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A review of the biology and ecology of key fishes targeted by coastal fisheries in south-east Australia: identifying critical knowledge gaps required to improve spatial management

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Abstract

Knowledge of the population biology, life-history ecology and scales of pre and post-settlement movement of marine species are needed to inform effective conservation management strategies, particularly when spatial information is required for management purposes such as zoning in Marine Protected Areas. This review provides the most current summary from primary and grey literature on the biology and ecology of several coastal fishes of economic and ecological significance in south-east Australia; identifies key knowledge gaps which may impede the development of effective spatial management; and recommends future research directions and methods. Reviewed species are luderick (Girella tricuspidata), eastern rock blackfish (Girella elevata), yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus australis), tarwhine (Rhabdosargus sarba), snapper (Pagrus auratus), red morwong (Cheilodactylus fuscus) and eastern blue grouper (Achoerodus viridis). The species have a diverse range of life-histories and population traits, and selected parameters were well studied in several species, such as growth (blue groper, luderick, yellowfin bream, tarwhine, snapper), post-settlement movement (red morwong), and larval ecology (yellowfin bream). However, empirical data on levels of pre- and post-settlement connectivity and real-time movements are not available for most species, and this represents a significant gap for improved spatial management. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating a range of methods including acoustic tracking and telemetry, otolith chemistry, intergenerational markers, and biophysical modelling will provide a more comprehensive understanding of life history parameters, movement and connectivity at scales relevant to MPA planning and monitoring.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank N. Knott, W. Gladstone and R. Creese for reviewing the manuscript. Thanks to M. Lowry for providing information on red morwong, and M. Gillings for editorial assistance. Funding for this review was provided by the NSW Marine Parks Authority and NSW Department of Primary Industries. We also thank the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) for support during the preparation of this paper (contribution no. 86).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Building 22 Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia

    Belinda G. Curley & Will F. Figueira

  2. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Locked Bag 1, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315, Australia

    Belinda G. Curley & Alan R. Jordan

  3. School of Biological Sciences, Edgeworth David Building A11, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Will F. Figueira

  4. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia

    Vanessa C. Valenzuela

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  1. Belinda G. Curley
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Correspondence to Belinda G. Curley.

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Curley, B.G., Jordan, A.R., Figueira, W.F. et al. A review of the biology and ecology of key fishes targeted by coastal fisheries in south-east Australia: identifying critical knowledge gaps required to improve spatial management. Rev Fish Biol Fisheries 23, 435–458 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-013-9309-7

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