Smith, T., Collier, C., Evans, C., Barrett, D., Barrett, E., Forsman, S., Settli, E., Whitman, K., Langlois, L., Kerr, R., Wilkins, S., Kellett, D., Groom, R., Lawrence, E., and Carter, A. (2025) Fish Communities and Benthic Monitoring of Marra Sea Country in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Report. James Cook University, Tropwater, Cairns, QLD, Australia. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Marra Land and Sea Country in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria includes the Limmen Marine Park (LMP; Australian Government) and the Limmen Bight Marine Park (LBMP; Northern Territory). The region has biodiverse marine habitats and fish communities, and the shared management aspirations identified within the two marine park management plans and the Marra Healthy Country Plan highlight a need to improve information on habitats and key species.

Benthic habitat monitoring and baseline fish surveys were conducted in Marra Sea Country 19–26 October 2023. The survey was a continuation of the collaboration between researchers from TropWATER James Cook University, Northern Institute Charles Darwin University, Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation, li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Rangers, Marra Traditional Owners, Parks Australia and the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission. The 2023 survey builds on previous habitat surveys of LMP, LBMP, and Marra Sea Country in 2021 by commencing year one of habitat monitoring and filling a key information gap in the region's knowledge of demersal fish species.

Our objectives were to (1) Increase understanding of traditional knowledge and collaborate with Indigenous rangers and Traditional Owners to undertake marine park management, such as monitoring, including the development of bilingual maps where possible; (2) Identify any changes/trends in the condition of benthic habitats in the marine park, including seagrass, algal, sponge and coral habitats; (3) Identify demersal fish communities in and adjacent to the marine parks, including consideration of key pressures on these communities and any potential management actions for mitigating impacts. A total of 194 benthic habitat sites were monitored using camera drops deployed from boats. Of these, 90 habitat sites were within the LMP. The remaining sites were in inshore waters adjacent to the LMP, including part of the LBMP, and in the LBMP at Kurrulinya (Maria Island). Diverse benthic habitats were recorded during the monitoring, including dense coastal and deepwater seagrass, algae, and coral-dominated communities.

Ninety-five Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) were deployed to survey fish species. Of these, 68 were in the LMP, with the remaining BRUVS in inshore waters adjacent to the LMP. BRUVS were deployed in a range of habitats, including coastal and deepwater seagrass, sponge and soft coral gardens and bare sediment. Ninety-two fish species were recorded. This included 24 species of sharks, rays and wedgefish such as yulmunji (tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier), tawny sharks (Nebrius ferrugineus) and zebra sharks (Stegostoma fasciatum). Fisheries species included mackerel (Scomberomorus spp.), jawarlawarla (coral trout, Plectropomus spp.) and emperors (Lethrinus spp.).

Marra Sea Country, encompassing the LMP and LBMP, is ecologically significant, supporting diverse habitats and rich fish and shark communities. The commencement of standardised habitat monitoring enables regional and temporal habitat assessments, providing critical insights into environmental change. Integrating scientific data with Marra Traditional Owners' knowledge strengthens marine park management. It aligns conservation efforts with the Marranbala Land and Sea Country Plan, ensuring both ecological and cultural priorities are met.

Item ID:	87673
Item Type:	Report (Report)
Keywords:	Benthic monitoring, Fish communities, BRUV, dugong, turtle, fish habitat, Sea Rangers, coral, algae, subtidal, seagrass meadows, benthic habitat, Marra Sea Country, Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory, Limmen Marine Park, Limmen Bight, Marra Traditional Owners, Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation, li-Anthawirriyarra ranger, TropWATER, Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University, Parks Australia
Copyright Information:	© James Cook University, 2025.
Funders:	Parks Australia, Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation, Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission
Date Deposited:	29 Oct 2025 01:56
FoR Codes:	41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring @ 100%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1805 Marine systems and management > 180501 Assessment and management of benthic marine ecosystems @ 50% 21 INDIGENOUS > 2104 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and culture > 210402 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander connection to land and environment @ 50%
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