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

Progress Report No. 8 (November 2011) Julia Kent, Greg Jenkins and Neil Hutchinson

January 2012 Fisheries Victoria Technical Report Series No. 159

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Published: Fisheries Victoria Kent, J., Jenkins, G., and Hutchinson, N. (2012). Department of Primary Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Industries, Queenscliff Centre Seagrass Beds Sub‐Program. Progress Report No. PO Box 114, Queenscliff, Victoria 8 (November 2011). Fisheries Victoria Technical 3225 Australia. Report Series No. 159, January 2012. Fisheries Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. 10pp. 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 978‐1‐74326‐096‐8 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 #8 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

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

References ...... 5

Appendix 1 Summary Data ...... 6

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

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Progress Report #8 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) and total number of each species collected (species names from Gomon et al. (2008) and Museum of Victoria) in November 2011. 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 November 2011...... 8 Figure 3. Average (+SE) fish abundance (totalled for all species) recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from April 2008 to November 2011 (NB scale change between graphs)...... 9

Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Progress Report #8 iv

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 fourth spring survey (November to improve the understanding of the fish species 2011) for the sub‐program. using seagrass beds in the Bay. This sub‐ Length measurements recorded during program is described in the CDBMP Detailed November 2011, together with statistically Design: CDP_ENV_MD_018 Rev 2.1 (PoMC analysed results for the survey, will be reported 2009). in Milestone Report No. 8. 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 habitat 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 (November) and autumn (April) each year between 2008 and 2011. The autumn 2008, spring 2008, autumn 2009, spring 2009, autumn 2010, spring 2010 and autumn 2011 surveys were reported in Smith et al. (2008), Hutchinson et al. (2009a; b; 2010; 2011a; b) and Hutchinson and Jenkins (2010).

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Materials and Methods

Field and laboratory methods Field and laboratory methods utilised in the There were no significant field events observed. present study are described by Smith et al. (2008) No QA/QC issues were recorded during this and PoMC (2009). reporting period. During the spring 2011 study period (this report), fish were sampled in shallow (< 1 m) and deeper (2–8 m) seagrass, Heterozostera nigricaulis, beds at three sites: Blairgowrie, Mud Islands and St Leonards (Figure 1). Samples were collected between 31 October and 28 November 2011.

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 43 fish species (41 finfish, one ray and Leonards (299 fish), where abundances were one squid) from 24 families (22 families for lowest, spotted pipefish, wide‐body pipefish and finfish, one family for rays and one family for grass clingfish (Gobiesocidae Genus C sp.1) squid) were sampled for all sites. Summary data occurred in the greatest numbers. and plots for species richness and abundance at The abundance of fish (not including ray and all sites for the reporting period are provided in squid species; total for all sites) was higher in Appendix 1 (Table 1; Figs 2 and 3). Data files for shallow seagrass (3067 fish) than deep seagrass this reporting period are summarised in (466 fish). Shallow seagrass was dominated by Appendix 2. shortsnout hardyhead (1217 fish), blue sprat (629 Fish species sampled in November 2011 were fish) and smallmouth hardyhead (450 fish). indicative of those collected in and around Deep seagrass was dominated by a range of seagrass beds in previous surveys (Smith et al. species including bridled leatherjacket (147 fish), 2008; Hutchinson et al. 2009a; b; Hutchinson and little rock whiting (Neoodax balteatus; 63 fish), Jenkins 2010; Hutchinson et al. 2010; 2011a; b) spotted pipefish (56 fish) and grass clingfish (47 and in previous studies of PPB (Jenkins et al. fish). 1997; Hindell et al. 2001). Shortsnout hardyhead (Kestratherina brevirostris; atherinids), smallmouth hardyhead (Atherinosoma microstoma; atherinids), Comparison with previous blue sprat (Spratelloides robustus; clupeids), surveys spotted pipefish (Stigmatopora argus; During this survey, two species of fish were syngnathids), wide‐body pipefish (Stigmatopora sampled that were not found during the previous nigra; syngnathids) and bridled leatherjacket surveys: (Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus; monacanthids)  were the dominant species. Velvetfish (Aploactisoma milesii; one fish)  Silverbelly (Parequula melbournensis; one fish) Species Richness In contrast, 42 species of fish found in one or Species richness (i.e. the number of species more of previous surveys were not found in this collected) was highest at Blairgowrie with: survey. The majority of these species were rare,  35 species of finfish, one species of ray and with relatively few individuals collected at any one species of squid at Blairgowrie time.  25 species of finfish at Mud Islands In shallow seagrass hauls at Mud Islands and St Leonards, average species richness was within  18 species of finfish at St Leonards. the range observed on previous sampling dates, A total of 31 species for all sites (30 finfish and while in Blairgowrie it was higher than one squid) were sampled in shallow seagrass, of previously recorded (Appendix 1, Figure 2). In which 16 species (15 species of finfish and one deep seagrass hauls, average species richness at squid) were sampled only in shallow seagrass. A Mud Islands and St Leonards was within the total of 27 species for all sites (26 finfish and one range observed on previous sampling dates, ray) were sampled in deep seagrass, of which 12 while in Blairgowrie it was higher than species (11 finfish and one ray) were found only previously recorded (Appendix 1, Figure 2). in deep seagrass. In shallow seagrass at Blairgowrie, average fish abundance was higher than previously recorded, Abundance while at Mud Islands and St Leonards it was When data were combined for both depths, the within the range observed on previous sampling greatest abundance of fish was sampled at dates (Appendix 1, Figure 3). Average fish Blairgowrie (2577 fish, two squid and one ray), abundance in deep seagrass at all three sites was where shortsnout hardyhead and blue sprat were within the range observed in previous surveys dominant. At Mud Islands (660 fish), smallmouth (Appendix 1, Figure 3). hardyhead, yelloweye mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) and bridled leatherjacket were dominant. At St

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Seasonal and other patterns of change will be analysed and discussed further in the upcoming Milestone Report No. 8. Conclusion In general, and based on previous studies (Jenkins et al. 1993; 1997), variability in fish assemblages in deep and shallow seagrass beds in PPB during the reporting period was within expectations.

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References

Gomon, M. F., Bray, D. J., and Kuiter, R. H. Hutchinson, N., Smith, T., and Jenkins, G. (2008). ʹFishes of Australiaʹs southern (2010). Baywide Monitoring of Key coast.ʹ (Reed New Holland: Sydney.) Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub‐ Hindell, J. S., Jenkins, G. P., and Keough, M. J. program. Milestone Report No. 4 (2001). Spatial and temporal variability (November 2009) Fisheries Victoria, in the effects of fish predation on Technical Report Series No. 84, macrofauna in relation to habitat Department of Primary Industries, complexity and cage effects. Marine Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. Ecology‐Progress Series 224, 231‐250. Jenkins, G. P., May, H. M. A., Wheatley, M. J., Hutchinson, N., and Jenkins, G. (2010). Baywide and Holloway, M. G. (1997). Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Comparison of fish assemblages Seagrass Beds Sub‐program. Milestone associated with seagrass and adjacent Report No. 5 (April 2010) Fisheries unvegetated habitats of Port Phillip Bay Victoria, Technical Report Series No. and Corner Inlet, Victoria, Australia, 102, Department of Primary Industries, with emphasis on commercial species. Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 44, Hutchinson, N., Jenkins, G. P., and Brown, A. 569‐588. (2011a). Baywide Monitoring of Key Jenkins, G. P., Watson, G. F., and Hammond, L. Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub‐ S. (1993). Patterns of utilisation of Program. Milestone Report No. 6 seagrass (Heterozostera) dominated (November 2010) Fisheries Victoria, habitats as nursery areas by Technical Report Series No. 128, commercially important fish. Victorian Department of Primary Industries, Institute of Marine Sciences, 19, 100p. Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. PoMC (2009). Monitoring key fishery species in Hutchinson, N., Jenkins, G. P., and Brown, A. seagrass beds ‐ Detailed Design ‐ (2011b). Baywide Monitoring of Key CDP_ENV_MD_018 Rev 2.1 Port of Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub‐ Melbourne Corporation. Program. Progress Report No. 7 (April Smith, T., Jenkins, G., and Kemp, J. (2008). 2011). Fisheries Victoria Technical Baywide Monitoring Key Fishery Report Series No. 135, June 2011. Species in Seagrass Beds Sub‐Program. Fisheries Victoria, Department of Milestone Report No. 1. Fisheries Primary Industries, Queenscliff, Victoria, Technical Report Series No. 30, Victoria, Australia. 10pp. Department of Primary Industries, Hutchinson, N., Jenkins, G. P., and Smith, T. Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. (2009a). Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub‐ Program. Milestone Report No. 2. Fisheries Victoria, Technical Report Series No. 37, Department of Primary Industries, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. Hutchinson, N., Jenkins, G. P., and Smith, T. (2009b). Baywide Monitoring of Key Fishery Species in Seagrass Beds Sub‐ Program. Milestone Report No. 3 (April 2009) Fisheries Victoria, Technical Report Series No. 60, Department of Primary Industries, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia.

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6 Baywide

Monitoring Appendix 1 Summary Data

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

of November 2011. Species not found during previous sampling events are marked in bold.

Key Family Common name Scientific Name Blairgowrie Mud Islands St Leonards Total

Fishery Deep Shallow Deep Shallow Deep Shallow Counts Deep & Apogonidae Woodʹs siphonfish Siphamia cephalotes 2.25 0 0 0 0 0.5 11 Shallow Clinidae Common weedfish Heteroclinus perspicillatus 0 2.25 0.25 16.75 0 0.25 78

Species Clinidae Adelaide weedfish Heteroclinus adelaide 0.75 0 0 0 0 0.5 5 Diodontidae Globefish Diodon nicthemerus 0 0.25 0.25 0.25 0 0 3 Gobiidae Threadfin sandgoby Nesogobius sp. 2 4.5 0.25 0.25 0 0 0 20

in Monacanthidae Bridled leatherjacket Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus 19.5 6.5 11.75 0 5.5 0 173

Seagrass Monacanthidae Toothbrush leatherjacket Acanthaluteres vittiger 2 1.5 1 0 0.25 1.25 24 Monacanthidae Unidentified monacanthid recruit Monacanthidae 1.5 1.25 0 0 0 0 11 Monacanthidae Rough leatherjacket Scobinichthys granulatus 2.5 1.25 0.75 0 0 0 18

Beds Odacidae Little rock whiting Neoodax balteatus 14.5 1 0.75 6 0.5 0.5 93 Syngnathidae Spotted pipefish Stigmatopora argus 9.75 21.75 1.25 0 3 18.25 216

Progress Syngnathidae Wide‐body pipefish Stigmatopora nigra 0 16.5 0.25 0 4.75 10 126 Syngnathidae Port Phillip pipefish Vanacampus phillipi 2 0.25 0 0.5 0.5 1.25 18 Tetradontidae Smooth toadfish Tetractenous glaber 0.25 0.5 0 0.25 0 0 4

Report Tetrarogidae Cobbler Gymnapistes marmoratus 0.75 0.25 0 0.5 0 0 6

Deep Aploactinidae Velvetfish Aploactisoma milesii 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 1

#8 Callionymidae Common stinkfish Foetorepus Calauropomus 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 1 Clinidae Southern crested weedfish Cristiceps australis 1.25 0 0.25 0 0 0 6 Clinidae Longnose weedfish Heteroclinus tristis 0.75 0 0 0 0 0 3 Gerreidae Silverbelly Parequula melbournensis 0 0 0.25 0 0 0 1 Gobiesocidae Grass clingfish Genus C sp. 1 0 0 0 0 11.75 0 47 Gobiidae Sailfin goby Nesogobius pulchellus 3.75 0 0.25 0 0 0 16 Gobiidae Opalescent sandgoby Nesogobius sp. 1 3.75 0 0 0 0 0 15 Mullidae Red mullet Upeneichthys vlamingii 1.5 0 0.25 0 0 0 7 Neosebastidae Little gurnard perch Maxillicosta scabriceps 0.5 0 0 0 0.25 0 3 Syngnathidae Ringback pipefish Stipecampus cristatus 0 0 0 0 0.25 0 1

Urolophidae Sparsely‐spotted stingaree Urolophus paucimaculatus 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 1

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 November 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 Shallow Arripidae Eastern Australian salmon Arripis truttaceus 0 0.25 0 0.5 0 0 3 Atherinidae Smallmouth hardyhead Atherinosoma microstoma 0 14.5 0 98 0 0 450 Atherinidae Shortsnout hardyhead Kestratherina brevirostris 0 303.5 0 0 0 0.75 1217 Blenniidae Tasmanian blenny Parablennius tasmanianus 0 0 0 0 0 0.25 1 Clupeidae Blue sprat Spratelloides robustus 0 157.25 0 0 0 0 629 Baywide Enoplosidae Old wife Enoplosus armatus 0 0.5 0 0 0 1.5 8 Gobiidae Southern longfin goby Favonigobius lateralis 0 4.75 0 0.25 0 0 20 Gobiidae Girdled goby Nesogobius maccullochi 0 1 0 0.5 0 0 6

Monitoring Idiosepiidae Southern pygmy squid Idiosepius notoides 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 2 Monacanthidae Six spine leatherjacket Meuschenia freycineti 0 2.75 0 0.5 0 0.25 14 Mugilidae Yelloweye mullet Aldrichetta forsteri 0 0 0 22.25 0 0 89 Odacidae Blue weed whiting Haletta semifasciata 0 1.25 0 0.5 0 0 7

of Sillaginidae King George whiting Sillaginodes punctatus 0 30.75 0 0.5 0 2 133

Key Syngnathidae Half‐banded pipefish Mitotichthys semistriatus 0 0 0 0.25 0 3.25 14 Syngnathidae Shorthead seahorse Hippocampus breviceps 0 0.25 0 0 0 0 1

Fishery Tetradontidae Prickly toadfish Contusus brevicaudus 0 1 0 0 0 7.5 34

Total abundance 290 2287 70 590 107 192 3536 Species

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

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

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1000 Shallow Seagrass

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Figure 3. Average (+SE) fish abundance (totalled for all species) recorded in seagrass beds at each site in PPB from April 2008 to November 2011 (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:  CDP Fish in Seagrass ‐ 2011(2) Fish all Data.xls  CDP Fish in Seagrass ‐ 2011(2) Seagrass all Data.xls  CDP Fish in Seagrass Metadata.doc

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