Future directions in the research and management of marine snakes
Abstract:
Marine snakes represent the most speciose group of marine reptiles and are a significant component of reef and coastal ecosystems in tropical oceans. Research on this group has historically been challenging due to the difficulty in capturing, handling, and keeping these animals for field- and lab-based research. Inexplicable declines in marine snake populations across global hotspots have highlighted the lack of basic information on this group and elevated multiple species as conservation priorities. With the increased interest in research on marine snakes, we conducted a systematic survey of experts to identify twenty key questions that can direct future research. These questions are framed across a wide array of scientific fields to produce much-needed information relevant to the conservation and management of marine snakes.
Spatial and temporal patterns in sea snake populations on the North West Shelf - Progress Report
Abstract:
This progress report provides details on fieldwork and analyses conducted for NESP Project A8 ‘Exploring the status of Western Australia’s sea snakes’ between the period of May 2017 – December 2017. Snorkel, research trawl and baited remote underwater video station (BRUVS) surveys were conducted by Hub researchers and collaborators between May and October 2017 that were combined with existing datasets to update occurrence records and conduct spatial and time-series analyses.
Data from BRUVS were used to assess sea snake assemblages in multiple locations within Australian Marine Parks (AMPs) and in locations where repeated sampling was conducted to construct species distribution models (SDMs) for all sea snake sightings and three priority species (Aipysurus apraefrontalis, A. foliosquama and A. fuscus).
Exploring the status of Western Australia’s sea snakes
Abstract:
All sea snakes are listed marine species under the EPBC Act and three Australian endemic species are listed as Critically Endangered or Endangered, and as such are a national conservation priority. Recent findings of two Critically Endangered sea snake species (Aipysurus apraefrontalis and Aipysurus foliosquama) in locations outside of their previously defined ranges have highlighted the lack of information on species distributions along the North West coast of Australia. Data on sea snake sightings on previously collected baited remote underwater video surveys (BRUVS) and fisheries independent trawl surveys were used to assess the utility of these methodologies to accurately define relative abundance and distribution patterns of sea snakes in the North West Marine Region (NWMR), including within Commonwealth Marine Reserves (CMRs), to refine species’ status.
Presence/absence data from BRUVS were used to predict locations that are likely important habitats for sea snake populations within the NWMR, which included mid-shelf and oceanic shoals along the Kimberley and Pilbara coasts. Limited fisheries-independent trawl sampling data collected in Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf highlighted patterns of interaction between sea snakes and trawl fishing, with survivorship curves indicating that most sea snake species encountered within these regions may be able to sustain low to moderate levels of trawl fishing. Trawl survey data also highlighted the need for additional fisheries interaction data to accurately assess the species-specific influence of fishing activities (e.g. trawl and trap fishing) on different life stages of sea snakes susceptible to incidental capture (bycatch). This project highlights the need for more data on sea snakes in regions lacking information (e.g. mid-shelf shoals of Kimberley coast, Pilbara coast and Rowley Shoals). In addition, further research is also required to assess the degree of connectivity between sea snake populations from offshore reefs that have seen recent declines, and those on adjacent mid-shelf and oceanic shoals.
Sea snakes are a national conservation priority given their declining numbers around Australia, and in particular Western Australia which once was a region of high seasnake abundance.