1. Application of non-destructive methods for assessing rock pool fish assemblages on Lord Howe Island, Australia
- Author
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Meryl F. Larkin, David Harasti, and Tom R. Davis
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Fish mortality ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Ecology ,Observer (quantum physics) ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Sampling (statistics) ,Video camera ,Aquatic Science ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,law.invention ,Fishery ,law ,Non destructive ,%22">Fish ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Underwater ,Tide pool ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Rock pool fish assemblages can be highly diverse, though are poorly studied in many locations. Where rock pool fishes have been studied, sampling has often been undertaken using destructive techniques, causing fish mortality and damage to pool ecosystems. There is, therefore, a need for greater understanding of non-destructive methods for evaluating rock pool fish assemblages. To improve knowledge in this area, we tested three non-destructive techniques: mini baited remote underwater videos (mini-BRUVs) which utilised a stationary video camera to record fish, visual censuses (VCs) where a roving observer recorded fish using a slate and observer operated videos (OOVs) where fish were recorded by an observer using a video camera. These methods were tested for their effectiveness in assessing fish assemblages, using data from rock pools on Lord Howe Island (LHI), in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. VCs and OOVs required significantly less total survey time than mini-BRUVs, whereas mini-BRUVs provided advantages in the detection of fishes in small pools (
- Published
- 2018
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