Tracking the movements of three key recreational fish species in a south-western Australian estuary — ASN Events

Tracking the movements of three key recreational fish species in a south-western Australian estuary (18724)

Daniel Yeoh 1
  1. Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
This study focuses on the use of acoustic telemetry to determine the movements of three recreationally targeted fish species, namely Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri), King George Whiting (Sillaginodes punctata) and Southern Bluespotted Flathead (Platycephalus speculator), in the Walpole-Nornalup Marine Park, a permanently-open estuary on the south coast of Western Australia. An array of acoustic listening stations will be deployed throughout the estuary and in nearby coastal waters to passively track acoustically tagged fish over a two year period. Key hypotheses will be tested regarding the relationships between fish movement patterns and key environmental drivers (e.g. salinity, temperature, tidal phase), anthropogenic influences (e.g. boat traffic, fishing pressure) and at varying stages in their life cycle. This information will expand existing knowledge on the migratory habits, local movement patterns and biology of these species in south-western Australia, and greatly assist with identifying locations where they are most vulnerable to the impacts of environmental perturbations and anthropogenic activities, e.g. aggregation sites, spawning and nursery areas.
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