parks victoria technical series marine natural values study vol 2 ...

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Parks Victoria Technical Series No. 79 Flinders and Twofold Shelf Bioregions Marine Natural Values Study Fish The fish assemblages associated with the Twofold Shelf bioregion Phyllospora communities are quite different to Phyllospora communities elsewhere in Victoria (Parks Victoria 2003). These fish assemblages have characteristics typical of both eastern and southern temperate waters (Williams et al. 2007). There are high abundances of banded morwong, Maori wrasse Ophthalmolepis lineolata, one-spot puller Chromis hypsilepis and white-ear damselfish Parma microlepis (Williams et al. 2007; Edmunds et al. 2010b). Species such as the mado Atypichthys strigatus, rock cale Crinodus lophodon, purple wrasse Notolabrus fucicola and the blue morwong Nemadactylus douglasii are regularly observed (Ball and Blake 2007; Williams et al. 2007). The fish assemblages in Point Hicks MNP are distinct from Beware Reef and Cape Howe (Edmunds et al. 2010b). They are dominated by large numbers of blue-throated wrasse Notolabrus tetricus and particularly the purple wrasse (Edmunds et al. 2005; Williams et al. 2007; Edmunds et al. 2010b). The eastern blue grouper Achoerodus viridis is also a prominent species in the MNP, but present in low numbers (Parks Victoria 2003). The density of herring cale Odax cyanomelas can show large temporal variations and the densities of sea sweep Scorpis aequipinnis is generally low (Edmunds et al. 2010b). Zebra fish Girella zebra can occur in large numbers (Williams et al. 2007). The banded morwong is common over both shallow and deep reef (Ball and Blake 2007). Schools of butterfly perch Caesioperca lepidoptera (Figures 24 and 25) can be observed in deeper areas where sessile invertebrates start to dominate (Ball and Blake 2007). Figure 25. A school of butterfly perch Caesioperca lepidoptera over a subtidal reef sponge garden in Point Hicks Marine National Park. Photo by Mark Norman, Museum of Victoria. 57
Parks Victoria Technical Series No. 79 Flinders and Twofold Shelf Bioregions Marine Natural Values Study Water column The water column as a whole is the largest habitat in the MNP and is important in different ways for many organisms including for transit or as a permanent home for particular stages of their life cycle. Organisms that use the water column environment can be broadly grouped into two categories based on mode of movement: either pelagic (actively swimming) or planktonic (drifting with the current). Larger species are often planktonic during early life stages before becoming pelagic as they grow. Smaller species tend to be planktonic but can influence their movement to some extent by controlling their height in the water column. Organisms that make their permanent home in the water column include sea jellies, salps, many fish, and both phytoplankton and zooplankton. Planktonic organisms play an important role in nutrient cycling, dispersal of species and providing food for larger animals, both within the MNP and more broadly in the marine environment. The water column is also used by fish, invertebrates and algae for transport and food (and other resources like oxygen). Parks Victoria does not currently monitor the water column as a habitat (Power and Boxshall 2007). As described in the following section a wide variety of seabirds, mammals and reptiles are found in the waters of Point Hicks MNP. 2.3.4 SPECIES OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE The approach of managing MNPs for their marine ecological communities, rather than threatened species, is also likely to protect and enhance threatened species populations (Power and Boxshall 2007). Whole-of-habitat management may also result in the protection of species not yet identified because of their rarity or cryptic nature (Power and Boxshall 2007). Flora No threatened marine flora has been recorded in Point Hicks MNP (Parks Victoria 2006f). Fish Many fish found in streams and rivers nearby Point Hicks National Park, have marine larval stages that would pass through and probably feed in the MNP. This would include the state and nationally vulnerable Australian grayling (Table 16). The nationally threatened whale shark has been recorded in the waters of Point Hicks MNP. The eastern blue groper Achoerodus viridis is present in low numbers in Point Hicks MNP. It is threatened by over fishing and a temporary protection from all fishing in Victoria was introduced in April 2011. Table 16. Conservation listed fish records from Point Hicks Marine National Park and surrounds. Victorian listing National listing Common name Scientific name FFG VROTS EPBC Australian grayling Prototroctes maraena L VU VU whale shark Rhincodon typus VU L = FFG listed, VU = vulnerable Birds Twenty-six conservation listed shore or sea birds have been sighted in or in the immediate surrounds of Point Hicks MNP (Table 17). Twenty are recognized as threatened in Victoria, listed under the FFG Act 1988 or the Victorian Rare or Threatened Species (VROTS) list. Two, the little egret and fairy tern are regarded as endangered. Four birds are listed as vulnerable at both the state and national level, including the northern giant-petrel, fairy prion, shy and black-browed albatross. Twelve birds are recognized internationally under the Australia Migratory Bird Agreement with either China (CAMBA) or Japan (JAMBA). Hooded Plover nesting sites have been recorded along the coast to the east of the park and at the mouth of the Mueller and Thurra Rivers, and it is likely that they forage along the park’s shore (Parks Victoria 2006f). 58
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4 Appendix 1 Compilation of species
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Biotic group Family Species Common
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Parks Victoria is responsible for m
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