2016 SoE Marine Chapter - State and Trends - Inner shelf reef fish species

Brief description

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of quality of species and groups - inner shelf reef fish species". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. ---------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGICAL SPECIES/COMMUNITY FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT Bony and cartilaginous fish assemblages found on coastal rocky and coral reefs <25 m depth, around the Australian continent. This includes all species (most not exploited). DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT Reef Life Survey visual census data were used for the current status assessment, with extensive spatial coverage of sites around the continent. Temporal trend information came from a combination of RLS, LTTRMP and AIMS long-term GBR monitoring datasets at 16 particular locations (MPA locations include the broader region and sites inside and outside sanctuary zones): NSW: Batemans Marine Park, Jervis Bay Marine Park, Sydney, Lord Howe Island, Port Stephens VIC: Beware Reef, Port Phillip Heads SA: Encounter Bay (Fleurieu Peninsula) WA: Rottnest Island, Jurien Marine Park, Ningaloo Marine Park QLD: Capricorn-Bunker, Southern GBR, Central GBR, Northern GBR TAS: Maria Island ---------------------------------------- 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2016 • Assessment grade: Poor Assessment trend: Deteriorating Confidence grade: Adequate high quality evidence and high level of consensus Confidence trend: Adequate high quality evidence and high level of consensus Comparability: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the 2011 assessment • 2011 • Assessment grade: Poor Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus ---------------------------------------- CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT Unclear what the 2011 assessment was based on.

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Statement: QUALITY OF DATA USED IN THE ASSESSMENT
Data quality is considered high, with assessment of data quality for RLS data presented in Edgar & Stuart-Smith (2009).

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Purpose
To describe the state and trends in inner shelf reef fish species for use in the Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment report.