Victorian Subtidal Reef Monitoring Program - Parks Victoria

Parks Victoria Technical Series No. 67PPB Sanctuaries Subtidal Reef MonitoringThere have been four surveys in the Port Phillip Bay Marine Sanctuaries over the past sevenyears: March-April 2003; April 2004; April 2005; and April 2009.Point Cooke Marine SanctuaryMarine Sanctuary – Point Cook PinesMarked increase in Caulerpa remotifolia coverage and absence of Ecklonia radiata. Theintroduced Japanese Wakame Undaria pinnatifida was formally observed for the first time atPoint Cooke. Abalone Haliotis rubra abundances decreased and the median size changedfrom 84-89 to 63 mm length. The abundance of Eleven-armed Seastars Coscinasteriasmuricata increased.Reference – RAAF BaseLatest survey: 24 April 2009. Loss of all thallose seaweeds with development of sea urchinbarrens. Increased coverage of encrusting coralline algae. Very high abundances of seaurchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma. Although not measured, there was an apparent increasein abundance of sponge colonies. Notable increases in abundance of seastarsCoscinasterias muricata and Uniophora granifera. Very high abundances of Southern Hulafish Trachinops caudimaculatus.Jawbone Marine SanctuaryMarine Sanctuary - JawboneThe introduced Japanese Wakame Undaria pinnatifida was formally observed at Jawbone forthe first time. Higher abundances of Ecklonia radiata maintained from previous survey andincreased cover of encrusting coralline algae. Large increase in density of sea urchinHeliocidaris erythrogramma.Reference – Point GellibrandNo obvious temporal changes were found within Point Gellibrand during the latest survey. Itwas noted filamentous browns (Ectocarpales) were not observed at the site after the initial2003 survey. Large increase in density of sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma.III