Research

Movement, habitat utilisation and population status of the endangered Maugean skate and implications for fishing and aquaculture operations in Macquarie Harbour

  • Research Theme
    Fisheries & Aquaculture
  • Cross-disciplinary Theme(s)
    Ocean-Earth System
  • Funded By

    Fisheries Research & Development Corporation

  • Principal Investigator
  • Contributor(s)
  • Project Summary

    Little is known about the life history of the endangered Maugean skate, but it does appear to have a very restricted distribution range (Macquarie and Bathurst Harbours) and in all likelihood a small population size. Expansion of marine farming in Macquarie Harbour represents a key element of a plan to significantly increase salmonid production with implications for the Maugean skate being unknown. Key objectives of this study are to describe the distribution, abundance, and general ecology of the species. By employing acoustic tracking and non-destructive biological sampling techniques, this project will provide the science to understand the nature of interactions between general fishing and aquaculture activities in Macquarie Harbour and the Maugean skate and enhance our knowledge about its conservation status.

    FUNDED BY

    Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration Agreement (SMRCA) and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).

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Authorised by the Executive Director, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
1 October, 2019