Harasti D and Malcolm H (2024) Assessing changes in threatened Black rockcod Epinephelus daemelii abundance and length over the past 15 years. Fisheries Research - NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Overview
This poster was presented at the Australian Society for Fish Biology conference in Newcastle November 2024. The poster summarises a study that assessed the relative abundance and size of Black rockcod to inform how it is responding to the conservation and management actions being implemented to protect the species.
- Overall, relative abundance and distribution have not increased over the past 15 year period since the initial benchmark broadscale surveys were conducted.
- An increase in size structure with more mature large females is a positive benefit to the overall population in terms of reproductive potential. Due to their life-history traits, recovery of the Black rockcod will take time.
- Given our findings, they are unlikely to recover to the level of an ‘un-threatened’ population in the near to long (i.e. decadal-scale) future.
- How long before we see strong positive signs of recovery is unknown.
- However, the above mixed indications of recovery suggest that more active management may be needed to help assist the ongoing recovery of this threatened species.
