Insights into movement behaviour of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus, Sparidae) from a large acoustic array
A. J. Fowler A C , C. Huveneers B and M. T. Lloyd B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A South Australian Research and Development Institute, PO Box 120, Henley Beach, SA 5022, Australia.
B School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: anthony.fowler@sa.gov.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 68(8) 1438-1453 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF16121
Submitted: 13 April 2016 Accepted: 10 November 2016 Published: 16 January 2017
Abstract
Snapper is a significant fishery species in Australasia whose movement behaviour remains poorly understood. This was addressed in the present study at the within-region scale using acoustic telemetry in the Gulf St Vincent, South Australia. Over 3 years from May 2011, 54 snapper were monitored throughout ~160 km2 using 41 acoustic receivers. The dispersion of >500 000 detections varied in space and time, reflecting three types of space use, dependent on different types of movement behaviour. One station, near a large shipwreck, accounted for 67.8% of all detections, particularly during winter, when fish were sedentary and site attached. In spring, the fish dispersed throughout the study area to different habitats and, through summer, occupied different larger restricted areas than used in winter. Snapper were highly mobile and demonstrated systematic behaviour at several temporal scales. They moved linear distances of up to ~100 km and could achieve tens of kilometres in a day in episodic movements. Through the year, their activity was distributed across areas of hundreds of square kilometres. The regional spatial management regimen was assessed against this enhanced understanding of movement behaviour. A new marine park sanctuary zone that encompassed the shipwreck was appropriately located, but possible benefits of a nearby spatial spawning closure area appear limited.
Additional keywords: acoustic monitoring, northern Gulf St Vincent, patterns of space use, South Australia.
References
Andrewartha, H. G., and Birch, L. C. (1954). ‘The Distribution and Abundance of Animals.’ (University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL, USA.)Babcock, R. C., Egli, D. P., and Attwood, C. G. (2012). Incorporating behavioural variation in individual-based simulation models of marine reserve effectiveness. Environmental Conservation 39, 282–294.
| Incorporating behavioural variation in individual-based simulation models of marine reserve effectiveness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brown, J. L., and Orians, G. H. (1970). Spacing patterns in mobile animals. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 1, 239–262.
| Spacing patterns in mobile animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Campana, S. E. (1999). Chemistry and composition of fish otoliths: pathways, mechanisms and applications. Marine Ecology Progress Series 188, 263–297.
| Chemistry and composition of fish otoliths: pathways, mechanisms and applications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXjtFKmtA%3D%3D&md5=7b569fa4455cf915812b49cc363ded23CAS |
Clements, S., Jepsen, D., and Karnowski, M. (2005). Optimization of an acoustic telemetry array for detecting transmitter-implanted fish. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25, 429–436.
| Optimization of an acoustic telemetry array for detecting transmitter-implanted fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
de Silva Samarasinghe, J. R., and Lennon, G. W. (1987). Hypersalinity, flushing and transient salt-wedges in a tidal gulf – an inverse estuary. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 24, 483–498.
| Hypersalinity, flushing and transient salt-wedges in a tidal gulf – an inverse estuary.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Edyvane, K. S. (2000). Conserving marine biodiversity in South Australia. Part 2 – identification of areas of high conservation value in South Australia. SARDI Research Report Series number 39, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Egli, D. P., and Babcock, R. C. (2004). Ultrasonic tracking reveals multiple behavioural modes of snapper (Pagrus auratus) in a temperate no-take marine reserve. ICES Journal of Marine Science 61, 1137–1143.
| Ultrasonic tracking reveals multiple behavioural modes of snapper (Pagrus auratus) in a temperate no-take marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Escalle, L., Speed, C., Meekan, M., White, W., Babcock, R., Pillans, R., and Huveneers, C. (2015). Restricted movements and mangrove dependency of the nervous shark Carcharinus cautus in nearshore coastal waters. Journal of Fish Biology 87, 323–341.
| Restricted movements and mangrove dependency of the nervous shark Carcharinus cautus in nearshore coastal waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC28%2FjsVSmug%3D%3D&md5=0d57a595568045abc58b07267e63bb6cCAS |
Fowler, A. J., and McGarvey, R. (2014). Assessing the effects of South Australia’s snapper spawning and spatial closures. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, SARDI Publication number F2014/000689-1, SARDI Research Report Series number 803, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Fowler, A. J., Gillanders, B. M., and Hall, K. C. (2005). Relationship between elemental concentration and age from otoliths of adult snapper (Pagrus auratus, Sparidae): implications for movement and stock structure. Marine and Freshwater Research 56, 661–676.
| Relationship between elemental concentration and age from otoliths of adult snapper (Pagrus auratus, Sparidae): implications for movement and stock structure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXmsVyqsLc%3D&md5=788f5901f1509c6f04984d2ef72e5faeCAS |
Fowler, A. J., McGarvey, R., Burch, P., Feenstra, J. E., Jackson, W. B., and Lloyd, M. T. (2013) Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) fishery. Fishery Assessment Report to PIRSA, F2007/000523-3, SARDI Research Report Series number 713, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Hamer, P. A., Jenkins, G. P., and Coutin, P. (2006). Barium variation in Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) otoliths: a potential indicator of migration between an embayment and ocean waters in south eastern Australia. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 68, 686–702.
| Barium variation in Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) otoliths: a potential indicator of migration between an embayment and ocean waters in south eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harasti, D., Lee, K. A., Gallen, C., Hughes, J. M., and Stewart, J. (2015). Movements, home range and site fidelity of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) within a temperate marine protected area. PLoS One 10, e0142454.
| Movements, home range and site fidelity of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) within a temperate marine protected area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hartill, B. W., Morrison, M. A., Smith, M. D., Boubée, J., and Parsons, D. M. (2003). Diurnal and tidal movements of snapper (Pagrus auratus, Sparidae) in an estuarine environment. Marine and Freshwater Research 54, 931–940.
| Diurnal and tidal movements of snapper (Pagrus auratus, Sparidae) in an estuarine environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heupel, M. R., and Webber, D. M. (2012). Trends in acoustic tracking: where are the fish going and how will we follow them? American Fisheries Society Symposium 76, 219–231.
Heupel, M. R., Semmens, J. M., and Hobday, A. J. (2006). Automated acoustic tracking of aquatic animals: scales, design and deployment of listening stations. Marine and Freshwater Research 57, 1–13.
| Automated acoustic tracking of aquatic animals: scales, design and deployment of listening stations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hussey, N. E., Kessel, S. T., Aarestrup, K., Cooke, S. J., Cowley, P. D., Fisk, A. T., Harcourt, R. G., Holland, K. N., Iverson, S. J., and Kocik, J. F. (2015). Aquatic animal telemetry: a panoramic window into the underwater world. Science 348, 1255642.
| Aquatic animal telemetry: a panoramic window into the underwater world.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huveneers, C., Rogers, P. J., and Drew, M. (2014). Monitoring shark species of conservation concern within the Adelaide metropolitan region. Final Report to the Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, SARDI Publication number F2013/000716-1, SARDI Research Report Series number 754, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Huveneers, C., Simpfendorfer, C. A., Kim, S., Semmens, J., Hobday, A. J., Pederson, T., Stieglitz, T., Vallee, R., Webber, D., Heupel, M. R., Peddemors, V., and Harvourt, R. (2016). The influence of environmental parameters on the performance and detection range of acoustic receivers. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 7, 825–835.
| The influence of environmental parameters on the performance and detection range of acoustic receivers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jones, G. K. (1981). Biological research on snapper (Chrysophrys auratus syn. Unicolor) and an analysis of the fishery in Northern Spencer Gulf. SAFIC 5, 5–8.
Jones, G. K. (1984). A review of the commercial fishery for snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) in South Australian waters. Discussion paper, Department of Fisheries, South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Kailola, P. J., Williams, M. J., Stewart, P. C., Reichelt, R. E., McNee, A., and Grieve, C. (1993). ‘Australian Fisheries Resources.’ (Bureau of Resource Sciences and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation: Canberra, ACT, Australia.)
Lee, K. A., Huveneers, C., Macdonald, T., and Harcourt, R. G. (2015). Size isn’t everything: movements, home range, and habitat preferences of eastern blue gropers (Achoerodus viridis) demonstrate the efficacy of a small marine reserve. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 25, 174–186.
| Size isn’t everything: movements, home range, and habitat preferences of eastern blue gropers (Achoerodus viridis) demonstrate the efficacy of a small marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lloyd, M. T. (2010). Spatial variation in growth of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) in South Australian gulf waters: an investigation of diet as a contributing factor. B.Sc.(Hons) Thesis, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
McGlennon, D. (2004). The fisheries biology and population dynamics of snapper Pagrus auratus in northern Spencer Gulf, South Australia. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Moran, M., Burton, C., and Jenke, J. (2003). Long-term movement patterns of continental shelf and inner gulf snapper (Pagrus auratus, Sparidae) from tagging in the Shark Bay region of Western Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 54, 913–922.
| Long-term movement patterns of continental shelf and inner gulf snapper (Pagrus auratus, Sparidae) from tagging in the Shark Bay region of Western Australia.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 |
Parsons, D. M., Morrison, M. A., McKenzie, J. R., Hartill, B. W., Bian, R., and Francis, R. I. C. C. (2011). A fisheries perspective of behavioural variability: differences in movement behaviour and extraction rate of an exploited sparid, snapper (Pagrus auratus). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 68, 632–642.
| A fisheries perspective of behavioural variability: differences in movement behaviour and extraction rate of an exploited sparid, snapper (Pagrus auratus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pawson, M. G., and Jennings, S. (1996). A critique of methods for stock identification in marine capture fisheries. Fisheries Research 25, 203–217.
| A critique of methods for stock identification in marine capture fisheries.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 |
Pillans, R. D., Bearham, D., Boomer, A., Downie, R. A., Patterson, T. A., Thomson, D. P., and Babcock, R. C. (2014). Multi-year observations reveal variability in residence of a tropical demersal fish, Lethrinus nebulosus: implications for spatial management. PLoS One 9, e105507.
| Multi-year observations reveal variability in residence of a tropical demersal fish, Lethrinus nebulosus: implications for spatial management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Russ, G. R., Alcala, A. C., Maypa, A. P., Calumpong, H. P., and White, A. T. (2004). Marine reserves benefit local fisheries. Ecological Applications 14, 597–606.
| Marine reserves benefit local fisheries.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Saunders, R. J., Fowler, A. J., and Gillanders, B. M. (2012). The spawning dynamics of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) in northern Spencer Gulf, South Australia. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 46, 491–510.
| The spawning dynamics of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) in northern Spencer Gulf, South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shepherd, S. A., Bryars, S., Kirkegaard, I., Harbison, P., and Jennings, J. T. (2008). ‘Natural History of Gulf St Vincent.’ (Royal Society of South Australia Inc.: Adelaide, SA, Australia.)
Starr, R. M., Sala, E., Ballesteros, E., and Zabala, M. (2007). Spatial dynamics of the Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus Caribbean atoll. Marine Ecology Progress Series 343, 239–249.
| Spatial dynamics of the Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus Caribbean atoll.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sturrock, A. M., Trueman, C. N., Darnaude, A. M., and Hunter, E. (2012). Can otolith elemental chemistry retrospectively track migrations in fully marine fishes? Journal of Fish Biology 81, 766–795.
| Can otolith elemental chemistry retrospectively track migrations in fully marine fishes?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xhtl2ltLvN&md5=652ab72f740b7816382b5f47d6488f37CAS |
Tanner, J. E. (2005). Three decades of habitat change in Gulf St Vincent, South Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 129, 65–73.
Wakefield, C. B., Fairclough, D. V., Lenanton, R. C. J., and Potter, I. C. (2011). Spawning and nursery habitat partitioning and movement patterns of Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) on the lower west coast of Australia. Fisheries Research 109, 243–251.
| Spawning and nursery habitat partitioning and movement patterns of Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) on the lower west coast of Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zeller, D. C. (1998). Ultrasonic telemetry: its application to coral reef fisheries research. Fishery Bulletin 97, 1058–1065.
