Assessing the effects of swimming net material on populations of an endangered seahorse
Michael Simpson
A D , Rebecca L. Morris B , David Harasti C and Ross A. Coleman A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A University of Sydney, Coastal and Marine Ecosystems, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW 2006, Australia.
B National Centre for Coasts and Climate, School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.
C Fisheries Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW 2315, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: michael.simpson@sydney.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 72(6) 800-810 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF20022
Submitted: 22 January 2020 Accepted: 15 November 2020 Published: 16 December 2020
Abstract
The endangered seahorse Hippocampus whitei has declined in abundance as a result of natural habitat loss, and inhabits copper-braided protective swimming nets in Sydney Harbour, Australia. This study tested whether the use of copper-free seahorse-friendly net material has any effect on populations of H. whitei. The effects of net material on seahorse density and population abundance, as well as the effects on fouling epibiota and the abundance of epifaunal seahorse prey, were tested on pre-existing swimming nets as well as installed panels of each net material type. Material type had no effect on the density or population abundance of seahorses on pre-existing or installed panels of swimming net, with no difference in fouling epibiotic growth or mobile epifauna. Because seahorse-friendly nets were not worse than standard nets in these respects, it is recommended that managers take a precautionary approach and deploy nets of seahorse-friendly material to minimise anthropogenic copper entering coastal systems.
Keywords: artificial habitats, conservation, habitat loss, Syngnathidae, urbanised habitats.
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