Project Leaders and Host Organisations

Dr Peter Doherty, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Dr Garry Russ, James Cook University

Project Description and Objectives

For detailed descriptions of the outputs for this project for Year 4 (2009/2010) of the MTSRF Research Programme, see the Annual Research Plan.

This project is part of a wider performance assessment of the Great Barrier Reef Zoning Plan. Project 1.1.2 includes biannual assessments of the impacts on biodiversity of stopping fishing on regional clusters of coral reefs in the offshore (mid and outer-shelf) domain. Project 4.8.2 investigates the same basic questions for coastal habitats, where the major pressure is from recreational fishing. While the emphasis in both projects is about the impact of the zoning upon biodiversity, especially the response of fish populations when released from fishing pressure, the wider study is also about the impacts of the GBR Zoning Plan upon fishers and the Tourism industry. Social and economic dimensions of this problem will be studied through Projects 4.8.4 and Project 4.8.5 of this Program.

Key objectives of this project are to:

• Measure the response of biological communities (fish and benthos) to differential zoning of human use on inshore coral reefs; and

• Measure the response of biological communities (fish and benthos) to differential zoning of human use on inshore shoals.

Right:  Small mouth (Lutjanus erythropterus) and large mouth (L. malabaricus) nannygai and red emperor (L. sebae) at a RAP shoals study site off Great Palm Island, north of Townsville, Queensland (Photograph:  P. Speare, Australian Institute of Marine Science). Download Larger Image

Left:  Queensland groper (Epinephalus lanceolatus) with juvenile golden trevally (Gnathadon speciosus) and a baitfish (Selaroides leptolepis) close to a wreck off Magnetic Island, North Queensland (Photograph:  P. Speare, Australian Institute of Marine Science). Download Larger Image

The Annual Research Plans, or ARPs, outline the specific tasks, products, budgets and staff for each research project within each of the Research Themes and Programs of the MTSRF.  The ARPs also outline the key deliverables, or 'project milestones' (e.g. major reports, journal articles, communications products) to be achieved.

An ARP is developed for each operating year of the MTSRF (2006-2010).

Details of this and previous years' outputs from this project are included in each of the Annual Research Plans.