Migration patterns and estuarine aggregations of a catadromous fish, Australian bass (Percalates novemaculeata) in a regulated river system

D. J Harding; R. G Dwyer; T. M Mullins; M. J Kennard; R. D Pillans; D. T Roberts

doi:10.1071/MF16125

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Migration patterns and estuarine aggregations of a catadromous fish, Australian bass (Percalates novemaculeata) in a regulated river system

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Migration patterns and estuarine aggregations of a catadromous fish, Australian bass (Percalates novemaculeata) in a regulated river system

D. J Harding, R. G Dwyer, T. M Mullins, M. J Kennard, R. D Pillans and D. T Roberts

Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol.68(8), pp.1544-1553

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/MF16125

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Abstract

acoustic telemetry

barrier

diadromous

estuary

flow

spawning

water resource development

Catadromous fish species require adequate flows to migrate between fresh and saltwater habitats to reproduce. However, artificial barriers and flow alteration affect fish populations by reducing habitat connectivity and disrupting movement cues. In regulated rivers, it is critical that migratory flow requirements are quantified to optimise water allocation for multiple users. In the present study, we assessed the migratory timing, flow and estuarine aggregation requirements for Australian bass (Percalates novemaculeata). Over 2 years, 66 bass were tracked using an acoustic receiver array in the Logan River (Qld, Australia). Bass performed large-scale downstream movements in response to elevated winter flows (40 and 108m3 s–1), which facilitated migration to the lower estuary, where salinity conditions were appropriate for spawning. Bass migrations occurred only when gonads were mature, despite large flows providing opportunities for movement outside this period. Experimental flow releases from an impoundment (2.1m3 s–1) during winter did not elicit a migratory response. Connectivity between upstream and estuarine habitats was reduced by the presence of instream weirs, with downstream movement across weirs occurring only when sufficient flow magnitude was achieved (>76.1m3 s–1). These findings are relevant for water resource managers formulating environmental flow rules for catadromous fish species in systems with multiple instream artificial barriers.

Details

Title: Migration patterns and estuarine aggregations of a catadromous fish, Australian bass (Percalates novemaculeata) in a regulated river system
Authors: D. J Harding (Author) - Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
R. G Dwyer (Author) - University of Queensland
T. M Mullins (Author) - Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
M. J Kennard (Author) - Griffith University
R. D Pillans (Author) - CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere
D. T Roberts (Author) - Seqwater
Publication details: Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol.68(8), pp.1544-1553
Publisher: C S I R O Publishing
DOI: 10.1071/MF16125
ISSN: 1448-6059
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99613408402621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Fisheries; Limnology; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Oceanography

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