scholarly journals Population structure of aggregations, and response to spear fishing, of a large temperate reef fish Cheilodactylus fuscus

2004 ◽  
Vol 273 ◽  
pp. 199-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Lowry ◽  
I Suther
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Temperate Reef ◽  
Temperate Reef Fish

A comparison of temperate reef fish assemblages recorded by three underwater stereo-video techniques

2005 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianne L. Watson ◽  
Euan S. Harvey ◽  
Marti J. Anderson ◽  
Gary A. Kendrick
Keyword(s):  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Temperate Reef ◽  
Stereo Video ◽  
Temperate Reef Fish

Rapid changes in life-history characteristics of a long-lived temperate reef fish

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 1096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe E. Ziegler ◽  
Jeremy M. Lyle ◽  
Malcolm Haddon ◽  
Graeme P. Ewing
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Temperate Reef ◽  
Life History Characteristics ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Temperate Reef Fish ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Banded morwong, Cheilodactylus spectabilis, a long-lived sedentary temperate reef fish, has undergone rapid changes in its growth and maturity characteristics along the east coast of Tasmania, Australia. Over a period of 10 years, growth of young males and females has consistently accelerated, such that in 2005, 3-year-old fish were up to 40 mm or 13% longer compared with 1996, and age at 50% maturity for females had declined from 4 to 3 years. The magnitude and speed of the observed changes were unexpected given the species’ longevity (maximum age of over 95 years). The underlying mechanisms for the changes remain unclear but density-dependent responses to changes in population size and age composition, possibly mediated through reduced competition for shelter and intra-specific interactions, may have been contributing factors. Increasing sea surface temperatures over part of the period of change does not appear to have been a major driver and a genetic response to fishing seems unlikely. Notwithstanding any uncertainty, C. spectabilis populations have become more productive in recent years, challenging the general approach towards stock assessment where life-history characteristics are assumed to remain stable across contrasting levels of stock abundance and environmental conditions.

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