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

Parks Victoria Technical Series No. 79
Flinders and Twofold Shelf Bioregions Marine Natural Values Study
underwater diver-mediated visual survey methods of macroalgae, invertebrates and fish,
generally in a depth less than ten metres (Edmunds and Hart 2003). The SRMP monitors a
specific suite of fish associated with reefs in shallow waters and is not designed to assess
non-reef associated shallow water fish nor is it designed to assess the suite of species found
in deeper water.
Keough and Carnell’s (2009) preliminary analysis of the SRMP data from the first three
census events up to 2006 was done at the bioregion level of Point Hicks MNP, Cape Howe
MNP and Beware Reef MS. The analysis compared sites within MPAs to reference sites
outside the MPAs. They found there was no significant difference in species richness and
number of species between MPA and reference sites post-declaration for the Twofold Shelf
bioregion. Limitations to this work include the relatively short time since declaration and the
corresponding small data set (Keough and Carnell 2009). All algae analysed had similar
percentage cover between MPA and reference sites (Keough and Carnell 2009). The purple
sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma and dogwelk Dicathais orbita showed a greater
abundance at reference sites compared to MPA sites (Keough and Carnell 2009). The triton
Cabestana spengleri, red bait crab Plagusia chabrus and H. erythrogramma had significant
differences in abundance between the various MPAs (Keough and Carnell 2009). The
abundance of dominant fish species varied, but were generally similar between MPA and
reference sites over time (Keough and Carnell 2009). Mado, purple wrasse and bluethroated
wrasse were particularly variable but differences were not related to MPAs (Keough
and Carnell 2009). A clear MPA effect is unlikely to be detected until sometime after
declaration. Nationally and internationally it has taken well over a decade since declaration
to detect changes in fauna size classes and abundance in MPAs (Edgar et al. 2009; Edgar
and Stuart-Smith 2009). A major benefit of MPA declaration, apart from recovery from fishing
pressure, is to ensure the protection of the MNP area against future threats to biodiversity
and natural processes.
A targeted analysis of monitoring data in relation to conservation outcomes for the park will
be done by 2013. The subtidal reef monitoring program will continue to be implemented in
Point Hicks MNP. The major directions for monitoring include implementing an expanded
and improved monitoring program following a review of the major findings taking into
account knowledge generated since park declaration and conservation outcomes developed
for the MNPs (Keough et al. 2007; Power and Boxshall 2007; Keough and Carnell 2009)..
Statewide, the Museum of Victoria is collecting additional data on the marine natural values
of Victoria’s MPAs. They are gathering information about natural history through video and
photos (Figures 26, 27, 28 and 29), and using semi-quantitative methods to determine
spatial and temporal changes across the system in response to threats, including marine
pests and climate change. Jan Carey, University of Melbourne, is conducting research
focussing on marine pest species which may impact on park values, and the MPAs which
are most at risk of invasion. This will help prioritise Parks Victoria’s surveillance monitoring
efforts to MPAs where there is greatest potential for successful management.
2.3.7 KNOWLEDGE GAPS
No new surveys exist for the ecological communities of sandy beaches, intertidal soft
sediments or biota on intertidal reef of Point Hicks MNP. There is little new data on fish
abundances, distributions or interactions except in shallow subtidal reef habitats. No
information exists at present for water column assemblages. Major threats have been
identified for Point Hicks MNP but we have limited knowledge of the effect on the natural
values, particularly ecological communities.
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