Research Project Summaries 2002-2009 - Marine Parks Authority ...

competition permit, had to submit data on the species caught, the number and weightof individuals, the grid location where fish were caught, and additional anecdotalinformation. The data were separated into line and spearfishing, with Coffs HarbourBlue Water Free Divers being the only club legally undertaking spearfishingcompetitions. These data were analysed separately in the report of the 1999–2003study due to the different methods of capture, but were not separated in the 1997report.The annual harvest values (number and weight of fish taken) and harvest rates(number and weight per angler day) were analysed over the five-year period. Overallharvest values and rates remained similar from 2000 to 2003, but this was notconsistent among species. Harvest values were lowest in 1999 while harvest rateswere markedly higher in subsequent years.The grid locations in the marine park where the most fish were harvested wereidentified and compared between the two fishing methods. Spearfishing competitorswere concentrated in different areas of the marine park.More than 100 species of fish were recorded by line anglers, with snapper, venustuskfish, trevally, flathead and teraglin being the most abundant. More than 50 specieswere taken by spearfishing, with kingfish, fusilier, trevally, black-spot goatfish andmulloway being the most prominent. Overall more than 108 species were captured byangling and spearfishing methods combined. This compares with more than 77 speciesrecorded in 1993–1997. The actual number of species captured may be slightlyinaccurate due to inconsistent naming, and potential misidentification.A comparison of harvest values and harvest rates for the periods 1993–1996 and1999–2003 indicated that the number of anglers, competitions, angler days, and theresultant harvest values were higher from 1993–1996, but that overall catch-rates werehigher during 1999–2003.A national assessment of recreational fishing was conducted in 2000–2001 (Henry andLyle 2003). This included sampling conducted in the vicinity of the marine park, butanalysis was at a broader statewide scale. An evaluation of recreational fishing in NSWwas also reported as part of this national survey (NSW DPI 2002).3.1.3 Population biology and assessmentSpecies in the marine park can be rare, protected or threatened. Other species, suchas the giant cuttlefish, have iconic value. Wildlife research in this marine park rangesfrom incidental sightings and observational studies, through to specific genetic studiesand sophisticated telemetry studies. These studies contribute to information andknowledge about these species inside and outside the marine park. A summary offindings from recent studies is provided below.Black cod (Epinephelus daemelii)Black cod have been monitored in the marine park through the MPA’s reef fish program(Malcolm unpubl. data). Similar numbers were recorded annually at 16 sites from2002–2007, although these numbers were generally low (three, one, five, five, one andfour, respectively). Similar totals were also recorded at 18 sites surveyed annually,during 2003–2005 (four, 10 and 10, respectively) using a 30-minute timed countmethod. Although numbers are low and not conclusive, these results suggest black codare at least being maintained at these sites.A black cod study funded by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority(NRCMA) recently (autumn 2010) surveyed 20 sites between Tweed Heads and SouthWest Rocks where the cod are known to occur. Relative abundance was sampledSolitary Island and Jervis Bay Marine Parks Research Projects Summaries 2002–2009 21