Baywide Monitoring of Key in Beds Sub-Program

Progress Report No. 5 (April 2010) Neil Hutchinson & Greg Jenkins

June 2010 Victoria Technical Report Series No. 101

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Published: Fisheries Victoria Hutchinson, N. and Jenkins, G. (2010). Baywide Department of Primary Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Industries, Queenscliff Centre Beds Sub-Program. Progress Report No. 5 (April PO Box 114, Queenscliff, Victoria 2010). Fisheries Victoria Technical Report Series 3225 . No. 101, June 2010. Fisheries Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. 10 pp. 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 ISBN 978-1-74264-293-2 any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Progress Report #5 ii

Table of Contents

List of Tables ...... iv List of Figures ...... iv

Introduction...... 1 This Report...... 1

Materials and Methods...... 2 Field and laboratory methods...... 2 Exceptions ...... 2

Results and Discussion ...... 3 Species Richness ...... 3 Abundance ...... 3 Comparison with previous surveys...... 3 Conclusion ...... 4

References ...... 5

Appendix 1 Data Plots...... 6

Appendix 2...... 10 Raw data ...... 10 Data Files...... 10

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Progress Report #5 iii

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) in April 2010 and total number of each species collected (species names from Gomon et al. (2008) and Museum of Victoria). Species not found during previous sampling events are marked in bold...... 6

List of Figures Figure 1. CDBMP sampling sites for monitoring key fishery species in seagrass beds sub-program...... 2 Figure 2. Average (+SE) species richness recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from April 2008 to April 2010...... 8 Figure 3. Average (+SE) fish abundance (totalled for all species) recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from April 2008 to April 2010 (NB scale change between graphs)...... 9

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Introduction

The purpose of the Monitoring Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub-Program of the This Report Channel Deepening Baywide Monitoring This report summarises preliminary, qualitative Programs (CDBMP) for Port Phillip Bay (PPB) is results of the third autumn survey (April 2010) to improve the understanding of the fish species for the sub-program. using seagrass beds in the Bay. This sub- Length measurements recorded during April program is described in the CDBMP Detailed 2010, together with quantitative, statistically Design: CDP_ENV_MD_018 Rev 2.1 (PoMC analysed results for the survey, will be reported 2009). in Milestone Report No. 5. The objective is to collect data on the types and abundance of fish in shallow and deeper seagrass beds that will fill existing knowledge gaps and assist in understanding the significance of any observed changes in seagrass for these fish. Surveys are undertaken to compare the 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 in spring and autumn each year between 2008 and 2011. The autumn (April) 2008, spring (November) 2008, autumn (April) 2009 and spring (November) 2009 surveys were reported in Smith et al. (2008), Hutchinson et al. (Hutchinson et al. 2009a; b) and Hutchinson et al . (2010) respectively.

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Materials and Methods

Field and laboratory methods Exceptions Field and laboratory methods utilised in the There were no exceptions for this study period present study are described by Smith et al. (2008) according to the Detailed Design - and PoMC (2009). CDP_ENV_MD_018_Rev 2.1 (PoMC 2009). During the autumn 2010 study period (this There were no significant field events observed, report), fish were sampled in shallow (< 1 m) and although an increase in the presence of the deeper (2–8 m) seagrass, Heterozostera nigricaulis , epifaunal bivalve Electroma georgiana was beds at three sites: Blairgowrie, Mud Islands and observed in deep sites at Mud Islands. No St Leonards (Figure 1). Samples were collected QA/QC issues were recorded during this between 16 April and 6 May 2010. reporting period.

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

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Results and Discussion

A total of 48 fish species (43 finfish, two ray and lowest, wide-body pipefish, prickly toadfish three squid) from 22 families (18 families for (Contusus brevicaudus ) and blue sprat occurred in finfish, one family for ray and three families for the greatest numbers. squid) were sampled for all sites. Summary data The abundance of fish (total for all sites) was for species richness and abundance at all sites for higher in shallow seagrass (2883 fish) than deep the reporting period are provided in Appendix 1 seagrass (97 fish). Shallow seagrass was (Table 1). Data files for this reporting period are dominated by wide-body pipefish (821 fish), summarised in Appendix 2. silver fish (820 fish) and blue sprat (263 fish). Fish species sampled in April 2010 were Deep seagrass was dominated by a range of indicative of those collected in and around species including wide-body pipefish (39 fish), seagrass beds in previous surveys (Smith et al. opalescent sandgoby ( Nesogobius sp. 2 ; 17 fish) 2008; Hutchinson et al. 2009a; b; Hutchinson et al. and bridled leatherjacket ( Acanthaluteres 2010) and in previous studies of PPB (Jenkins et spilomelanurus ; 5 fish). al. 1997; Hindell et al. 2001). Wide-body pipefish (syngnathids), silver fish (atherinids), blue sprat Comparison with previous (clupeids) and smallmouth hardyhead (atherinids) were the dominant species. surveys During this survey, nine species of fish were Species Richness sampled that were not found during the previous surveys. The majority of these species occurred in Species richness (i.e. the number of species relatively low abundances: collected) was similar at all sites, with: • slender snakeblenny ( Sticharium dorsale ; two • 28 species of finfish, one species of ray and fish) one species of squid at Blairgowrie • Hinsby’s goby ( Nesogobius hinsbyi ; one fish) • 25 species of finfish, one species of ray and • one species of squid at Mud Islands southern garfish ( Hyporhamphus malanochir ; 32 fish) • 32 species of finfish and two species of squid • at St Leonards. yelloweye mullet ( Aldrichetta forsteri ; 15 fish) • knifesnout pipefish ( Hyperselognathus A total of 40 species for all sites (37 finfish, one rostratus ; one fish) ray and two squid) was sampled in shallow • seagrass, of which 25 species (23 finfish, one ray ringback pipefish (Sticharium dorsale ; one and one squid) were sampled only in shallow fish) seagrass. A total of 23 species for all sites (20 • a recently-settled unidentified leatherjacket finfish, one ray and two squid) was sampled in (two fish). deep seagrass, of which eight species (six finfish, In contrast, 29 species of fish found in one or one ray and one squid) were found only in deep more of previous surveys were not found in this seagrass. survey. The majority of these species were rare, with relatively few individuals collected at any Abundance time, except for King George whiting ( Sillaginodes When data were combined for both depths, it punctatus ) that were found seasonally in large was apparent that the greatest abundance of fish numbers in November 2008 and November 2009. was sampled at Mud Islands (1300 fish), where This change is expected, given that King George silver fish (Leptatherina presbyteroides ), wide-body whiting are known to show distinct seasonal pipefish ( Stigmatopora nigra ) and blue sprat patterns of settlement and habitat use (Jenkins (Spratelloides robustus ) were dominant. At and May 1994; Jenkins et al. 2000). Blairgowrie (952 fish), silver fish ( Leptatherina There was an increase in average species richness presbyteroides ), smallmouth hardyhead from April 2009 to April 2010 in shallow seagrass (Atherenisoma microstoma ) and cobbler hauls at all sites (Appendix 1, Figure 2). In deep (Gymnapistes marmoratus ) were most common. At seagrass hauls, average species richness at all St Leonards (728 fish), where abundances were

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Progress Report #5 3

sites decreased from April 2009 to April 2010 (Figure 2). Average fish abundance in shallow seagrass at Blairgowrie and Mud Islands was within the range observed in previous surveys. At St Leonards, average fish abundance was higher than previous surveys (Appendix 1, Figure 3). In deep seagrass , average fish abundance at all sites was lower than previous surveys (Figure 3). Seasonal and other patterns of change will be analysed and discussed further in the upcoming Milestone Report (#5). The report will also discuss possible effects, of an increase in the presence of the epifaunal bivalve Electroma georgiana on fish assemblages in deep seagrass sites at Mud Islands. Conclusion In general, variability in fish assemblages in deep and shallow seagrass beds in PPB during the reporting period was within what would be expected, based on previous studies (Jenkins et al. 1993; 1997).

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References

Gomon, M. F., Bray, D. J., and Kuiter, R. H. Australia using otolith microstructure (2008). 'Fishes of Australia's southern and hydrodynamic modelling. I. coast.' (Reed New Holland: Sydney.) Victoria. Marine Ecology Progress Series Hindell, J. S., Jenkins, G. P., and Keough, M. J. 199 , 231-242. (2001). Spatial variability in the effects of Jenkins, G. P., and May, H. M. A. (1994). fish on macrofauna in relation Variation in settlement and larval to habitat complexity and cage effects. duration of King George whiting, Marine Ecology Progress Series 224 , 231- Sillaginodes punctata (Sillaginidae), in 250. Swan Bay, Victoria, Australia. Bulletin of Hutchinson, N., Jenkins, G., and Smith, T. Marine Science 54 , 281-296. (2009a). Baywide Monitoring of Key Jenkins, G. P., May, H. M. A., Wheatley, M. J., Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub- and Holloway, M. G. (1997). Program. Milestone Report No. 2. Comparison of fish assemblages Technical Report Series No. 37. Fisheries associated with seagrass and adjacent Victoria, Department of Primary unvegetated of Port Phillip Bay Industries, Queenscliff, Victoria, and Corner Inlet, Victoria, Australia, Australia. with emphasis on commercial species. Hutchinson, N., Jenkins, G., and Smith, T. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 44 , (2009b). Baywide Monitoring of Key 569-588. Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub- Jenkins, G. P., Watson, G. F., and Hammond, L. Program. Milestone Report No. 3 (April S. (1993). Patterns of utilisation of 2009). Technical Report Series No. 60. seagrass ( Heterozostera ) dominated Fisheries Victoria, Department of habitats as nursery areas by Primary Industries, Queenscliff, commercially important fish. Victorian Victoria, Australia. Institute of Marine Sciences, 19, 100p. Hutchinson, N., Smith, T., and Jenkins, G. PoMC (2009). Monitoring key fishery species in (2010). Baywide Monitoring of Key seagrass beds - Detailed Design - Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub- CDP_ENV_MD_018 Rev 2.1 Port of Program. Milestone Report No. 4 Melbourne Corporation. (November 2009). Fisheries Victoria Smith, T., Jenkins, G., and Kemp, J. (2008). Technical Report Series No. 84. Fisheries Baywide Monitoring Key Fishery Victoria, Department of Primary Species in Seagrass Beds Sub-Program, Industries, Queenscliff, Victoria, Milestone Report No. 1. Technical Australia. Report No. 30. Fisheries Victoria. Jenkins, G. P., Black, K. P., and Hamer, P. A. Department of Primary Industries, (2000). Determination of spawning areas Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. and larval advection pathways for King George whiting in southeastern

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6 in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide

Appendix 1 Data Plots

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) in April 2010 and total number of each species collected (species names from Gomon et al. (2008) and Museum of Victoria). 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 Callionymidae Common stinkfish Foetorepus calauropomus 0 0 0.25 0 0 0 1 Gobiidae Half bridled goby Ar enigobius frenatus 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 1 Gobiidae Opalescent sandgoby Nesogobius Sp. 1 4.25 0 0 0 0 0 17 Rhombosoleidae Greenback flounder Rhombosolea tapirina 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 1 Sy ngnathidae Knifesnout pipefish Hyperselognathus rostratus 0 0 0 0 0.25 0 1 Ringback pipefish Stipecampus cristatus 0 0 0 0 0.25 0 1 Seagrass Beds Progress Report # Report Progress Beds Seagrass Sparsely - paucimaculatus 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 2 Loliginidae Southern calamari Sepioteuthis australis 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 1

Deep & Apogonidae Wood’s sipho nfish Siphamia cephalotes 0.5 0 0 3.25 0 0 15 Shallow Clinidae Southern crested weedfish Cristiceps australis 0 0.25 0 1 0.25 1.75 13 Diodontidae Globefish Diodon nicthemerus 0 2.5 0.75 3.5 0 0.25 28 Gobiidae Girdled goby Nesogobius maccullochi 0.25 6.25 0.5 0 0 2 36 Sailfin goby Nesogobius pulchellus 0 0 0 0.25 0.5 3.5 17 Threadfin goby Nesogobius sp. 2 0 0 0.75 0 0 0.25 4 Monacanthidae Bridled leatherjacket Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus 0 6.25 0 1 1.25 1.25 39 Toothbrush leatherjacket Acan thaluteres vittiger 0 1 0 1 0.25 0.5 11

5 Pygmy leatherjacket Brachaluteres jacksonianus 0 0.25 0.25 0 1 0.75 9

Rough leatherjacket Scobinichthys granulatus 0 0.25 0 0.75 0.25 1.75 12 Unidentified mona canthid recruit Monacanthidae 0 0 0 0.25 0.25 0 2 Odacidae Little rock whiting Neoodax balteatus 0 1.75 0 28.5 0.75 2.75 135 Sy ngnathidae Spotted pipefish Stigmatopora argus 0.25 6.5 0 8 0 3.25 72 Wide -body pipefish Stigmatopora nigra 7 5.5 2.25 76.75 0.5 123 860 Idiosepiidae Southern pygmy squ id Idiosepius notoides 0 0 0.25 0 0.25 2 10

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) in April 2010 and total number of each species collected (species names from Gomon et al. (2008) and Museum of Victoria). 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 Shallow Atherinidae Smallmouth hardyhead Atherinosoma microstoma 0 36.25 0 7.25 0 0.25 175 Shortsnout hardyhead Kestratherina brevirostris 0 0 0 15.25 0 0.25 62 Silver fish Leptatherina presbyteroides 0 104.5 0 100.25 0 0.25 820 Blennidae Tasmanian blenny Parablennius tasmanianu s 0 0 0 0 0 0.25 1 Clinidae Adelaide weedfish Heteroclinus adelaide 0 1.25 0 1.75 0 4.25 29 Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in in Species Fishery ofKey Monitoring Baywide Ogilby’s weedfish Heteroclinus heptaeolus 0 0.25 0 0.25 0 0 2 Common weedfish Heteroclinus perspicillatus 0 0.5 0 3 0 0.25 15 Slender snakeblenny Stichar ium dorsale 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 2 Clupeidae Blue sprat Spratelloides robustus 0 0 0 60.75 0 5 263 Enoplosidae Old wife Enoplosus armatus 0 14 0 0 0 4 72 Gobiidae Twinbar goby Nesogobius greeni 0 4 0 0 0 0.25 17 Hinsby’s goby Nesogobius hinsbyi 0 0 0 0 0 0.25 1 Hemiramphidae Southern garfish Hyporhamphus malanochir 0 8 0 0 0 0 32 Monacanthidae Six spine leatherjacket Meuschenia freycineti 0 7.75 0 0 0 0 31 Mugilidae Yelloweye mullet Aldrichetta forsteri 0 0.5 0 0 0 3.25 15 Odacidae Weed whiting Ha letta semifasciata 0 6.25 0 2 0 0 33 Platycephalidae Rock flathead Platycephalus laevigatus 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 2 Sy ngnathidae Shorthead seahorse Hippocampus breviceps 0 0 0 0 0 0.25 1 Half -banded pipefish Mitotichthys semistriatus 0 0 0 0 0 0.75 3 Por t Phillip pipefish Vanacampus phillipi 0 0.75 0 3.25 0 3 28 Tetra odontidae Prickly toadfish Contusus brevicaudus 0 0 0 0 0 8.75 35 Smooth toadfish Tetractenous glaber 0 0.75 0 1.75 0 0 10 Seagrass Beds Progress Report # Report Progress Beds Seagrass Tetrarogidae Cobbler Gymnapsites marmoratus 0 9.25 0 0 0 0 37 Urolophidae Eastern shovelnose stingaree imitata 0 0 0 0.25 0 0 1 Sepiolidae Southern dumpling squid Euprymna tasmanica 0 0 0 0 0 1.25 5

Total abundance 54 898 20 1280 23 705 2980

7

5

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 (species.haul Richness Average 14

12

10

8

6 Dates

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

Sites

Figure 2. Average (+SE) species richness recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from April 2008 to April 2010.

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1000

Shallow Seagrass

800

600

400

) -1

200

0 Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards

100 Site

90 Deep Seagrass

Average AbundanceAverage (fish.haul 80

70

60

50

40

30 Dates

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

Figure 3. Average (+SE) fish abundance (totalled for all species) recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from April 2008 to April 2010 (NB scale change between graphs).

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Appendix 2

Raw data Data are provided with this report electronically, in an MS Excel format requested by PoMC. Missing data - None

Data Files Electronic data files are as follows: • Seagrass fish April 10.xls • CDP Fish in Seagrass Metadata.doc

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