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Connectivity and variation among estuaries in recruitment and population demographics of Sillago ciliata

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Abstract

Sillago ciliata is widely distributed in estuarine and nearshore coastal waters along the Australian east coast where it is a key target species in recreational and commercial fisheries, but population connectivity and demographic characteristics of populations have been little studied. By examining data from two separate fishery-independent surveys and a tag–recapture programme, this study identified that recruitment of juveniles occurred over six to eight months across estuaries spanning six degrees of latitude, most likely from a mixture of local and distant spawning events. Recruitment also began earlier at lower latitudes, similar to reported spawning. Growth of young-of-year varied across months, but was generally greatest between spring and autumn each year. There was considerable variation among estuaries in the demographic characteristics of adult populations, with sex-specific variation in growth, longevity, mortality schedules and length and age compositions evident. Growth varied significantly between sexes across all estuaries with females, on average, attaining larger lengths and ages than males, but there were no discernible estuary-specific differences in growth and mean length at age for either sex. Observed longevities ranged between 10 and 15 years for females and 7 and 12 years for males. Females dominated populations within each estuary and the mean length of the female population was greater than the male population. This was also the case for mean ages across most estuaries. Results from a tag–recapture study identified that individuals are capable of moving out of estuaries and up to 450 km along the coast, but the majority appear to remain resident within the same estuary system. The study provides baseline data for future process-oriented studies and species monitoring and assessments. Ecological and resource management considerations are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The two fishery-independent surveys were funded by NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries and the Australian Fisheries Research and Development Corporation as part of Projects 1994/042 and 2008/004. The historical tag–recapture study was funded by NSW DPI Fisheries. The gillnet survey was done in accordance with the NSW DPI Animal Care and Ethics Approval 2002/15. Numerous ex-colleagues at NSW DPI/Fisheries provided considerable field, laboratory and project managerial assistance, advice and discussions on different aspects of the studies presented here; their inputs are gratefully acknowledged.

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    Charles A. Gray

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Gray, C.A. Connectivity and variation among estuaries in recruitment and population demographics of Sillago ciliata. Ichthyol Res 70, 50–66 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-022-00858-1

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