Mapping and characterising reef habitat and fish assemblages of the Hunter Marine Park

Mapping and characterising reef habitat and fish assemblages of the Hunter Marine Park
Abstract:

This is a technical report for the Hunter Marine Park surveys as part of the NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub D3 project. The report summarises five years worth of multibeam echo sounder, towed video, stereo-baited remote underwater video and remotely operated vehicle surveys to provide Parks Australia with baseline information for the Hunter Marine Park. The Hunter Marine Park is located of the mid-NSW coast and continental shelf rocky reef was identified as a key ecological feature of the Park. The MBES surveys mapped 30% of the continental shelf component of the Marine Park and identified approximately 5.5km2 of rocky reef. Towed video surveys found these reefs to covered in a diverse range of sessile invertebrate assemblages. The stereo-BRUV surveys focused on three distinct regions across a depth range of 35-120 m. Up to 112 species of fish were identified, including three threatened and protected species. Each of the three locations were deemed to support a unique species assemblages. However, the patterns in distribution where highly species specific and often related to reef structure and season. These are the first mapping and biological surveys of the Hunter Marine Park region.

Document type: 
Document
Availability: 
Available

Lawrence, Emma

Title 
Research statistician
Partner Organisation 
Phone 
0 38335538
Email 
Emma.Lawrence@csiro.au

Emma Lawrence is an Environmental Statistician with CSIRO Data61 in Brisbane, Australia. For many years theĀ focus of her work has been on the application of statistical techniques in the marine domain. Emma has a particular interest in the design and analysis of marine monitoring projects and enjoys working in multi-discplinary teams to ensure that field work is well-designed to ensure the best possible project outcomes.

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