Comparison of the growth rates of two stocks ot snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) in south‐east Australian waters using capture‐recapture data

Between 1957 and 1962, 4155 snapper, Chrysophrys auratus (Bloch & Schneider), were tagged and released at a number of sites in Victoria. By the end of June 1972, 210 had been recaptured, and knowing their lengths at release and recapture and the periods at liberty, we determined the von Bertalanffy growth parameters K and L ₈ ^. The values (with 95% confidence limits) were: eastern stock ‐ K = 0.071 ± 0.040, L₈ = 968 ± 325 mm; western stock ‐ K = 0.068 ± 0.023, L₈ = 1079 ± 209 mm; combined stocks ‐ K = 0.062 ± 0.019, L ₈ = 1119 ± 215 mm. No difference between the stocks was apparent when we compared the estimates of K and L ₈ separately; however, when the estimates of K and L ₈ were compared together, a Wilcoxon's test gave a significance probability of 1.5%, indicating a difference in growth rate between the stocks. For the range of lengths of snapper recaptured, this difference was evidently caused by faster growth of snapper from the western stock.     

Population size and exploitation rate of snapper,Chrysophrys auratus,in the Hauraki Gulf from tagging experiments, 1975–76

The results of three snapper tagging cruises in the Hauraki Gulf area to estimate population size and annual exploition rate are presented. Eight hundred and thirty‐two snapper were tagged around Great Barrier Island in August 1975; in the inner Hauraki Gulf 1743 were tagged in June 1976 and 2685 in October 1976. Estimates of tag loss due to the combined effect of shedding of tags and tagging mortality were made, and the crude tag return rates were adjusted accordingly. The combined returns from commercial and amateur fishermen for the first year after tagging, adjusted for tag loss, were: Great Barrier Island, 19 (2.3%); inner Hauraki Gulf, June tagging, 98 (5.7%), October tagging, 179 (6.8%). Tag return rates from different parts of the study area varied considerably.

Calculations of the population size for the inner Hauraki Gulf (fishery statistical areas 006 and 007) were made from tag returns of longline and set net fishermen and their catch statistics taken from the monthly fishing returns; Petersen's method gave population sizes of 43 million (returns from June tagging) and 36 million (October). The catch statistics are thought to considerably under‐record the real landings, and better estimates of the population size may be 71 million and 60 million respectively.     

Evidence for long‐term site fidelity of snapper (Pagrus auratus) within a marine reserve

Increases in the density of exploited species on unfished reefs logically implies that some individuals are at least temporarily resident, or show fidelity to a particular area. We tagged snapper (Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider 1801)) in the Leigh Marine Reserve, New Zealand using visible implant fluorescent elastomer tags, recoverable by diver visual sightings without the need to recapture the fish. Batch tagging of snapper (n = 907) was done during an angling survey in June and December 1996, and individually coded tags were implanted by divers (n = 117) in January 1999. Snapper tagged during both programmes were recovered on irregular intervals from 1997 to 2000. There were 71 recoveries of batch tags within 500 m of their tagging sites, and these recoveries were still being made >3 years after tagging: Of individually coded fish, 49 (42%) were seen, sometimes repeatedly over several months, close to their respective tagging sites. These observations included snapper as small as 23 cm fork length, contradicting the commonly held impression that only large snapper take up long‐term residency on reefs. This preliminary evidence suggests that some snapper exhibit site fidelity to areas only a few hundred metres wide, and in the absence of fishing may occupy the same area for years.     

Icebergs south‐East of New Zealand in 1967 (note)

Sightings of 85 icebergs south‐east of New Zealand in February and March 1967 are reported, with associated sea surface temperatures.     

Photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins in the far south of New Zealand indicates a ‘new’, previously unstudied population

Declines in the abundance of bottlenose dolphins in the Bay of Islands and in Doubtful Sound have contributed to the species being classified as Nationally Endangered in New Zealand waters. Updated information on distribution and abundance nationwide is therefore a high priority. This study presents data from the first photo-identification surveys of Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island, conducted to document bottlenose dolphin presence, abundance and residency. Open-population mark-recapture models indicate that 18 (95%CI = 15–20) dolphins regularly use Paterson Inlet. Photo-identification of dolphins from unknown populations during two chance encounters in Otago Harbour and Dusky Sound included 11 individuals previously identified at Stewart Island. These results indicate that dolphins found regularly at Stewart Island are part of a larger, wide ranging southern population with a minimum population abundance of 92 (95%CI = 80–111) individuals.     

Early scale growth characteristics of the New Zealand snapper,chrysophrys auratus (Forster), with reference to selection of a scale‐sampling site

Scales from 17 body areas of juvenile snapper, Chrysophyrs auratus (Forster), were examined to determine scale growth characteristics, with the aim of denning the most suitable body site for routine scale‐sampling. Least‐square regressions of fish length on scale measurement from 0+ fish were calculated for several body areas, and back‐calculations were made to fish length at first annulus (L₁) from a sample of 1+ fish, using both the “uncorrected” and “corrected” formulae.

The overall fish/scale relationship is curvilinear, but high correlation coefficients show that fish/scale regressions from 0+ snapper may be taken as essentially linear. Such regressions give hypothetical fish lengths at scale formation of 8–23 mm. Mid‐body scales form at 10–14 mm, caudal scales earlier, head scales later.

Back‐calculated L₁ values from each area were compared with the mean for the whole body. Using the uncorrected formula there is a general trend for them to be lower than the mean at the head and higher at the tail, while the mid‐body region shows minimum variation from the mean. These variations are caused at least partly by differences in time of scale formation. The corrected formula gives smaller L₁ variations and a mean back‐calculated L₁almost identical to an observed L₁ from independent length frequency data.

The observed variations in scale structure and growth suggest that the “pectoral area”, bounded by the lateral line and the ventral edge of the pectoral fin, is the most suitable site for scale sampling.     

Photo‐identification of short‐beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in north‐east New Zealand: A photo‐catalogue of recognisable individuals

Photo‐identification has been established as a helpful tool in cetacean research. However, no study to date has attempted to apply this method to short‐beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis L.). We present here the results of two studies that were conducted concurrently in Mercury Bay and the Hauraki Gulf on the north‐east coast of New Zealand's North Island. Methods for distinguishing between individual dolphins are discussed. Sighting records of recognisable individuals indicate that some common dolphins move between Mercury Bay and the Hauraki Gulf (100 km distance), as well as between Mercury Bay and Whakatane (200 km distance). Common dolphin abundance and site fidelity appeared to be greater in the Hauraki Gulf than in Mercury Bay. A selection of photographs of distinct individuals is presented to allow future studies to compare their sighting records to ours, which may help establish the extent of home ranges, site fidelity, and possibly even longevity for common dolphins.     

Velocity measurements in the East Auckland Current north‐east of North Cape,New Zealand

Flow in the East Auckland Current (EAUC) system to the north‐east of North Cape, New Zealand is examined using data from two current meter mooring arrays, with supporting data from conductivity/temperature/depth (CTD) and satellite altimetry. Variable currents up to 45 cm s_–1 were observed. The variability was partly attributable to changes in position and strength of the North Cape Eddy whose centre lies some 150 km offshore. The observed flows across the mooring line correlate well with those estimated from satellite altimetry. This gives confidence in the use of the satellite data to estimate the transport variability in the EAUC in the 1992–2001 period. No seasonal cycle was found in the volume transports but rather broadband variability at periods longer than 100 days.     

Characteristic analysis on oxygen isotopic tracer in the East China Sea and waters to east of the Ryukyu－gunto

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Occurrence of gravel in the stomachs of two New Zealand stream‐dwelling fish (note)

Gravel occurred in. the stomachs of 17.8% of 924 Galaxias vulgaris and 2.8% of 430 Philypnodon breviceps taken from the Glentui River, Canterbury, between June 1970 and November 1971. It is suggested that differences in feeding habits and feeding locality are responsible for the difference in occurrence of gravel in the stomachs of the two fish species. Galaxias vulgaris feeds in the water column in riffles and, being a drift feeder, is more likely to ingest inedible material by accident than is P. breviceps, which feeds on the bottom in sheltered or quiet stretches of the river.     

Oxygen consumption in the epilimnia and hypolimnia of two eutrophic,warm‐monomictic lakes

Oxygen consumption was estimated for two eutrophic New Zealand lakes using a simple 2‐layer model, from estimates of net changes in oxygen, phytoplankton photosynthesis, inflow and outflow, diffusion, eddy diffusion, and changes in the depth of the thermocline. Of the total oxygen consumption, 75–85% occurred in the epilimnia. Epilimetic oxygen consumption per m³ and per m² in Lake Johnson were higher than in Lake Hayes, reflecting known differences in the trophic status of the lakes, but estimates for the hypolimnia of the two lakes were similar. Daily hypolimnetic areal deficits were sensitive to both the depths and time intervals chosen.

In the epilimnia, monthly oxygen production by photosynthesis averaged 1.1 and 1.8 times the initial oxygen content in Lakes Hayes and Johnson respectively. Diffusion appeared to be of similar magnitude to photosynthesis in the isothermal period, but was less important during stratification. Losses to the hypolimnia by eddy diffusion were less than 10% of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis in the hypolimnia contributed 30–40% of the oxygen consumed there and eddy diffusion supplied a further 20%.

In Lake Johnson a 3–5 m stratum of water in the metalimnion became anoxic for 2–3 months each summer while there were still up to 5.2 g.rer³ of oxygen remaining in the hypolimnion. Metalimnetic anoxia is attributed largely to oxygen consumption in situ, resulting from the highly eutrophic state of the lake and intense thermal stratification. Zooplankton respiration accounted for less than 10% of the maximum net decline in metalimnetic oxygen in 1970–71, but was more important in the other 2 years.

Changes in the oxygen content of the hypolimnion indicate that Lake Hayes has become more eutrophic since 1954–55. In Lake Johnson low oxygen concentrations at the autumn overturn (<5 g.m^‐3) represent a threat to the trout population.     

Snapper tagging in north‐east New Zealand, 1974: Analysis of methods,return rates,and movements

During 1974, 5045 snapper Chrysophrys auratus (Forster) were tagged at various locations along the north‐east coast of the North Island. Most were trawl‐caught using a canvas cod‐end in shallow inshore areas. Four types of tags were used, of which two were found to be effective: a large single‐barbed dart tag, and a lock‐on spaghetti tag. For the period up to the end of October 1975, 88 (1.74%) were returned. Highest returns were from the Hauraki Gulf (2.3%) and lowest from Northland (nil). Analysis of the recapture data showed that most movements were local, with a mean distance between tagging site and recapture position of 13.9 nautical miles (25.7 km). Four movements greater than 50 miles (92.6 km) were recorded. Local movements in the Hauraki Gulf were associated with the spring/summer spawning period. This movement, out from inshore areas which are closed to seiners and trawlers, and schooling behaviour, are thought to be the main factors contributing to the peak in snapper catches at this time of the year.     

Atypical size selection of captive school prawns,Metapenaeus macleayi,by three recreational fishing gears in south‐eastern Australia

Three manipulative experiments were done to estimate the selectivity of conventional and new sizes and configurations of mesh for school prawns, Metapenaeus macleayi, in three south‐eastern Australian recreational fishing gears (haul, push, and scoop nets). The treatment meshes examined were: (1) conventional‐sized, diamond‐shaped mesh used in all gears (20 mm in scoop nets and 30 mm in push and haul nets); (2) 30 mm in scoop nets; and (3) 40‐mm diamond‐ and (4) 23‐mm square‐shaped mesh in all gears. In all experiments, known quantities of school prawns (6–24 mm carapace length (CL)) were placed in purpose‐built enclosures, monitored to ensure no experimental‐induced stress (as measured by changes in L‐lactate in their haemolymph) and the replicate treatments of the various gear configurations deployed. Escapees from the various treatment nets were collected from the enclosures using fine‐meshed nets. Logistic selection curves were derived for all treatment nets and specific comparisons made within and among gears. All nets had 50% retention lengths (L₅₀) comparable to other penaeid‐catching gears with similar mesh sizes, but most had selection ranges (SRs) that were atypically inflated. The large SRs were attributed to a combination of factors that included the mesh geometry and towing speed of the gears and the behaviour of school prawns. The 20‐mm scoop net had the smallest selection parameters, retaining >99% of individuals larger than 13 mm CL. Mesh size in this gear would need to be increased to at least 30 mm to allow some maturing prawns (>18 mm CL) to escape.     

Warming and salinification of Labrador Sea Water and deep waters in the subpolar North Atlantic at 60°N in 1997–2006

A quantitative estimate of the temperature and salinity variations in the Labrador Sea Water (LSW), the Iceland-Scotland Overflow Water (ISOW), and the Denmark Strait Overflow Water (DSOW) is given on the basis of the analysis of repeated observations over a transatlantic section along 60°N in 1997, 2002, 2004, and 2006. The changes distinguished in the research evidence strong warming and salinification in the layers of the Labrador Sea Water and deep waters at the latitude of the section. The maximum increments of the temperature (+0.35°C) and salinity (+0.05 psu) were found in the Irminger Basin in the core of the deep LSW, whose convective renewal in the Labrador Sea stopped in the mid-1990s. The long-term freshening of the ISOW, which started in the mid-1960s, changed in the mid-1990s to a period of intense stable warming and salinification of this water. By 2005, the salinity in the core of the ISOW in the Iceland Basin increased to the values (～34.99 psu) characteristic of the mid-1970s. In 2002, the warming “signal” of the ISOW reached the Irminger Basin. From 1997 to 2006, the warming and salinification of the columns of the Labrador Sea Water and deep waters became as high as 0.2°C and 0.03 psu, respectively. The character of the long-term variations in the thermohaline properties of the LSW and ISOW from the 1950s evidence that these variations were nearly in-phase and correlated with the low-frequency component of the North Atlantic Oscillation.     

Episodic particulate fluxes at southern temperate mid-latitudes (42–45°S) in the Subtropical Front region,east of New Zealand

Sediment traps were deployed for almost 1 yr at two sites near 178°40′E in 1996–1997 on Chatham Rise (New Zealand). These sites were either side of the Subtropical Front (STF), which is a biologically productive zone, characterised by moderate atmospheric CO₂ uptake. At each site, PARFLUX sediment traps (Mk 7G–21) were deployed at 300 and 1000 m in 1500 m water depth. At 42°42′S, north of the STF, approximately 80% of the integrated total mass, POC and biogenic silica flux at 300 m occurred in a 7-day pulse in austral mid-spring (1064, 141 and 6 mg m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively, in early October). This pulse was recorded a week later in the 1000 m trap, indicating a particle sinking rate of 100 m d⁻¹. In contrast, at 44°37′S, south of the STF, the main flux of total mass and biogenic silica occurred 3 weeks later in late spring (289 and 3 mg m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively, in early November). Organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus fluxes were persistently high over spring at the southern site, although total POC flux integrated over 3 months was only 60 mg m⁻² d⁻¹. Thus, up to 2–3 times more material was exported north of the STF, compared with fluxes measured <200 km away to the south. As an integrated proportion of the annual total mass flux, however, more organic carbon was exported south of the STF (17% cf. 5–14%). Furthermore, organic material exported in spring from southern waters was labile and protein-rich (C : N — 8–16, C : P — 200–450, N : P — 13–36), compared to the more refractory, diatom-dominated material sinking out north of the STF in spring (C : N 9–22, C : P 50–230, N : P 5–19). These observations are consistent with anomalously high benthic biomass and diversity observed on south Chatham Rise. Resuspension and differential particle settling are probable causes for depth increases in particulate flux. Estimated particle source areas may be up to 120 km away due to high levels of mesoscale activity and mean flow in the STF region.     

Direct measurements of deep current at 162°E south of the equator in the Melanesian Basin: a trial to detect a cross-equatorial deep western boundary current

We conducted 1-year-long mooring observations four times below 2000?m, slightly south of the equator (2°39?? to 4°35??S) at 162°E in the Melanesian Basin in order to detect the southward deep western boundary return current crossing the equator. Contrary to our initial expectation of the deep flow scheme in the equatorial western boundary region, the observed results indicated a fairly complicated flow configuration. We analyzed the results with the help of a high-resolution model simulation. The ensemble average of the horizontal flow at each level near the deep western boundary indicates a significant westward flow at 2000 and 2250?m, with an insignificant southward component at 2500 and 2750?m. The annual mean meridional transports are very small (>1?Sv) and insignificant, with an ensemble-averaged value of 0.3?Sv (southward) ±0.4?Sv at most. Combining this with high-resolution model results, it is deduced that the southward transport of the deep western boundary current (DWBC) leaving the equator may be smaller than those obtained by low-resolution models, because of trapping of its fairly large fraction in the equatorial zone. Annual-scale flow patterns are classified into several categories, mainly based on the meridional-flow dominating or the zonal-flow dominating pattern. A case of the meridional-flow dominating patterns may possibly capture an annual-scale variability of DWBC, because its meridional transport variation, though somewhat weak, is consistent with that simulated. The zonal-flow dominating regime includes two types: long-lasting, almost steady westward flows and long-term zonal flow oscillations. The former seems to comprise well-known zonally elongated and meridionally narrow structures of the zonal flow beneath the thermocline in the equatorial region. The ensemble-averaged flow mentioned above is dominated by this type at the upper two levels 2000 and 2250?m, with total westward transport of 1.6?±?0.7?Sv. The latter type seems to be a manifestation of the vertically propagating equatorial annual Rossby waves.     

Spawning hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae Hector) concentrations in Cook Strait and off the east coast of the South Island,New Zealand,August‐September 1987

Abstract

In September 1986, dense concentrations of freshly spawned hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) eggs were located in eastern Cook Strait. A follow‐up exploratory trawl survey of Cook Strait and the east coast of the South Island, in August and September 1987, located concentrations of spawning hoki in canyon features in Cook Strait, off the Kaikoura coast, and off Banks Peninsula. The largest concentration, 14 km long, 4 km wide, and up to 150 m thick occurred in Cook Strait Canyon, with catch rates of hoki up to 48 t h^?1. Gonad conditions of male and female hoki showed they were actively spawning. Catch rates in Cook Strait Canyon were comparable to the main fishery on the west coast of the South Island but were much lower off Kaikoura and Banks Peninsula. Hoki associated with spawning concentrations were not feeding. Bycatch species were mostly ling (Genypterus blacodes) and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), and both were preying on hoki. Spiny dogfish were also feeding on spawned fish eggs. The possible stock structure of hoki is discussed.