Workshop summary management and science of fish spawning aggregations in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, 12-13 July, 2007

Abstract

Fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) are a key issue for management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.Marine Park. A workshop was held by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in July 2007 to bring together an expert group including reef fish scientists, managers and fishers to discuss the current status of fish spawning aggregations in the Marine Park and prioritise a strategic approach to management and science needs. Knowing that fish species that form spawning aggregations are, or potentially are vulnerable to overexploitation, the 28 workshop participants developed a list of research priorities and management considerations. The following research priorities were identified for the next five years (2007-2012): 1. The Queensland Government’s long-term monitoring programme for the Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery should include collection of reproductive samples for key target species. 2. Continue and expand the long-term dataset from Scott Reef and Elford Reef coral trout spawning site monitoring project offshore from Cairns, with replication in the north and south of the Marine Park. 3. Priority species for research are large mouth nannygai, black jewfish and grunter. 4. Implement a Marine Park wide interview survey to compile historic and current information on spawning aggregations for all key species. 5. Survey Old Reef to determine actual aggregation sites and timing for key species. 6. Investigate the impacts of fishing disturbances on aggregations, specifically for Spanish mackerel, grey mackerel, flowery cod, camouflage cod and coral trout species.