Meynecke, Jan-Olaf, Lee, Shing Yip, Duke, Norman C., and Warnken, Jan (2007) Relationships between estuarine habitats and coastal fisheries in Queensland, Australia. Bulletin of Marine Science, 80 (3). pp. 773-793.

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Abstract

Worldwide, estuaries have been recognized as critical habitats for nearshore fish productivity through their capacity as nursery grounds and nutrient sources. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the importance of the habitat characteristics of estuaries to commercial fish catch in Queensland, Australia, with particular focus on the role of mangrove, saltmarsh, and seagrass habitats, and their connectivity. Traditionally, such analyses have taken the single-habitat approach, i.e., assessing the value of individual habitat types. Combined occurrence of these habitats and their collective accessibility may better explain the importance of estuaries to nekton. A literature review identifies the role of estuaries as integrated systems for fisheries. Our study provides strong supportive evidence for habitat-based, not species-based, management of fisheries in Queensland. Outcomes from preliminary analyses in Queensland suggest that collective spatial characteristics of estuarine habitats such as size and structural connectivity significantly correlate with fish catch data with r2 values > 0.7 for 17 commercial species groups. The catch of one quarter of the investigated species was best explained by the presence of mud- and sandflats. An exploration of currently available data on habitat distribution and fisheries catch shows the need to scrutinise their spatial and temporal accuracy, and how best to use them to understand estuarine-fisheries links. We conclude that structural connectivity of estuarine habitats is fundamental to the size of fish stocks and to optimizing the sustainable yield for commercial and recreational fishers.

Item ID:	34928
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1553-6955
Keywords:	mangroves; habitat; fauna; estuarine fish catch; climate change; conceptual model; modelling; Australia; Pacific; IWP
Related URLs:	Publisher
Additional Information:	Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Mangroves as Fish Habitat
Date Deposited:	14 Sep 2016 04:47
FoR Codes:	05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0501 Ecological Applications > 050102 Ecosystem Function @ 40% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 40% 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0704 Fisheries Sciences > 070402 Aquatic Ecosystem Studies and Stock Assessment @ 20%
SEO Codes:	83 ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8302 Fisheries - Wild Caught > 830204 Wild Caught Fin Fish (excl. Tuna) @ 20% 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 20% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960503 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Coastal and Estuarine Environments @ 60%
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