Snapper (Pagrus auratus) abundance and size at Tuhua Marine Reserve as determined by baited underwater video survey: Technical report series 6

Published:  

December 2012
In April 2011, a baited underwater video (BUV) frame was dropped 23 times around Tuhua Island; inside the no-take marine reserve and restricted fishing area, to record changes in fish abundance and size since the last BUV survey in 2004.

Summary

Since 1993, underwater visual surveys recorded no consistent increases in snapper (Pagrus auratus) abundance and size until 2008. This change appeared to be due to the Department of Conservation (DOC) increasing compliance efforts and an alteration in sampling methodology from 2004.

In April 2011, a baited underwater video frame was dropped 23 times around Tuhua Island; inside the no-take marine reserve and restricted fishing area, to record changes in fish abundance and size since the last baited underwater video survey in 2004.

Contents

  • Abstract
  • 1 Introduction
    • 1.1 Marine reserves
    • 1.2 Tūhua (Mayor Island) and marine reserve
    • 1.3 Past surveys
    • 1.4 Snapper (Pagrus auratus)
    • 1.5 Poor Knights Island
    • 1.6 Hypothesis
  • 2 Methods
    • 2.1 Baited underwater video
    • 2.2 Footage analysis
    • 2.3 Statistical analysis
    • 2.4 Comparison
    • 3 Results
    • 3.1 Snapper abundance
    • 3.2 Snapper size
    • 3.3 The Poor Knights
  • 4 Discussion
    • 4.1 Results
    • 4.2 Methods
    • 4.2.1 Equipment
    • 4.2.2 Footage
    • 4.2.3 Size measurements
  • 5 Conclusion
  • 6 Acknowledgements:
  • 7 References
  • 8 Appendices

Publication information

Authors: A. E. Morrison & K. E. Gregor

ISBN (Print): 978-0-478-14976-0
ISBN (Web): 978-0-478-14977-7
ISSN (Print): 1176-2764
ISSN (Online): 1176-2772

Contact

Rotorua Office
Phone:   07 349 7400
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   rotorua@doc.govt.nz
Address:   99 Sala Street
Rotorua 3010
Postal Address:   PO Box 1146
Rotorua 3040
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