Review and synthesis of Australian fisheries habitat research

Project number: 1995-055

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $88,781.00

Principal Investigator: Mike Cappo

Organisation: Australian Institute Of Marine Science (AIMS)

Project start/end date: 20 Sep 1995 - 30 Jun 1998

Contact:

FRDC

Objectives

1. To review and synthesise the past decade of Australian research relevant to fisheries habitats. The scope of the review will include : identity of "critical" and "limiting" habitat factors for finfish and shellfish

knowledge of processes linking fisheries with habitats

natural variation in these processes and habitats

and knowledge of major threats to these habitats. The synthesis will aim to document both the existence, and absence, of knowledge of specific processes and patterns of generic application to Australian fisheries and habitats.

2. To use this synthesis to evaluate the suitability, rank and coverage of the six areas of research priority identified in the Cronulla Workshop (Williams and Newton, 1994). These were, in order of priority, 1. Natural Dynamics, 2. Modification of nearshore, estuarine and wetland habitats, 3. Effects of fishing, 4. Change in drainage, 5. Introduction of marine pests, 6. Nutrient inputs.

3. To summarise the results of searches for past and ongoing fisheries habitat research in an annotated bibliography with a spatial reference (lat. / long.) for each study identified. This will be in the form of an ASCII file on computer diskette.

Final report

ISBN: 0 642 32200 7

Author: Mike Cappo

Final Report • 1998-03-02 • 5.04 MB

1995-055-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was commissioned by FRDC. The task was to review and synthesise the available knowledge on Australian fisheries habitat research and on this basis:

describe and evaluate the suitability and coverage of the areas of research priority identified at a scientific workshop convened by the FRDC in March 1994, and
prepare a prospectus of opportunities for the FRDC Ecosystem Protection Program.

The priority issues and impacts reviewed were:

natural dynamics in fisheries habitats and environmental variability
changes to drainage and habitat alteration
nutrient and contaminant inputs
effects of harvesting on ecosystems and biodiversity
introduced and translocated pests and diseases.

To obtain this information we conducted a formal literature search and interviews with informants from key organisations in all States and Territories in 1995-96.

The results have been prepared as a detailed scoping review (Volume 2) describing the issues, knowledge gaps and impacts, and proposing more than 60 R&D opportunities. These R&D themes, issues have been summarised as a prospectus here in Volume 1. Sources of citations are provided in Volume 3, and the full bibliography will be linked (HTML) with the scoping review for access on the Internet.

Project products

Publication • 4.38 MB

1995-055 Priorities for Seagrass Research in Australia.pdf

Summary

This booklet is a summary of Seagrass in Australia: a Strategic Review and Development of an R&D P/an' (short title Seagrass Review) with emphasis on its key features. It is not a substitute for the Seagrass Review itself, but only an outline. The Seagross Review is targeted at all organisations and individuals that have direct or indirect influence on sustainable management of seagrass.

Seagrass is seen as one link in a "critical chain of habitats' (see the Fisheries Habitat Review1} important not only to fisheries, but also to aquaculture, tourism, the protection of biodiversity, and the healthy functioning of nearshore marine ecosystems. The Seagrass Review was undertaken to assess:

• gaps in existing knowledge of seagrass ecosystems
• knowledge of links between seagrass and fisheries
• the state of the art in rehabilitation and restoration of damaged seagrass beds
• the state of the art in monitoring and assessment of seagrass
• relationships between research on seagrass and fisheries management
• and to develop a research and development plan for seagrass