Aerial Surveys of Sea Turtles in the Northern Great Barrier-Reef Marine Park

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Marsh ◽  
WK Saalfeld

In 1984 and 1985, during surveys designed primarily to census dugongs, six species of sea turtles were counted from the air at an overall sampling intensity of 9% over a total area of 31 288 km2 within the northern sections of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The sea turtles were not identified to species. We attempted to correct sightings for perception bias (the proportion of animals visible in the transect which are missed by observers), and to standardise for availability bias (the.proportion of animals that are invisible due to water turbidity) with survey-specific correction factors. The resultant minimum population estimate in November 1985 was (mean � s.e.) 32 187 � 2532 sea turtles at an overall density of 1.03 � 0.08 km-2, a precision of 8%. We consider this to be a gross underestimate of numbers present. Significant differences between population and density estimates obtained from repeat surveys of the same areas were accounted for by differences in Beaufort sea state and cloud cover. The analysis of covariance data suggested that we had not been successful in standardising all biases. Turtles were widely distributed throughout the Great Barrier Reef lagoon from inshore seagrass beds to mid- and outer-shelf reefs. Highest densities were observed on inshore seagrass beds and on mid-shelf reefs, particularly between Murdoch Island and Cape Melville, and in Princess Charlotte Bay. Maps of density and distribution are given. We discuss the value and limitations of this survey regime for censusing sea turtles.

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 429 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Marsh ◽  
WK Saalfeld

In 1984 and 1985, dugongs were censused from the air at an overall sampling intensity of 9% over a total area of 31 288 km2 within the northern sections of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Sightings were corrected for perception bias (the proportion of animals visible in the transect which are missed by observers), and availability bias (the proportion of animals that are invisible due to water turbidity) with survey-specific correction factors. There were no significant differences between population and density estimates obtained from repeat surveys of the same areas. The resultant population estimate (�s.e.) was 8110 � 1073 dugongs at an overall density (� s.e.) of 0.26�0.03 km-2, a precision of 13%. Dugongs occurred up to 58 km offshore and in water up to 37 m deep. The highest density of animals was seen on coastal seagrass beds at depths of <5 m. Maps of density and distribution are given. The design and timing of future surveys is also discussed.


1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Woodley

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. It is recognised and appreciated worldwide as a unique environment and for this reason has been inscribed on the World Heritage List. The Reef is economically-important to Queensland and Australia, supporting substantial tourism and fishing industries. Management of the Great Barrier Reef to ensure conservation of its natural qualities in perpetuity is achieved through the establishment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The maintenance of water quality to protect the reef and the industries which depend on it is becoming an increasingly important management issue requiring better knowledge and possibly new standards of treatment and discharge.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
OCTO

Jon Day shares key lessons learned from stakeholder engagement efforts during the Representative Areas Program in the Great Barrier Reef, which was a key part of the comprehensive rezoning of the entire Marine Park between 1999 and 2003. As a result of this planning process, the total area of no-take zones increased from less than 5% to over one-third of the Marine Park, highlighting in large part the importance of effectively engaging stakeholders.


Oryx ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-24
Author(s):  
H. Robert Bustard

In 1968 the Queensland Government gave five species of turtle full protection along the State’s entire 3200-mile-long coast and the whole of the Great Barrier Reef. In this article Dr Bustard tells the history of turtle protection in Queensland and describes the two turtle population studies he has been running since 1964 which, with other studies, led to the protection order.


Author(s):  
Mike Kingsford ◽  
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is 344 400 square kilometres in size and is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. This comprehensive guide describes the organisms and ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the biological, chemical and physical processes that influence them. Contemporary pressing issues such as climate change, coral bleaching, coral disease and the challenges of coral reef fisheries are also discussed. In addition,the book includes a field guide that will help people to identify the common animals and plants on the reef, then to delve into the book to learn more about the roles the biota play. Beautifully illustrated and with contributions from 33 international experts, The Great Barrier Reef is a must-read for the interested reef tourist, student, researcher and environmental manager. While it has an Australian focus, it can equally be used as a baseline text for most Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Winner of a Whitley Certificate of Commendation for 2009.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela M. Ceccarelli ◽  
Richard D. Evans ◽  
Murray Logan ◽  
Philippa Mantel ◽  
Marji Puotinen ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua N. Smith ◽  
Natalie Kelly ◽  
Simon Childerhouse ◽  
Jessica V. Redfern ◽  
Thomas J. Moore ◽  
...  

1992 ◽  
Vol 1992 (65) ◽  
pp. 15-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerry Geen ◽  
Padma Lal

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