Reef Fishes of Conservation Concern in South Australia
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Reef Fishes of Conservation Concern in South Australia A Field Guide In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught. — Baba Dioum, 1968. by Janine L. Baker, Marine Ecologist SUPPORTED BY THE Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board Acknowledgments Thanks to the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management (AMLR NRM) Board for supporting the development of this field guide. Particular thanks to Janet Pedler and Liz Millington at AMLR NRM Board for guidance, advice and support. I am grateful to DENR, especially Patricia von Baumgarten and Simon Bryars, for part- supporting my time in writing an e-book on South Australian fishes, from which much of the information in this field guide was derived. Thanks to all of the marine researchers and divers who generously provided images for this guide. In alphabetical order, they include: James Brook, Adrian Brown, Simon Bryars, Helen Crawford, Graham Edgar, Chris Hall, Barry Hutchins, Rudie Kuiter, Paul Macdonald, Phil Mercurio, David Muirhead, Kevin Smith and Rick Stuart-Smith. The keen eye and skill of these photographers have significantly contributed to the visual appeal and educational value of the work. A photograph from the internet has also been included, and thanks to the photographer Richard Ling for making his image of Girella tricuspidata available in the public domain. I am grateful to Graham Edgar, Scoresby Shepherd and Simon Bryars for taking the time to edit and proofread the draft text. Thanks to Céline Lawrence for formatting the draft booklet for web-based printing and hard copy printing. Thanks also to the Marine Life Society of South Australia for their ongoing commitment to public education about South Australian reef fishes. Last, but by no means least, thanks to those who read this guide: if your understanding and appreciation of potentially threatened South Australian reef fishes are thus heightened, then the guide will have served one of its main purposes. Citation: Baker, J.L. (2011) Reef Fishes of Conservation Concern in South Australia - Dedication A Field Guide. Booklet produced with support from the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges This booklet is dedicated to my friends and colleagues Dr Scoresby Natural Resources Management Board, South Australia. Shepherd AO and Dr David Muirhead. Scoresby’s ecological perspicacity The text contained in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Whilst and life-long commitment to researching South Australia’s marine due care has been taken in compiling this information, contributors to this publication do environment are inspirational. I am also indebted to David Muirhead, not guarantee that the publication is without flaw, and therefore disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions, loss, damage, or consequences which may arise from any information whose commitment over several decades to photographing the fauna given in this publication. and flora of South Australia’s coastal waters, and widely sharing those This publication was made with the assistance of a grant from the Adelaide and Mount Lofty images, has enabled thousands of Australians to see and appreciate the Ranges Natural Resources Management Board. Views expressed are those of the author rich marine biodiversity of our temperate waters. and not necessarily those of the Board, and the Board accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained herein. © J.L. Baker 2011 Cover photographs: K. Smith (top); D. Muirhead (middle); S. Bryars (bottom) Introduction The coastal waters of South Australia (SA) are home to dozens of • low reproductive output and limited dispersal of young; different reef fish species. This booklet provides information about 23 of those species, plus one multi-species group of related fishes, • specific population structure (including, in some species, harems that but excludes reef fishes known mainly from deeper continental shelf are dominated by a single male, and sex-change in individuals over and slope waters, such as Knifejaw Oplegnathus woodwardi and the time); potentially threatened Ocean Leatherjacket Nelusetta ayraudi. • ease of capture, and low survival probability when the fishes are The guide provides: caught and released. • a simple description of each species, including differences in colour These characteristics, particularly in combination, can decrease the and/or markings between males, females and juveniles; resilience of reef fish populations to threatening processes such as localised over-fishing, and habitat damage to nearshore reefs. Coupled • information on the distribution and habitat, and, for some species, with these on-going stresses, is lack of knowledge of the population sizes, notes on the diet and behaviour; biology and ecology of most of these species, and the increasing threat of impacts from the effects of global warming, such as ocean acidification, • a brief summary of the fisheries for each species at both warmer sea temperatures and altered wind, wave and current patterns. Commonwealth and State levels, including targeted fishing and bycatch; and This booklet aims to assist divers and snorkellers, fishers, marine students, and anyone else with an interest in reef fishes, to identify • discussion of the vulnerable characteristics of each species. South Australia’s reef fishes of potential conservation concern, and provides an up-to-date summary of knowledge about those species. It is The species in this guide were chosen because each has one or more hoped that the information herein will promote a greater understanding of various life history characteristics that increase their susceptibility to of, and appreciation for, these fishes. For example, large males of the population decline over time. Examples include : charismatic western blue groper, which can live for decades, start life as small green female “parrotfish”, regularly caught and chopped up for bait • existence over a relatively narrow depth range, with some species by some fishers who are unaware of the identity. Similarly, some of the being limited to reefs in shallow coastal waters; uncommon and less abundant leatherjacket species, when accidentally caught whilst fishers are targeting more desirable species, are purposely • territoriality / strong site association with the “home” reefs, and killed because they are seen as “damn leatherjackets which steal the limited movement away from those areas; bait”. It is hoped that this guide will help foster a greater awareness of the vulnerability of reef fish species in southern coastal waters, and assist • slow growth, large size and long life span (in the absence of fishing); with their conservation over the long term. • late age or size at maturity (i.e. late onset of reproduction); Harlequin Fish Othos dentex Description Reddish, orange, olive green or pink on dorsal side, with large yellow to green blotches on lower half of body, and bright blue spots or dashes on head and sides. Large red blotch under pectoral fin. Yellowish, orange or coppery coloured fins. Grows to about 76cm, but not commonly seen at that size. Distribution Occurs in Western Australia and South Australia, and less abundant in © S. Bryars the latter State. Previously, might have occurred in Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, based on specimens collected during late 19th century, but no longer occurs there. In SA, there are records from Encounter Bay through Diet to the eastern Great Australian Bight. Harlequin Fish is a “sit-and-wait” ambush predator, that feeds on various small fish species, and possibly also crustaceans and molluscs. Habitat Found on moderately exposed coastal rocky reefs, near reef drop-offs, over Fisheries high relief reef patches surrounded by flatter bottom, in caves, and under Caught in low numbers in shark fishery gill nets in Commonwealth- ledges. Also recorded around shipwrecks. The depth range is narrow, from managed fisheries, and in WA. An infrequent catch of lobster pots in WA a few metres to at least 30m deep, but usually seen below 10m. and SA. Caught mainly by anglers, charter boat fishers and spear fishers in WA and SA. Considered a prize catch for recreational fishers and usually retained when caught. Vulnerability Harlequin fish has a strong reef association and slow moving habit, and thus can easily be caught by lines, spears and other gear. It is a relatively long-lived species (> 40 years), and belongs to the Serranidae family, whose members maintain a specific ratio of males to females in the population, and numbers per group. Fishing may be the main threatening process, and can interrupt the population balance, yet there are few controls on numbers caught. Survival of caught and released fish is likely to be low. This species is considerably less abundant in SA than in WA. Habitat impacts, such as sedimentation and nutrient pollution on reefs may also adversely affect populations. © J. Brook Black-banded Seaperch Habitat Hypoplectrodes nigroruber Adults are found on sheltered to moderately exposed reefs, often in caves, crevices or under ledges. Also recorded on artificial reefs, around shipwrecks and under jetties. Known mainly from 3m to 35m deep, but bycatch data indicate that it may also occur deeper. Description Adult Pale yellowish, brownish, greyish or pink body. Four dark red, brown or black bands across body, and irregular spotting on dorsal surface. Grows to about 30cm. Distribution From NSW through to Kalbarri area in WA, including northern Tasmania. Recorded in South Australia mainly from the Great Australian Bight, the gulfs region, and Investigator Strait. Diet Black-banded Seaperch feeds on small fishes. © P. Mercurio Juvenile Fisheries Minor bycatch of commercial long-lines, and lobster pots. Caught incidentally by anglers; also caught by spear fishers, and a minor catch of charter boat fishers. This species is also taken in low numbers for the aquarium trade. Vulnerability This species has a strong reef association and slow moving habit and thus can easily be caught by spears and other gear.