Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub-Program

Milestone Report No. 7 (April 2011) No. 136 July 2011

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub -Program

Milestone Report No. 7 (April 2011).

Neil Hutchinson, Greg Jenkins and Andrew Brown

July 2011 Fisheries Victoria Technical Report Series No. 136

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Published: Fisheries Victoria Hutchinson, N. Jenkins, G. and Brown, A. (2011). Department of Primary Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Industries, Queenscliff Centre Seagrass Beds Sub-Program. Milestone Report PO Box 114, Queenscliff, Victoria No. 7 (April 2011). Fisheries Victoria Technical 3225 Australia. Report Series No. 136, July 2011, Department of Primary Industries, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. 37pp. General disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not ISSN 1835-4785 guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all ISBN 978-1-74264-910-8 liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

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Executive Summary

The objective of the Monitoring Key Fishery In shallow seagrass at Blairgowrie, significantly Species in Seagrass Beds Sub-Program is to more fish were sampled in autumn 2011 than collect data on the types and abundance of fish spring 2010, but not autumn 2010, while no in shallow and deeper seagrass beds that will fill significant differences were apparent at Mud existing knowledge gaps and assist in Islands or St Leonards. In deep seagrass at understanding the significance of any observed Blairgowrie and Mud Islands, significantly more changes in seagrass habitat for these fish. fish were sampled in autumn 2011 than spring 2010 and autumn 2010, but no significant Surveys are undertaken to compare the differences were apparent at St Leonards. distribution and abundance of fish in shallow (< 1 m) and deeper (2–8 m) seagrass beds in three areas of PPB. These surveys are conducted Fish size in spring and autumn each year and results are Size frequencies of finfish varied significantly analysed to compare against results for the but inconsistently between dates, and between preceding seasonal survey and for the same deep and shallow seagrass beds, with the largest seasonal survey 12 months prior. Specific fish collected in autumn 2011 recorded in comparisons are made between regions and shallow seagrass. depths for species richness, fish abundance, length frequency distribution and fish Assemblage structure assemblage structure. The greatest difference in fish assemblage Sampling of fish in shallow and deep water structure during autumn 2011 was between seagrass beds was completed successfully at the deep and shallow seagrass beds. Fish Blairgowrie, Mud Islands and St Leonards sites assemblage structure also varied significantly in autumn (April) 2011. A total of 45 fish species with time, and was significantly different (43 finfish and two squid) from 22 families (20 between autumn 2011 and spring 2010 at both families for finfish and two families for squid) depths, and between autumn 2011 and autumn was sampled from all sites. 2010 in deep seagrass beds only. Species richness and fish Conclusions abundance Results from autumn 2011 sampling continue to show that shallow and deep seagrass beds in Species richness was significantly higher in PPB have distinct fish assemblages. As with shallow seagrass compared with deep seagrass previous sampling events from this sub- in autumn 2011 at St Leonards, but not at program, shallow seagrass beds tend to be Blairgowrie or Mud Islands. dominated by small, schooling species that do In shallow seagrass beds at St Leonards, species not occur in deeper seagrass. Seasonal patterns richness was higher in autumn 2011 than spring of change in assemblage structure can now be 2010, but not different to autumn 2010. There clearly seen, partly due to distinct population were no significant differences in species changes in species such as bridled leatherjackets richness at this site in deep seagrass beds in deep and shallow seagrass beds, wide-body between autumn 2011 and the two previous pipefish in both deep and shallow seagrass beds, seasons. At Blairgowrie and Mud Islands, and the seasonal presence of King George species richness in deep seagrass beds was whiting in shallow seagrass beds. A positive higher in autumn 2011 than spring 2010 and relationship between seagrass biomass/length autumn 2010, but no significant differences were and fish abundance/species richness also apparent in shallow seagrass beds at these sites. continues to be apparent. Fish abundances were significantly higher in In general, based on previous studies, variability shallow seagrass compared with deep seagrass in fish assemblages in shallow and deep in autumn 2011 at Mud Islands and St Leonards, seagrass beds during the autumn 2011 reporting but not at Blairgowrie. period was within what would be expected in PPB.

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary...... iii Species richness and fish abundance...... iii Fish size ...... iii Assemblage structure...... iii Conclusions...... iii

Introduction...... 1 Purpose of this report...... 1

Materials and Methods...... 2 Statistical model ...... 2 Definitions ...... 2 Data Management...... 2 QA/QC...... 2

Results...... 4 Species Richness...... 4 Fish Abundance ...... 4 Wide-body pipefish ...... 4 Fish Size...... 5 Fish and Seagrass...... 5 Fish assemblage structure...... 5

Discussion...... 6 Conclusions...... 7

Acknowledgements...... 8

References ...... 9

Appendix 1 Results ...... 11 Species Richness...... 11 Fish Abundance ...... 12 Fish Size...... 12 Seagrass ...... 13 Fish and Seagrass...... 13

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Fish Assemblage Structure...... 13

Appendix 2 Data ...... 37 Raw data...... 37

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List of Tables Table 1. Average abundance (No. haul -1; four hauls per site) of fish and squid sampled in deep and shallow seagrass beds at each site (Blairgowrie, Mud Islands and St Leonards) and total number of each species collected (species names from Gomon et al. (2008) and Museum of Victoria) in April 2011. Species not found during previous sampling events are marked in bold...... 15 Table 2. Species sampled inconsistently in seagrass beds from autumn (April) 2008 – autumn (April) 2011. Grey bars indicate species sampled during all surveys; black bars indicate that a species was sampled only during specific surveys. Species not found during previous sampling events are marked in bold...... 17 Table 3. ANOVA results comparing variation in species richness, total fish abundance and wide-body pipefish abundance across years, seasons, sites and depths for all surveys in PPB from spring (November) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011 (df, degrees of freedom; MS, mean squares; F, F statistic; P, probability; significantly different results in bold; P <0.05)...... 20 Table 4. ANOVA results comparing variation in seagrass length and biomass across years, seasons, sites and depths for all surveys in PPB from spring (November) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011 (df, degrees of freedom; MS, mean squares; F, F statistic; P, probability; significantly different results in bold; P <0.05)...... 21

List of Figures Figure 1. CDBMP sampling sites for monitoring key fishery species in seagrass beds sub-program...... 3 Figure 2. Average (+SE) species richness recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011...... 22 Figure 3. Average (+SE) fish abundance (totalled for all species) recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011 (n.b. scale change between graphs)...... 23 Figure 4. Average (+SE) wide-body pipefish abundance in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011 (n.b. scale change between graphs)...... 24 Figure 5. Total proportion of finfish arranged by size class (mm) in deep and shallow seagrass beds in PPB during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011 (n.b. scale change between graphs). Stars indicate largest size class...... 25 Figure 6. Total proportion of finfish arranged by size class (mm) in PPB during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011 (n.b. scale change between graphs). Stars indicate largest size class...... 26 Figure 7. Total proportion of wide-body pipefish arranged by size class (mm) in deep and shallow seagrass beds in PPB during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011. Stars indicate largest size class...... 27 Figure 8. Total proportion of wide-body pipefish arranged by size class (mm) in PPB for deep and shallow seagrass beds during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011. Stars indicate largest size class...... 28 Figure 9. Total proportion of bridled leatherjackets arranged by size class (mm) in deep and shallow seagrass beds in PPB during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011. Stars indicate largest size class...... 29 Figure 10. Total proportion of bridled leatherjackets arranged by size class (mm) in PPB for deep and shallow seagrass beds combined during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011. Stars indicate largest size class...... 30 Figure 11. Average (+SE) length of seagrass recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011...... 31

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Figure 12. Average (+SE) biomass of seagrass recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011...... 32 Figure 13. Relationship for all samples from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011 in PPB between: species richness and seagrass length (A); fish abundance and seagrass length (B); species richness and seagrass biomass (C); fish abundance and seagrass biomass (D). Lines on graphs represent the regression line (solid), 95% confidence interval of the regression line (dashed) and 95% confidence interval of the population (dotted)...... 33 Figure 14. MDS ordination comparing the similarity of fish assemblages in PPB at all depths and sites for autumn (April) 2011. Increasing distance between points indicates decreasing similarity...... 34 Figure 15. MDS ordination comparing the similarity of fish assemblages (averaged for all hauls) in PPB at all depths and from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011. Increasing distance between points indicates decreasing similarity...... 35 Figure 16. MDS ordinations, for each depth, comparing the similarity of fish assemblages at all sites in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011. Increasing distance between points indicates decreasing similarity...... 36

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Introduction

The purpose of the Monitoring Key Fishery is conducted on fish species richness, fish Species in Seagrass Beds Sub-Program of the abundance, wide-body pipefish abundance, fish Channel Deepening Baywide Monitoring length frequency distribution and fish Programs (CDBMP) for Port Phillip Bay (PPB) is assemblage structure. to improve the understanding of the fish species The autumn 2008, spring 2008, autumn 2009, using seagrass beds in the Bay. This sub-program spring 2009, autumn 2010 and spring 2010 is described in the CDBMP Detailed Design: surveys were reported in Smith et al. (2008a), CDP_ENV_MD_018 Rev 2.1 (PoMC 2009). Hutchinson et al. (2009; 2010a; 2010b; 2011a) and The objective is to collect data on the types and Hutchinson and Jenkins (2010). abundance of fish in shallow and deeper seagrass beds that will fill existing knowledge gaps and Purpose of this report assist in understanding the significance of any This milestone report presents and discusses observed changes in seagrass habitat for these results from the fourth autumn survey (April fish. 2011) for the sub-program, including: Surveys are undertaken to compare the types • Comparison of results from autumn 2011 and abundance of fish in shallow (< 1 m) and with the spring 2010 survey deeper (2–8 m) seagrass beds in three areas of • Comparison of results from autumn 2011 PPB. These surveys are conducted in spring with the autumn 2010 survey (November) and autumn (April) each year and • results are analysed to compare against results Apparent trends over the entire survey for the preceding seasonal survey and for the period. same seasonal survey 12 months prior. Analysis

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Materials and Methods

Project design and methods for this study are site (3 levels; fixed and orthogonal; i.e. described in PoMC (2009). Additional data Blairgowrie, Mud Islands and St Leonards) and analysis methods presented in this report and not depth (2 levels; fixed and orthogonal; i.e. shallow otherwise described by PoMC (2009) are and deep). Planned comparison tests were summarised in Hutchinson et al. (2009). performed to determine if there were significant differences between shallow and deep seagrass Surveys were undertaken to compare the types beds at each site during autumn 2011, and and abundance of fish in shallow (< 1 m) and between the autumn 2011 survey and the two deeper (2–8 m) seagrass beds in three areas of previous surveys at each depth and site. PPB. These surveys are conducted in spring and autumn each year between 2008 and 2011. The autumn 2011 survey (this report) was completed Definitions during the period 6–27 April 2011, and was Fish - as a broad (generic) term includes teleost preliminarily reported by Hutchinson et al. (bony) fish, sharks, rays and cephalopods but (2011b). precludes crustaceans. The locations of field sites are shown in Figure 1. Finfish - refers to teleost (bony) fish only, which precludes sharks, rays and cephalopods. Statistical model Spatial and temporal variation in fish abundance, Data Management fish species richness, seagrass length and QA/QC. seagrass biomass was analysed using 4-factor There were no significant field events observed ANOVA to examine variation with year ( levels; during this reporting period. No QA/QC issues fixed and orthogonal; i.e. financial years 2008– were recorded during this reporting period. 2009, 2009–2010 and 2010–2011), season (2 levels; fixed and orthogonal; i.e. spring and autumn),

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Figure 1. CDBMP sampling sites for monitoring key fishery species in seagrass beds sub-program.

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Results

The results for the autumn (April) 2011 survey in autumn 2011 at St Leonards, but not at have been initially reported by Hutchinson et al. Blairgowrie or Mud Islands. (2011b), are provided in detail in Appendix 1, In shallow seagrass beds at St Leonards, species and are summarised below. richness was higher in autumn 2011 than spring A total of 45 fish species (43 finfish and two 2010, but not different to autumn 2010. No such squid) from 22 families (20 families for finfish significant differences were apparent at and two families for squid) were sampled from Blairgowrie or Mud Islands. all sites in autumn (April) 2011 (Table 1). These included a variety of species found in previous In deep seagrass beds at Blairgowrie and Mud surveys, as well as four species newly recorded Islands, species richness was higher in autumn during autumn 2011 (Table 2): 2011 than spring 2010 and autumn 2010, but no • significant differences were apparent at St Australian giant cuttlefish ( Sepia apama ) Leonards. • hardyhead recruits (Atherinidae spp.) • Many fish species were restricted to either Castelnau's wrasse ( Dotalabrus shallow (18 species) or deep (seven species) aurantiacus ) seagrass at this time. • pugnose pipefish ( Pugnaso curtirostris ). Fish Abundance A number of species of fish found in the Fish abundance (total for each site) varied previous autumn survey (April 2010) were not significantly but inconsistently with interactions found in this survey (Table 2), including: between years, seasons, sites and depths. Fish • shortsnout hardyhead ( Kestratherina abundances were significantly higher in shallow brevirostris ) seagrass compared with deep seagrass in autumn 2011 at Mud Islands and St Leonards, • slender snakeblenny ( Sticharium dorsale ) but not at Blairgowrie. • half bridled goby ( Arenigobius frenatus ) At Blairgowrie, significantly more fish were • threadfin goby ( Nesogobius sp. 2 ) sampled in autumn 2011 than spring 2010 in • Hinsby’s goby ( Nesogobius hinsbyi ) shallow seagrass beds, but there was no • southern garfish ( Hyporhamphus malanochir ) significant difference in fish abundance between • southern calamari ( Sepioteuthis australis ) autumn 2011 and autumn 2010. No significant differences were apparent in shallow seagrass at • rock flathead ( Platycephalus laevigatus ) Mud Islands or St Leonards. • greenback flounder ( Rhombosolea tapirina ) In deep seagrass beds at Blairgowrie and Mud • southern dumpling squid ( Euprymna Islands, significantly more fish were sampled in tasmanica ) autumn 2011 than spring 2010 and autumn 2010. • knifesnout pipefish ( Hyperselognathus No significant differences were apparent at St rostratus ) Leonards. • ringback pipefish ( Stipecampus cristatus ) Wide-body pipefish • eastern shovelnose stingaree ( Trygonoptera Wide-body pipefish, Stigmatopora nigra , is a imitata ) dominant species in all surveys to date. Its • sparsely spotted stingaree ( Urolophus abundance varied significantly but paucimaculatus ). inconsistently with interactions between: years, Species Richness seasons, sites and depths. Species richness, as determined by the number Pipefish abundances were significantly higher in of different species recorded, varied shallow seagrass compared with deep seagrass significantly but inconsistently, with interactions in autumn 2011 at Mud Islands and St Leonards, between years, seasons, sites and depths. but lower in shallow seagrass than deep seagrass at Blairgowrie. Species richness was significantly higher in shallow seagrass compared with deep seagrass

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In shallow seagrass, pipefish abundance was There were significant differences in the length significantly lower in autumn 2011 than spring frequency distributions of bridled leatherjackets 2010 at Blairgowrie but significantly higher in in shallow and deep seagrass beds in autumn autumn 2011 than spring 2010 at Mud Islands 2011. The highest proportion of bridled and St Leonards. No significant differences were leatherjackets in shallow seagrass in autumn apparent between autumn 2011 and autumn 2011 was in the 20–60 mm size class. In deep 2010 at any of the sites. seagrass, in autumn 2011, bridled leatherjackets of 40–60 mm in size predominated. The largest In deep seagrass beds at Blairgowrie, pipefish size class of fish in autumn 2011 as found in abundance was significantly higher in autumn shallow seagrass (240–260 mm). 2011 than spring 2010 and autumn 2010. At Mud Islands, pipefish abundance was significantly Fish and Seagrass higher in autumn 2011 than spring 2010 but not There was a significant positive relationship significantly different to abundances in autumn between species richness and both seagrass 2010. No significant differences were apparent at length and seagrass biomass. There was also a St Leonards. significant positive relationship between total Fish Size fish abundance and both seagrass length and seagrass biomass, but not between wide-body The length frequency distribution of finfish pipefish abundance and seagrass length or varied significantly between shallow and deep biomass. seagrass beds in autumn 2011, with the largest size class of fish in shallow seagrass. Fish assemblage structure Fish assemblages varied mainly in relation to Length frequency distributions of wide-body depth and sampling time. pipefish, S. nigra , and bridled leatherjackets, Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus, differed The greatest difference in assemblage structure significantly between shallow and deep seagrass in autumn 2011 was based on depth. Fish beds in autumn 2011. assemblages sampled in deep seagrass were significantly different from those sampled in There was a significant difference in the shallow seagrass. distribution of size classes of wide-body pipefish between autumn 2011 and spring 2010, as well Fish assemblage structure at each depth varied as between autumn 2011 and autumn 2010. A significantly with time, with autumn 2011 being seasonal pattern was apparent, with a greater significantly different from spring 2010 in both proportion of pipefish in the 100–120 mm size shallow and deep seagrass beds, and class in spring of both years compared with the significantly different between autumn 2011 and autumn, and a greater proportion of pipefish in autumn 2010 in deep seagrass beds, but not in the 60–80 mm size class in autumn of both years shallow seagrass beds. compared with spring.

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Discussion

Finfish species found in deep and shallow Consistent with the previous sampling events seagrass beds in autumn 2011 were similar to for this sub-program, wide-body pipefish were those collected in and around seagrass beds in generally more abundant in shallow seagrass. previous studies of PPB (Jenkins et al. 1997; As discussed in previous reports (Hutchinson et Hindell et al. 2001; Hutchinson and Jenkins 2010; al. 2011a), this may be due to recruitment Hutchinson et al. 2010b; 2011a). patterns, as indicated by the length frequency distribution of the species where a higher As with results from previous sampling dates proportion of smaller individuals in the 60–80 (spring and autumn, 2008–2010) (Smith et al. mm size range occurred in autumn. 2008a; Hutchinson and Jenkins 2010; Hutchinson et al. 2009; 2010a; 2010b; 2011a), there were Total fish abundance and species richness in distinctly different fish assemblages in shallow shallow and deep seagrass continued to show a and deep seagrass beds. This was attributable to positive relationship with seagrass biomass and greater abundances and species richness in length of seagrass, as previously described for shallow beds, and also a distinctly different suite this sub-program (Smith et al. 2008a; Hutchinson of species, with many species occurring only in and Jenkins 2010; Hutchinson et al. 2011a). shallow or deep habitats. Previous studies, including the work of Bell and Westoby (1986a; b) and Orth et al. (1984) have In the current reporting period, smallmouth also shown that seagrass structure, including hardyhead, Atherinosoma microstoma (shallow), length and biomass, influences the distribution silver fish, Leptatherina presbyteroides (shallow) of fish in seagrass. Such a relationship may and wide-body pipefish (S. nigra ) (mostly partially explain increases in species richness shallow) were the major species responsible for and fish abundance in deep seagrass at these depth differences. These species have been Blairgowrie and Mud Islands, where recent found to occur in high abundance in shallow increases in seagrass have been noted in other seagrass beds in previous studies (Jenkins and sub-programs (Hirst et al. 2011). In addition, Wheatley 1998). several studies conducted in PPB describe in After depth differences, the greatest change in detail the impacts of seagrass patch size and fish assemblages occurred between sampling fragmentation on fish distribution (Smith et al. times. The main species responsible for seasonal 2008b; 2010; Macreadie et al. 2009; 2010a; b). differences in shallow seagrass beds were silver This sub-program includes the measuring of fish fish, smallmouth hardyhead and wide-body length to gain some idea of population structure, pipefish. In the case of the pipefish, seasonal and how this may change over time. Variation differences appeared to be related to seasonal between depths and with season in the recruitment patterns. While there were seasonal proportion of finfish in different size classes differences in assemblage structure in shallow appears to be driven to a large extent by seagrass at all sites, seasonal differences were seasonal changes in length distribution of only apparent between autumn 2011 and spring species such as wide-body pipefish in shallow 2010 sampling times in terms of species richness seagrass beds, and bridled leatherjackets in deep at St Leonards and fish abundance at and shallow seagrass beds. Other species, Blairgowrie. including King George whiting (Sillaginodes Seasonal differences in assemblage structure punctatus ) recruits, have been recorded in spring were also apparent in deep seagrass beds. In each year, but not in autumn. Such patterns of terms of species richness and abundance, seasonal change (e.g. recruitment of King significant differences between autumn 2011 George whiting in spring), have been reported and the two previous sampling times were only for these and other seagrass associated species apparent at Blairgowrie and Mud Islands, where within PPB (Jenkins et al. 1993). autumn 2011 was significantly different to both While leatherjacket recruits (e.g. bridled spring 2010 and autumn 2010. leatherjacket), have tended to vary seasonally throughout this study, different patterns were

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observed during autumn 2011. The occurrence Conclusions of bridled leatherjacket recruits in the 0–20 mm Results from autumn 2011 sampling continue to size range and the presence of larger size classes show that shallow and deep seagrass beds in than previously sampled, may indicate that PPB have distinct fish assemblages. As with differences in population structure between previous sampling events from this sub- autumn and spring may be due to more than program, shallow seagrass beds tend to be simple seasonal patterns of recruitment as dominated by small, schooling species that do previously suggested (Hutchinson et al. 2011a). not occur in deeper seagrass. Seasonal patterns To date, the majority of species using seagrass as of change in assemblage structure can now be a nursery, such as King George whiting, have clearly seen, partly due to distinct population changes in species such as bridled leatherjackets been found almost entirely in shallow seagrass in deep and shallow seagrass beds, wide-body beds. This importance of shallow seagrass beds pipefish in both deep and shallow seagrass beds, as nursery grounds for juveniles has been shown and the seasonal presence of King George elsewhere (Jackson et al. 2001; Ford et al. 2010), whiting in shallow seagrass beds. A positive and the potential role of seagrass as nursery relationship between seagrass biomass/length grounds has been discussed at some length by and fish abundance/species richness also other researchers (Beck et al. 2001; Heck et al. continues to be apparent. 2003). Unlike the species using only shallow seagrass as a nursery area, bridled leatherjacket In general, based on previous studies (e.g., recruits have been found in both deep and Jenkins et al. 1993), variability in fish shallow seagrass beds, indicating the assemblages in shallow and deep seagrass beds importance of seagrass beds at a variety of during the autumn 2011 reporting period was within what would be expected in PPB. depths as nursery grounds for this species in PPB (Hutchinson et al. 2009).

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Acknowledgements

This work would not have been possible accordance with state and national guidelines, without the assistance of K. Mills, B. Womersley and has animal ethics approval. and C. White in the field. D. Bray assisted with fish species identification. All work was done in

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Beck, M. W., Heck, K. L., Able, K. W., Childers , 102, Department of Primary Industries, D. L., Eggleston, D. B., Gillanders, B. M., Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. Halpern, B., Hays, C. G., Hoshino, K., Hutchinson, N., Jenkins, G. P., and Brown, A. Minello, T. J., Orth, R. J., Sheridan, P. F., (2011a). Baywide Monitoring of Key and Weinstein, M. R. (2001). The Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub- identification, conservation, and Program. Milestone Report No. 6 management of estuarine and marine (November 2010) Fisheries Victoria, nurseries for fish and invertebrates. Technical Report Series No. 128, Bioscience 51 , 633-641. Department of Primary Industries, Bell, J. D., and Westoby, M. (1986a). Importance Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. of local changes in leaf height and Hutchinson, N., Jenkins, G. P., and Brown, A. density to fish and decapods associated (2011b). Baywide Monitoring of Key with seagrasses. Journal of Experimental Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub- Marine Biology and Ecology 104 , 249-274. Program. Progress Report No. 7 (April Bell, J. D., and Westoby, M. (1986b). Variation in 2011) Fisheries Victoria, Technical seagrass height and density over a wide Report Series No. 135, Department of spatial scale: effects on common fish and Primary Industries, Queenscliff, decapods. Journal of Experimental Marine Victoria, Australia. Biology and Ecology 104 , 275-295. Hutchinson, N., Jenkins, G. P., and Smith, T. Ford, J. R., Williams, R. J., Fowler, A. M., Cox, D. (2009). Baywide Monitoring of Key R., and Suthers, I. M. (2010). Identifying Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub- critical estuarine seagrass habitat for Program. Milestone Report No. 2. settlement of coastally spawned fish. Fisheries Victoria, Technical Report Marine Ecology Progress Series 408 , 181- Series No. 37, Department of Primary 193. Industries, Queenscliff, Victoria, Gomon, M. F., Bray, D. J., and Kuiter, R. H. Australia. (2008). 'Fishes of Australia's southern Hutchinson, N., Jenkins, G. P., and Smith, T. coast.' (Reed New Holland: Sydney.) (2010a). Baywide Monitoring of Key Heck, K. L., Hays, G., and Orth, R. J. (2003). Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub- Critical evaluation of the nursery role Program. Milestone Report No. 3 (April hypothesis for seagrass meadows 2009) (Edition 2). Fisheries Victoria, [Review]. Marine Ecology-Progress Series Technical Report Series No. 60, 253 , 123-136. Department of Primary Industries, Hindell, J. S., Jenkins, G. P., and Keough, M. J. Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. (2001). Spatial and temporal variability Hutchinson, N., Smith, T., and Jenkins, G. in the effects of fish predation on (2010b). Baywide Monitoring of Key macrofauna in relation to habitat Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub- complexity and cage effects. Marine program. Milestone Report No. 4 Ecology-Progress Series 224 , 231-250. (November 2009) Fisheries Victoria, Hirst, A., Heislers, S., Morris, L., Ball, D., Blake, Technical Report Series No. 84, S., and Coots, A. (2011). Baywide Department of Primary Industries, Seagrass Monitoring Program. Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. Milestone Report No. 13 (April-May Jackson, E. L., Rowden, A. A., Attrill, M. J., 2011). Fisheries Victoria Technical Bossey, S. J., and Jones, M. B. (2001). The Report Series No. 143, July 2011. importance of seagrass beds as a habitat Department of Primary Industries, for fishery species. Oceanography and Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. Marine Biology: Annual Review 39 , 269- Hutchinson, N., and Jenkins, G. (2010). Baywide 303. Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Jenkins, G. P., May, H. M. A., Wheatley, M. J., Seagrass Beds Sub-program. Milestone and Holloway, M. G. (1997). Report No. 5 (April 2010) Fisheries Comparison of fish assemblages Victoria, Technical Report Series No. associated with seagrass and adjacent

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unvegetated habitats of Port Phillip Bay Macreadie, P. I., Hindell, J. S., Keough, M. J., and Corner Inlet, Victoria, Australia, Jenkins, G. P., and Connolly, R. M. with emphasis on commercial species. (2010b). Resource distribution influences Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 44 , positive edge effects in a seagrass fish. 569-588. Ecology 91 , 2013-2021. Jenkins, G. P., Watson, G. F., and Hammond, L. Orth, R. J., Heck, K. L., and Van Montfrans, J. S. (1993). Patterns of utilisation of (1984). Faunal communities in seagrass seagrass ( Heterozostera ) dominated beds: a review of the influence of plant habitats as nursery areas by structure and prey characteristics on commercially important fish. Victorian predator-prey relationships. Estuaries Institute of Marine Sciences, Report No. 7A , 339-350. 19, 100p. PoMC (2009). Monitoring key fishery species in Jenkins, G. P., and Wheatley, M. J. (1998). The seagrass beds - Detailed Design - influence of habitat structure on CDP_ENV_MD_018 Rev 2.1 Port of nearshore fish assemblages in a Melbourne Corporation. southern Australian embayment: Smith, T., Jenkins, G., and Kemp, J. (2008a). comparison of shallow seagrass, reef Baywide Monitoring Key Fishery algal, and unvegetated habitats, with Species in Seagrass Beds Sub-Program. emphasis on their importance to Milestone Report No. 1. Fisheries recruitment. Journal of Experimental Victoria, Technical Report Series No. 30, Marine Biology and Ecology 221 , 147-172. Department of Primary Industries, Macreadie, P. I., Connolly, R. M., Keough, M. J., Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. Jenkins, G. P., and Hindell, J. S. (2010a). Smith, T. M., Hindell, J. S., Jenkins, G. P., and Short-term differences in animal Connolly, R. M. (2008b). Edge effects on assemblages in patches formed by loss fish associated with seagrass and sand and growth of habitat. Austral Ecology patches. Marine Ecology Progress Series 35 , 515-521. 359 , 203-213. Macreadie, P. I., Hindell, J. S., Jenkins, G. P., Smith, T. M., Hindell, J. S., Jenkins, G. P., and Connolly, R. M., and Keough, M. J. Connolly, R. M. (2010). Seagrass patch (2009). Fish responses to experimental size affects fish responses to edges. fragmentation of seagrass habitat. Journal of Animal Ecology 79 , 275-281. Conservation Biology 23 , 644-652.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 10

Appendix 1 Results

The results for the autumn 2011 survey have been A number of species of fish found in the previous initially reported by Hutchinson et al. (2011b) and autumn survey (April 2010) were not found in are provided in detail below. this survey (Table 2), including: Overall, a total of 45 fish species (43 finfish and • shortsnout hardyhead ( Kestratherina two squid) from 22 families (20 families for finfish brevirostris ) and two families for squid) were sampled from all • slender snakeblenny ( Sticharium dorsale ) sites in autumn (April) 2011 (Table 1). • half bridled goby ( Arenigobius frenatus ) A total of 38 species (for all sites, 37 finfish and • one squid) were sampled in shallow seagrass, of threadfin goby ( Nesogobius sp. 2 ) which 18 species of finfish were sampled only in • Hinsby’s goby ( Nesogobius hinsbyi ) shallow seagrass. A total of 27 species (for all • southern garfish ( Hyporhamphus malanochir ) sites, 25 finfish and two squid) were sampled in • southern calamari ( Sepioteuthis australis ) deep seagrass, of which seven species (six finfish • and one squid) were found only in deep seagrass rock flathead ( Platycephalus laevigatus ) (Table 1). These included a variety of species • greenback flounder ( Rhombosolea tapirina ) found during previous surveys as well as four • southern dumpling squid ( Euprymna species first recorded during autumn (April) 2011 tasmanica ) (Table 2): • knifesnout pipefish ( Hyperselognathus rostratus ) • Australian giant cuttlefish ( Sepia apama ) • ringback pipefish ( Stipecampus cristatus ) • hardyhead recruits (Atherinidae spp.) • eastern shovelnose stingaree ( Trygonoptera • Castelnau's wrasse ( Dotalabrus aurantiacus ) imitata ) • pugnose pipefish ( Pugnaso curtirostris ). • sparsely spotted stingaree ( Urolophus In autumn 2011, 14 finfish species were found at paucimaculatus ). all sites: The majority of these species were rare, with few • silver fish ( Leptatherina presbyteroides ) individuals collected at any time. • old wife ( Enoplosus armatus ) Species Richness • southern crested weedfish ( Cristiceps australis ) Species richness varied significantly but • globefish (Diodon nicthemerus ) inconsistently with interactions between years, • girdled goby ( Nesogobius maccullochi ) seasons, sites and depths (Table 3, Figure 2). • sailfin goby ( Nesogobius pulchellus ) Species richness was significantly higher in • unidentified monacanthid recruit shallow seagrass compared with deep seagrass in (Monacanthidae) autumn 2011 at St Leonards (F 1, 108 = 34.949, P < • 0.001). There were no significant differences in pygmy leatherjacket ( Brachaluteres species richness between the two depths in jacksonianus ) autumn 2011 at Blairgowrie or Mud Islands. • rough leatherjacket (Scobinichthys granulatus ) • In shallow seagrass beds at St Leonards, species little rock whiting (Neoodax balteatus ) richness was higher in autumn 2011 than spring • spotted pipefish (Stigmatopora argus ) 2010 (F 1, 108 = 4.259, P = 0.041), but not different to • wide-body pipefish (Stigmatopora nigra ) autumn 2010. There were no significant • Port Phillip pipefish (Vanacampus phillipi ) differences in species richness between autumn 2011 and the previous two seasons at Blairgowrie • cobbler ( Gymnapistes marmoratus ). or Mud Islands. In deep seagrass beds at Blairgowrie, species richness was higher in autumn 2011 than spring 2010 (F 1, 108 = 13.578, P < 0.001), and in autumn 2011 than autumn 2010 (F 1, 108 = 22.493, P < 0.001). At Mud Islands, species richness was higher in

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 11

autumn 2011 than spring 2010 (F 1, 108 = 26.563, P < and autumn 2010 (F 1, 108 = 4.820, P = 0.030). At Mud 0.001), and in autumn 2011 than autumn 2010 (F 1, Islands, pipefish abundance was significantly 108 = 27.819, P < 0.001). No significant differences higher in autumn 2011 than spring 2010 (F 1, 108 = were apparent at St Leonards (Figure 3). 9.836, P = 0.002) but not significantly different to abundances in autumn 2010. No significant Fish Abundance differences were apparent at St Leonards (Figure Fish abundance (total for each site) varied 4). significantly but inconsistently with interactions between years, seasons, sites and depths (Table 3, Fish Size Figure 3). Fish abundances were significantly Analysis of length frequency data using higher in shallow seagrass compared with deep Kolmogorov-Smirnov two sample tests found seagrass in autumn 2011 at Mud Islands (F 1, 108 = significant differences in the length of fish in 51.693, P < 0.001) and St Leonards (F 1, 108 = 18.871, shallow and deep seagrass beds in autumn 2011 P < 0.001), but not at Blairgowrie. (D = 0.232, P < 0.001) (Figure 5), with variation in size classes between the two depths. The largest At Blairgowrie, significantly more fish were fish collected during this survey were found in sampled in autumn 2011 than spring 2010 in shallow seagrass (Figure 5). Analysis of pooled shallow seagrass beds (F 1, 108 = 6.329, P = 0.013), depth data found significant differences in the but there was no significant difference in fish size of fish between autumn 2011 and spring 2010 abundance between autumn 2011 and autumn (D = 0.454, P < 0.001), with the largest size class of 2010. No significant differences were apparent in fish found in autumn 2011 (500–520 mm cf 460– shallow seagrass at Mud Islands or St Leonards. 480 mm in spring 2010) (Figure 6). There was also In deep seagrass beds at Blairgowrie, significantly a significant difference between autumn 2011 and more fish were sampled in autumn 2011 than autumn 2010 (D = 0.264, P < 0.01) with the largest spring 2010 (F 1, 108 = 6.217, P = 0.014), and in size class of fish in autumn 2011 (500–520 mm) autumn 2011 than autumn 2010 (F 1, 108 = 18.005, P < (Figure 6). 0.001). At Mud Islands, significantly more fish Of those species found at both depths in autumn were sampled, in deep seagrass beds, in autumn 2011, spring 2010 and autumn 2010, wide-body 2011 than spring 2010 (F 1, 108 = 17.184, P < 0.001), pipefish and bridled leatherjackets were regularly and in autumn 2011 than autumn 2010 (F 1, 108 = abundant. The size of these two species varied 14.625, P < 0.001). No significant differences were with depth and date (Figures 7–10). apparent at St Leonards (Figure 3). There were significant differences in the length Wide-body pipefish frequency distributions of wide-body pipefish in Wide-body pipefish abundance varied shallow and deep seagrass beds in autumn 2011 significantly but inconsistently with interactions (D = 0.153, P = 0.009) (Figure 7). The highest between: years, seasons, sites and depths (Table 3, proportion of wide-body pipefish in both shallow Figure 4). and deep seagrass in autumn 2011 was in the 80– Pipefish abundances were significantly higher in 100 mm size class. shallow seagrass compared with deep seagrass in Analysis of length frequency data pooled for autumn 2011 at Mud Islands (F 1, 108 = 5.741, P = depths found significant differences in the length 0.018) and St Leonards (F 1, 108 = 20.021, P < 0.001), frequency distributions of wide-body pipefish but lower in shallow seagrass compared with between autumn 2011 and spring 2010 (D = 0.541, deep seagrass at Blairgowrie (F 1, 108 = 7.558, P = P < 0.001) and between autumn 2011 and autumn 0.007). 2010 (D = 0.189, P < 0.001) (Figure 8). A seasonal Pipefish abundance in shallow seagrass was pattern was apparent, with a greater proportion significantly lower in autumn 2011 than spring of pipefish in the 100–120 mm size class in spring 2010 at Blairgowrie (F 1, 108 = 6.026, P = 0.016), but of both years compared with the autumn, and a significantly higher in autumn 2011 than spring greater proportion of pipefish in the 60–80 mm 2010 at Mud Islands (F 1, 108 = 19.719, P < 0.001) and size class in autumn of both years compared with St Leonards, (F 1, 108 = 6.747, P = 0.011). No spring. significant differences were apparent between There were significant differences in the length autumn 2011 and autumn 2010 at any of the sites. frequency distributions of bridled leatherjackets In deep seagrass beds at Blairgowrie, pipefish in shallow and deep seagrass beds in autumn abundance was significantly higher in autumn 2011 (D = 0.215, P = 0.006) (Figure 9). The highest 2011 than spring 2010 (F 1, 108 = 11.004, P = 0.001), proportion of bridled leatherjackets in shallow

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 12

seagrass in autumn 2011 was in the 20–60 mm In shallow seagrass, no significant difference in size class. In deep seagrass, in autumn 2011, seagrass biomass was found between either bridled leatherjackets 40–60 mm in size autumn 2011 and spring 2010, or autumn 2011 predominated. The largest size class of fish in and autumn 2010 at any site. autumn 2011 were found in shallow seagrass In deep seagrass, seagrass biomass was higher in (240–260 mm). autumn 2011 than autumn 2010 at Blairgowrie, Analysis of length frequency data pooled for (F 1, 176 = 6.434, P = 0.012), Mud Islands (F 1, 176 = depths found significant differences in the length 21.005, P < 0.001) and St Leonards (F 1, 176 = 6.305, P frequency distributions of bridled leatherjackets = 0.013), but did not vary significantly between between autumn 2011 and spring 2010 (D = 0.682, autumn 2011 and spring 2010 at any site (Figure P < 0.001) and between autumn 2011 and autumn 12). 2010 (D = 0.264, P = 0.017) (Figure 10). A broader size range was recorded in autumn 2011 than Fish and Seagrass during previous sampling events (Figure 9). Regression analysis indicated that: • There were significant positive relationships Seagrass between species richness and both seagrass Seagrass length varied significantly but length (F 1, 40 = 9.035, P = 0.005) (Figure 13 A) inconsistently, with interactions between: years, and seagrass biomass (F 1, 40 = 5.335, P = 0.026) seasons, sites and depths (Table 4, Figure 11). (Figure 13 C) Seagrass was significantly longer in shallow • There were significant positive relationships seagrass beds than in deep seagrass in autumn between total fish abundance and both 2011 at Blairgowrie (F 1, 176 = 24.851, P < 0.001), but seagrass length (F 1, 40 = 11.023, P = 0.002) not at Mud Islands or St Leonards. (Figure 13 B) and seagrass biomass (F 1, 40 = Seagrass in shallow beds at Blairgowrie was 13.769, P < 0.001) (Figure 13 D) significantly longer in autumn 2011 than spring • There were no significant relationships 2010 (F 1, 176 = 7.667, P = 0.006), but was not between wide-body pipefish abundance and significantly different between autumn 2011 and seagrass length (F 1, 40 1.174, P = 0.285) or autumn 2010. At Mud Islands, seagrass in shallow biomass (F 1, 40 0.019, P = 0.890). beds was significantly longer in autumn 2011 than spring 2010 (F 1, 176 = 11.075, P = 0.001), and autumn Fish Assemblage Structure 2010 (F 1, 176 = 14.598, P < 0.001). At St Leonards, MDS plots and ANOSIM were used to assess any seagrass in shallow beds was significantly longer differences between fish assemblage structure at in autumn 2011 than autumn 2010 (F 1, 176 = 11.433, each depth and site. P = 0.001), but was not significantly longer in The greatest separation of sites in the MDS plot autumn 2011 than spring 2010. for all sites in autumn 2011 was based on depth Seagrass length in deep beds at Mud Islands was (Figure 14). Fish assemblages sampled in deep significantly longer in autumn 2011 than spring seagrass were significantly different from those 2010 (F 1, 176 = 32.278, P < 0.001), and autumn 2010 sampled in shallow seagrass (Global R = 0.417, P = (F 1, 176 = 24.209, P < 0.001). At St Leonards, seagrass 0.001), with smallmouth hardyhead (12.42%), in deep beds was significantly longer in autumn silver fish (11.08%) and wide-body pipefish 2011 than spring 2010 (F 1, 176 = 16.360, P < 0.001), (8.03%) contributing the greatest differences and autumn 2010 (F 1, 176 = 12.415, P = 0.001). No between depths. significant differences were observed between Fish assemblage structure varied significantly autumn 2011 and the two previous sampling amongst samples at the different sites (Global R = times at Blairgowrie. 0.127, P = 0.026), with significant differences at the Seagrass biomass varied significantly but site level between Mud Islands and St Leonards inconsistently, with interactions between: years, (Global R = 0.150, P = 0.043), with wide-body seasons, sites and depths (Table 4, Figure 12). pipefish (10.92%), bridled leatherjacket (9.82%) Seagrass biomass was significantly higher in and smallmouth hardyhead (7.73%) contributing shallow than in deep seagrass beds in autumn the greatest differences between these sites. There 2011 at Blairgowrie (F 1, 176 = 41.424, P < 0.001) and were no significant differences at the site level Mud Islands (F 1, 176 = 14.716, P < 0.001), but not at between Blairgowrie and Mud Islands or St Leonards. Blairgowrie and St Leonards.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 13

When all hauls from each date, depth and site significantly different from spring 2010 (Global R were compared, the separation in the MDS plot = 0.370, P = 0.003) but not autumn 2010 (Global R was mainly based on depth (Figure 15). Fish = 0.040, P = 0.239). Silver fish (15.65%), assemblage structure was significantly different smallmouth hardyhead (11.81%) and wide-body between depths (Global R = 0.698, P = 0.001), with pipefish (6.65%) contributed most to differences smallmouth hardyhead (10.63%), wide-body between autumn 2011 and spring 2010. pipefish (9.48%) and silver fish (7.74%) For deep seagrass beds, fish assemblage structure contributing the greatest differences between varied significantly with time (Global R = 0.247, P depths. There were no significant differences at = 0.001), with autumn 2011 being significantly the date level (Global R = 0.027, P = 0.264). different from spring 2010 (Global R = 0.442, P = When data for the complete study was examined 0.001) and autumn 2010 (Global R = 0.337, P = at each depth, some separation could be seen 0.004). Bridled leatherjackets (13.19%), wide-body (Figure 16). While stress levels for this analysis pipefish (12.93%) and spotted pipefish (8.78%) were relatively high, assemblage structure in contributed most to the difference in fish autumn 2011 was generally different to that in assemblages between autumn 2011 and spring spring 2010 at both depths. 2010. Wide-body pipefish (14.17%), spotted pipefish (7.81%) and little rock whiting (7.59%) For shallow seagrass beds, fish assemblage contributed most to the difference in fish structure varied significantly with time (Global R assemblages between autumn 2011 and autumn = 0.349, P = 0.001), with autumn 2011 being 2010.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 14

Table 1. Average abundance (No. haul -1; four hauls per site) of fish and squid sampled in deep and shallow seagrass beds at each site (Blairgowrie, Mud Islands and St Leonards) and total number of each species collected (species names from Gomon et al. (2008) and Museum of Victoria) in April 2011. Species not found during previous sampling events are marked in bold.

Family Common name Scientific Name Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards Total Deep Shallow Deep Shallow Deep Shallow Counts Deep Clinidae Long-nose weedfish Heteroclinus tristis 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 1 Gobiesocidae Grass clingfish Genus C sp. 1 0.75 0 0 0 0.25 0 4 Gobiidae Opalescent sandgoby Nesogobius sp. 1 20.5 0 0 0 0 0 82 Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagra in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide Mullidae Red mullet Upeneichthys vlamingii 2 0 0.25 0 0 0 9 Neosebastidae Little gurnard perch Maxillicosta scabriceps 0 0 0.5 0 0 0 2 Platycephalidae Yank flathead Platycephalus speculator 0 0 0.25 0 0 0 1 Sepiidae Australian giant cuttlefish Sepia apama 0 0 0.25 0 0 0 1

Shallow Atherinidae Smallmouth hardyhead Atherinosoma microstoma 0 134.75 0 83 0 0 871 Atherinidae Silver fish Leptatherina presbyteroides 0 97.75 0 67 0 5.75 682 Atherinidae Hardyhead recruits Atherinidae spp. 0 0 0 94.75 0 8.75 414 Blenniidae Tasmanian blenny Parablennius tasmanianus 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 2 Clinidae Ogilby’s weedfish Heteroclinus heptaeolus 0 0 0 0 0 0.75 3 Clinidae Common weedfish Heteroclinus perspicillatus 0 0 0 0 0 0.25 1 Clupeidae Blue sprat Spratelloides robustus 0 2.5 0 26 0 0 114 Enoplosidae Old wife Enoplosus armatus 0 9.5 0 2.5 0 1.5 54 Gobiidae Tamar River goby Afurcagobius tamarensis 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 2 Labridae Castelnau's wrasse Dotalabrus aurantiacus 0 0 0 0.25 0 0.25 2 Monacanthidae Six spine leatherjacket Meuschenia freycineti 0 1.5 0 0 0 0 6 Mugilidae Yelloweye mullet Aldrichetta forsteri 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 2 Odacidae Weed whiting Haletta semifasciata 0 0.5 0 2 0 0 10 Syngnathidae Shorthead seahorse Hippocampus breviceps 0 0 0 0 0 0.25 1

ss Beds Milestone Report # Report Milestone Beds ss Syngnathidae Half-banded pipefish Mitotichthys semistriatus 0 0.25 0 0.25 0 0 2 Syngnathidae Pugnose pipefish Pugnaso curtirostris 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 Tetraodontidae Prickly toadfish Contusus brevicaudus 0 0.5 0 0 0 9.25 39 Tetraodontidae Smooth toadfish Tetractenos glaber 0 0 0 0 0 2 8

15 Table continued on next page 7

16 Seagra in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide Table 1 continued. Average abundance (No. haul -1; four hauls per site) of fish and squid sampled in deep and shallow seagrass beds at each site (Blairgowrie, Mud Islands and St Leonards) and total number of each species collected (species names from Gomon et al. (2008) and Museum of Victoria) in April 2011. Species not found during previous sampling events are marked in bold.

Family Common name Scientific Name Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards Total Deep Shallow Deep Shallow Deep Shallow Counts Deep & Apogonidae Wood's siphonfish Siphamia cephalotes 0.25 0 0 0 0 0.5 3 Shallow Callionymidae Common stinkfish Foetorepus calauropomus 0 0 0.25 0 0.25 0.25 3 Clinidae Southern crested weedfish Cristiceps australis 3.25 0 0.5 1.25 0 3.75 35 Clinidae Adelaide weedfish Heteroclinus adelaide 0 0 0 1.25 0.5 6.5 33 Clinidae Kuiter's weedfish Heteroclinus kuiteri 0.25 0 0 0 0 0.25 2 Diodontidae Globefish Diodon nicthemerus 0.5 1 0.25 2.5 0 0.75 20 Gobiidae Twinbar goby Nesogobius greeni 0.25 0 0 0 0.5 0.25 4 Gobiidae Girdled goby Nesogobius maccullochi 0.5 0.5 0.75 0 0 0.25 8 Gobiidae Sailfin goby Nesogobius pulchellus 2.75 0 0.25 0 0 0.25 13 Monacanthidae Bridled leatherjacket Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus 14.5 4.25 10.5 39 0 1.25 278 Monacanthidae Toothbrush leatherjacket Acanthaluteres vittiger 2.75 0.25 7.5 1.5 0 3.75 63 Monacanthidae Unidentified monacanthid recruit Monacanthidae 17 1 1 0 0.25 0 77 Monacanthidae Pygmy leatherjacket Brachaluteres jacksonianus 1.5 0.5 2.25 0 0.25 1.75 25 Monacanthidae Rough leatherjacket Scobinichthys granulatus 2 0 0.5 0 0.25 1 15

ss Beds Milestone Report # Report Milestone Beds ss Odacidae Little rock whiting Neoodax balteatus 10.75 0.75 2.75 35 0.5 10 239 Syngnathidae Spotted pipefish Stigmatopora argus 3.25 0.5 6 16.5 0.75 7.25 137 Syngnathidae Wide-body pipefish Stigmatopora nigra 17 2 27.75 43.5 1 35.25 506 Syngnathidae Port Phillip pipefish Vanacampus phillipi 1 0 0 0.25 0 6 29 Tetrarogidae Cobbler Gymnapistes marmoratus 0 0.25 0.5 0 0.25 0 4 Idiosepiidae Southern pygmy squid Idiosepius notoides 1.5 0.5 0 0 0.25 0 9

Total abundance 410 1035 248 1666 20 441 3820

7

Table 2. Species sampled inconsistently in seagrass beds from autumn (April) 2008 – autumn (April) 2011. Grey bars indicate species sampled during all surveys; black bars indicate that a species was sampled only during specific surveys. Species not found during previous sampling events are marked in bold.

Family Common name Scientific Name Autumn Spring Autumn Spring Autumn Spring Autumn 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 2011

Apogonidae Wood's siphonfish Siphamia cephalotes ……….. …. ……..… . ……..…. ……..…. …...……. Arripidae Australian herring Arripis georgianus ………...... ………...... Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagra in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide Eastern Australian salmon Arripis trutta ………..…. Atherinidae Smallmouth hardyhead Atherinosoma microstoma ……..… .. ………...... …….. … . ……..… . ……..… . …...……. Shortsnout hardyhead Kestratherina brevirostris …….…... …………. …………. …………. Pikehead hardyhead Kestratherina esox …………. Silver fish Leptatherina presbyteroides ...………. …………. …………. …………. …...……. Hardyhead recruits Atherinidae spp. …...……. Blenniidae Tasmanian blenny Parablennius tasmanianus …………. …………. …………. …...……. Bothidae Bass Strait flounder Arnoglossus bassensis …………. Callionymidae Painted stink fish Eocallionymus papilio …………. …………. Common stinkfish Foetorepus calauropomus ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . …...……. Cheilodactylidae Dusky morwong Dactylophora nigricans …………... …………. …………. Clinidae South ern crested weedfish Cristiceps australis …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Adelaide weedfish Heteroclinus adelaide …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Short -tassel weedfish Heteroclinus flavescens …………. Kuiter's weedfish Heteroclinus kuiteri ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . Ogilby’s weedfish Heteroclinus heptaeolus …………. …………. …………. …………. …...……. Common weedfish Heteroclinus perspicillatus …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Long -nose weedfish Heteroclinus tristis …...……. …………. Slender snakeblenny Sticharium dorsale …...……. Clupeidae Blue sprat Spratelloides robustus …...……. …………. …………. …………. …………. …………. Diodontidae Globefish Diodon nicthemerus ………..…. ……...…. …………. …………. …………. …………. Engraulidae Australian anchovy Engraulis australis …………. Enoplosidae Old wife Enoplosus armatus …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... ………….. . …………... ss Beds Milestone Report # Report Milestone Beds ss Galaxiidae Minnow Galaxias maculatus …...……. Gobiesocidae Dwarf shore eel Alabes hoesei ……...…. Alabes spp. …………. Tasmanian clingfish Aspasmogaster tasmaniensis ………..…. Grass clingfish Genus C sp. 1 …. ..……. ………..…. ………..…. ………..…. ………..….

Table continued on next page 17 7

18 Seagra in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide

Table 2 continued. Species sampled inconsistently in seagrass beds from autumn (April) 2008 – autumn (April) 2011. Grey bars indicate species sampled during all surveys; black bars indicate that a species was sampled only during specific surveys. Species not found during previous

sampling events are marked in bold.

Family Common name Scientific Name Autumn Spring Autumn Spring Autumn Spring Autumn 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 2011

Gobiidae Tamar River goby Afurcagobius tamarensis ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . Bridled goby Arenigobius bifrenatus …...……. ………..…. ………..…. Half bridled goby Arenigobius frenatus ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . Longfinned goby Favonigobius lateralis ………..…. …...……. Opalescent sandgoby Nesogobius sp. 1 …………. …………. …………. Threadfin goby Nesogobius sp. 2 ………..…. ………..…. ………..…. ………..…. ………..…. ………..…. Twinbar goby Nesogobius greeni …...……. ………..…. ………..…. ………..…. ………..…. …………. Hinsby’s goby Nesogobius hinsbyi ………..…. Girdled goby Nesogobius maccullochi …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Sailfin goby Nesogob ius pulchellus …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Hemiramphidae Southern garfish Hyporhamphus malanochir ………..…. Idiosepiidae Southern pygmy squid Idiosepius notoides …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Lab ridae Castelnau's wrasse Dotalabrus aurantiacus …………. ss Beds Milestone Report # Report Milestone Beds ss Loliginidae Southern calamari Sepioteuthis australis …...……. Monacanthidae Monacanthid Unknown sp. 1 ……...…. Bridled leatherjacket Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Toothbrush leatherjacket Acanthaluteres vittiger ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . Pygmy leatherjacket Brachaluteres jacksonianus ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . ……..… . Six spine leatherjacket Meuschenia freycineti …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Unidentified monacanthid recruit Monacanthidae …………. ……..… . Meuschenia spp. …………. Rough leatherjacket Scobinichthys granulatus …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Mugilidae Yelloweye mullet Aldrichetta forsteri …………. …………. Mullidae Red mullet Upeneichthys vlamingii …………... ……...…. ……...…. ………….

7 Neosebastidae Littl e gurnard perch Maxillicosta scabriceps ……...…. ………..…. ……...…. ……...…. ………….

Odacidae Weed whiting Haletta semifasciata ……...…. ……...…. ……...…. ……...…. ……...…. Little rock whiting Neoodax balteatus …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Platycephalidae Sand flathead Platycephalus bassensis …...……. …………. Rock flathead Platycephalus laevigatus …………. …………. …………. Yank flathead Platycephalus speculator …………. …………. ………….

Table continued on next page

Table 2 continued. Species sampled inconsistently in seagrass beds from autumn (April) 2008 – autumn (April) 2011. Grey bars indicate species sampled during all surveys; black bars indicate that a species was sampled only during specific surveys. Species not found during previous

sampling events are marked in bold.

Family Common name Scientific Name Autumn Spring Autumn Spring Autumn Spring Autumn 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 2011

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagras in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide Rhombosoleidae Longsnou t flounder Ammotretis rostratus …………. Greenback flounder Rhombosolea tapirina ……..……. …...……. …...……. Sepiidae Australian giant cuttlefish Sepia apama …...……. Sepiolidae Southern dumpling squid Euprymna tasmanica ……..……. …..………. Sillaginidae King George whiting Sillaginodes punctatus …...……. ……...…. ……...…. Sparidae Black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri …………. Syngnathidae Shorthead seahorse Hippocampus breviceps …...……. …...……. ……...…. Knifesnout pipefish Hyperselognathus rostratus …...……. …...……. Half -banded pipefish Mitotichthys semistriatus ...………. ……...…. …...……. ……...…. Pugnose pipefish Pugnaso curtirostris ……...…. Spotted pipefish Stigmatopo ra argus …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Wide -body pipefish Stigmatopora nigra …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Ringback pipefish Stipecampus cristatus …...……. Hairy pipefish Urocampus cariniros tris ...………. ………..…. Port Phillip pipefish Vanacampus phillipi …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Tetra odontidae Prickly toadfish Contusus brevicaudus …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Smooth toadfish Tetractenos glaber …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Tetrarogidae Cobbler Gymnapistes marmoratus …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... …………... Uranoscopidae Common stargazer Kathetostoma laeve ...………. Urolophida e Eastern shovelnose stingaree Trygonoptera imitata …..………. …..………. Spotted stingaree Urolophus gigas ……..……. …..………. Sparsely -spotted stingaree Urolophus paucimaculatus …...……. Greenback stingaree Urolophus viridis ………..….

s Beds Milestone Report #7 #7 Report Milestone Beds s 19

Table 3. ANOVA results comparing variation in species richness, total fish abundance and wide-body pipefish abundance across years, seasons, sites and depths for all surveys in PPB from spring (November) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011 (df, degrees of freedom; MS, mean squares; F, F statistic; P, probability; significantly different results in bold; P <0.05).

Species Richness Total Fish Wide-body pipefish

Source df MS F P MS F P MS F P

Year (Y) 2 0.018 0.528 0.591 0.202 1.339 0.266 0.357 2.16 0.120

Season (Se) 1 0.208 6.015 0.016 1.764 11.723 0.001 12.536 75.845 <0.001

Site (Si) 2 0.121 3.49 0.034 1.678 11.153 <0.001 0.016 0.096 0.908

Depth (D) 1 5.394 156.031 <0.001 37.009 245.94 <0.001 14.216 86.01 <0.001

Y x Se 2 0.317 9.168 <0.001 0.919 6.108 0.003 0.362 2.192 0.117

Y x Si 4 0.068 1.972 0.104 0.443 2.945 0.024 0.516 3.12 0.018

Y x D 2 0.23 6.639 0.002 0.198 1.316 0.273 0.163 0.987 0.376

Se x Si 2 0.166 4.811 0.010 0.239 1.591 0.208 1.528 9.242 <0.001

Se x D 1 0.059 1.714 0.193 1.615 10.731 0.001 1.603 9.698 0.002

Si x D 2 0.08 2.316 0.104 0.854 5.673 0.005 0.682 4.127 0.019

Y x Se x Si 4 0.116 3.352 0.013 0.317 2.109 0.085 0.271 1.642 0.169

Y x Se x D 2 0.379 10.957 <0.001 1.202 7.986 0.001 0.884 5.349 0.006

Y x Si x D 4 0.186 5.395 0.001 0.804 5.346 0.001 0.615 3.723 0.007

Se x Si x D 2 0.2 5.788 0.004 0.333 2.21 0.115 2.01 12.162 <0.001

Y x Se x Si x D 4 0.087 2.515 0.046 0.657 4.368 0.003 0.627 3.791 0.006

Error 108 0.035 0.15 0.165

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 20

Table 4. ANOVA results comparing variation in seagrass length and biomass across years, seasons, sites and depths for all surveys in PPB from spring (November) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011 (df, degrees of freedom; MS, mean squares; F, F statistic; P, probability; significantly different results in bold; P <0.05).

Seagrass length Seagrass biomass

Source Df MS F P MS F P

Year (Y) 2 2.265 33.762 <0.001 5.093 11.045 <0.001

Season (Se) 1 0.911 13.586 <0.001 4.733 10.264 0.002

Site (Si) 2 2.09 31.154 <0.001 3.122 6.771 0.001

Depth (D) 1 13.622 203.049 <0.001 123.912 268.71 <0.001

Y x Se 2 1.249 18.622 <0.001 4.122 8.938 <0.001

Y x Si 4 0.493 7.348 <0.001 2.457 5.329 <0.001

Y x D 2 0.206 3.064 0.049 1.4 3.035 0.051

Si x Se 2 0.015 0.224 0.800 2.336 5.066 0.007

Se x D 1 0.255 3.801 0.053 2.644 5.733 0.018

Si x D 2 0.576 8.584 <0.001 5.557 12.051 <0.001

Y x Si x Se 4 0.306 4.567 0.002 1.445 3.133 0.016

Y x Se x D 2 0.015 0.219 0.803 2.239 4.855 0.009

Y x Si x D 4 0.089 1.327 0.262 1.176 2.55 0.041

Si x Se x D 2 0.859 12.798 <0.001 3.728 8.084 <0.001

Y x Si x Se x D 4 0.253 3.765 0.006 1.583 3.433 0.01

Error 176 0.067 0.461

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 21

20 Shallow Seagrass 18

16

14

12

10

)

-1 8

6

4

2

0

Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards

20 Site

18 Deep Seagrass

16

Average Species Richness (species.haul SpeciesRichness Average 14

12

10

8

6 Dates

4 April 2008 November 2008 April 2009 2 November 2009 April 2010 0 November 2010 Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards April 2011 Sites

Figure 2. Average (+SE) species richness recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 22

1000 Shallow Seagrass

800

600

400

) -1

200

0 Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards

120 Site

110 Deep Seagrass

100 Abundance (fish.haul Average 90

80

70

60

50 40 Dates 30 April 2008 20 November 2008 April 2009

10 November 2009 April 2010 0 November 2010 Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards April 2011

Sites

Figure 3. Average (+SE) fish abundance (totalled for all species) recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011 (n.b. scale change between graphs).

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 23

200 Shallow Seagrass

150

)

-1 100

50

0

Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards

60 Site

Deep Seagrass

50

40

Wide-bodyAverage pipefish Abundance (fish.haul

30

20 Dates April 2008 10 November 2008 April 2009 November 2009 April 2010 0 November 2010 Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards April 2011 Sites

Figure 4. Average (+SE) wide-body pipefish abundance in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011 (n.b. scale change between graphs).

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 24

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagra in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide

November 2009 April 2010 November 2010 April 2011 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Shallow Seagrass Shallow Seagrass Shallow Seagrass Shallow Seagrass

0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Total Proportion Total

0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60* 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 *80 00 20 40 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40* 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80* 00 20

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

November 2009 April 2010 November 2010 April 2011 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Deep Seagrass Deep Seagrass Deep Seagrass Deep Seagrass

0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

ss Beds Milestone Report # Report Milestone Beds ss 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

Proportion Total

0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2*2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80* 00 20 40 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40* 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00* 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 Size classes Size classes Size classes Size classes

Figure 5. Total proportion of finfish arranged by size class (mm) in deep and shallow seagrass beds in PPB during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April)

25 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011 (n.b. scale change between graphs). Stars indicate largest size class. 7

0.5 0.5

0.4 0.4 November 2009 April 2010

0.3 0.3

0.2 0.2 Total Proportion Total

0.1 0.1

0.0 0.0 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60* 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60* 80 00 20 40 60 80 00

Size classes Size classes 0.5 0.5

0.4 0.4 November 2010 April 2011

0.3 0.3

0.2 0.2

Proportion Total Proportion Total

0.1 0.1

0.0 0.0 0 20 40 60 80 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 0 20 40 60 80 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0* 0 0 Size classes Size classes

Figure 6. Total proportion of finfish arranged by size class (mm) in PPB during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011 (n.b. scale change between graphs). Stars indicate largest size class.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 26

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

November 2009 April 2010 November 2010 April 2011 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Shallow Seagrass Shallow Seagrass Shallow Seagrass Shallow Seagrass

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagra in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

Proportion Total

0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 *

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 20 40 60 80 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 0 20 40 60 80 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 0 20 40 60 80 10 1*2 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 0 20 40 60 80 1*0 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

November 2009 April 2010 November 2010 April 2011 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Deep Seagrass Deep Seagrass Deep Seagrass Deep Seagrass

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

Total Proportion Total *

0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

ss Beds Milestone Report # Report Milestone Beds ss * * * 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 20 40 60 80 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 0 20 40 60 80 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 0 20 40 60 80 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 0 20 40 60 80 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Size classes Size classes Size classes Size classes

Figure 7. Total proportion of wide-body pipefish arranged by size class (mm) in deep and shallow seagrass beds in PPB during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011. Stars indicate largest size class. 27

7

1.0 1.0

0.8 0.8 November 2009 April 2010

0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4 Total Proportion Total

0.2 * 0.2

0.0 0.0 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 *00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00

1.0 1.0

0.8 0.8 November 2010 April 2011

0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4

Proportion Total

0.2 0.2

0.0 0.0 * 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 0 0 0 00* 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00

Size classes Size classes

Figure 8. Total proportion of wide-body pipefish arranged by size class (mm) in PPB for deep and shallow seagrass beds during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011. Stars indicate largest size class.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 28

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

*

November 2009 April 2010 November 2010 April 2011 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Shallow Seagrass Shallow Seagrass Shallow Seagrass Shallow Seagrass

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagra in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

Total Proportion

0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 * * 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 *40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

November 2009 April 2010 November 2010 April 2011 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Deep Seagrass Deep Seagrass Deep Seagrass Deep Seagrass

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Total Proportion Total *

0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

ss Beds Milestone Report # Report Milestone Beds ss

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1*1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 0 0 *0 0 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 *0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Size classes Size classes Size classes Size classes

Figure 9. Total proportion of bridled leatherjackets arranged by size class (mm) in deep and shallow seagrass beds in PPB during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011. Stars indicate largest size class. 29 7

1.0 1.0

0.8 0.8 November 2009 April 2010

0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4

Total Proportion Total

0.2 0.2 * 0.0 0.0 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 0 0 0 *00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00

1.0 1.0

0.8 0.8 November 2010 April 2011

0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4

Total Proportion

0.2 0.2

0.0 0.0 0 2 4 6 8 1*1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00 0 0 0 0 00 20 40 60 80 00 20* 40 60 80 00 20 40 60 80 00

Size classes Size classes

Figure 10. Total proportion of bridled leatherjackets arranged by size class (mm) in PPB for deep and shallow seagrass beds combined during spring (November) 2009, autumn (April) 2010, spring (November) 2010 and autumn (April) 2011. Stars indicate largest size class.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 30

500

Shallow Seagrass

400

300

200

100

0 Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards

Site 500 Deep Seagrass Length (mm) Seagrass

400

300

200

Dates

100 April 2008 November 2008

April 2009 November 2009 April 2010 0 November 2010 Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards April 2011 Sites

Figure 11. Average (+SE) length of seagrass recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 31

80 Shallow Seagrass

60

40

20

0 Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards

80 Site

Seagrass BiomassSeagrass (g) Deep Seagrass

60

40

Dates 20 April 2008 November 2008 April 2009 November 2009 April 2010 0 November 2010 Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards April 2011 Sites

Figure 12. Average (+SE) biomass of seagrass recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 32

1.8 1.8 A C 1.6 1.6

) 1.4 ) 1.4

-1 -1

1.2 1.2

1.0 1.0

0.8 0.8

0.6 0.6

Log SpeciesRichness (species.haul Log Log SpeciesRichness (species.haul 0.4 0.4

0.2 0.2

0.0 0.0 0 100 200 300 400 500 0 10 20 30 40 50

Seagrass Length (mm) Seagrass Biomass (g)

4 4 D B

3 3

) ) -1 -1

2 2

1 1

Log FishAbundance (fish.haul Log Fish Abundance(fish.haul

0 0

-1 0 100 200 300 400 500 0 10 20 30 40 50 Seagrass Length (mm) Seagrass Biomass (g)

Figure 13. Relationship for all samples from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011 in PPB between: species richness and seagrass length (A); fish abundance and seagrass length (B); species richness and seagrass biomass (C); fish abundance and seagrass biomass (D). Lines on graphs represent the regression line (solid), 95% confidence interval of the regression line (dashed) and 95% confidence interval of the population (dotted).

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 33

34 Seagra in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide

2D Stress: 0.16 Blairgowrie Deep Blairgowrie Shallow Mud Islands Deep Mud Islands Shallow

St Leonards Deep St Leonards Shallow

ss Beds Milestone Report # Report Milestone Beds ss

7

Figure 14. MDS ordination comparing the similarity of fish assemblages in PPB at all depths and sites for autumn (April) 2011. Increasing distance between points indicates decreasing similarity.

April 2008 Blairgowrie Deep November 2009 Mud Islands Shallow April 2008 Blairgowrie Shallow November 2009 St Leonards Deep April 2008 Mud Islands Deep November 2009 St Leonards Shallow Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagra in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide April 2008 Mud Islands Shallow April 2010 Blairgowrie Deep 2D Stress: 0.18 April 2008 St Leonards Deep April 2010 Blairgowrie Shallow April 2008 St Leonards Shallow April 2010 Mud Islands Deep November 2008 Blairgowrie Deep April 2010 Mud Islands Shallow November 2008 Blairgowrie Shallow April 2010 St Leonards Deep November 2008 Mud Islands Deep April 2010 St Leonards Shallow November 2008 Mud Islands Shallow November 2010 Blairgowrie Deep November 2008 St Leonards Deep November 2010 Blairgowrie Shallow November 2008 St Leonards Shallow November 2010 Mud Islands Deep April 2009 Blairgowrie Deep November 2010 Mud Islands Shallow April 2009 Blairgowrie Shallow November 2010 St Leonards Deep April 2009 Mud Islands Deep November 2010 St Leonards Shallow April 2009 Mud Islands Shallow April 2011 Blairgowrie Deep April 2009 St Leonards Deep April 2011 Blairgowrie Shallow April 2009 St Leonards Shallow April 2011 Mud Islands Deep

November 2009 Blairgowrie Deep April 2011 Mud Islands Shallow November 2009 Blairgowrie Shallow April 2011 St Leonards Deep November 2009 Mud Islands Deep April 2011 St Leonards Shallow

ss Beds Milestone Report # Report Milestone Beds ss Figure 15. MDS ordination comparing the similarity of fish assemblages (averaged for all hauls) in PPB at all depths and from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011. Increasing distance between points indicates decreasing similarity.

35 7

2D Stress: 0.26 Shallow Seagrass

2D Stress: 0.23 Deep Seagrass

April 2008 Blairgowrie November 2009 Blairgowrie April 2011 Blairgowrie April 2008 Mud Islands November 2009 Mud Islands April 2011 Mud Islands April 2008 St Leonards November 2009 St Leonards April 2011 St Leonards November 2008 Blairgowrie April 2010 Blairgowrie November 2008 Mud Islands April 2010 Mud Islands April 2010 St Leonards November 2008 St Leonards April 2009 Blairgowrie November 2010 Blairgowrie

April 2009 Mud Islands November 2010 Mud Islands

April 2009 St Leonards November 2010 St Leonards

Figure 16. MDS ordinations, for each depth, comparing the similarity of fish assemblages at all sites in PPB from autumn (April) 2008 to autumn (April) 2011. Increasing distance between points indicates decreasing similarity.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 36

Appendix 2 Data

Raw data Electronic data files are as follows: • Data are provided with this report electronically, CDP Fish in Seagrass 2011 (1) Fish all data.xls in an MS Excel format requested by PoMC. • CDP Fish in Seagrass 2011 (1) Seagrass all Missing data – None data.xls • CDP Fish in Seagrass Metadata.doc

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Milestone Report #7 37