6 results

FRDC-DCCEE: effects of climate change on reproduction, larval development, and population growth of coral trout (Plectropomus spp.)

Project number: 2010-554
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $400,000.00
Principal Investigator: Morgan S. Pratchett
Organisation: James Cook University (JCU)
Project start/end date: 23 Dec 2010 - 29 Jun 2013
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Wild Catch
Reproduction
Population Dynamics
Oceanography
Life History
SPECIES
Coral Trouts

Need

This research is critical to the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan, and addresses several of the information needs and research gaps identified under sectoral sub-themes of i) Aquaculture, ii) Commercial and recreational fishing, iii) Conservation management, and iv) Tourism and recreational uses.

Specifically this study:
i) addresses the severity of likely impacts of climate change on coral trout, which are the No. 1
commercial and recreational fisheries species caught within coral reef waters, and account for 41% of
wild-caught fish in Queensland waters;

ii) will predict spatial and temporal changes in the fisheries production of coral trout populations across the Great Barrier Reef, which is critical for spatial zoning of fisheries closures and assessing the immediacy of required intervention;

iii) identifies environmental tolerances of coral trout, especially during highly sensitive larval stages,
which impacts natural recruitment of wild populations, and grow-out of juveniles in open aquaculture
systems, which is necessary for further development of coral trout production;

iv) explores ontogenetic changes in the habitat requirements of newly-settled, juvenile and sub-adult
coral trout, thought to rely on habitat structure provided by good coral growth. If so, this will help to
establish coral reef habitats of high conservation priority, and

v) significantly advances understanding of climate impacts on coral reef fishes, which are critical for both fisheries and tourism industries on the Great Barrier Reef, currently worth in excess of $6 billion to the Australian economy.

Objectives

1. To assess sensitivities of coral trout to climate-related changes in temperature and seawater chemistry, during fertilisation and early larval development
2. To test the effects of increasing temperature and ocean acidification on growth, condition, behaviour and survivorship of early post-settlment coral trout
3. To test for spatial variation in sensitivities to increasing temperatures for coral trout in three distinct sectors along the Great Barrier Reef
4. To measure coral-dependence at different ontogenetic stages, to test whether coral trout will be adversely affected by climate-induced bleaching and coral loss
Industry
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2010-006
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Estimating fishing mortality of major target species and species of conservation interest in the Queensland east coast shark fishery

Fishing mortality rates for the major targeted and byproduct species of sharks landed by the Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) have been estimated. The effects of these fishing mortality rates on population persistence for these species have also been modelled with demographic...
ORGANISATION:
James Cook University (JCU)
TAGS
Tagging
Sustainability
Population Dynamics
Mortality
Fisheries Management
SPECIES
Sawsharks
Blacktip Sharks
Guitarfishes
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2013-009
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Shark Futures: A report card for Australia's sharks and rays

In response to increasing concerns for the status of shark and ray populations world-wide and increasing pressure to ensure Australia’s shark and ray species are effectively managed and conserved, this project synthesised the scattered information, assessed individual species’ status and...
ORGANISATION:
James Cook University (JCU)
TAGS
Population Dynamics
Environment

Effects of climate change and habitat degradation on Coral Trout

Project number: 2018-034
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $664,675.00
Principal Investigator: Morgan S. Pratchett
Organisation: James Cook University (JCU)
Project start/end date: 3 Mar 2019 - 3 Mar 2022
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Stock Assessment
Recreational Fishing
Rac Qld
Population Dynamics
Oceanography
SPECIES
Coral Trouts

Need

Coral trout (mainly, the common coral trout, Plectropomus leopardus) are critical in sustaining the Queensland CRFFF, and are also important target species for recreational, charter and indigenous fishery sectors. Recent research has indicated that the distribution, behaviour and population viability of coral trout are likely to change in response to recent and ongoing climate change. More specifically, populations of coral trout in the northern GBR are already exposed to maximum summertime temperatures that exceed their apparent thermal optima (27-30°C; Johansen et al., 2014; 2015), which was determined in laboratory studies. Unprecedented thermal anomalies have also caused extensive coral bleaching and associated coral mortality and habitat degradation in recent years, especially in the northern GBR (Hughes et al. 2017). Widespread and profound changes in the structure of reef habitats are likely to impact on recruitment success, prey availability and the availability of shelter for adult coral trout.

This project is critical for understanding the flow-on effects of changing reef habitats and environmental conditions on wild stocks of coral trout on the GBR. Importantly, this project builds on previous experimental studies to establish how fishes respond to changing conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. Although, large and mobile reef fishes (such as coral trout) may be capable of moderating exposure to extreme temperatures, this will nonetheless affect where fishes occur and whether they can be caught. The project will address the FRDC priority research need “Influence of Changes in Reef Habitat Condition and Climate Change on Coral Trout — To Inform Abiotic Drivers of Coral Trout Stocks” and Queensland’s Sustainable Fisheries Strategy high priority research need for Coral Trout (east coast) assessment requirements — To determine the most appropriate indicators and harvest control rules for management procedures of the coral trout fishery.

Objectives

1. Establish the capacity for thermoregulatory behaviour among common coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus), as well as measuring their preferred temperature
2. Test for changes in the distribution and behaviour of coral trout associated with seasonal and latitudinal variation in ocean temperatures
3. Explore effects of severe coral loss and habitat degradation (caused by recent mass-bleaching) on the abundance, diet and physiological condition of large-bodied fishery species, especially common coral trout
4. Test for long-term changes in abundance and catches of coral trout associated with reef-wide changes in habitat condition on the GBR
5. Provide management advice that accounts for changes in habitat and environmental conditions

Final report

Authors: Pratchett M.S. Clark T.D. Scott M. Hoey A.S. Leigh G.M. and Emslie M.J.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
Final Report • 2022-11-04 • 10.46 MB
2018-034-DLD.pdf

Summary

Fishes are at considerable risk from changing environmental conditions because they are, for most part, unable to regulate their body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures may therefore compromise critical biological functions, resulting in reduced performance, fitness and ultimately survival. This project used pioneering studies to establish how Coral Trout respond to changing environmental and habitat conditions, explicitly considering the capacity for fishes to actually move or moderate their activity to minimise adverse effects of high and increasing water temperatures. The effects of major disturbances and changing habitat conditions across the GBR on Coral Trout abundance, biomass, and catches were also analysed.
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