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Biological Baseline Survey of the Ex-HMAS Brisbane Artificial Reef Schlacher-Hoenlinger, M.A., Walker, S., Johnson, J., Schlacher, T

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Biological Baseline Survey of the Ex-HMAS Brisbane Artificial Reef Schlacher-Hoenlinger, M.A., Walker, S., Johnson, J., Schlacher, T TTechnicalechnical reportsreports ofof thethe QueenslandQueensland MuseumMuseum No. 001 Authors: Monika Schlacher-Hoenlinger (1 & 2), Simon Walker (2), Jeff Johnson (2), Thomas Schlacher (1), John Hooper (2) Address: (1) Faculty of Science, Health & Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD-4558, Email: [email protected]; (2) Queensland Museum, Biodiversity Program, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane, QLD-4101, Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Report written for: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (December, 2006) BIOLOGICAL BASELINE SURVEY OF THE EX-HMAS BRISBANE ARTIFICIAL REEF Schlacher-Hoenlinger, M.A., Walker, S., Johnson, J., Schlacher, T. & Hooper, J.N.A. 2006 (published online 2009). Biological baseline survey of the ex-HMAS Brisbane Artificial Reef. Technical reports of the Queensland Museum No 001. www.qm.qld.gov.au (ISBN978-0-9805692-6-1) Copyright for this document is with the QM and University of the Sunshine Coast. Technical Reports of the Queensland Museum are published online, in read- only format, and individually catalogued by the National Library of Australia. These reports may include reproductions (or revisions) of documents that were originally compiled to advise industry, government or academia on specific scientific issues, and they are reproduced here to ensure that the scientific and technical data they contain are not lost within the vast unpublished scientific ‘grey literature’. For further information please contact: Managing Editor, Memoirs of the Queensland Museum Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane 4101, Qld Australia Phone 61 7 3840 7555. Fax 61 7 3846 1226. www.qm.qld.gov.au Email [email protected] Report written for: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Summary The ex-Navy ship HMAS Brisbane was (Carangidae, 13 spp.), butterflyfishes scuttled off the Sunshine Coast on 31 (Chaetodontidae, 9 spp.), surgeonfishes July 2005, to create an artificial reef and (Acanthuridae, 8 spp.) and tropical to provide world-class diving opportunities snappers (Lutjanidae, 8 spp.). on a significantly large warship in South- East Queensland. The wreck has since underpinned a significant expansion of the Fish abundance was high for some local diving and associated tourism industry, species, especially bigeyes (Priacanthus and has become a significant natural and spp.), Capricorn Cardinalfish (Apogon economic asset of the region. The wreck capricornis), Longnose Trevally also forms a significant addition to hard- (Carangoides chrysophrys), fusiliers substrate habitats of the local nearshore (Pterocaesio spp.), Blacksaddle marine zone. Goatfish (Parupeneus spilurus), Longfin Bannerfish (Heniochus acuminatus), Black Rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens) and two This report summarizes the findings of damselfish species (Chromis nitida and a biological baseline survey of the wreck Neopomacentrus bankieri). The minimum conducted by the University of the Sunshine number of each of these species was Coast and the Queensland Museum. It estimated to be between 150 and 3200 presents an inventory of the diversity of individuals when counts were made. larger, sessile invertebrates and fish that inhabit the wreck 12-18 months after the scuttling. Fish biomass on the wreck was substantially greater than what would normally be expected for similar-sized natural reefs in 102 species of larger invertebrates were the area, with unusually large concentrations recorded on the wreck. Crustaceans (25 of herbivores (eg rabbitfish) planktivores species) and sponges (Porifera, 24 species) (eg fusiliers and Yellowback Pullers) and are the most diverse faunal component, higher order predators (eg trevallies and followed by molluscs (bivalves and snails, tropical snappers). 17 species) sea squirts (Ascidiacea, 13 species), and lace corals (Bryozoa, 9 species). Other groups found on the In species richness terms, carangid and wreck include Echinoderms (e.g. black caesionid fish species were generally feather stars, sea urchins) and tube worms over-represented on the wreck, whilst (Polychaeta). pomacentrids and labrids were significantly under-represented. Additional research is required to more fully document fish For some faunal groups (e.g. sponges) the diversity on both the wreck and local natural wreck fauna may be broadly representative reefs and to contrast this with evolving of the species composition found on natural changes to the fauna on the wreck. reefs in the area, although comprehensive surveys of many components of natural reefs in the region have never been undertaken. The diversity and abundance of fish Conversely, most of the dominant fauna that species differs markedly between different has currently colonised the wreck differs sectors of the wreck. Species richness and from that of surrounding natural habitats. trophic complexity was greatest around For example, no hard corals or soft corals, exposed horizontal deck surfaces (106 and coralline algae were recorded on spp. recorded) and lowest in the heavily the wreck, although these are common shaded internal areas (46 spp.). Overall members of the seafloor communities in the fish numbers in the internal areas were region. Further colonisation of the wreck mainly comprised of large monospecific over time may, however, result in more aggregations of Capricorn Cardinalfish and species typical of natural reefs to occur Yellowback Pullers. The area around the on the wreck, but this requires ongoing superstructure (82 spp.) supported smaller biological surveys to verify. numbers of many of the species that were also found around the decks, but diversity appeared to be enhanced by stronger 150 species of fish were recorded on the exposure to currents and surge from wreck. The most speciose families were surface wave action. The vertical hull and damselfishes (Pomacentridae, 15 spp.), adjacent sandy bottom sector (89 spp.) was wrasses (Labridae, 13 spp.), trevallies dominated by loosely associated groups of QM Technical Report | 001 pelagic and predatory species, particularly recruitment to the wreck. trevallies (Carangidae), tropical snappers (Lutjanidae) and emperors (Lethrinidae). Some fishes recorded in this sector (eg This baseline survey represents a reference flatheads) were primarily sand-dwellers point against which future colonization of that would not be strongly associated with the wreck can be benchmarked. Arguably, habitats provided by the wreck. the assemblages on the wreck are in a relatively early stage of succession, but the rate at which faunal diversity will increase Fish communities appear to change over and assemblages change is currently not time: in late spring (Nov.) diversity was known. Therefore, a key recommendation lower (110 species) compared with the of this study is to implement a medium-term mid-winter (July) surveys (131 species). (e.g. 3 years) scientific monitoring program A similar but more striking trend was also that documents the nature and dynamics of noted for the abundance of most of the biological colonization. dominant fish species between these periods. This may indicate that some emigration from the wreck has occurred The ecological value of significant since winter to balance population levels artificial reefs such as scuttled ships is that may have been unsustainable during frequently argued in terms of creating the early phases of the wreck. Again, essential habitats of high ecological value. whether fish communities and biomass Although the wreck of the ex-HMAS changes significantly over time requires Brisbane currently supports a diversity of ongoing monitoring programs. species, it may be still be lower than that of surrounding natural reefs. Continued colonization of the wreck is predicted to Physical habitat features (e.g. depth, enhance the habitat value of the wreck, aspect) are important in determining the rate but the trajectories of this change cannot of colonization by encrusting assemblages be extrapolated from existing data. Thus, a (‘fouling communities’). The vertical sides further key recommendation of this report is of the ship have been settled by more to determine the current and future habitat species at significantly higher densities value of the ship in relation to the mosaic of than the horizontal surfaces; smothering existing ecosystems surrounding the wreck by sediment which settles on horizontal in the nearshore zone. areas may explain this pattern. Also, the encrusting fauna on the vertical surfaces is more diverse and abundant on the outside The wreck is visited by a large number of than on the inside of the ship, which is likely divers, but awareness about the ecological due to the random settlement and survival features of this important asset appears of larvae on accessible surfaces, and limited outside the diving community. which may also change over time through Therefore, it is recommended that an succession. interactive communication and education strategy is developed that provides comprehensive information to a variety of The benthic assemblages are currently audiences and delivers hands-on outreach in a state of flux with colonization still and education products on the biological progressing. As space for settlement and assets of the wreck. growth will become more limiting biotic succession will occur through competition and overgrowth. Pilot studies on temporal trajectories indicate that faunal composition and abundance changed in the relatively short period between July and November 2006. Amongst the
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