Influence of habitat condition on shallow rocky reef fish community structure around islands and headlands of a temperate marine protected area

Z. Quaas; D. Harasti; T. F. Gaston; M. E. Platell; C. J. Fulton

doi:10.3354/meps13091

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Influence of habitat condition on shallow rocky reef fish community structure around islands and headlands of a temperate marine protected area

Journal article

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Influence of habitat condition on shallow rocky reef fish community structure around islands and headlands of a temperate marine protected area

Z. Quaas, D. Harasti, T. F. Gaston, M. E. Platell and C. J. Fulton

Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek), Vol.626, pp.1-13

12/09/2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13091

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Abstract

Ecology

Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Marine & Freshwater Biology

Oceanography

Physical Sciences

Science & Technology

BRUVs

Habitat quality

Kelp

Marine protected areas

Partially protected areas

Rocky reef fish assemblages in coastal areas are under increasing pressure from a range of human activities, including extraction via recreational and commercial fishing. Within Australia, spatial management of fish assemblages aims to protect habitats and regulate harvest pressure via the use of no-take areas (NTAs), where no extraction is permitted, and partially protected areas (PPAs), where limited fishing is allowed but higher impact activities (e.g. trawling) are prohibited. We used a novel combination of mini-baited remote underwater video (mini-BRUV) systems and in situ microhabitat assessments to assess whether reef fish community structure on shallow (6-9 m) rocky reefs varied with spatial management zone (NTAs versus PPAs), sampling season (autumn, spring) and benthic habitat condition around coastal islands and headlands within the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park (established in 2007). While fish community composition and the relative abundance of fish species did not differ significantly across spatial management zones, there were significant differences among sampling season, and spatial variation at the site level that was partly explained by geomorphology (island/headland). Notably, there was a strong association between variation in fish community structure and site-level cover of canopy forming macroalgae among islands and headlands, which transcended management zones. Our study suggests that balancing habitat condition and geomorphological setting (islands, headlands) among management zones is key to the conservation and management of shallow-water reef fish assemblages. In particular, the percent cover of canopy-forming macroalgae may be a key habitat indicator for designing, monitoring and rebalancing spatial management zones.

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Title: Influence of habitat condition on shallow rocky reef fish community structure around islands and headlands of a temperate marine protected area
Creators: Z. Quaas - University of Newcastle
D. Harasti - NSW Department of Primary Industries
T. F. Gaston - University of Newcastle
M. E. Platell - University of Newcastle
C. J. Fulton - Australian National University
Publication Details: Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek), Vol.626, pp.1-13
Publisher: Inter-Research
Number of pages: 13
Grant note: University of Newcastle NSW Department of Primary Industries
Identifiers: 991013127409402368
Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

Influence of habitat condition on shallow rocky reef fish community structure around islands and headlands of a temperate marine protected area

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