Just Accepted

This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Aerial drones and recreational fish finders: evaluating a low-cost method for surveying fish aggregations

Ben Scoulding , David Fairclough, Carlie Devine, Gary Jackson, Paul Lewis, Daniela Waltirck , Lisa West, Craig Skepper, Jeremy Briggs, Elaine Lek, Daniel Yeoh, Brett Crisafulli, Emily Fisher, Ainslie Denham, Peter Mitchell, Sven Gastauer

Abstract

Context Globally, anthropogenic activities like fishing and industrial development have impacted fish abundance. Cockburn Sound, a crucial spawning site for the sparid Chrysophrys auratus near Perth, Western Australia, faces potential impacts from ongoing infrastructure development, such as ports. Aims To inform environmental impact assessment, innovative non-extractive methodologies are needed to quantify C. auratus aggregation abundance. Methods This study evaluates an 'aerial-acoustic survey method' that combines data from aerial drones and recreational fish finders. We investigate both methods’ ability to identify C. auratus aggregations across known spawning sites; types of proxies of abundance obtained; each method’s practicality in ambient environmental conditions, and survey costs. Key results By integrating drones and fish finders, surface and subsurface aggregations of C. auratus were documented over two spawning periods (September-November in 2022 and 2023), capturing important parameters related to aggregation frequency, distribution and size. Conclusions Although initial equipment investments were modest, expenses for survey planning, operations, and data analysis were substantial. Nevertheless, this approach offers a cost-effective alternative to using more expensive scientific-grade equipment. Implications The study presents a promising methodology for assessing distribution and abundance as part of environmental impacts in infrastructure developments and managing resources, in ecologically sensitive areas like Cockburn Sound.

MF24207  Accepted 20 November 2024

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