A, Moltschaniwskyj NA, Gaston TF, 'Direct and Indirect Interactions Between Lower Estuarine Mangrove and Saltmarsh Habitats and a Commercially Important Penaeid Shrimp', ESTUARIES AND COASTS, 41 815-826 (2018) [C1]
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2018 |
Taylor MD, Lowry MB, Becker A, 'Evaluating potential competitive interactions following stocking through trophic niche breadth', MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH, 69 1614-1625 (2018) [C1]
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2018 |
Raoult V, Gaston TF, Taylor MD, 'Habitat fishery linkages in two major south-eastern Australian estuaries show that the C4 saltmarsh plant Sporobolus virginicus is a significant contributor to fisheries productivity', Hydrobiologia, 811 221-238 (2018) [C1]
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2018 |
Taylor MD, Gaston TF, Raoult V, 'The economic value of fisheries harvest supported by saltmarsh and mangrove productivity in two Australian estuaries', ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS, 84 701-709 (2018) [C1]
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2018 |
Taylor MD, Beyer-Robson J, Johnson DD, Knott NA, Bowles KC, 'Bioaccumulation of perfluoroalkyl substances in exploited fish and crustaceans: Spatial trends across two estuarine systems', Marine Pollution Bulletin, 131 303-313 (2018) [C1] Spatial patterns in perfluoroalkyl substances were quantified for exploited fish and crustaceans across two contrasting Australian estuaries (Port Stephens and Hunter River). Perf... [more] Spatial patterns in perfluoroalkyl substances were quantified for exploited fish and crustaceans across two contrasting Australian estuaries (Port Stephens and Hunter River). Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was detected in 77% of composites from Port Stephens and 100% of composites from Hunter River. Most species from Port Stephens showed a clear trend with distance to source. In contrast, only a subset of species showed this trend in the Hunter River, potentially due to species movement patterns and differing hydrology. Spatial modelling showed that PFOS concentrations were expected to exceed the relevant trigger value up to ~13,500 m from the main point source for Port Stephens and ~9000 m for the Hunter River. These results represent the first major investigation of bioaccumulation of PFASs in exploited species in Australian estuaries, and highlight various factors that can contribute to spatial patterns in bioaccumulation.
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2018 |
Hart C, Gaston TF, Taylor MD, 'Utilisation of a recovering wetland by a commercially important species of penaeid shrimp', WETLANDS ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, 26 665-675 (2018) [C1]
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2017 |
Taylor MD, Bowles KC, Johnson DD, Moltschaniwskyj NA, 'Depuration of perfluoroalkyl substances from the edible tissues of wild-caught invertebrate species', SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, 581 258-267 (2017) [C1]
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2017 |
Taylor MD, Fry B, Becker A, Moltschaniwskyj N, 'Recruitment and connectivity influence the role of seagrass as a penaeid nursery habitat in a wave dominated estuary', SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, 584 622-630 (2017) [C1]
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2017 |
Taylor MD, Fry B, Becker A, Moltschaniwskyj N, 'The role of connectivity and physicochemical conditions in effective habitat of two exploited penaeid species', ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS, 80 1-11 (2017) [C1]
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2017 |
Park JM, Coburn E, Platell ME, Gaston TF, Taylor MD, Williamson JE, 'Diets and Resource Partitioning among Three Sympatric Gurnards in Northeastern Tasmanian Waters, Australia', MARINE AND COASTAL FISHERIES, 9 305-319 (2017) [C1]
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2017 |
Tyler KJ, Becker A, Moltschaniwskyj NA, Taylor MD, 'Rapid salinity changes affect the survival and physiology of a penaeid prawn: Implications of flood events on recruitment to the fishery', Fisheries Management and Ecology, 24 478-487 (2017) [C1]
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2016 |
Taylor MD, Johnson DD, 'Preliminary investigation of perfluoroalkyl substances in exploited fishes of two contaminated estuaries', Marine Pollution Bulletin, 111 509-513 (2016) Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are being increasingly detected in a range of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, often resulting from the use of legacy fire-fighting foams. Thi... [more] Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are being increasingly detected in a range of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, often resulting from the use of legacy fire-fighting foams. This study conducted an initial investigation of the concentrations of PFASs in the commercially and recreationally exploited species Dusky Flathead, Mud Crab, School Prawn, Sea Mullet, Yellowfin Bream, Eastern King Prawn and Sand Whiting, across two contaminated estuaries. All samples contained perfluoro-n-octane sulfonate (PFOS) except four Yellowfin Bream samples (two from each estuary). Perfluoro-n-octanoic acid (PFOA) was detected only in School Prawn samples from Fullerton Cove, while perfluoro-n-hexane sulfonate (PFHxS) was detected in prawn muscle and in fish liver samples from both estuaries. This study presents one of the first surveys of PFAS in a range of edible saltwater fish and crustaceans in Australia, and these baseline levels of contamination will prove useful for informing future surveys of these emerging contaminants.
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2016 |
Payne NL, Smith JA, van der Meulen DE, Taylor MD, Watanabe YY, Takahashi A, et al., 'Temperature dependence of fish performance in the wild: Links with species biogeography and physiological thermal tolerance', Functional Ecology, 30 903-912 (2016) 1. Temperature strongly regulates the distribution and fitness of ectotherms, and many studies have measured the temperature dependence of physiological performance in controlled ... [more] 1. Temperature strongly regulates the distribution and fitness of ectotherms, and many studies have measured the temperature dependence of physiological performance in controlled laboratory settings. In contrast, little is known about how temperature influences ectotherm performance in the wild, so the ecological significance of physiological performance as measured in the laboratory is unclear. 2. Our aim was to measure the temperature dependence of performance in the wild for several species of fishes and to explore how temperatures that maximize performance in the wild (ToptE) are related to species biogeographies. 3. We gathered body activity and growth data from the wild for nine tropical and temperate fish species, and by fitting thermal performance curves to these data, compared ToptE to species- specific warm range boundary temperatures (the average temperature of the warmest month at equatorward range limits). To explore the degree to which trends in the wild reflect trends in physiological performance measured in the laboratory, we also compiled published data on the temperature dependence of aerobic metabolic scope in fishes and compared these to our wild fish data. 4. We found ToptE in the wild was strongly correlated with warm range boundary temperatures, and that the difference between these two temperatures (the ¿environmental heating tolerance¿) was smaller for more-tropical species. Comparison with laboratory data revealed that ToptE approaches warm boundary temperatures in the wild at the same rate that the optimal temperature for aerobic scope (ToptAS) approaches upper critical temperatures (upper Tcrit) for aerobic scope in the laboratory, meaning that environmental heating tolerances in wild fishes closely mirror physiological heating tolerance (i.e. upper Tcrit ¿ ToptAS) in captive fishes. 5. Our comparison of field- and laboratory-derived data highlights the ecological significance of aerobic metabolic scope in fishes and suggests wild fish species tend to perform best near the highest temperatures encountered in their range while maintaining a safety margin from the deleterious effects of upper critical temperatures.
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2016 |
Barnes TC, Junge C, Myers SA, Taylor MD, Rogers PJ, Ferguson GJ, et al., 'Population structure in a wide-ranging coastal teleost (Argyrosomus japonicus, Sciaenidae) reflects marine biogeography across southern Australia', Marine and Freshwater Research, 67 1103-1113 (2016) Population structure in marine teleosts is often investigated to aid conservation and fisheries management (e.g. to assess population structure to inform restocking programs). We ... [more] Population structure in marine teleosts is often investigated to aid conservation and fisheries management (e.g. to assess population structure to inform restocking programs). We assessed genetic population structure of the important estuary-associated marine fish, mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus), within Australian waters and between Australia and South Africa. Genetic variation was investigated at 13 polymorphic microsatellite markers. FST values and Bayesian estimates in STRUCTURE suggested population differentiation of mulloway within Australia and confirm strong differentiation between South Africa and Australia. The 12 Australian sample sets fell into one of four spatially separated genetic clusters. Initially, a significant signal of isolation-by-distance (IBD) was evident among Australian populations. However, further investigation by decomposed-pairwise-regression (DPR) suggested five sample sets were influenced more by genetic-drift, rather than gene-flow and drift equilibrium, as expected in strong IBD cases. Cryptic oceanographic and topographical influences may isolate mulloway populations from south-Western Australia. The results demonstrate that DPR is suitable to assess population structure of coastal marine species where barriers to gene flow may be less obvious than in freshwater systems. Information on the relative strengths of gene flow and genetic drift facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary forces that lead to population structure, which in turn informs fisheries and assists conservation management. Large-bodied predatory scale-fish may be under increasing pressure on a global scale, owing to a variety of anthropogenic reasons. In southern Australia, the iconic sciaenid A. japonicus (mulloway, jewfish or kob) is no exception. Despite the species supporting important fisheries, much of its ecology is poorly understood. It is possible that a greater understanding of their genetic population structure can help ensure a sustainable future for the only southern Australian sciaenid.
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2016 |
Taylor MD, Smith JA, Boys CA, Whitney H, 'A rapid approach to evaluate putative nursery sites for penaeid prawns', JOURNAL OF SEA RESEARCH, 114 26-31 (2016)
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2016 |
Fetterplace LC, Davis AR, Neilson JM, Taylor MD, Knott NA, 'Active acoustic tracking suggests that soft sediment fishes can show site attachment: A preliminary assessment of the movement patterns of the blue-spotted flathead (Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus)', Animal Biotelemetry, 4 (2016) Background: It is generally considered that on relatively homogenous marine soft sediment habitats, such as sand, fish are unlikely to show site attachment. This poses challenges ... [more] Background: It is generally considered that on relatively homogenous marine soft sediment habitats, such as sand, fish are unlikely to show site attachment. This poses challenges for management and the evaluation of the efficacy of marine protected areas, in which soft sediments often make up more than 70 % of habitats. The blue-spotted flathead is a commercially and recreationally targeted species found on soft sediments in coastal marine waters of south-eastern Australia. There are no published data on its movement patterns. Here, using active acoustic telemetry, we aim to (a) quantify movement and habitat use of blue-spotted flathead, (b) compare area usage to no-take sanctuary zone size and (c) obtain data to aid in the design of a large passive receiver array to be used in long-term comprehensive tracking of soft sediment fish. Results: Three of five blue-spotted flathead that were tagged exhibited strong site attachment and were detected close to their release points for the entire 60-day study period. The two other fish were not detected after 4 and 25 days and were likely to have moved out of the study area (search radius ¿ 3 km). For the three fish tracked over 60 days, the area used was compact (mean ± SE = 0.021 km2 ± 0.037) and two patterns of movement were apparent: (1) a small activity space used in its entirety each day (two fish) and (2) a larger activity space in which a separate area is utilised each day (one fish). Conclusions: Our study is the first to document the movement of blue-spotted flathead, and these preliminary results demonstrate two broad movement patterns shown by this species on soft sediments in Jervis Bay. Over the course of 60 days, a majority of fish in this study showed strong site attachment; however, a number of fish also made larger-scale movements. Finally, our study suggests that a tightly spaced, passive acoustic array would provide meaningful results for this species, although strategically placed receivers outside this array would be required to detect any longer range movements.
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2016 |
Brodie S, Taylor MD, Smith JA, Suthers IM, Gray CA, Payne NL, 'Improving consumption rate estimates by incorporating wild activity into a bioenergetics model', Ecology and Evolution, 6 2262-2274 (2016) Consumption is the basis of metabolic and trophic ecology and is used to assess an animal's trophic impact. The contribution of activity to an animal's energy budget is ... [more] Consumption is the basis of metabolic and trophic ecology and is used to assess an animal's trophic impact. The contribution of activity to an animal's energy budget is an important parameter when estimating consumption, yet activity is usually measured in captive animals. Developments in telemetry have allowed the energetic costs of activity to be measured for wild animals; however, wild activity is seldom incorporated into estimates of consumption rates. We calculated the consumption rate of a free-ranging marine predator (yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi) by integrating the energetic cost of free-ranging activity into a bioenergetics model. Accelerometry transmitters were used in conjunction with laboratory respirometry trials to estimate kingfish active metabolic rate in the wild. These field-derived consumption rate estimates were compared with those estimated by two traditional bioenergetics methods. The first method derived routine swimming speed from fish morphology as an index of activity (a "morphometric" method), and the second considered activity as a fixed proportion of standard metabolic rate (a "physiological" method). The mean consumption rate for free-ranging kingfish measured by accelerometry was 152 J·g-1·day-1, which lay between the estimates from the morphometric method (µ = 134 J·g-1·day-1) and the physiological method (µ = 181 J·g-1·day-1). Incorporating field-derived activity values resulted in the smallest variance in log-normally distributed consumption rates (s = 0.31), compared with the morphometric (s = 0.57) and physiological (s = 0.78) methods. Incorporating field-derived activity into bioenergetics models probably provided more realistic estimates of consumption rate compared with the traditional methods, which may further our understanding of trophic interactions that underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management. The general methods used to estimate active metabolic rates of free-ranging fish could be extended to examine ecological energetics and trophic interactions across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The contribution of activity to an animal's energy budget is an important parameter when estimating consumption, yet activity is usually measured in captive animals. We calculated the consumption rate of a free-ranging marine predator (yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi) by integrating the energetic cost of free-ranging activity into a bioenergetics model. Incorporating field-derived activity into bioenergetics models probably provided more realistic estimates of consumption rate compared with the traditional methods, which may further our understanding of trophic interactions that underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management.
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2016 |
Becker A, Whitfield AK, Cowley PD, Cole VJ, Taylor MD, 'Tidal amplitude and fish abundance in the mouth region of a small estuary', Journal of Fish Biology, 89 1851-1856 (2016) Using an acoustic underwater camera (Dual Frequency IDentification SONar, DIDSON), the abundance and direction of movement of fishes¿>¿80¿mm total length (LT ) in the mouth of ... [more] Using an acoustic underwater camera (Dual Frequency IDentification SONar, DIDSON), the abundance and direction of movement of fishes¿>¿80¿mm total length (LT ) in the mouth of a small South African estuary during spring and neap tidal cycles were observed. While the sizes of fishes recorded were consistent across both tide cycles, the number of fishes passing the camera was significantly greater during the smaller neap tides. Schooling behaviour was more pronounced for fishes that were travelling into the estuary compared to fishes swimming towards the ocean.
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2015 |
Payne NL, van der Meulen DE, Suthers IM, Gray CA, Taylor MD, 'Foraging intensity of wild mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus decreases with increasing anthropogenic disturbance', Marine Biology, 162 539-546 (2015) The influence of anthropogenic disturbance on the behaviour of wild animals is increasingly recognised for terrestrial systems. Data on free-ranging aquatic animals are comparativ... [more] The influence of anthropogenic disturbance on the behaviour of wild animals is increasingly recognised for terrestrial systems. Data on free-ranging aquatic animals are comparatively scarce, and this represents a problem for estimating the consequences of human disturbance for organism fitness and therefore the functioning of aquatic systems. We used acoustic accelerometer and depth transmitters implanted in wild fish and archival stomach content data to test for relationships between the intensity of boating and the activity levels and foraging efficiency of an estuarine predatory fish, the mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus. Increasing boating activity (inferred from week-long trends in underwater noise and local maritime records) was associated with a reduction in activity levels and increased depth distributions of mulloway. Stomach content data from a nearby estuary revealed a far-lower feeding rate and altered diet composition on weekends (when boating activity is greatest) compared to weekdays for this species, and an inferred foraging success rate almost one-third that of weekdays. These data suggest the behaviour and foraging intensity of mulloway is significantly influenced by anthropogenic disturbance. The overall fitness costs of the reduction in foraging success will depend on how readily mulloway can reallocate foraging to less disturbed conditions, and the extent of stress-related responses to disturbance in this species. This study supports earlier predictions that anthropogenic disturbances like noise could have significant impacts on the behaviour and fitness of aquatic animals.
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2015 |
Stocks JR, Gray CA, Taylor MD, 'Intra-population trends in the maturation and reproduction of a temperate marine herbivore Girella elevata across latitudinal clines', Journal of Fish Biology, 86 463-483 (2015) Latitudinal variation in the reproductive characteristics of a temperate marine herbivore, rock blackfish Girella elevata, was examined from three regions of the south-eastern Aus... [more] Latitudinal variation in the reproductive characteristics of a temperate marine herbivore, rock blackfish Girella elevata, was examined from three regions of the south-eastern Australian coast. Biological sampling covered 780 km of coastline, including the majority of the species distribution. The sampling range incorporated three distinct oceanographic regions of the East Australian Current, a poleward-flowing western boundary current of the Southern Pacific Gyre and climate-change hotspot. Girella elevata are a highly fecund, group synchronous (multiple batch)-spawner. Mean fork length (LF) and age at maturity were greater for females than males within all regions, with both male and female G. elevata of the southern region maturing at a greater size and age than those from the central region. Estimates of batch fecundity (FB) were greatest in the northern and southern regions, relative to the central region where growth rates were greatest. Significant positive relationships were observed between FB and LF, and FB and total fish mass. Gonado-somatic indices indicated latitudinal synchrony in spawning seasonality between G. elevata at higher latitudes, spawning in the late austral spring and summer. A late or prolonged spawning period is evident for G. elevata from the northern region. Juvenile recruitment to intertidal rock pools within the central and southern regions was synchronous with the spawning season, however, no juveniles were found within the northern region. The implications of latitudinal variation in reproductive characteristics are discussed in the context of climate and oceanographic conditions of south-east Australia.
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2015 |
Payne NL, Van Der Meulen DE, Suthers IM, Gray CA, Walsh CT, Taylor MD, 'Rain-driven changes in fish dynamics: A switch from spatial to temporal segregation', Marine Ecology Progress Series, 528 267-275 (2015) Niche segregation models underpin our understanding of speciation, population dynamics, and the evolution of foraging strategies. Many studies have evaluated changes in niche segr... [more] Niche segregation models underpin our understanding of speciation, population dynamics, and the evolution of foraging strategies. Many studies have evaluated changes in niche segregation dynamics over seasonal and decadal scales, but the influence of short-term stochastic processes like weather are poorly understood. This represents a problem for predicting ecosystem-level responses to the changes in weather patterns that are anticipated to occur over the coming decades. By simultaneously monitoring spatial and temporal segregation in a large estuarine piscivore and smaller benthic carnivore (mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus and sand whiting Sillago ciliata, respectively) before and after rainfall, we tested for disturbance-driven changes in species segregation. During non-rain conditions, both species were diurnally active but spatially segregated in the vertical plane (i.e. water depth). After rainfall, mulloway encroached on the whiting's vertical habitat and reversed their activity rhythm, while whiting did the opposite, strengthening their diel activity rhythm. Long-term fishery catch data were broadly consistent with this pattern, with rain-associated increases in mulloway catchability contrasting a decrease in catchability of whiting. Our example suggests short-term stochastic disturbances can drive drastic changes in fish dynamics, and highlights the significance of future changes to rainfall regimes in structuring ecosystem processes.
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2015 |
Gannon R, Payne NL, Suthers IM, Gray CA, van der Meulen DE, Taylor MD, 'Fine-scale movements, site fidelity and habitat use of an estuarine dependent sparid', Environmental Biology of Fishes, 98 1599-1608 (2015) Space use and movement patterns are largely influenced by an animal¿s size, habitat connectivity, reproductive mode, and foraging behaviours; and are important in defining the bro... [more] Space use and movement patterns are largely influenced by an animal¿s size, habitat connectivity, reproductive mode, and foraging behaviours; and are important in defining the broader population biology and ecology of an organism. Acoustic telemetry was used to investigate the home range, habitat use and relative movement patterns of an estuarine dependant sparid (Acanthopagrus australis, Günther). Ten fish were internally tagged with acoustic transmitters and manually tracked in a riverine estuary for four, 3-day periods. Positional data was converted into a relative index of fish movement (Minimum Activity Index, MAI), and also used to estimate kernel density distributions which approximated areas of core and total space use for each fish. Space use for A. australis was not related to fish size; although movement of each fish (MAI) increased with fish length and a reduction in water conductivity. The distance between tagged fish and mangrove habitat was correlated with time-of-day and tide level with yellowfin bream moving closer to mangroves during the daytime and on high tides. Fish movements, residency and site fidelity revealed the nature of decision-making for fish, and the conservation value of small patches of estuarine habitats.
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2015 |
Henschke N, Everett JD, Suthers IM, Smith JA, Hunt BPV, Doblin MA, Taylor MD, 'Zooplankton trophic niches respond to different water types of the western Tasman Sea: A stable isotope analysis', Deep-Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 104 1-8 (2015) The trophic relationships of 21 species from an oceanic zooplankton community were studied using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen. Zooplankton and suspended particulate orga... [more] The trophic relationships of 21 species from an oceanic zooplankton community were studied using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen. Zooplankton and suspended particulate organic matter (POM) were sampled in three different water types in the western Tasman Sea: inner shelf (IS), a cold core eddy (CCE) and a warm core eddy (WCE). d<sup>15</sup>N values ranged from 3.9¿ for the parasitic copepod Sapphirina augusta to 10.2¿ for the euphausiid, Euphausia spinifera. d<sup>13</sup>C varied from -22.6 to -19.4¿ as a result of the copepod Euchirella curticauda and E. spinifera. The isotopic composition of POM varied significantly among water types; as did the trophic enrichment of zooplankton over POM, with the lowest enrichment in the recently upwelled IS water type (0.5¿) compared to the warm core eddy (1.6¿) and cold core eddy (2.7¿). The WCE was an oligotrophic environment and was associated with an increased trophic level for omnivorous zooplankton (copepods and euphausiids) to a similar level as carnivorous zooplankton (chaetognaths). Therefore carnivory in zooplankton can increase in response to lower abundance and reduced diversity in their phytoplankton and protozoan prey. Trophic niche width comparisons across three zooplankton species: the salp Thalia democratica, the copepod Eucalanus elongatus and the euphausiid Thysanoessa gregaria, indicated that both niche partitioning and competition can occur within the zooplankton community. We have shown that trophic relationships among the zooplankton are dynamic and respond to different water types. The changes to the zooplankton isotopic niche, however, were still highly variable as result of oceanographic variation within water types.
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2015 |
Brodie S, Hobday AJ, Smith JA, Everett JD, Taylor MD, Gray CA, Suthers IM, 'Modelling the oceanic habitats of two pelagic species using recreational fisheries data', Fisheries Oceanography, 24 463-477 (2015) Defining the oceanic habitats of migratory marine species is important for both single species and ecosystem-based fisheries management, particularly when the distribution of thes... [more] Defining the oceanic habitats of migratory marine species is important for both single species and ecosystem-based fisheries management, particularly when the distribution of these habitats vary temporally. This can be achieved using species distribution models that include physical environmental predictors. In the present study, species distribution models that describe the seasonal habitats of two pelagic fish (dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus and yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi), are developed using 19 yr of presence-only data from a recreational angler-based catch-and-release fishing programme. A Poisson point process model within a generalized additive modelling framework was used to determine the species distributions off the east coast of Australia as a function of several oceanographic covariates. This modelling framework uses presence-only data to determine the intensity of fish (fish km-2), rather than a probability of fish presence. Sea surface temperature (SST), sea level anomaly, SST frontal index and eddy kinetic energy were significant environmental predictors for both dolphinfish and kingfish distributions. Models for both species indicate a greater fish intensity off the east Australian coast during summer and autumn in response to the regional oceanography, namely shelf incursions by the East Australian Current. This study provides a framework for using presence-only recreational fisheries data to create species distribution models that can contribute to the future dynamic spatial management of pelagic fisheries.
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2015 |
Scott ME, Smith JA, Lowry MB, Taylor MD, Suthers IM, 'The influence of an offshore artificial reef on the abundance of fish in the surrounding pelagic environment', Marine and Freshwater Research, 66 429-437 (2015) Artificial reefs are a popular fisheries management tool, but the effect of these reefs on the abundance of fish in the surrounding pelagic environment is uncertain. Pelagic baite... [more] Artificial reefs are a popular fisheries management tool, but the effect of these reefs on the abundance of fish in the surrounding pelagic environment is uncertain. Pelagic baited remote underwater video (PBRUV) was used to observe the fish assemblage surrounding an offshore artificial reef (OAR), near Sydney, Australia. PBRUVs were deployed at three distances (30, 100, 500m) from the OAR, and compared with a drop camera deployed directly over the OAR. There was a significantly greater abundance of fish on the OAR, but no significant difference in abundance at the 30-, 100- or 500-m distances. Two highly mobile non-resident species (Seriola lalandi, Pseudocaranx dentex) were significantly more abundant on the OAR, but this association was not detected 30m away. The lack of a significant difference in total fish abundance, or in assemblage composition, between the 30-, 100- and 500-m distances suggests that any association with the OAR is on a localised scale (<30m). One exception was the ocean leatherjacket (Nelusetta ayraudi), which had an association detected 100m from the OAR. This predominantly small-scale effect may be influenced by the proximity of this OAR to numerous natural reefs.
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2015 |
Stocks JR, Gray CA, Taylor MD, 'Out in the wash: Spatial ecology of a temperate marine shallow rocky-reef species derived using acoustic telemetry', Marine and Freshwater Research, 66 559-571 (2015) Characterising the movement and habitat affinities of fish is a fundamental component in understanding the functioning of marine ecosystems. A comprehensive array of acoustic rece... [more] Characterising the movement and habitat affinities of fish is a fundamental component in understanding the functioning of marine ecosystems. A comprehensive array of acoustic receivers was deployed at two near-shore coastal sites in south-eastern Australia, to examine the movements, activity-space size and residency of a temperate rocky-reef, herbivorous species Girella elevata. Twenty-four G. elevata individuals were internally tagged with pressure-sensing acoustic transmitters across these two arrays and monitored for up to 550 days. An existing network of coastal receivers was used to examine large-scale movement patterns. Individuals exhibited varying residency, but all had small activity-space sizes within the arrays. The species utilised shallow rocky-reef habitat, displaying unimodal or bimodal patterns in depth use. A positive correlation was observed between wind speed and the detection depth of fish, with fish being likely to move to deeper water to escape periods of adverse conditions. Detection frequency data, corrected using sentinel tags, generally illustrated diurnal behaviour. Patterns of habitat usage, residency and spatial utilisation highlighted the susceptibility of G. elevata to recreational fishing pressure. The results from the present study will further contribute to the spatial information required in the zoning of effective marine protected areas, and our understanding of temperate reef fish ecology.
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2014 |
Payne NL, Taylor MD, Watanabe YY, Semmens JM, 'From physiology to physics: Are we recognizing the flexibility of biologging tools?', Journal of Experimental Biology, 217 317-322 (2014) The remote measurement of data from free-ranging animals has been termed 'biologging' and in recent years this relatively small set of tools has been instrumental in add... [more] The remote measurement of data from free-ranging animals has been termed 'biologging' and in recent years this relatively small set of tools has been instrumental in addressing remarkably diverse questions-from 'how will tuna respond to climate change?' to 'why are whales big?'. While a single biologging dataset can have the potential to test hypotheses spanning physiology, ecology, evolution and theoretical physics, explicit illustrations of this flexibility are scarce and this has arguably hindered the full realization of the power of biologging tools. Here we present a small set of examples from studies that have collected data on two parameters widespread in biologging research (depth and acceleration), but that have interpreted their data in the context of extremely diverse phenomena: from tests of biomechanical and diving-optimality models to identifications of feeding events, Lévy flight foraging strategies and expanding oxygen minimum zones. We use these examples to highlight the remarkable flexibility of biologging tools, and identify several mechanisms that may enhance the scope and dissemination of future biologging research programs. © 2014. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.
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2014 |
Gannon R, Taylor MD, Suthers IM, Gray CA, Van Der Meulen DE, Smith JA, Payne NL, 'Thermal limitation of performance and biogeography in a free-ranging ectotherm: Insights from accelerometry', Journal of Experimental Biology, 217 3033-3037 (2014) Theoretical and laboratory studies generally show that ectotherm performance increases with temperature to an optimum, and subsequently declines. Several physiological mechanisms ... [more] Theoretical and laboratory studies generally show that ectotherm performance increases with temperature to an optimum, and subsequently declines. Several physiological mechanisms probably shape thermal performance curves, but responses of free-ranging animals to temperature variation will represent a compromise between these mechanisms and ecological constraints. Thermal performance data from wild animals balancing physiology and ecology are rare, and this represents a hindrance for predicting population impacts of future temperature change. We used internally implanted accelerometers near the middle of a species' geographical distribution and gill-net catch data near the species' latitudinal extremes to quantify temperature-related activity levels of a wild predatory fish (Platycephalus fuscus). We examined our data in the context of established models of thermal performance, and the relationship between thermal performance thresholds and biogeography. Acceleration data approximated a thermal performance curve, with activity peaking at 23° C but declining rapidly at higher temperatures. Gill-net catch data displayed a similar trend, with a temperature-associated increase and decrease in catch rates in temperate and tropical regions, respectively. Extrapolated estimates of zero activity (CTmin and CTmax) from the accelerometers were similar to the minimum and maximum mean monthly water temperatures experienced at the southern and northern (respectively) limits of the species distribution, consistent with performance-limited biogeography in this species. These data highlight the fundamental influence of temperature on ectotherm performance, and how thermal performance limits may shape biogeography. Biologging approaches are rarely used to examine thermal performance curves in freeranging animals, but these may be central to understanding the tradeoffs between physiology and ecology that constrain species' biogeographies and determine the susceptibility of ectotherms to future increases in temperature.
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2014 |
Stocks JR, Gray CA, Taylor MD, 'Testing the effects of near-shore environmental variables on acoustic detections: Implications on telemetry array design and data interpretation', Marine Technology Society Journal, 48 28-35 (2014) Acoustic technology is a common means to study the movements and habitat utilization of aquatic organisms. This study simultaneously assesses the relative importance of a number o... [more] Acoustic technology is a common means to study the movements and habitat utilization of aquatic organisms. This study simultaneously assesses the relative importance of a number of major environmental variables affecting the detection range and detection frequency of acoustic tracking technology in near-shore marine environments. Transmitter power output and diel index in order of relative importance were the most influential variables affecting detection range within a temperate reef habitat. Wave height, transmitter power output, and diel index in order of relative importance were the most influential variables affecting detection range within the wash zone. Similar models resulted when examining detection frequency at 100 m within the two habitat types. Attention is also drawn to the selection of transmitter power output based upon the habitat type and environmental conditions of the study site. This study demonstrates the importance of in situ range test studies in array design and interpretation of acoustic telemetry data.
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2014 |
Harris BP, Young JW, Revill AT, Taylor MD, 'Understanding diel-vertical feeding migrations in zooplankton using bulk carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes', Journal of Plankton Research, 36 1159-1163 (2014) We used bulk stable isotope analysis (SIA) to examine diel feeding activity in two vertically migrating krill species, Thysanoessa gregaria and Euphausia similis, off eastern Aust... [more] We used bulk stable isotope analysis (SIA) to examine diel feeding activity in two vertically migrating krill species, Thysanoessa gregaria and Euphausia similis, off eastern Australia. SIA indicated feeding by both species above the thermocline at night, potentially on both particulate organic matter and microzooplankton. Our results support the use of SIA to investigate vertical migration and feeding in zooplankton. © 2014 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
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2014 |
Chan JT, Sherwin WB, Taylor MD, 'A tool for tracking genetic contributions of wild Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus broodstock to hatchery populations', Animal Genetics, 45 888-892 (2014) Stock enhancement, restocking and sea ranching are being increasingly applied in both fisheries and conservation. The contribution of hatchery stock to fishery harvest and the mai... [more] Stock enhancement, restocking and sea ranching are being increasingly applied in both fisheries and conservation. The contribution of hatchery stock to fishery harvest and the maintenance of the genetic structure of stocked populations are both important considerations when releasing captive-bred organisms into natural systems. Use of wild-caught broodstock generally overcomes some of the genetic problems associated with domesticated hatchery populations, but there is still a need to ensure that a sufficient proportion of the natural population contribute to production of the stocked cohort to realise the genetic benefits of using wild-caught broodstock. Releases of Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus are under investigation as a means of increasing prawn production in recruitment-limited areas. We used the highly variable mitochondrial control region (mtCR) to assign post-larvae to maternal lineages in the hatchery and also to investigate the reproductive performance of female broodstock in terms of contribution to the production of the cohorts of post-larvae in the hatchery. Our data showed that mtCR can be a useful tool for tracking lineages and provided genetic evidence that unequal contribution and underproducing females can occur even in wild-caught broodstock. This work therefore highlights the importance of monitoring the genetic composition of pre-release hatchery stocks.
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2014 |
Smith JA, Taylor MD, 'A peaked logistic-based selection curve', Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 71 351-355 (2014) Length-based selection curves define the relative catchability of fish to specific types of fishing gear, with catchability often highest at intermediate fish lengths. Distributio... [more] Length-based selection curves define the relative catchability of fish to specific types of fishing gear, with catchability often highest at intermediate fish lengths. Distributions such as the normal, lognormal, or gamma are often used to define "peaked" selection curves, but these have limited capabilities to describe strongly asymmetric selection relationships, such as those sometimes observed for hooks or gillnets. Another, more flexible, peaked selection curve is proposed, which is derived by combining multiple logistic distributions. While the logistic distribution is frequently used to describe monotonic selection curves, incorporating multiple logistic equations (that describe either the increasing or decreasing catchability) can define a large range of asymmetric peaked selection curves. This "peak-logistic" curve also allows nonzero asymptotic selection for the largest size classes, which may be the selection occurring in some hook-and-line fisheries. We demonstrate examples of selection in hook, haul net, and mixed hook fisheries, for which the peak-logistic curve is more appropriate than comparative lognormal and binormal selection curves. We also promote an alternative to the peak-logistic: the two-sided normal curve.
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2014 |
Pursche AR, Walsh CT, Taylor MD, 'Evaluation of a novel external tag-mount for acoustic tracking of small fish', Fisheries Management and Ecology, 21 169-172 (2014)
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2014 |
Pursche AR, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'The effect of targeted stocking on behaviour and space utilization of a released finfish', ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71 1100-1106 (2014) Targeted stocking involves the release of fish directly into high-quality habitat, however this is often time-consuming, expensive and difficult. Acoustically tagged hatchery-rear... [more] Targeted stocking involves the release of fish directly into high-quality habitat, however this is often time-consuming, expensive and difficult. Acoustically tagged hatchery-reared juvenile mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus were released in groups directly into deep-hole habitat preferred by wild conspecifics (targeted stocking), or in a non-targeted fashion near easily accessible sites that lacked high-quality habitats in the direct vicinity. Fish were tracked continuously, 24 h d-1, for 5 d following release. Fish released in a targeted fashion showed lower mean activity rates (50% less movement) and occupied higher quality habitats than fish released in a non-targeted fashion. Fish released in a non-targeted fashion also used a greater number of smaller habitat patches. The implications for improvements in behaviour and habitat usage patterns for fish released in a targeted fashion, such as improved growth and survival, are discussed. Identifying and releasing fish directly into the species' high-quality habitat may ultimately improve the success of stocking programs. © 2014 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. All rights reserved.
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2014 |
Matis PA, Figueira WF, Suthers IM, Humphries J, Miskiewicz A, Coleman RA, et al., 'Cyclonic entrainment? The ichthyoplankton attributes of three major water mass types generated by the separation of the East Australian Current', ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71 1696-1705 (2014) The relationship between larval fish assemblages and coastal oceanography is the basis for much of our understanding of connectivity and productivity of fish populations. Larval f... [more] The relationship between larval fish assemblages and coastal oceanography is the basis for much of our understanding of connectivity and productivity of fish populations. Larval fish assemblages were sampled from the upper mixed layer (<50 mdepth) at three prominent circulation features [separation of the East Australian Current (EAC), anticyclonic eddy, and cyclonic eddy] off the southeast Australian coast across three bathymetric zones (shelf, slope and ocean) for each feature. The separation of the EAC from the coast at ~ 32°S was characterized by warmer, less saline water compared with the cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies further to the south (~ 34 and ~ 35°S, respectively), which were both characterized by cooler Tasman Sea water and greater fluorescence. The anticyclonic eddy had separated from the EAC three months prior to sampling, which facilitated the movement of a cyclonic eddy from the Tasman Sea westwards to the shelf at ~ 34°S. The larval assemblage in the EAC had high numbers of fish of the families Labridae and Stomiidae. The cyclonic eddy was characterized by larval clupeids, carangids, scombrids and bothids, indicating recent entrainment of shelf waters and proximity to major spawning regions. In contrast, the anticyclonic eddy had fewer larval fish, with little evidence for entrainment of shelf assemblages into the near-surfacewaters. Myctophid swere found in high abundance across all oceanographic features and bathymetric zones. The evidence of selective entrainment of coastal larval fish into the near-surface waters of a cyclonic eddy compared with a similar anticyclonic eddy indicates a potential offshore nursery ground.
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2014 |
Van Der Meulen DE, Walsh CT, Taylor MD, Gray CA, 'Habitat requirements and spawning strategy of an estuarine-dependent fish, Percalates colonorum', Marine and Freshwater Research, 65 218-227 (2014) Determining the links among estuarine hydrography, habitat and spawning of estuarine-dependent fish is essential for understanding reproductive dynamics, recruitment processes and... [more] Determining the links among estuarine hydrography, habitat and spawning of estuarine-dependent fish is essential for understanding reproductive dynamics, recruitment processes and directing conservation efforts. Acoustic tracking was used to evaluate fine-scale spatial and temporal patterns in spawning activity of Percalates colonorum (estuary perch) within the Shoalhaven River, south-eastern Australia. Plankton tows were used to determine the timing of spawning events. Tagged P. colonorum exhibited movements restricted to areas of structurally complex large wooden debris and a concrete ferry landing. Egg counts confirmed that spawning events coincided with adult aggregations, whereas egg abundances peaked at night during the first 2h of the run-out tide. We postulate that spawning and recruitment success of P. colonorum is attributable to its selective spawning habitats that are (1) structurally complex to provide refuge and protection from predation, as well as congregate prey items, (2) adjacent to deep water of high velocities to maximise egg dispersal and (3) in close proximity to river entrance to facilitate coastal dispersal of eggs and inter-estuarine connectivity of larvae.
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2014 |
Stocks JR, Gray CA, Taylor MD, 'Synchrony and variation across latitudinal gradients: The role of climate and oceanographic processes in the growth of a herbivorous fish', Journal of Sea Research, 90 23-32 (2014) Spatial and temporal variation in the growth of a widely distributed temperate marine herbivore, Girella elevata, was examined using length-at-age data and multi-decadal otolith i... [more] Spatial and temporal variation in the growth of a widely distributed temperate marine herbivore, Girella elevata, was examined using length-at-age data and multi-decadal otolith increment growth chronologies. In total 927 G. elevata were collected from three regions of the Australian south-east coast, extending 780. km and covering the majority of the East Australian Current, a poleward-flowing western boundary current of the Southern Pacific Gyre and climate change hotspot. A validated ageing method using sectioned sagittal otoliths was developed to enumerate both daily (juvenile fish) and annual otolith increments. G. elevata exhibited great longevity with a maximum recorded age of 45. +. yrs. Spatial variation in growth from length-at-age data was observed with the highest growth rates within the centre of the species distribution. Analysis of otolith growth chronologies of 33. yrs showed a positive relationship with the Southern Oscillation Index. Identifying links between life-history characteristics and variation in oceanographic conditions across latitudinal gradients may shed light on potential impacts of expected climate shifts on fish productivity. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.
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2014 |
Taylor MD, Van Der Meulen DE, Ives MC, Walsh CT, Reinfelds IV, Gray CA, 'Shock, stress or signal? Implications of freshwater flows for a top-level estuarine predator', PLoS ONE, 9 (2014) Physicochemical variability in estuarine systems plays an important role in estuarine processes and in the lifecycles of estuarine organisms. In particular, seasonality of freshwa... [more] Physicochemical variability in estuarine systems plays an important role in estuarine processes and in the lifecycles of estuarine organisms. In particular, seasonality of freshwater inflow to estuaries may be important in various aspects of fish lifecycles. This study aimed to further understand these relationships by studying the movements of a top-level estuarine predator in response to physicochemical variability in a large, temperate south-east Australian estuary (Shoalhaven River). Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus , 47-89 cm total length) were surgically implanted with acoustic transmitters, and their movements and migrations monitored over two years via fixed-position VR2W acoustic receivers configured in a linear array along the length of the estuary. The study period included a high degree of abiotic variability, with multiple pulses (exponentially high flows over a short period of time) in fresh water to the estuary, as well as broader seasonal variation in flow, temperature and conductivity. The relative deviation of fish from their modal location in the estuary was affected primarily by changes in conductivity, and smaller fish (n = 4) tended to deviate much further downstream from their modal position in the estuary than larger fish (n = 8). High-flow events which coincided with warmer temperatures tended to drive mature fish down the estuary and potentially provided a spawning signal to stimulate aggregation of adults near the estuary mouth; however, this relationship requires further investigation. These findings indicate that pulse and press effects of freshwater inflow and associated physicochemical variability play a role in the movements of mulloway, and that seasonality of large freshwater flows may be important in spawning. The possible implications of river regulation and the extraction of freshwater for consumptive uses on estuarine fishes are discussed. © 2014 Taylor et al.
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2013 |
Smith JA, Baumgartner LJ, Suthers IM, Fielder DS, Taylor MD, 'Density-dependent energy use contributes to the self-thinning relationship of cohorts', American Naturalist, 181 331-343 (2013) In resource-limited populations, an increase in average body size can occur only with a decline in abundance. This is known as self-thinning, and the decline in abundance in food-... [more] In resource-limited populations, an increase in average body size can occur only with a decline in abundance. This is known as self-thinning, and the decline in abundance in food-limited populations is considered proportional to the scaling of metabolism with body mass. This popular hypothesis may be inaccurate, because selfthinning populations can also experience density-dependent competition, which could alter their energy use beyond the predictions of metabolic scaling. This study tested whether density-dependent competition has an energetic role in self-thinning, by manipulating the abundance of the fish Macquaria novemaculeata and tank size to partition the effects of competition from metabolic scaling. We found that self-thinning can be density dependent and that changes in intraspecific competition may be more influential than metabolic scaling on self-thinning relationships. The energetic mechanism we propose is that density-dependent competition causes variation in the allocation of energy to growth, which alters the energetic efficiency of self-thinning cohorts. The implication is that food-limited cohorts and populations with competitive strategies that encourage fast-growing individuals will have less body mass at equilibrium and higher mortality rates. This finding sheds light on the processes structuring populations and can be used to explain inconsistencies in the mass-abundance scaling of assemblages and communities (the energetic-equivalence rule). © 2013 by The University of Chicago. 0003-0147/2013/18103-53402$15.00. All rights reserved.
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2013 |
Taylor MD, Baker J, Suthers IM, 'Tidal currents, sampling effort and baited remote underwater video (BRUV) surveys: Are we drawing the right conclusions?', Fisheries Research, 140 96-104 (2013) Estuaries are hydrographically dynamic environments, and such variability can affect the distribution and abundance of estuarine fish. Baited remote underwater video (BRUV) can be... [more] Estuaries are hydrographically dynamic environments, and such variability can affect the distribution and abundance of estuarine fish. Baited remote underwater video (BRUV) can be used to quantify estuarine species, but BRUV-derived data may be confounded by variable bait plume area and the associated effect on relative sampling effort. This study investigated the potential effects of current velocity on estuarine fish abundance data, and whether associated changes in bait plume size are important for benthic BRUV surveys in estuaries. BRUV sampling was conducted across two zones in two adjacent estuaries, and current velocity measured with a drogue during each BRUV deployment. Current velocity ranged from 0.02 to 0.65ms-1, resulting in potential bait plume areas that varied by orders of magnitude. The maximum number of each species (MaxN) was processed to produce a standardised (by bait plume area) and unstandardised multivariate species data set. The two data sets, whilst developed from identical video footage, yielded contrasting results. Unstandardised data was more variable, but produced a stronger correlation between abiotic variables and community structure. In addition, repeated sampling at some sites revealed significant temporal variance in community structure when data was standardised by bait plume area. Variability in sampling effort resulting from variable current velocity and associated bait plume area may confound interpretation of BRUV data. © 2013.
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2013 |
Payne NL, van der Meulen DE, Gannon R, Semmens JM, Suthers IM, Gray CA, Taylor MD, 'Rain reverses diel activity rhythms in an estuarine teleost', Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280 (2013) Activity rhythms are ubiquitous in nature, and generally synchronized with the day-night cycle. Several taxa have been shown to switch between nocturnal and diurnal activity in re... [more] Activity rhythms are ubiquitous in nature, and generally synchronized with the day-night cycle. Several taxa have been shown to switch between nocturnal and diurnal activity in response to environmental variability, and these relatively uncommon switches provide a basis for greater understanding of the mechanisms and adaptive significance of circadian (approx. 24 h) rhythms. Plasticity of activity rhythms has been identified in association with a variety of factors, from changes in predation pressure to an altered nutritional or social status. Here, we report a switch in activity rhythm that is associated with rainfall. Outside periods of rain, the estuarine-associated teleost Acanthopagrus australis was most active and in shallower depths during the day, but this activity and depth pattern was reversed in the days following rain, with diurnality restored as estuarine conductivity and turbidity levels returned to pre-rain levels. Although representing the first example of a rain-induced reversal of activity rhythm in an aquatic animal of which we are aware, our results are consistent with established models on the trade-offs between predation risk and foraging efficiency. © 2012 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.
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2013 |
Pursche AR, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'Post-release monitoring of site and group fidelity in acoustically tagged stocked fish', Fisheries Management and Ecology, 20 445-453 (2013) Understanding post-release dynamics of stocked fish is essential to successful stock enhancement. This study aimed to match existing life history knowledge to optimise productivit... [more] Understanding post-release dynamics of stocked fish is essential to successful stock enhancement. This study aimed to match existing life history knowledge to optimise productivity of releases of mulloway, Argyrosomus japonicus (Temminck & Schlegel) into an urban estuary. Passive acoustic telemetry was used to monitor the movement of juvenile mulloway in the Georges River, New South Wales, Australia, and assess the effect of release site and abiotic factors on broad-scale movements of individuals for 26¿weeks. This study found that release site primarily determines the location within the estuary where individuals reside. Water temperature, atmospheric pressure and rainfall did not correlate with fish distribution, although a flood drove fish stocked from upper and mid-river sites down the estuary in February 2008. Fish gradually returned to these sites over the following 9¿weeks. Emigration rates showed an initial downstream migration and an overall egression of ~50% of fish from the release site over 26¿weeks. Fish released in this study showed a degree of site- and group-fidelity, with fish distributing according to release site. It is recommended that future releases of mulloway are undertaken directly into nursery habitat in upper estuarine regions to minimise emigration and maximise efficiency of stocking programmes. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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2013 |
Taylor MD, Fairfax AV, Suthers IM, 'The Race for Space: Using Acoustic Telemetry to Understand Density-Dependent Emigration and Habitat Selection in a Released Predatory Fish', Reviews in Fisheries Science, 21 276-285 (2013) The dynamics of fish behavior, migration, and habitat use following stock enhancement will influence the outcome of recovery programs and indicate the ecological limits of the sys... [more] The dynamics of fish behavior, migration, and habitat use following stock enhancement will influence the outcome of recovery programs and indicate the ecological limits of the system. This study tested the effect of release density on emigration, activity patterns, and space utilization by releasing juvenile mulloway (Sciaenidae: Argyrosomus japonicus) at low and high densities and monitoring movement intensively for 336 h post release. Mulloway released at high densities had faster emigration and greater overall emigration rates than low density releases. Also, mulloway released at high densities used sub-optimal habitats at a greater frequency. Released fish dispersed into habitat patches at densities proportional to the quality of the habitat patch, consistent with density-dependent habitat selection. Targeting releases of small numbers of fish to the carrying capacity of individual patches of habitat will contribute to the success and economic viability of release programs in open systems. Releases of high densities of individuals or repeated releases at the same site may lead to increased emigration and losses from the stocked system. The capacity of a target habitat to support released fish can be rapidly assessed using pilot releases and intensive monitoring of acoustically tagged fish, prior to the implementation of large-scale release programs. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
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2013 |
Lorenzen K, Agnalt AL, Blankenship HL, Hines AH, Leber KM, Loneragan NR, Taylor MD, 'Evolving Context and Maturing Science: Aquaculture-Based Enhancement and Restoration Enter the Marine Fisheries Management Toolbox', Reviews in Fisheries Science, 21 213-221 (2013) Aquaculture-based enhancement of marine fisheries includes sea ranching, stock enhancement, and restocking. A rapidly evolving context and maturing science base have effectively p... [more] Aquaculture-based enhancement of marine fisheries includes sea ranching, stock enhancement, and restocking. A rapidly evolving context and maturing science base have effectively put these approaches into the fisheries management toolbox. Among the contextual factors are (1) a rapid expansion of captive breeding and domestication to new marine species, (2) fisheries governance systems that address the common dilemma, and (3) global environmental change impacts on coastal fisheries that increasingly call for active approaches to maintaining or increasing fisheries yields and ecosystem services. The science base of marine restocking, stock enhancement, and sea ranching continues to advance rapidly and has now reached a point where it is becoming possible to assess the likely contribution of such approaches to fisheries management goals prior to major investments being undertaken and to design enhancement programs effectively and responsibly where good potential is judged to exist. This signifies an important transition of marine fisheries enhancement from an exploratory, research-oriented endeavor to a tool in the fisheries management tool box. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
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2013 |
Loneragan NR, Jenkins GI, Taylor MD, 'Marine Stock Enhancement, Restocking, and Sea Ranching in Australia: Future Directions and a Synthesis of Two Decades of Research and Development', Reviews in Fisheries Science, 21 222-236 (2013) This article synthesizes information on marine and estuarine release programs in Australia and evaluates potential opportunities for stock enhancement. In Australia, the scale of ... [more] This article synthesizes information on marine and estuarine release programs in Australia and evaluates potential opportunities for stock enhancement. In Australia, the scale of restocking and stock enhancement programs in marine environments has been low compared with other countries, particularly Japan, China, and the United States. However, since the early 1990s, a number of government and industry organizations have made significant investments in research and development for the release of a variety of species to evaluate the potential of releases to increase the productivity of fisheries. The scale of these research programs has varied from releases of tens of thousands of individuals (abalone Haliotis laevigata, barramundi Lates calcarifer, and mulloway Argyrosomos japonicus), hundreds of thousands (tiger prawns Penaeus esculentus and black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri), and millions (eastern king prawn Penaeus plebejus). These programs, which have shown a strong commitment to the responsible approach to enhancement sensu (Blankenship and Leber, 1995; Lorenzen et al., 2010), have resulted in increased knowledge on the population dynamics and ecology of released species and the development of bio-economic and energetic models to better plan and evaluate releases. Currently, research is continuing in New South Wales (A. japonicus, P. plebejus), Queensland (L. calcarifer), and Western Australia (A. butcheri, H. laevigata). Furthermore, Victoria is developing a plan for releasing juveniles to enhance fisheries in estuarine and marine environments, and South Australia has developed a policy for marine and estuarine stock enhancement. Policies on stock enhancement are being considered for development in New South Wales and Western Australia. These developments in policy and the introduction of fishing license fees in some states have generated renewed interest in initiating release programs in Australia that follow the responsible approach to enhancement. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
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2013 |
Taylor MD, Brennan NP, Lorenzen K, Leber KM, 'Generalized Predatory Impact Model: A Numerical Approach for Assessing Trophic Limits to Hatchery Releases and Controlling Related Ecological Risks', Reviews in Fisheries Science, 21 341-353 (2013) Rigorous assessment of species and ecosystem biology underpins responsible marine stock enhancement. Estimation of limits to stocking density, based on ecosystem productivity and ... [more] Rigorous assessment of species and ecosystem biology underpins responsible marine stock enhancement. Estimation of limits to stocking density, based on ecosystem productivity and energetic requirements of stocked species, can be used to gauge the appropriate magnitude of release densities, minimizing waste of resources, and the possibility for adverse stocking effects. A generalized mass-balance model (generalized predatory impact model) for stocking density estimation has been developed. The approach is based around the principles of ECOPATH and accounts for dynamic estimation of stocking-related ecosystem relationships at fine temporal (days) and spatial scales. The main parameter inputs include probability distributions for key biological and life-history traits of stocked species and estimates of primary productivity for the target ecosystem. The energetic requirements of stocked fish are evaluated in terms of growth and mortality as well as ontogenetic transitions in diet, habitat use, morphology, and migration. The theoretical carrying capacity for a stocked species within a given arena is assessed from primary productivity, levels of predation by stocked fish on different trophic groups, and a specified level of acceptable trophic impact. A Monte Carlo analysis of uncertainty is used to provide a probability distribution of stocking densities for a given trophic impact. The model is applied for stocking juveniles of snook (Centropomus undecimalis) in Sarasota, FL, USA, and mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) in Georges River, NSW, Australia. The model is useful for estimating an appropriate stocking density when planning pilot-scale fish releases. Such releases should be carefully monitored to validate model assumptions and determine density-dependent and other environmental effects. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
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2013 |
Chan JT, Appleyard SA, Sherwin WB, Taylor MD, 'Novel polymorphic microsatellite loci for the eastern king prawn, Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus', Conservation Genetics Resources, 5 1125-1128 (2013) Eastern king prawn, Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus, is an endemic Australian species which is heavily exploited both commercially and recreationally in estuaries and in offshore tr... [more] Eastern king prawn, Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus, is an endemic Australian species which is heavily exploited both commercially and recreationally in estuaries and in offshore trawl fisheries across several jurisdictions. P. plebejus shows extensive movement throughout the known distribution range during various life history stages (Montgomery et al. in Fish Res 80:80-87, 2007). It is currently unknown whether there is a full migration throughout the species range, or step-wise migration, and identifying the origins of important spawning populations remains as a challenge. We report 20 high resolution microsatellite markers, to address such questions and assist conservation planning for long-term sustainability. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.
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2013 |
Smith JA, Mazumder D, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'To fit or not to fit: Evaluating stable isotope mixing models using simulated mixing polygons', Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 4 612-618 (2013) Stable isotope analysis is often used to identify the relative contributions of various food resources to a consumer's diet. Some Bayesian isotopic mixing models now incorpor... [more] Stable isotope analysis is often used to identify the relative contributions of various food resources to a consumer's diet. Some Bayesian isotopic mixing models now incorporate uncertainty in the isotopic signatures of consumers, sources and trophic enrichment factors (e.g. SIAR, MixSIR). This had made model outputs more comprehensive, but at the expense of simple model evaluation, and there is no quantitative method for determining whether a proposed mixing model is likely to explain the isotopic signatures of all consumers, before the model is run. Earlier linear mixing models (e.g. IsoSource) are easier to evaluate, such that if a consumer's isotopic signature is outside the mixing polygon bounding the proposed dietary sources, then mass balance cannot be established and there is no logical solution. This can be used to identify consumers for exclusion or to reject a model outright. This point-in-polygon assumption is not inherent in the Bayesian mixing models, because the source data are distributions not average values, and these models will quantify source contributions even when the solution is very unlikely. We use a Monte Carlo simulation of mixing polygons to apply the point-in-polygon assumption to these models. Convex hulls ('mixing polygons') are iterated using the distributions of the proposed dietary sources and trophic enrichment factors, and the proportion of polygons that have a solution (i.e. that satisfy point-in-polygon) is calculated. This proportion can be interpreted as the frequentist probability that the proposed mixing model can calculate source contributions to explain a consumer's isotopic signature. The mixing polygon simulation is visualised with a mixing region, which is calculated by testing a grid of values for point-in-polygon. The simulation method enables users to quantitatively explore assumptions of stable isotope analysis in mixing models incorporating uncertainty, for both two- and three-isotope systems. It provides a quantitative basis for model rejection, for consumer exclusion (those outside the 95% mixing region) and for the correction of trophic enrichment factors. The simulation is demonstrated using a two-isotope study (15N, 13C) of an Australian freshwater food web. © 2013 British Ecological Society.
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2013 |
Ferguson AM, Harvey ES, Taylor MD, Knott NA, 'A Herbivore Knows Its Patch: Luderick, Girella tricuspidata, Exhibit Strong Site Fidelity on Shallow Subtidal Reefs in a Temperate Marine Park', PLoS ONE, 8 (2013) Understanding movement patterns, habitat use and behaviour of fish is critical to determining how targeted species may respond to protection provided by "no-take" sanctu... [more] Understanding movement patterns, habitat use and behaviour of fish is critical to determining how targeted species may respond to protection provided by "no-take" sanctuary zones within marine parks. We assessed the fine and broad scale movement patterns of an exploited herbivore, luderick (Girella tricuspidata), using acoustic telemetry to evaluate how this species may respond to protection within Jervis Bay (New South Wales, Australia). We surgically implanted fourteen fish with acoustic transmitters and actively and passively tracked individuals to determine fine and broad scale movement patterns respectively. Eight fish were actively tracked for 24 h d-1 for 6 d (May 2011), and then intermittently over the following 30 d. Six fish were passively tracked from December 2011 to March 2012, using a fixed array of receivers deployed across rocky reefs around the perimeter of the bay. Luderick exhibited strong site fidelity on shallow subtidal reefs, tending to remain on or return consistently to the reef where they were caught and released. All eight fish actively tracked used core areas solely on their release reef, with the exception of one fish that used multiple core areas, and four of the six fish passively tracked spent between 75 to 96% of days on release reefs over the entire tracking period. Luderick did move frequently to adjacent reefs, and occasionally to more distant reefs, however consistently returned to their release reef. Luderick also exhibited predictable patterns in movement between spatially distinct daytime and night-time core use areas. Night-time core use areas were generally located in sheltered areas behind the edge of reefs. Overall, our data indicate luderick exhibit strong site fidelity on shallow subtidal reefs in Jervis Bay and suggests that this important herbivore may be likely to show a positive response to protection within the marine park. © 2013 Ferguson et al.
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2013 |
Taylor MD, McPhan L, Van Der Meulen DE, Gray CA, Payne NL, 'Interactive drivers of activity in a free-ranging estuarine predator', PLoS ONE, 8 (2013) Animal activity patterns evolve as an optimal balance between energy use, energy acquisition, and predation risk, so understanding how animals partition activity relative to extri... [more] Animal activity patterns evolve as an optimal balance between energy use, energy acquisition, and predation risk, so understanding how animals partition activity relative to extrinsic environmental fluctuations is central to understanding their ecology, biology and physiology. Here we use accelerometry to examine the degree to which activity patterns of an estuarine teleost predator are driven by a series of rhythmic and arrhythmic environmental fluctuations. We implanted free-ranging bream Acanthopagrus australis with acoustic transmitters that measured bi-axial acceleration and pressure (depth), and simultaneously monitored a series of environmental variables (photosynthetically active radiation, tidal height, temperature, turbidity, and lunar phase) for a period of approximately four months. Linear modeling showed an interaction between fish activity, light level and tidal height; with activity rates also negatively correlated with fish depth. These patterns highlight the relatively-complex trade-offs that are required to persist in highly variable environments. This study demonstrates how novel acoustic sensor tags can reveal interactive links between environmental cycles and animal behavior. © 2013 Taylor et al.
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2012 |
Smith JA, Baumgartner LJ, Suthers IM, Ives MC, Taylor MD, 'Estimating the stocking potential of fish in impoundments by modelling supply and steady-state demand', Freshwater Biology, 57 1482-1499 (2012) Fish stocking is an increasingly common management tool for freshwater and marine environments and is often used to create and maintain fisheries in closed waters. The densities a... [more] Fish stocking is an increasingly common management tool for freshwater and marine environments and is often used to create and maintain fisheries in closed waters. The densities at which fish are stocked can have a large impact on a stocking programme's success and sustainability. Stocking densities in impoundment sport-fisheries, for example, are often based on social or practical factors, and ecologically based stocking models are needed to assist the selection of stocking densities that are appropriate for the environment. In this study, stocking density is calculated with a numerical model that balances the supply of prey production with the energetic demand of stocked fish. The model aims to deliver outcomes over a range of potential management objectives, by providing specific consumption scenarios that represent the trade-off between population abundance and individual body size in stocked fisheries. The model uses a steady-state population approach to calculate stocking density, which optimises population consumption by maintaining a consistent biomass distribution and encourages sustainable stocking by considering the energetic needs of all cohorts. Carrying capacity is represented by the steady-state stocking density under a minimum consumption scenario (when fish meet only their minimum energetic needs). The comparison between a desired consumption rate and the existing level of production is used to assess the status or 'health' of the existing population and is used to determine whether stocking can occur and whether stocking densities can be sustainably increased. The probability of incorrectly assuming populations are achieving a given consumption level is also estimated, which is an ideal approach for interpreting multiple probability distributions. A Monte-Carlo analysis of uncertainty was used to provide a probability distribution of stocking density of Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) in three Australian impoundments under various seasonal and consumption scenarios. The likely consumption rates of the existing populations were determined using historical stocking densities, which showed that the three populations were of reasonable health, although one impoundment may be overstocked. The steady-state stocking densities depended on the desired consumption rate, and there was an eightfold difference in the stocking density aimed at providing large 'trophy' fish and the density required to reach carrying capacity. Model outputs of existing abundance and biomass density agreed with empirical estimates of abundance and relative density in these impoundments, which provides support to the model's accuracy. This supply-demand approach to estimating the range of appropriate stocking densities shows promise as a decision-support tool for stocked impoundments and other closed fisheries. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
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2012 |
McKinley AC, Taylor MD, Johnston EL, 'Relationships between body burdens of trace metals (As, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Se, and Zn) and the relative body size of small tooth flounder (Pseudorhombus jenynsii)', Science of the Total Environment, 423 84-94 (2012) Several studies have described strong relationships between body size and the accumulation of trace metals in animal tissues. However, few of these studies have utilized aging tec... [more] Several studies have described strong relationships between body size and the accumulation of trace metals in animal tissues. However, few of these studies have utilized aging techniques to control for age related effects. We utilized relative body size (gy-1) of a model flounder species, Pseudorhombus jenynsii, in order to control for age related effects on growth and size measurements. We investigated links between relative body size, concentrations of trace metals in flounder muscle tissue, physico-chemical variables (temperature, salinity, pH, and turbidity), and levels of trace metals in the sediment. Flounder were sampled using an otter trawl net in the inner areas of eight estuaries that were either heavily modified or relatively unmodified by urbanization and industrial activity. Our results indicate that this commonly eaten fish is accumulating significant levels of some trace metals in their muscle tissue, both in relatively unmodified and heavily modified estuaries. Concentrations of Cu, Zn and Fe in muscle tissue, as well as temperature, showed a negative relationship to the relative body size of flounder. In contrast, Se and Hg in muscle showed a positive relationship to relative body size. Observed growth patterns indicate that these effects are not driven by age related differences in metabolic activity. Instead, our results suggest that differences in food supply or toxicological effects may be responsible for the observed relationships between relative body size and concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Se in muscle tissues. The use of otolith aging and growth measurement techniques represents a novel method for assessing the relationships between trace metal accumulation and the relative body size of fish in a field environment. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
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2012 |
Ochwada-Doyle F, Gray CA, Loneragan NR, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'Competition between wild and captive-bred Penaeus plebejus and implications for stock enhancement', Marine Ecology Progress Series, 450 115-129 (2012) The mechanisms that drive density dependence are rarely studied in the applied context of population management. We examined the potential for competition for food and shelter and... [more] The mechanisms that drive density dependence are rarely studied in the applied context of population management. We examined the potential for competition for food and shelter and the resulting demographic density dependence to influence how well populations of the eastern king prawn Penaeus plebejus Hess can recover following marine stock enhancement programmes in which captive-bred juveniles are released into the wild. Specifically, manipulative laboratory experiments were used to quantify the differential effects of competition for food and competition for shelter on survival of wild and captive-bred P. plebejus as densities were increased and as each category of P. plebejus (wild or captive-bred) was supplemented with the alternate category. Increasing population densities when food and shelter were limited lowered survival for both categories. When food was limited, survival of both categories was unaffected by addition of the alternative category. Adding wild P. plebejus to their captive-bred counterparts when shelter was limited under laboratory conditions resulted in significantly higher mortality in captive-bred individuals. In contrast, adding captive-bred P. plebejus to wild individuals under these conditions did not affect wild P. plebejus. We conclude that if the current results can be extended to wild conditions, competition for shelter may lead to the loss of captive-bred P. plebejus, thereby reducing the intended outcomes of stock enhancement. This highlights the importance of investigating interactions between wild and captive-bred animals prior to stock enhancement to predict long-term outcomes and identify situations where stock enhancement could be an effective response to the loss of populations or recruitment limitation. © Inter-Research 2012.
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2011 |
Smith JA, Baumgartner LJ, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'Generalist niche, specialist strategy: The diet of an Australian percichthyid', Journal of Fish Biology, 78 1183-1199 (2011) Dietary analysis revealed that an impoundment population of Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata holds a generalist niche, but one arising from persistent individual specializa... [more] Dietary analysis revealed that an impoundment population of Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata holds a generalist niche, but one arising from persistent individual specialization and interindividual variation. This 'individual specialist' strategy appeared adaptive, but the strength of individual specialization was largely independent of variation in diet composition, except during blooms of Daphnia sp. Diet composition and dietary overlap showed only moderate ontogenetic variation, and niche breadth showed no relationship with ontogeny. Macquaria novemaculeata showed an asymmetric predator and prey size distribution, consistent with many aquatic predators, with positive relationships between fish size and average, maximum and minimum prey size. There was no asymmetry in the relative size-based niche breadths of individuals, however, which indicates that the niche is a fixed 'window' of relative prey sizes. The difference in the dietary niche and prey-size relationships of M. novemaculeata at the population and individual levels highlights the necessity of assessing the niche at both these levels. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Fish Biology © 2011 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.
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2011 |
Taylor MD, Ko A, 'Monitoring acoustically tagged king prawns Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus in an estuarine lagoon', Marine Biology, 158 835-844 (2011) Fine-scale movement patterns in penaeid prawns are rarely observed in situ, but are essential in understanding habitat use, foraging, and anti-predator behaviour. Acoustic telemet... [more] Fine-scale movement patterns in penaeid prawns are rarely observed in situ, but are essential in understanding habitat use, foraging, and anti-predator behaviour. Acoustic telemetry was applied to examine the activity, space utilization, and habitat use of the eastern king prawn Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus, at small temporal and spatial scales. Tracking of sub-adult P. plebejus (n = 9) in Wallagoot Lake (36.789°S, 149.959°E; 23 April-12 May 2009) and calculation of a minimum activity index (MAI) revealed high variation in activity rates across diel periods and in different habitats. Elevated activity rates and movement indicated foraging in unvegetated habitats during the night. Areas within the 95 and 50% space utilization contours averaged 2,654.1 ± 502.0 and 379.9 ± 103.9 m2, respectively, and there was a significant negative relationship between these areas and prawn activity rates in unvegetated habitats. This study provides the first estimates of prawn activity rates and space utilization in the field. Application of acoustic telemetry can increase knowledge of prawn movements and their interactions with other marine species in different habitats. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.
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2011 |
Henschke N, Everett JD, Baird ME, Taylor MD, Suthers IM, 'Distribution of life-history stages of the salp Thalia democratica in shelf waters during a spring bloom', Marine Ecology Progress Series, 430 49-62 (2011) Swarms of the salp Thalia democratica periodically occur off southeast Australia following the austral spring bloom of phytoplankton. The present study aimed to determine the abun... [more] Swarms of the salp Thalia democratica periodically occur off southeast Australia following the austral spring bloom of phytoplankton. The present study aimed to determine the abundance and size/stage distribution of T. democratica and their relationship with copepods in 3 water types of the western Tasman Sea. Samples were taken from vertical net hauls along 4 cross-shelf transects spaced along 200 km of the New South Wales coast, from the East Australian Current (EAC) sepa - ration zone, around 32.5° S, to off Sydney (34° S). Temperature-salinity signatures grouped stations into 3 distinct water types: inner shelf water, EAC and upwelled water. Although common across all stations, T. democratica was significantly more abundant in inner shelf waters compared to both EAC and upwelled water. Analysis of population structure (aggregate buds, aggregate females, aggregate males, immature solitaries and mature solitaries) also identified higher proportions of reproductive aggregates and their offspring in inner shelf water. This salp population structure was significantly different in the EAC regions, characterised by a paucity of the solitary stages, higher temperatures and lower chlorophyll a concentrations. A weak negative correlation was identified between T. democratica and copepod abundance. In the present study, the maximum abundance of T. democratica was twice the highest globally recorded abundance and 10-fold greater than maximum abundances sampled from the continental shelf and slope waters off southeast Australia during the period from 1938 to 1942. © Inter-Research 2011.
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2011 |
McKinley AC, Miskiewicz A, Taylor MD, Johnston EL, 'Strong links between metal contamination, habitat modification and estuarine larval fish distributions', Environmental Pollution, 159 1499-1509 (2011) Changes to larval fish assemblages may have far reaching ecological impacts. Correlations between habitat modification, contamination and marine larval fish communities have rarel... [more] Changes to larval fish assemblages may have far reaching ecological impacts. Correlations between habitat modification, contamination and marine larval fish communities have rarely been assessed in situ. We investigated links between the large-scale distribution of stressors and larval fish assemblages in estuarine environments. Larval fish communities were sampled using a benthic sled within the inner and outer zones of three heavily modified and three relatively unmodified estuaries. Larval abundances were significantly greater in modified estuaries, and there were trends towards greater diversity in these systems. Differences in larval community composition were strongly related to sediment metal levels and reduced seagrass cover. The differences observed were driven by two abundant species, Paedogobius kimurai and Ambassis jacksoniensis, which occurred in large numbers almost exclusively in highly contaminated and pristine locations respectively. These findings suggest that contamination and habitat alteration manifest in substantial differences in the composition of estuarine larval fish assemblages. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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2011 |
Syahailatua A, Taylor MD, Suthers IM, 'Growth variability and stable isotope composition of two larval carangid fishes in the East Australian Current: The role of upwelling in the separation zone', Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 58 691-698 (2011) The larvae of two carangid fishes, silver trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) and yellowtail scad (Trachurus novaezelandiae), were compared among coastal water masses and the East Aust... [more] The larvae of two carangid fishes, silver trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) and yellowtail scad (Trachurus novaezelandiae), were compared among coastal water masses and the East Australian Current (EAC). Samples followed a north to south gradient including a southern region of upwelling, generated as the EAC separated from the coast. Mean larval carangid densities were greater in the mixed layer (10-30m) than the surface, but there was no difference between inshore and offshore stations or along latitudinal gradients. Overall, P. dentex recent larval growth over two days pre-capture was faster than T. novaezelandiae, and faster at inshore, coastal stations than in the EAC. Integrated larval growth rate (mmd-1) was usually faster at inshore stations for both species. T. novaezelandiae were enriched in both nitrogen (d15N) and carbon (d13C) stable isotopes relative to P. dentex. Larvae of both species captured within the upwelling region were enriched in d15N and depleted in d13C relative to other sites. Recent larval growth had a significant positive relationship with fluorescence (as a proxy of chlorophyll a biomass), and integrated larval growth rate had a significant positive relationship with fluorescence and larval isotope (d15N) composition. Recent and integrated growth of larval T. novaezelandiae and P. dentex was enhanced by EAC separation and upwelling, and also in coastal water; stimulated by food availability, and potentially through exploitation of a different trophic niche. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.
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2011 |
McKinley AC, Ryan L, Coleman MA, Knott NA, Clark G, Taylor MD, Johnston EL, 'Putting marine sanctuaries into context: A comparison of estuary fish assemblages over multiple levels of protection and modification', Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 21 636-648 (2011) In recent decades there has been a significant effort to establish marine sanctuaries for the purpose of protecting marine biodiversity and ecological processes. While many studie... [more] In recent decades there has been a significant effort to establish marine sanctuaries for the purpose of protecting marine biodiversity and ecological processes. While many studies have demonstrated that marine sanctuaries increase the abundance, diversity, and trophic level of marine fish communities, few have compared these parameters across multiple levels of protection and human modification. This study utilized baited remote underwater video to compare fish assemblages between marine parks, between different levels of protection within parks (sanctuary and habitat protection zones), and between parks and highly modified systems with similar ecological communities. It was demonstrated that sanctuary zones have higher abundance of targeted fish species compared with other areas within some marine parks. The total abundance of targeted species and abundances of some key fisheries species (e.g. pink snapper) were found to be higher in sanctuary zones. This suggests that increased protection may be effective at improving these aspects of the fish assemblage. However, when marine parks were compared with highly modified environments it was found that targeted species were much more abundant in the highly modified systems. Community composition of entire fish assemblages also differed between these levels of modification and economically important fisheries species contributed most to this difference. These findings suggest that while highly protected sanctuary zones may increase the abundance of targeted fish compared with less protected areas within the same estuary, highly industrialized or urbanized systems, not typically chosen as marine parks, may actually support more targeted species of fish. It was demonstrated that forms of modification in addition to fishing pressure are having large effects on fish assemblages and productivity. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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2011 |
Smith JA, Baumgartner LJ, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'Distribution and movement of a stocked freshwater fish: Implications of a variable habitat volume for stocking programs', Marine and Freshwater Research, 62 1342-1353 (2011) Fish are commonly stocked into impoundments globally, yet their patterns of habitat use in this variable environment are rarely incorporated into the management of stocking densit... [more] Fish are commonly stocked into impoundments globally, yet their patterns of habitat use in this variable environment are rarely incorporated into the management of stocking density. The movement and distribution of Australian bass Macquaria novemaculata (Perchichthyidae) were monitored in two impoundments to assess whether: (1) impoundment populations exhibit behaviour typical of wild or riverine percichthyids; (2) changing gradients of temperature and dissolved oxygen influenced distribution; and (3) the volume of available habitat should be incorporated into the management of these fisheries. Habitat use was determined with a combination of gill netting and ultrasonic telemetry using depth-coded tags. Tagged fish displayed both crepuscular and migratory behaviour typical of the Percichthyidae, but also showed a previously unobserved division between littoral and pelagic foraging strategies. Australian bass showed no obvious thermal preferences, but avoided areas with dissolved oxygen 4mgL-1. In one impoundment, a combination of hypoxia and water extraction reduced the volume of available habitat to 15% of maximum in March 2009, which coincided with increased catch per unit effort (CPUE) and decreased fish condition. The adaptive behaviour of Australian bass makes them well suited to the variability of impoundments, but annual and stochastic events of habitat reduction should be considered when planning stocking regimes for these fisheries. © CSIRO 2011.
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2011 |
Ochwada-Doyle F, Gray CA, Loneragan NR, Taylor MD, Suthers IM, 'Spatial and temporal variability in the condition of postlarval and juvenile Penaeus plebejus sampled from a population subjected to pilot releases', Aquaculture Environment Interactions, 2 15-25 (2011) The potential for hatchery-release programs to augment the harvest rates of fisheries can be limited by environmental factors associated with survival, growth and body condition a... [more] The potential for hatchery-release programs to augment the harvest rates of fisheries can be limited by environmental factors associated with survival, growth and body condition among released individuals. We assessed spatial and temporal variability in the condition of postlarval and small juvenile (1-10 mm carapace length) eastern king prawns Penaeus plebejus Hess sampled from an estuarine population subjected to pilot releases of 3 million postlarvae per year in southeastern Australia. Variability in the length-weight relationship was used as a measure of condition and compared between (1) autumn/winter and spring/summer periods and (2) bare and macrophytic habitats for P. plebejus sampled from a population in a closed estuarine system. At a reference carapace length of 3.97 mm, condition was ~14% higher for individuals sampled from bare habitat and ~16% higher for those sampled during autumn/winter compared, respectively, with individuals sampled within macrophytic habitat and during spring/summer. Further experimental work on the factors investigated here is encouraged to increase our understanding of the environmental characteristics and mechanisms that lead to improved condition and thus persistence of stocked populations of P. plebejus. © Inter-Research 2011.
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2011 |
McKinley AC, Dafforn KA, Taylor MD, Johnston EL, 'High levels of sediment contamination have little influence on estuarine beach fish communities', PLoS ONE, 6 (2011) While contaminants are predicted to have measurable impacts on fish assemblages, studies have rarely assessed this potential in the context of natural variability in physico-chemi... [more] While contaminants are predicted to have measurable impacts on fish assemblages, studies have rarely assessed this potential in the context of natural variability in physico-chemical conditions within and between estuaries. We investigated links between the distribution of sediment contamination (metals and PAHs), physico-chemical variables (pH, salinity, temperature, turbidity) and beach fish assemblages in estuarine environments. Fish communities were sampled using a beach seine within the inner and outer zones of six estuaries that were either heavily modified or relatively unmodified by urbanization and industrial activity. All sampling was replicated over two years with two periods sampled each year. Shannon diversity, biomass and abundance were all significantly higher in the inner zone of estuaries while fish were larger on average in the outer zone. Strong differences in community composition were also detected between the inner and outer zones. Few differences were detected between fish assemblages in heavily modified versus relatively unmodified estuaries despite high concentrations of sediment contaminants in the inner zones of modified estuaries that exceeded recognized sediment quality guidelines. Trends in species distributions, community composition, abundance, Shannon diversity, and average fish weight were strongly correlated to physico-chemical variables and showed a weaker relationship to sediment metal contamination. Sediment PAH concentrations were not significantly related to the fish assemblage. These findings suggest that variation in some physico-chemical factors (salinity, temperature, pH) or variables that co-vary with these factors (e.g., wave activity or grain size) have a much greater influence on this fish assemblage than anthropogenic stressors such as contamination. © 2011 McKinley et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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2010 |
Ochwada-Doyle F, Gray CA, Loneragan NR, Taylor MD, 'Using experimental ecology to understand stock enhancement: Comparisons of habitat-related predation on wild and hatchery-reared Penaeus plebejus Hess', Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 390 65-71 (2010) Marine stock enhancement is often characterized by poor survival of hatchery-reared individuals due to deficiencies in their fitness, such as a diminished capacity to avoid predat... [more] Marine stock enhancement is often characterized by poor survival of hatchery-reared individuals due to deficiencies in their fitness, such as a diminished capacity to avoid predators. Field experiments were used to examine predation on Penaeus plebejus, a current candidate for stock enhancement in Australia. We compared overall survival of, and rates of predation on, wild P. plebejus juveniles, naïve hatchery-reared juveniles (which represented the state of individuals intended for stock enhancement) and experienced hatchery-reared juveniles (which had been exposed to natural predatory stimuli). Predation was examined in the presence of an ambush predator (Centropogon australis White, 1790) and an active-pursuit predator (Metapenaeus macleayi Haswell) within both complex (artificial macrophyte) and simple (bare sand and mud) habitats. Overall survival was lower and rates of predation were higher in simple habitats compared to complex habitats in the presence of C. australis. However, the three categories of juveniles survived at similar proportions and suffered similar rates of predation within each individual habitat. No differences in survival and rates of predation were detected among habitats or the categories of juveniles when M. macleayi was used as a predator. These results indicate that wild and hatchery-reared P. plebejus juveniles are equally capable of avoiding predators. Furthermore, exposure of hatchery-reared juveniles to wild conditions does not increase their ability to avoid predators, suggesting an innate rather than learned anti-predator response. The lower predation by C. australis in complex habitats was attributed to a reduction in this ambush predator's foraging efficiency due to the presence of structure. Ecological experiments comparing wild and hatchery-reared individuals should precede all stock enhancement programs because they may identify deficits in hatchery-reared animals that could be mitigated to optimize survival. Such studies can also identify weaknesses in wild animals, relative to hatchery-reared individuals, that may lead to the loss of resident populations. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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2010 |
Taylor MD, Mullaney TJ, Suthers IM, 'Mesoscale distribution of larval Euphausia similis in various water masses of the East Australian Current', Deep-Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 57 1295-1303 (2010) Larval Euphausia similis were collected off temperate eastern Australia in spring 2004 and 2006 to evaluate the relationships between larval populations, mesoscale oceanographic v... [more] Larval Euphausia similis were collected off temperate eastern Australia in spring 2004 and 2006 to evaluate the relationships between larval populations, mesoscale oceanographic variability, and the wider planktonic community. Larval E. similis were present in greater numbers in the East Australian Current (EAC) relative to productive coastal waters. Larval E. similis density was homogenous across the EAC-Tasman Sea frontal region, but larvae were smaller in the Tasman Sea. Larval E. similis density was not enhanced within a cold core eddy relative to the surrounding EAC. We observed a negative correlation between larval E. similis density and larval fish density, and a weak positive correlation with fluorescence. Evaluation of a significant fish density×fluorescence interaction term showed that the effect of fish density was reduced at high fluorescence values. Analysis of normalized biomass size spectrum (NBSS) provided evidence for potential competitive exclusion of copepods by krill. Data presented in this study suggest a predatory influence on surface E. similis populations by mesopelagic larval fish. The degree of predation appears to be dependent on food availability, potentially mediated by changes in the physiological condition of krill. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.
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2010 |
Evans MR, Taylor M, Kuehny J, 'Physical properties of biocontainers for greenhouse crops production', HortTechnology, 20 549-555 (2010) The vertical dry strength of rice hull containers was the highest of all containers tested. Plastic containers and paper containers had similar vertical dry strengths. Containers ... [more] The vertical dry strength of rice hull containers was the highest of all containers tested. Plastic containers and paper containers had similar vertical dry strengths. Containers composed of 80% cedar fiber and 20% peat (Fertil), composted dairy manure (Cowpot), and peat had lower dry vertical dry strengths than the aforementioned containers but had higher vertical dry strengths than those composed of bioplastic (OP47), coconut fiber, and rice straw. Rice hull containers and paper containers had the highest lateral dry strengths. Rice straw, Cowpot, and plastic containers had similar dry lateral strengths, which were significantly higher than those of OP47, Fertil, coconut fiber, and peat containers. Highest dry punch strengths occurred with traditional plastic and Cowpot containers, while the lowest dry punch strengths occurred with OP47, Fertil, coconut fiber, peat, and rice straw containers. Plastic, rice hull, and paper containers had the highest wet vertical and lateral strengths. Plastic containers had the highest wet punch strength, while Fertil, Cowpot, and peat containers had the lowest wet punch strengths. When saturated substrate was placed into containers and the substrate surface and drainage holes were sealed with wax, plastic, OP47, and rice hull containers had the lowest rates of water loss per unit of container surface area, while peat, Fertil, and rice straw containers had the highest rates of water loss per unit of container surface area. The amounts of water required to produce a geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum) crop were significantly higher and the average irrigation intervals were shorter for peat, Fertil, coconut fiber, Cowpot, and rice straw containers than for traditional plastic containers. The amounts of water required to produce a geranium crop and the average irrigation intervals were similar among plastic, rice hull, and OP47 containers. Algal and fungal coverage on the outside container walls averaged 47% and 26% for peat and Fertil containers, respectively, and was higher than for all other containers tested, which had 4% or less algal and fungal coverage. After 8 weeks in the field, Cowpot containers had decomposed 62% and 48% in the Pennsylvania and Louisiana locations, respectively. Peat, rice straw, and Fertil containers decomposed 32%, 28%, and 24%, respectively, in Pennsylvania, and 10%, 9%, and 2%, respectively, in Louisiana. Coconut fiber containers had the lowest level of decomposition at 4% and 1.5% in Pennsylvania and Louisiana, respectively.
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2010 |
Taylor MD, Mazumder D, 'Stable isotopes reveal post-release trophodynamic and ontogenetic changes in a released finfish, mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus)', Marine and Freshwater Research, 61 302-308 (2010) Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were analysed for hatchery-reared, recaptured and wild mulloway, Argyrosomus japonicus, to investigate temporal and growth-related change... [more] Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were analysed for hatchery-reared, recaptured and wild mulloway, Argyrosomus japonicus, to investigate temporal and growth-related changes in isotopic composition for stocked fish after release, and to evaluate changes in isotopic composition in terms of ontogenetic dietary switches. d13C and d15N values decreased and increased, respectively, after release. The isotope composition of released fish was distinct from wild fish until 200 days after release, but after 200 days post-release fish did not differ significantly from wild fish of similar or greater sizes. Abrupt dietary transitions from crustaceans to teleost fish (>50 cm total length (TL)) were evident in a rapid d13C and d15N change in wild mulloway, and d15N was significantly greater in wild fish >65 cm TL compared with wild fish <50 cm TL. Multivariate carbon and nitrogen isotopic data were suitable for separating stocked and wild fish for up to 200 days after release, but did not separate wild fish grouped according to dietary composition. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition closely reflected dietary transitions and rapid adaptation by stocked mulloway to wild diets, which was evident in a high tissue turnover rate of up to 0.017 day -1. Stable isotopes are a useful tool for examining the integration of released fish into stocked ecosystems and can be used to describe convergence in the diets of wild and released fish. © 2010 CSIRO.
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2009 |
Pursche AR, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'Tethering induces increased stress artifacts in social fish species', Journal of Fish Biology, 74 1525-1531 (2009) Behaviour of juvenile mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus were investigated under laboratory conditions to determine the efficacy of estimating predation mortality using tethering. The... [more] Behaviour of juvenile mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus were investigated under laboratory conditions to determine the efficacy of estimating predation mortality using tethering. The occurrence and duration of stressed behaviour was evaluated for individual A. japonicus that were hooked but untethered, hooked and tethered and unhooked and untethered (free swimming), both in schools and in isolation. Tethered and hooked treatments showed a significantly higher incidence and duration of stressed behaviour over controls, but stressed behaviour was lower for hooked but untethered fish in the presence of a school. Artifacts associated with elevated stress may reduce the reliability of estimates of relative predation derived from tethering data for schooling fishes.
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2009 |
Ochwada F, Loneragan NR, Gray CA, Suthers IM, Taylor MD, 'Complexity affects habitat preference and Predation mortality in postlarval Penaeus plebejus: Implications for stock enhancement', Marine Ecology Progress Series, 380 161-171 (2009) Global attempts to offset declines in fishery populations through stock enhancement have had varied levels of success due to the absence of preliminary studies to determine which ... [more] Global attempts to offset declines in fishery populations through stock enhancement have had varied levels of success due to the absence of preliminary studies to determine which habitats best support release species and the mechanisms controlling their distribution. Habitat preference was examined as a possible mechanism driving distribution of postlarval Penaeus plebejus, a current candidate prawn for stock enhancement in Australia. Occupancy of complex (artificial macrophyte) and simple (bare sand and mud) habitats by postlarvae was compared in the presence and absence of a choice between the habitats. Predation mortality was also compared amongst these habitats. P. plebejus settled into the different habitats randomly during the night, but actively selected macrophyte over the simple habitats during the day. Mortality caused by the predatory fishes Centropogan australis and Acanthopagrus australis was higher in simple habitats than in complex habitats, but was similar across habitats when large penaeid prawns, Metapenaeus macleayi (which are tactile rather than visual feeders), were used as predators. Postlarvae may select macrophyte habitats during the day to lower predation risk, but because nighttime foraging efficiency is reduced in their predators, which are primarily visual hunters, this may preclude the need of postlarvae to obtain shelter in macrophyte habitats at night. Predation mortality of stocked P. plebejus may be minimized by releasing postlarvae directly into macrophyte habitats. Studies such as these must precede all stock enhancement attempts because they identify optimal release strategies and allow ecological and financial costs of enhancement to be weighed against projected benefits, and thereby assess the practicality of enhancement as a management option. © Inter-Research 2009.
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2009 |
Taylor MD, Fielder DS, Suthers IM, 'Growth and viability of hatchery-reared Argyrosomus japonicus released into open and semi-closed systems', Fisheries Management and Ecology, 16 478-483 (2009) Hatchery-reared Argyrosomus japonicus (Temminck & Schlegel) were released into estuaries of varying habitat between 1996 and 2004, and growth and recruitment to the fishery ev... [more] Hatchery-reared Argyrosomus japonicus (Temminck & Schlegel) were released into estuaries of varying habitat between 1996 and 2004, and growth and recruitment to the fishery evaluated. Fish stocked earlier in summer had significantly faster growth rates (P < 0.01), and post-stocking mortality ranged from 1.1% to 11.7% within 7 day post-release. Argyrosomus japonicus stocked in the Georges River in 2003 and 2004 yielded fishery independent recapture rates up to 0.2%. For A. japonicus stocked in Smith's Lake in 1997 and 2004, growth rates, timing of recaptures and increases in commercial catches suggested recruitment to the fishery by 18 months. The 1997 stocking led to a 30-fold increase in A. japonicus catch, but stocking was not financially viable, with a cost:benefit ratio of 2.1. Small, shallow coastal lagoons may represent experimental units for refining stocking strategies, but are not optimal for A. japonicus. The potential for density-dependent effects, and complex relationships between growth, habitat and mortality, highlighted the need for a thorough understanding of species - system interactions. Pilot releases can contribute to this understanding, particularly assessment of habitat requirements, and season, site and size-of-release. © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
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2008 |
Taylor MD, Piola RF, 'Scale stocking checks to differentiate between hatchery-reared and wild mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus', Fisheries Management and Ecology, 15 211-216 (2008) Scales from hatchery-reared, stocked and wild mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus (Temminck and Schlegel) captured in the Georges River, and a library of mulloway scales from coastal N... [more] Scales from hatchery-reared, stocked and wild mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus (Temminck and Schlegel) captured in the Georges River, and a library of mulloway scales from coastal New South Wales, were examined for the presence of scale checks. Checks specific for hatchery-reared fish were present in 100% of recaptured hatchery-reared mulloway; the origin of which was confirmed by the presence of a chemical mark in the otolith or fin spine. Up to 7% of wild mulloway were incorrectly classified as hatchery-reared on the basis of these checks. An abrupt reduction in salinity from 35 to 5 and 6days starvation successfully induced checks in the scales of hatchery-reared mulloway. The marking efficiency for stocking checks was comparable to that obtained using oxytetracycline hydrochloride, and supports the short-term use of scale stocking checks to evaluate mulloway stock enhancement programmes in Australia. © 2008 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
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2008 |
Taylor MD, Suthers IM, 'A predatory impact model and targeted stock enhancement approach for optimal release of mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus)', Reviews in Fisheries Science, 16 125-134 (2008) Habitat, diet, and life history information were used to estimate appropriate stocking density and the potential predatory impact of a stocked finfish. Our Predatory Impact Model ... [more] Habitat, diet, and life history information were used to estimate appropriate stocking density and the potential predatory impact of a stocked finfish. Our Predatory Impact Model uses data from the literature for fish in freshwater or estuarine habitats. Model simulations were run for the Georges River Recreational Fishing Haven (RFH), Sydney, to evaluate appropriate stocking density and associated predatory impact. The estuary contained about 1,760,000 m2 of key nursery habitat for mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus), and 10% of mysid shrimp production within this habitat was assigned to support stocked fish, as mysids represent the immediate forage requirements of stocked mulloway. Given these values, this section of river could support 17,500 stocked mulloway of 8 cm TL. During the first 3.5 years post stocking, when mulloway are predominantly estuarine residents, predatory impact includes 1 t mysid shrimp, 80 t forage fish, 45 t prawns, 3 t miscellaneous invertebrates and 5 t cephalopods. For comparison, this predatory impact represents 107%, 154%, and 24% of the commercial fishery in Botany Bay/Georges River for forage fish, prawns, and cephalopods, respectively, for 3.5 years before the declaration of the RFH. To maximize the benefit of the approach, a targeted approach to stocking should be taken. Stocked fish should be stocked directly into key habitats, as opposed to being released from a few shore-based sites within the estuarine system. Copyright © Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
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2008 |
Taylor MD, 'Spatial and temporal patterns of habitat use by three estuarine species of mysid shrimp', Marine and Freshwater Research, 59 792-798 (2008) The mysids Rhopalopthalmus egregius, Haplostylus dakini and Doxomysis australiensis are abundant yet unstudied omnivorous crustaceans in Australian estuaries. Habitat use and popu... [more] The mysids Rhopalopthalmus egregius, Haplostylus dakini and Doxomysis australiensis are abundant yet unstudied omnivorous crustaceans in Australian estuaries. Habitat use and population dynamics were investigated for these species over spring and summer in the Tweed River, Australia, to explore their ecological role in estuarine ecosystems. Overall, mysids were concentrated in shallow unvegetated and deep unvegetated estuarine habitats. H. dakini were most abundant in shallow and deep bare habitats at night, whereas R. egregius were most abundant in deep bare habitats during the night. D. australiensis were present across all habitats in the night, but negligible numbers were present during the day. Significantly greater numbers of R. egregius and D. australiensis were sampled during the new moon, compared with the full moon. Significantly larger R. egregius and D. australiensis individuals were present in benthic habitats at night, indicating possible partitioning of habitat for juvenile and adult subpopulations. Adaptive foraging strategies and habitat use facilitates the coexistence of sympatric mysid species, H. dakini and R. egregius, and within-species habitat partitioning allowed juvenile R. egregius to avoid interaction with adult R. egregius. The observed dynamics minimize inter- and intra-specific predation between mysids, and by other predators, while optimizing access to key trophic resources. © CSIRO 2008.
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2006 |
Taylor MD, Laffan SD, Fielder DS, Suthers IM, 'Key habitat and home range of mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus in a south-east Australian estuary: Finding the estuarine niche to optimise stocking', Marine Ecology Progress Series, 328 237-247 (2006) The preferred habitats, home range and activity patterns of sub-adult mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus (Sciaenidae) in the Georges River, New South Wales, Australia, were investigat... [more] The preferred habitats, home range and activity patterns of sub-adult mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus (Sciaenidae) in the Georges River, New South Wales, Australia, were investigated using ultrasonic telemetry. Tags were surgically implanted in 9 hatchery-reared and 12 wild-caught mulloway (330 to 730 mm total length, TL). Fish were tracked for 2 periods of continuous tracking over 72 h in a 15 km section of river, once daily for a 20 d period, and up to 3 times mo-1 for 11 mo. Key habitats were identified as discrete holes or basins up to 20 m deep. Mulloway preferred this deep hole habitat as small fish (hatchery-reared, 300 to 500 mm TL) remained in these deep holes both day and night, while large fish (wild, 500 to 800 mm TL) ventured outside the holes at night. Maximum home range of small and large mulloway was 6000 and 17710 m2, respectively, and home range correlated significantly with length. Small fish moved up to 7 km d-1 while large fish moved up to 16 km d-1. Small fish released in shallow water initially had significantly greater movements than those released directly over deep holes, with movement up to 10 km in 3 d. Activity patterns varied between small and large fish, with significantly larger movements by large fish during the night and early morning than daytime. Five wild-caught mulloway tracked over 11 mo showed strong fidelity to holes within their particular home range. Mulloway should be stocked directly into their deep holes to minimise movements. The use of key habitats by mulloway indicate that their survival will be sensitive to stocking density. Optimal stocking density could be estimated from the area of key habitat in the target estuary. © Inter-Research 2006.
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2006 |
Taylor MD, Fielder DS, Suthers IM, 'Spatial and ontogenetic variation in the diet of wild and stocked mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus, Sciaenidae) in Australian estuaries', Estuaries and Coasts, 29 785-793 (2006) Prey importance and ontogenetic transitions in the diet of stocked and wild mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) were compared between a southeast Australian riverine estuary and a co... [more] Prey importance and ontogenetic transitions in the diet of stocked and wild mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) were compared between a southeast Australian riverine estuary and a coastal lagoon. Stomach content analysis of fish captured from these estuaries in 1977-1979, 1997-1998, and 2003-2005 revealed size-specific and estuary-specific diets. Mysid shrimp were most common in diets of fish < 250 mm total length (TL), and prawns were common in diets of fish measuring 301-450 mm. Forage fish were most abundant in diets of mulloway > 500 mm. Index of Relative Importance (IRI) of forage fish increased with TL, while IRI of mysids decreased with TL. Prawn IRI was greatest for fish 150-600 mm TL. Comparisons between benthic resources and dietary composition revealed that Georges River mulloway consumed prey categories in proportions similar to those in their environment. No mysid shrimp were detected in the coastal lagoon or in the diet of mulloway captured there; growth was comparable to the Georges River. Hatchery-reared fish fed < 16 d after stocking, indicating normal behavioural adaptation after release. Dietary information can be used to optimize stocking locations, times, and densities, as well as estimate potential effects of mulloway on potential prey and wild conspecifics. © 2006 Estuarine Research Federation.
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2005 |
Taylor MD, Fielder DS, Suthers IM, 'Batch marking of otoliths and fin spines to assess the stock enhancement of Argyrosomus japonicus', Journal of Fish Biology, 66 1149-1162 (2005) Juvenile mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus (54.6 ± 4.6 mm total length, mean ± S.E.) were immersed in a range of oxytetracycline (OTC) solutions ranging between 0-600 mg l-1 in salin... [more] Juvenile mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus (54.6 ± 4.6 mm total length, mean ± S.E.) were immersed in a range of oxytetracycline (OTC) solutions ranging between 0-600 mg l-1 in salinities of 5 (diluted sea water) and 35 (undiluted sea water), and alizarin complexone (ALC) solutions ranging between 0-60 mg l-1 in undiluted sea water, for 6, 12 and 24 h. Optimal marking conditions were 600 mg l-1 OTC for 24 h in a salinity of 5, and 30 mg l-1 ALC for 12 h respectively. Mark quality (MQ) was assessed using a score of 0-3 in both otoliths and anal fin spines, with a score >2 found to be acceptable for adequate mark identification. Acceptable marks were not produced using OTC in undiluted sea water. Immersion in OTC or ALC, or reduced salinity had no effect on survival relative to controls. Transverse sections of vertebrae from the ALC and OTC treatments with the highest otolith mark quality showed no discrete marks. Optimal marking techniques were used to produce double marks with a 3 day interval between marking, and marking techniques were applied to 130 000 juvenile mulloway in batch mode with minimal mortality. A numerical model of the chemical behaviour of OTC in sea water describes the decline of available OTC in increasing salinity, so that a species' salinity tolerance and successful marking can be optimized. © 2005 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.
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2005 |
Taylor MD, Palmer PJ, Fielder DS, Suthers IM, 'Responsible estuarine finfish stock enhancement: An Australian perspective', Journal of Fish Biology, 67 299-331 (2005) The responsible approach to marine stock enhancement is a set of principles aimed at maximising the success and benefits of artificially re-stocking depleted fisheries. The benefi... [more] The responsible approach to marine stock enhancement is a set of principles aimed at maximising the success and benefits of artificially re-stocking depleted fisheries. The benefits of such an approach are evident in the 400% increase in survival of stocked striped mullet in Hawaii through refinement of release techniques, however financially or temporally constrained stocking programs in Australia have not adhered to all principles. A pragmatic approach to address these principles is proposed, using international examples and Australian marine finfish pilot stockings of barramundi, mulloway, sand whiting, dusky flathead and black bream. Biological ranking of candidate species by estuarine residency, a low natural-mortality to growth ratio, a large L 8 and comparison by recreational value and available rearing technologies, show that mulloway, barramundi and sea mullet are ideal species for stocking in Australia. Australian intermittently closed opening landlocked lagoons and recreational fishing havens, especially near cities, provide experimental opportunities to apply this approach and stock suitable species through small-scale pilot experiments. This would allow evaluation of production and carrying capacity, and density dependent processes with respect to optimal stocking strategies unconfounded by emigration and commercial fishing practices. Twenty per cent of Australians fish each year, and harvest approximately 27 000 t of finfish. Stocking recreationally important species in Australia should give a greater financial benefit, which is spread across a larger cross-section of the community, compared to stocking to enhance commercial fisheries. The pragmatic application of the responsible approach, and stocking of fast growing estuarine residents into recreational fishing havens would enhance the benefit from marine stocking. © 2005 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.
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Conference (1 outputs)
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2013 |
Laffan SW, Taylor MD, 'FishTracker: A GIS toolbox for kernel density estimation of animal home ranges that accounts for transit times and hard boundaries', Proceedings - 20th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, MODSIM 2013 (2013) Understanding animal home ranges and other patterns of space utilisation is an important component of spatial ecology. It allows researchers to explore and explain site occupation... [more] Understanding animal home ranges and other patterns of space utilisation is an important component of spatial ecology. It allows researchers to explore and explain site occupation and habitat preferences, and also interaction and avoidance behaviour. Conventional analyses of animal home ranges use points at which the animals are observed, sometimes weighted by the time difference between sequential observations. This creates an issue in that the analysis can assign undue weight to a sample point with a long time delay from the previous observation, as the full path from the preceding point is implicitly assigned to that point. Conventional analyses also do not take into account physical constraints such as boundaries (e.g. rivers, roads, cliffs) or the cost of traversing alternate possible paths between points, typically inferring a straight-line path between sequential samples. This conventional approach has obvious limitations, especially in constrained environments such as for fish in rivers and estuaries. These limitations can be attributed in large part to a lack of available software tools. In this paper we describe a software tool we have developed that calculates kernel density estimates of occupation times by using the per-segment transit times along a path inferred using a cost surface that is constrained to remain between defined boundaries. To illustrate the functionality of the tool we use a data set of Argyrosomus japonicus (Mulloway) movements, an estuarine fish species, sampled from the Georges River estuary in Sydney, NSW. The approach is, however, generic and can be applied to any environment where animal movements are constrained, for example fragmented agricultural landscapes. The tool is written using the ESRI arcpy system, but is open source so can readily be ported to other GIS software packages.
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Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Past Supervision
Year | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
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2021 | PhD | Lethal and Sub-Lethal Effects of Catchment-Derived Stressors on Fisheries Productivity | PhD (Marine Science), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Professor Matthew Taylor
Position
Conjoint Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
College of Engineering, Science and Environment