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    Peak in biomass driven by larger-bodied meso-predators in demersal fish communities between shelf and slope habitats at the head of a submarine canyon in the south-eastern Indian Ocean

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Wellington, C.
    Harvey, Euan
    Wakefield, Corey
    Langlois, T.
    Williams, A.
    White, W.
    Newman, Stephen
    Date
    2018
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Wellington, C. and Harvey, E. and Wakefield, C. and Langlois, T. and Williams, A. and White, W. and Newman, S. 2018. Peak in biomass driven by larger-bodied meso-predators in demersal fish communities between shelf and slope habitats at the head of a submarine canyon in the south-eastern Indian Ocean. Continental Shelf Research. 167: pp. 55-64.
    Source Title
    Continental Shelf Research
    DOI
    10.1016/j.csr.2018.08.005
    ISSN
    0278-4343
    School
    School of Molecular and Life Sciences (MLS)
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71651
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    This study investigated variations in the composition and biomass of demersal fish assemblages over a 570-metre depth gradient on the temperate, lower west coast of Australia (32° S) in the south-eastern Indian Ocean. Fish assemblages were sampled using Baited Remote Underwater Stereo Video systems (stereo-BRUVs, n = 284 deployments) from shallow waters around a mid-shelf island (Rottnest Island) to the continental slope within a submarine canyon (Perth Canyon). A total of 9013 individual fishes (i.e. SMaxN) belonging to 179 species and 75 families were identified. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed three distinct fish assemblages associated with the continental shelf (5–199 m), margin (200–300 m) and upper slope (300–570 m). A distance-based linear model revealed that among environmental covariates, benthic biota (sessile invertebrates and macroalgae) accounted for the highest proportion of variation in fish assemblage composition (16.9%) followed by depth (12.5%) and seabed relief (10.5%). Generalised additive models indicated higher biomass of fish associated with habitats characterised by benthic biota. Species richness decreased with increasing depth across the continental shelf but remained constant with increasing depth on the continental slope. Average fish length was not correlated with depth but was greatest at 200–400 m depth. The continental margin and upper slope habitats revealed a distinct change in assemblage composition as well as a peak in biomass of species that was dominated by larger-bodied meso-predators at the continental margin. The trends exhibited in fish assemblage characteristics across this broad depth range can inform ecosystem based management for deepwater fisheries resources.

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