Pelagic longline fisheries and bather protection nets catch significant numbers of shortfin makos in the south-west Indian Ocean, where they are vulnerable to overfishing. Nearly all makos caught offshore by longliners were immature, with equal sex ratio, but those caught by coastal bather protection nets were larger, mostly mature, and some females carried pups. Larger prey size (mainly elasmobranchs) may be a factor that attracts large makos to coastal waters.

Studies examining the effectiveness of environmental flows from dams at scouring benthic algae are relatively few. This study compared benthic algal assemblages before and after a series of environmental flows and unregulated tributary flows and found that the dam releases promoted algal growth, whereas higher velocity unregulated flows reduced growth. The findings from this study may help managers set realistic flow targets downstream of dams.

River-system models account for flow variability over long periods, and are used to inform water-resource planning and management. We used multiple short climate sequences to capture long-term historical flow variability in a context relevant to shorter water-management time-frames. The approach highlighted the benefits of expressing results as historical probabilities to inform strategic water-planning efforts.

River red gum riparian trees are in poor health from drought and over-extraction of water resources in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. Delivery of higher river flows during drought for irrigation purposes was shown to improve red gum health up to 120 m from the river channel. Within-channel flood pulses can therefore play a role in protecting riparian tree health during drought periods.

Long-term studies of subtidal marine animals in the wild are a demanding enterprise. Although in the present paper we describe a novel video-monitoring system that employs video motion detection (VMD) and describe its use with the European lobster (Homarus gammarus). From the video recordings, we were able to register diel cavity use and categorise behavioural elements.

Lake water circulation and wind waves act as the main factors controlling sedimentary processes in shallow lakes. The present paper aims at investigating the relationship between lake water dynamics and the distribution of surface sediments and identifying the postdepositional physical mechanisms affecting lake deposits. We estimate the intensity of physical mixing of sediments and show its ²¹⁰Pb record.

Studies on the exchange of waters between the ocean and estuaries are important because many species of fish move between them during their early life history. We examined the fish larvae colonising pattern of Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon under the hypothesis that winds could regulate ichthyoplankton migrations. Our results show that onshore winds, which are known to push seawater into the lagoon, contribute to the larvae recruitment into this shallow and microtidal estuary.

Many northern Australian rivers dry to a series of waterholes, which become particularly important refuges for aquatic species during the dry season. The present study developed methods to monitor the size and persistence of these waterholes using satellite imagery and stream flow data. The techniques developed can be used for assessing the impacts of changed flowed conditions on waterhole persistence.

A lot still remains to be discovered about the whale shark, the largest fish in the world, including how old it can live and how fast it grows. In this study, we studied its vertebrae to answer these age and growth questions. Our results will help analyse further population and management problems for this circumglobal but vulnerable species.

A lot still remains to be discovered about the whale shark, the largest fish in the world, including how old it can live and how fast it grows. In this study, we studied its vertebrae to answer these age and growth questions. Our results will help analyse further population and management problems for this circumglobal but vulnerable species.