Small home range in southern Australia’s largest resident reef fish, the western blue groper (Achoerodus gouldii): implications for adequacy of no-take marine protected areas
Simon Bryars A E G , Paul Rogers B , Charlie Huveneers B , Nicholas Payne C , Ian Smith D and Bryan McDonald A F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 1 Richmond Road, Keswick, SA 5035, Australia.
B South Australian Research and Development Institute, 2 Hamra Avenue, West Beach, SA 5024, Australia, and Flinders University of South Australia, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
C School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia.
D Zoos South Australia, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
E Present address: PO Box 67, Verdun, SA 5245, Australia.
F Present address: Northern Territory Fisheries, Berrimah, NT 0828, Australia.
G Corresponding author. Email: sbryars@bigpond.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 63(6) 552-563 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF12016
Submitted: 20 January 2012 Accepted: 3 April 2012 Published: 14 June 2012
Abstract
No-take marine protected areas (MPAs) represent an effective biodiversity conservation tool for a range of species including resident reef fishes that are intrinsically vulnerable to overfishing and other localised impacts. The western blue groper (Achoerodus gouldii) is the largest permanent-resident reef teleost in southern Australian waters and has the second-oldest recorded age of any labrid at 70 years. Acoustic telemetry was used to investigate whether adult A. gouldii can be effectively protected within adequately sized no-take MPAs. Ten passive acoustic receivers tracked the movements of 15 A. gouldii individuals (69–112-cm total length; 7–31-kg weight) at a site off north-western Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Most of the fish displayed high site fidelity (91–100% residence time for 10 of the 11 fish with useful data) for a narrow strip of fringing coastal reef (~1-km length by ~40-m width) throughout a 12-month period. Mean home-range along-shore length and area were estimated at 1076 ± 83 m (s.e.), and 45 188 ± 3497 m2, respectively (n = 11 fish with useful data). Comparison with other resident temperate-reef teleosts indicated no relationship between fish length and home-range area, and that A. gouldii has a relatively small home range. The high site fidelity and small home range of adult A. gouldii individuals makes localised populations amenable to a high level of protection within no-take MPAs.
Additional keywords: barotrauma, diel activity, venting.
References
Barrett, N. S. (1995). Short- and long-term movement patterns of six temperate reef fishes (Families Labridae and Monacanthidae). Marine and Freshwater Research 46, 853–860.| Short- and long-term movement patterns of six temperate reef fishes (Families Labridae and Monacanthidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cheung, W. W. L., Watson, R., Morato, T., Pitcher, T. J., and Pauly, D. (2007). Intrinsic vulnerability in the global fish catch. Marine Ecology Progress Series 333, 1–12.
| Intrinsic vulnerability in the global fish catch.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Christie, M. R., Tissot, B. N., Albins, M. A., Beets, J. P., Jia, Y., Ortiz, D. M., Thompson, S. E., and Hixon, M. A. (2010). Larval connectivity in an effective network of marine protected areas. PLoS ONE 5, e15715.
| Larval connectivity in an effective network of marine protected areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXisFantw%3D%3D&md5=2047a061ec6f369b5b8fae30484cbf33CAS |
Cossington, S., Hesp, S. A., Hall, N. G., and Potter, I. C. (2010). Growth and reproductive biology of the foxfish Bodianus frenchii, a very long-lived and monandric protogynous hermaphroditic labrid. Journal of Fish Biology 77, 600–626.
| 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3cjktFOnsw%3D%3D&md5=a7b347e28920ad0434b5364512aa0312CAS |
Coulson, P. G., Hesp, S. A., Hall, N. G., and Potter, I. C. (2009). The western blue groper (Achoerodus gouldii), a protogynous hermaphroditic labrid with exceptional longevity, late maturity, slow growth, and both late maturation and sex change. Fishery Bulletin 107, 57–75.
Edgar, G. J., Barrett, N. S., and Morton, A. J. (2004). Patterns of fish movement on eastern Tasmanian rocky reefs. Environmental Biology of Fishes 70, 273–284.
| Patterns of fish movement on eastern Tasmanian rocky reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Edwards, C. T. T., and Plagányi, É. E. (2011). Protecting old fish through spatial management: is there a benefit for sustainable exploitation? Journal of Applied Ecology 48, 853–863.
| Protecting old fish through spatial management: is there a benefit for sustainable exploitation?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Espinoza, M., Farrugia, T., Webber, D., Smith, F., and Lowe, C. G. (2011). Testing a new acoustic telemetry technique to quantify long-term, fine-scale movements of aquatic animals. Fisheries Research 108, 364–371.
| Testing a new acoustic telemetry technique to quantify long-term, fine-scale movements of aquatic animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Farmer, N. A., and Ault, J. S. (2011). Grouper and snapper movements and habitat use in Dry Tortugas, Florida. Marine Ecology Progress Series 433, 169–184.
Gillanders, B. M. (1999). Blue groper. In ‘Under Southern Seas: the Ecology of Australia’s Rocky Reefs’. (Ed. N. Andrew.) pp. 188–193. (UNSW Press: Sydney.)
Gomon, M., Bray, D., and Kuiter, R. (Eds) (2008). ‘Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast.’ (Reed New Holland: Sydney.)
Green, K. M., and Starr, R. M. (2011). Movements of small adult black rockfish: implications for the design of MPAs. Marine Ecology Progress Series 436, 219–230.
| Movements of small adult black rockfish: implications for the design of MPAs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Halpern, B. S. (2003). The impact of marine reserves: do reserves work and does reserve size matter. Ecological Applications 13, 117–137.
| The impact of marine reserves: do reserves work and does reserve size matter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hutchins, B., and Swainston, R. (2002). ‘Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers.’ (Swainston Publishing: Perth.)
Jarvis, E. T., and Lowe, C. G. (2008). The effects of barotrauma on the catch-and-release survival of southern California nearshore and shelf rockfish (Scorpaenidae, Sebastes spp.). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 65, 1286–1296.
| The effects of barotrauma on the catch-and-release survival of southern California nearshore and shelf rockfish (Scorpaenidae, Sebastes spp.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johnson, J. (1982). Blue groper – situation report. SAFIC 6, 26–28.
| 1:STN:280:DyaL3s%2FmvF2qsQ%3D%3D&md5=908f022c136856b4f18b5e9c968691ecCAS |
Jones, K. (2009). South Australian recreational fishing survey. South Australian fisheries management series paper no. 54. PIRSA Fisheries, Adelaide.
Jorgensen, S. J., Kaplan, D. M., Klimley, A. P., Morgan, S. G., O’Farrell, M. R., and Botsford, L. W. (2006). Limited movement in blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus: internal structure of home range. Marine Ecology Progress Series 327, 157–170.
| Limited movement in blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus: internal structure of home range.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knight. M. (2010). The South Australian recreational charter boat fishery report 2009. SARDI publication no. F2007/000847-2. SARDI research report series no. 409. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.
Kramer, D. L., and Chapman, M. R. (1999). Implications of fish home range size and relocation for marine reserve function. Environmental Biology of Fishes 55, 65–79.
| Implications of fish home range size and relocation for marine reserve function.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lester, S. E., Halpern, B. S., Grorud-Colvert, K., Lubchenco, J., Ruttenberg, B. I., Gaines, S. D., Airamé, S., and Warner, R. R. (2009). Biological effects within no-take marine reserves: a global synthesis. Marine Ecology Progress Series 384, 33–46.
| Biological effects within no-take marine reserves: a global synthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lowe, C. G., Topping, D. T., Cartamil, D. P., and Papastamatiou, Y. P. (2003). Movement patterns, home range, and habitat utilization of adult kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus in a temperate no-take marine reserve. Marine Ecology Progress Series 256, 205–216.
| Movement patterns, home range, and habitat utilization of adult kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus in a temperate no-take marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lowry, M. B., and Suthers, I. M. (1998). Home range, activity and distribution patterns of a temperate rocky-reef fish, Cheilodactylus fuscus. Marine Biology 132, 569–578.
| Home range, activity and distribution patterns of a temperate rocky-reef fish, Cheilodactylus fuscus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McClanahan, T. R., and Arthur, R. (2001). The effect of marine reserves and habitat on populations of East African coral reef fishes. Ecological Applications 11, 559–569.
| The effect of marine reserves and habitat on populations of East African coral reef fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McLeay, L. J., Jones, G. K., and Ward, T. M. (2002). National strategy for the survival of released line-caught fish: A review of research and fishery information. FRDC Project 2001/101. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.
Molloy, P. P., McLean, I. B., and Côté, I. M. (2009). Effects of marine reserve age on fish populations: a global meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Ecology 46, 743–751.
| Effects of marine reserve age on fish populations: a global meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parsons, D. M., Babcock, R. C., Hankin, R. K. S., Willis, T. J., Aitken, J. P., O’Dor, R. K., and Jackson, G. D. (2003). Snapper Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) home range dynamics: acoustic tagging studies in a marine reserve. Marine Ecology Progress Series 262, 253–265.
| Snapper Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) home range dynamics: acoustic tagging studies in a marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parsons, D. M., Morrison, M. A., and Slater, M. J. (2010). Responses to marine reserves: decreased dispersion of the sparid Pagrus auratus (snapper). Biological Conservation 143, 2039–2048.
| Responses to marine reserves: decreased dispersion of the sparid Pagrus auratus (snapper).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Payne, N. L., Gillanders, B. M., Webber, D. M., and Semmens, J. M. (2010). Interpreting diel activity patterns from acoustic telemetry: the need for controls. Marine Ecology Progress Series 419, 295–301.
| Interpreting diel activity patterns from acoustic telemetry: the need for controls.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pogonoski, J. J., Pollard, D. A., and Paxton, J. R. (2002). Conservation Overview and Action Plan for Australian Threatened and Potentially Threatened Marine and Estuarine Fishes. Commonwealth of Australia, Environment Australia, Canberra.
Russ, G. R., and Alcala, A. C. (2011). Enhanced biodiversity beyond marine reserve boundaries: the cup spillith over. Ecological Applications 21, 241–250.
| Enhanced biodiversity beyond marine reserve boundaries: the cup spillith over.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shepherd, S. A. (2005). Ontogenetic changes in diet, feeding behaviour and activity of the western blue groper, Achoerodus gouldii. In ‘The Marine Flora and Fauna of Esperance, Western Australia’. (Eds F. E. Wells, D. I. Walker and G. A. Kendrick.) pp. 477–494. (Western Australian Museum: Perth.)
Shepherd, S. A., and Brook, J. (2005). Foraging ecology of the western blue groper, Achoerodus gouldii, at the Althorpe Islands, South Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 129, 202–208.
Shepherd, S. A., and Brook, J. B. (2007). Distribution and ontogenetic shifts in habitat and abundance of the temperate western blue groper, Achoerodus gouldii. Journal of Fish Biology 71, 1457–1478.
| Distribution and ontogenetic shifts in habitat and abundance of the temperate western blue groper, Achoerodus gouldii.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shepherd, S. A., Brook, J., and Brown, A. (2002). A preliminary survey of the western blue groper on Kangaroo Island. Reefwatch, Conservation Council of SA, Adelaide.
Simpfendorfer, C. A., Heupel, M. R., and Hueter, R. E. (2002). Estimation of short-term centers of activity from an array of omnidirectional hydrophones and its use in studying animal movements. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 59, 23–32.
| Estimation of short-term centers of activity from an array of omnidirectional hydrophones and its use in studying animal movements.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tolimieri, N., Andrews, K., Williams, G., Katz, S., and Levin, P. S. (2009). Home range size and patterns of space use by lingcod, copper rockfish and quillback rockfish in relation to diel and tidal cycles. Marine Ecology Progress Series 380, 229–243.
| Home range size and patterns of space use by lingcod, copper rockfish and quillback rockfish in relation to diel and tidal cycles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Topping, D. T., Lowe, C. G., and Caselle, J. E. (2005). Home range and habitat utilization of adult California sheephead, Semicossyphus pulcher (Labridae), in a temperate no-take marine reserve. Marine Biology 147, 301–311.
| Home range and habitat utilization of adult California sheephead, Semicossyphus pulcher (Labridae), in a temperate no-take marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilde, G. R. (2009). Does venting promote survival of released fish? Fisheries (Bethesda, Md.) 34, 20–28.
| Does venting promote survival of released fish?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Willis, T. J., Millar, R. B., and Babcock, R. C. (2003). Protection of exploited fish in temperate regions: high density and biomass of snapper Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) in northern New Zealand marine reserves. Journal of Applied Ecology 40, 214–227.
| Protection of exploited fish in temperate regions: high density and biomass of snapper Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) in northern New Zealand marine reserves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
