Animal Sciences Commons^™

Resource Assessment Report No. 03: Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Resource 2024 Assessment, Emily A. Fisher, Rachel Marks, Sybrand A. Hesp, Ainslie Denham, Gary Jackson, David V. Fairclough

Resource Assessment Reports

The Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Resource (GDSR) comprises over 80 species inhabiting inshore (20-250 m deep) and offshore ( > 250 m deep) waters in the Gascoyne Coast Bioregion (GCB; south of Onslow to north of Kalbarri). The GDSR is primarily targeted by commercial, charter and recreational boat-based line fishers. Snapper and Goldband Snapper are the indicator species selected for monitoring and assessing the status of the inshore suite of the GDSR, while Ruby Snapper and Greybanded Grouper are the indicators for the offshore suite.

Periodic assessments of GDSR indicator species demonstrated that historical fishing of Snapper led to stocks being below …

Resource Assessment Report No. 04: North Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource - Kimberley 2025 Assessment, Fabian Trinnie, Rubie Evans-Powell, Ainslie Denham, Sybrand A. Hesp, Corey Wakefield, Craig L. Skepper, Brett Crisafulli, Stephen J. Newman

Resource Assessment Reports

The North Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (NCDSR) comprises ecological suites of tropical demersal fish species that occur predominantly in inshore waters (20–250 m deep) and offshore waters ( > 250 m deep) of the North Coast Bioregion (NCB). More than 60 demersal species are landed by fisheries operating in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of the NCB each year, including high-value snappers (Lutjanidae), groupers (Epinephelidae), and emperors (Lethrinidae). As outlined in the NCDSR Harvest Strategy (DPIRD, 2017), the Kimberley resource is currently monitored through annual reviews of total removals and catch rate trends of indicator species, as well as periodic (every …

Comparison Of Gonad Development Between Wild And Hatchery-Bred Silver Therapon Leiopotherapon Plumbeus (Teleostei: Terapontidae) During An Annual Reproductive Cycle, Frolan A. Aya, Samantha Ally V. Bismonte, Mary Jane P. Sayco, Luis Maria B. Garcia

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study compared gonad development between wild-sourced and hatchery-bred silver therapon Leiopotherapon plumbeus. Wild fish from the east bay area of Laguna de Bay, Philippines, and hatchery-bred stocks grown to adult size in outdoor tanks were sampled, and somatic condition, gonad histology, gonadosomatic index (GSI), gut index (GI), and hepatosomatic index (HSI) were assessed during the annual reproductive cycle. Hatcherybred fish condition was generally better than that of wild-sourced fish as a consequence of readily available food resources and environmental conditions. Hatchery-bred male GSIs were significantly higher than in wild male fish in November to February, coinciding with low water …

Fisheries Science Update - West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource - September 2025, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Science Updates

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) monitors the status of Western Australia’s demersal scalefish resources by undertaking regular stock assessments on indicator species.

This summary provides key outcomes of the 2025 assessment of the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (Resource Assessment Report No. 2).

Fisheries Science Update - Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Resource - September 2025, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Science Updates

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) monitors the status of Western Australia’s demersal scalefish resources by undertaking periodic stock assessments on key indicator species.

This summary provides key outcomes of the 2024 Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Resource Stock Assessment (Resource Assessment Report No. 3).

A Pestel-Swot Matrix Analysis Of Sustainable Aquafeed Sector: A Case Of Kenya's Fish Feed Sector, Esther Magondu, Lucy Njogu, Kevin Ouko, Jimmy B. Mboya, Mavindu Muthoka, Rodrigue Yossa, Jonathan Munguti, Mary A. Opiyo, Menaga Meenakshisundaram, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Kevin Obiero

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Global demand for seafood continues to rise, positioning aquaculture as a critical pathway for improving food security, nutrition, and rural livelihoods. In Kenya, the aquaculture sector remains constrained by structural challenges, with fish feed accounting for 60%–70% of production costs and limiting sectoral growth, particularly for smallholder farmers. This review critically analyzes Kenya's fish feed sector through an integrated PESTEL-SWOT framework, drawing on a scoping review of academic literature, policy reports, and sector development studies. The paper highlights key macro-level drivers, including fragmented policy implementation, dependency on imported ingredients, and climate-related risks, and connects these with internal industry dynamics such …

Fisheries Science Update - Pilbara Demersal Scalefish Resource - September 2025, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Science Updates

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) monitors the status of Western Australia’s demersal scalefish resources by undertaking periodic stock assessments on key indicator species.

This summary provides key outcomes of the 2024 assessment of the Pilbara Demersal Scalefish Resource (Fisheries Research Report No. 338).

Resource Assessment Report No. 02: West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource 2025 Assessment, Emily A. Fisher, David V. Fairclough, Elaine Lek, Jeremy Briggs, Sybrand Alex Hesp, Ainslie Denham

Resource Assessment Reports

The West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR) comprises over 100 species inhabiting inshore (20-250 m deep) and offshore ( > 250 m deep) waters of the West Coast Bioregion (WCB; north of Kalbarri to east of Augusta). The WCDSR is primarily targeted by commercial, charter and recreational boat-based line fishers, including the commercial West Coast Demersal Scalefish (Interim) Managed Fishery (WCDSIMF). Indicator species selected for monitoring and assessing the status of the inshore suite of the WCDSR include Snapper, WA Dhufish and Baldchin Groper, while indicators for the offshore suite include Hapuku, Bass Groper and Blue-eye Trevalla.

The WCDSR is more …

A Comparison Of Diving Behavior Of Goose-Beaked And Dense-Beaked Whales From Tagging Studies In Multiple Ocean Basins, Jay Barlow, Robin W. Baird, Janelle Badger, Gregory S. Schorr, Erin A. Falcone, Shannon N. Coates, Peter L. Tyack, Andrew J. Read, Leigh S. Hickmott, John W. Durban, Diane Claridge, Natacha Aguilar De Soto, Daniel Miranda Gonzalez, Fleur Visser, Machiel G. Oudejans, Stacy L. De Ruiter, David A. Sweeney, Brenda K. Rone, Stephanie L. Watwood

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Studies of cetacean diving behavior in multiple locations in different ocean basins allow for an assessment of variability within and among populations. We examine foraging dive behaviors of goose-beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) and dense-beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) using data from 132 tagged whales in seven locations in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. Acoustic recording tags are used to identify foraging dives by the presence of echolocation. For other tag types, foraging dives are identified based on maximum dive depth. Five parameters are used to characterize foraging dives: maximum dive depth, foraging dive duration, dive cycle duration, …

The Efficacy Of Rosemary Oil And Microencapsulated Essential Oils On Zeuxapta Seriolae Mitigation In Yellowtail Kingfish, Seriola Lalandi, Md Reaz Chaklader, Lindsey Woolley, Ross Woodward-Williams, Richard Smullen, Gavin J. Partridge

Fisheries Research Articles

Two additives, rosemary oil and a commercial herbal product (HP; AROTEC-G) containing garlic essential oil, carvacrol and thymol were investigated for their potential to reduce the parasitic burden in yellowtail kingfish (YTK; Seriola lalandi) infected with Zeuxapta seriolae. Naturally infected fish were fed diets supplemented with either 2.5 mL.kg−1 rosemary oil or two concentrations of HP (5 and 10 g.kg−1) for 20 days. At 10 and 20 days, the effect of the diets on parasite abundance was evaluated. Feed intake and growth were similar across treatments (p > 0.05). By day 10, both rosemary oil and HP significantly …

Successful Artificial Incubation And Juvenile-Rearing Of Dropped Eggs Of A Critically Endangered Freshwater Crayfish (Cherax Tenuimanus), Rodney Duffy Dr., Blaine Hodgson, Amber Quinn, Marcus Newman

Fisheries Research Articles

One-third of the world’s freshwater crayfish species face extinction risk, necessitating extreme and urgent conservation measures such as captive rearing. Little information exists on these measures for most threatened species. The hairy marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Parastacidae), is a critically endangered freshwater crayfish endemic to the Margaret River in south-western Western Australia. C. tenuimanus is being rapidly replaced by the smooth marron, Cherax cainii, a translocated congener, causing its progressive decline in range, and now it faces imminent extinction in the wild. Attempts at captive breeding have resulted in few occurrences of egg laying of C. tenuimanus, which ended in complete …

From Larvae To Livelihoods: Examining The Realities Of Black Soldier Fly Farming In Malawi, Emily Herriott

Capstone Collection

Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae offer a cost-effective, nutrient-rich alternative to synthetic fertilizers and conventional feed inputs such as soy, fishmeal, and maize bran in sub-Saharan Africa. In Malawi, where smallholder farmers grapple with declining soil fertility, high input prices, chronic food insecurity, and livestock nutritional challenges, BSF farming is emerging as a promising circular agricultural innovation. Despite its technical promise, the social, economic, and ecological realities of BSF adoption remain underexplored.This study investigates the early implementation of BSF farming in Malawi through the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, focusing on farmer experiences, challenges, and the social and structural processes shaping uptake …

Recreational Boat Fishing Participation Varies Across Bioregional Fisheries In Western Australia, With Persistent Patterns Within Fisheries And Fisher Typologies Over Time, Karina L. Ryan, Eva Lai, Claire B. Smallwood, Jeremy M. Lyle, Kate E. Stark, Sean R. Tracey

Fisheries Research Articles

Recreational fishing is popular worldwide and understanding variability in participation can inform policies that seek to improve sustain[1]ability of recreational fisheries and amenity for recreational fishers. However, not all recreational fishers are alike in their demographics or behaviours. This study explores temporal and spatial variability in licensed boat-based recreational fishing participation in Western Australia using data from a consistent survey design delivered 12 times from 2011 to 2024. Five fisher participation typologies were identified across four marine bioregions (North Coast, Gascoyne Coast, West Coast, and South Coast) and four fishery types (demersal, nearshore, pelagic, and invertebrate) with varied fisher characteristics …

Abundance, Distribution, And Shoaling Of Driftfishes And Allies (Scombriformes: Stromateoidei) In The Pelagic Gulf Of Mexico, Juliet Tretler

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The suborder Stromateoidei contains 80 species of mesopelagic fishes in five families distributed throughout temperate and tropical seas worldwide, including the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf hereafter). Mesopelagic fishes, especially those that spatially aggregate, serve as important forage items for commercially, recreationally, and ecologically important species of fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. However, knowledge of the ecology and trophic importance of stromateoid fishes in the Gulf is extremely limited. This study provides quantitative information on the species composition, abundance, distribution, and biomass contribution of the stromateoid species to the Gulf deep-pelagic fish assemblage, with comparison to “archetypal” mesopelagic fish families (e.g., …

Fisheries Research Report No. 350: Recreational Vessel Retrievals In Western Australia - 2009 To 2024, Stephen C. Bradshaw, Claire B. Smallwood, Stuart J. Blight, Troy Matthews, Karina L. Ryan

Fisheries Research Reports

This report provides a time series (2009 – 2024) of the total number of recreational vessel (powerboat) retrievals at a spatial (boat ramp) and temporal (annual, month, hour) resolution for 32 boat ramps distributed from Wyndham to Esperance. This time series has been developed using a workflow that outlines each step, from acquiring raw video data to producing a completed time series of vessel retrievals. As part of this workflow, modelling was undertaken to impute counts of vessel retrieval for sites and hours for which data had not been read, or for which there were significant outages. Features within the …

Fisheries Research Report No. 353: Ecological Risk Assessment For The North Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource, Kimberley A. Smith, Brett Crisafulli, Gabby E. Mitsopoulos, Fabian I. Trinnie, Taylor Grosse, T Thompson, Stephen J. Newman

Fisheries Research Reports

On the 26 March 2025, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the North Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (Resource). This Resource comprises a large number of tropical demersal scalefish species that occur in waters of the North Coast Bioregion, including tropical snappers, emperors and cods.

This document contains the results of the ERA along with the background information used to support the risk scoring process. This includes an overview of the Western Australian commercial fisheries that access the Resource, namely the Pilbara Fish Trawl Interim Managed Fishery, …

Fisheries Research Report No. 361: 2024 Assessment Of The Status Of The Elasmobranch Resource Of Western Australia, Matias Braccini, Alex Hesp

Fisheries Research Reports

This document provides the 2024 risk-based weight of evidence stock assessment for the elasmobranch (sharks and rays) resource of Western Australia (WA). Gummy (Mustelus antarcticus), dusky (Carcharhinus obscurus), whiskery (Furgaleus macki), and sandbar (C. plumbeus) sharks are the most commonly captured species (~80% of the elasmobranch catch) and have been selected as indicator species for the status of the temperate elasmobranch ‘suite’. However, over 100 elasmobranch species have been caught in commercial and/or recreational fisheries in WA and, with the increasing number of elasmobranch species being listed in national and international protection lists, species-specific scientific advice on stock status at …

Drift Dynamics Of Early Life-Stage Invasive Carps, Saurav Karki

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Asian carp species pose significant ecological threats to North American freshwater systems due to their invasive nature and prolific reproduction. Their semi buoyant eggs develop while drifting downstream with the river current. Understanding early life-stage transport is therefore critical for predicting recruitment potential and guiding management efforts. Existing fluvial egg drift models, including those relying on 1-D hydraulics and fully 3-D CFD-based models, are either inadequate for complex braided rivers or too computationally demanding for large-scale application. The Platte River in Nebraska, characterized by wide, shallow, multi-threaded channels, is dominated by two-dimensional flow conditions, making a depth-averaged 2-D modeling approach …

Advancing Fishery Dependent And Independent Habitat Assessments Using Automated Image Analysis: A Fisheries Management Agency Case Study, Scott Evans, Bronson Philippa, Carlo Mattone, Nick Konzewitsch, Renae Hovey, Marcus Sheaves, Gary A. Kendrick, Lynda M. Bellchambers

Fisheries Research Articles

Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning have revolutionised data analysis, including in the field of marine and fisheries sciences. However, many fisheries agencies manage sensitive or proprietary data that cannot be shared externally, which can limit the adoption of externally hosted artificial intelligence platforms. In this study, we develop and evaluate two residual network-based automatic image annotation models to process fishery specific habitat data to support ecosystem-based fisheries management in the Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery in Western Australia. Using an extensive dataset of 13,128 manually annotated benthic habitat images, we train a grid-based annotation model and an image-level …

Trophic Roles And Climate-Driven Vulnerability For Benthic Invertebrates At Artificial Reefs In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Amanda Kirkland

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Artificial reefs are deployed to enhance marine habitats and fisheries, yet their role in supporting secondary production and their vulnerability to climate stressors remain understudied. This dissertation investigates the trophic ecology and climate sensitivity of benthic invertebrates at artificial reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Chapter 1 assessed reef food webs using stable isotopes from fishes, invertebrates, and primary producers across six reefs and two seasons. Mixing models showed that most fishes rely on benthic reef carbon, while suspension feeders consume plankton and sediment microphytobenthos. Isotopic niche analysis revealed functional diversity and seasonal shifts in δ¹³C and δ³⁴S, though …

Insights Gained From Applying Molecular Techniques To Gray Triggerfish (Balistes Capriscus Gmelin, 1789) In The Mexican Caribbean, The Southern And Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Geaceli G. Orive

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on Balistes capriscus (Gray Triggerfish), a reef-associated species dependent on hard-bottom habitats in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Using mitochondrial DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analyses, genetic structure across four sites was assessed: Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Veracruz, Chinchorro Bank, and Xahuayxol. Samples from RGV and Veracruz exhibited limited haplotype diversity, minimal nucleotide divergence, and weak genetic differentiation-patterns consistent with recent population expansion and ongoing connectivity within the GOM. While the study centered on B. capriscus, all individuals from Chinchorro and Xahuayxol unexpectedly grouped with Canthidermis maculata (Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish), suggesting misidentification, cryptic diversity, or taxonomic uncertainty in …

Linked Lives In The Riverbed: Integrating Fish Host Dynamics, Community Structure, And Demography For Freshwater Mussel Conservation., Jonathan Patrick Frommeyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Freshwater mussels are long-lived benthic invertebrates that play key roles in nutrient cycling, water filtration, and habitat stability in rivers and streams. Despite their ecological importance, they are among the most imperiled faunal groups in North America, with their persistence increasingly threatened by environmental degradation and disruptions to host–parasite dynamics. This dissertation integrates host ecology, community structure, and demographic modeling to assess population viability and guide conservation priorities for mussel species in Kentucky river systems. The first chapter introduces the ecological context and conservation urgency surrounding freshwater mussels. In particular, emphasizing the need for multi-scale approaches to understand how parasitic …

Identification Of Crustose Coralline Algae Species In Florida And Their Ability To Induce Larval Settlement Of Caribbean Corals, Danielle Macias

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are a diverse, globally spread and yet poorly studied group of benthic organisms. They act as settlement cues for coral larvae, but this interaction is often species-specific, as CCA species can be either inducers or inhibitors to larval settlement and metamorphosis. Despite this importance, information on Caribbean CCA distribution, diversity, and impact on coral species is limited due to the difficulty in identifying them. In the present study, CCA samples were collected from seven different reef sites in the southeastern region of Florida’s Coral Reef and genetically identified using molecular analyses. Some of the samples collected …

The Crab Silvofishery System As A Conservation Strategy In Mangrove Restoration Area: A Case Study On The Coast Of Banyuasin, South Sumatra, Apriyanto Apriyanto, Rujito Agus Suwignyo, Tengku Zia Ulqodry, Sarno Sarno, Riris Aryawati, Muhtadi Muhtadi, Herry Purnomo, Beni Okarda

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Anthropogenic activities such as logging and converting mangrove forests into plantations have degraded coastal ecosystems and reduced their ecological stability. Silvofishery is a restoration system that balances the ecological and economic functions of mangroves. In Marga Sungsang Village, South Sumatra, mangrove restoration was integrated with mud crab (Scylla spp.) cultivation through a crab silvofishery system. This study aimed to analyze the contribution of mangrove restoration with a mud crab silvofishery system to mud crab growth. The study was conducted from August 2024 to January 2025. Growth parameters included carapace length, width, and body weight. Analyses covered absolute growth …

Methodology For Environmental Toxicology: Assessing Feeding And Rearing Strategies In Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Nigricans) Larvae, Amber Hitchins, Hannah Mcneese, Deise Cruz, Andrew Todd, Maria Sepúlveda, Tyler Hoskins

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an anthropogenic group of chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and their potential to bioaccumulate. PFAS can bioaccumulate in largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans), yet the effects of exposure on bass larvae are unknown. While largemouth bass are commonly raised for aquaculture, techniques for rearing bass which enable controlled experiments at known densities, a necessity for toxicity studies, are poorly understood. Furthermore, the live prey typically used in existing approaches are not suitable for PFAS studies due to high background concentrations. The objective of this project was to assess different venues …

Impacts Of Artificial Habitat Structures On Overwinter Fish Survival And Fish Presence In South-Central Nebraska, Logan Dietrich

Biology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Artificial lentic systems, such as borrow pits, often lack structural complexity due to construction practices and steep bathymetry, limiting features like vegetation and woody debris essential for fish communities. To address this, artificial structures made of materials such as polyvinyl chloride are increasingly used by state and federal agencies to supplement habitat. However, little information is known about the impact these structures have on fish communities. Thus, the objectives of this study were to examine the influence of Georgia cubes in borrow pit impoundments on overwinter survival of sub-stock and ≥ stock Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Largemouth Bass …

Occurrence Of Pesticides In Oregon Coastal Waters And Effects On The Intertidal Sea Anemone, Anthopleura Elegantissima, Gabriella Mae Bleil

Dissertations and Theses

Pesticides are used globally for a wide range of applications including agricultural, forestry, roadsides, freshwater systems, and personal use. While pesticides have ensured efficient crop production, they are frequently transported away from application sites and are ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Pesticides are often detected in watersheds and rivers globally, which can have unintentional toxic effects on non-target organisms by interfering with cellular processes, behavior, feeding, reproduction, and disrupting endocrine processes. The aggregating anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima, is an important species along the North American Pacific coast due to its symbiotic relationships that contribute to high productivity, and its …

Stream Fish Assemblage Dynamics And Barriers To Aquatic Connectivity In The Ichawaynochaway Creek Watershed, Georgia, Usa, Jake R. Duhé

LSU Master's Theses

Stream fishes in the southeastern United States are adapted to hydrological disturbances such as droughts. However, this region is projected to experience increasingly frequent and severe disturbances that will elevate water demands given increasing agricultural and urban development. Further, road-stream crossings (RSCs) are abundant features in these streams that can exacerbate drought-mediated stream fragmentation and impede movements by many aquatic organisms, including fishes, when poorly constructed. These compounding effects may adversely affect the diversity and abundances of resident stream fishes, but their interactions remain poorly understood, warranting rigorous testing of how droughts and RSCs influence stream fish dynamics. I assessed …

Fisheries Research Report No. 352: Boat-Based Recreational Fishing In Western Australia 2023/24, Karina L. Ryan, Eva K. Lai, Claire B. Smallwood, Alissa Tate

Fisheries Research Reports

The integrated survey of boat-based recreational fishing includes three components: off-site phone surveys (encompassing an initial screening survey, a longitudinal phone-diary survey, and post-enumeration surveys), on-site boat ramp surveys and remote camera surveys. The recent phone-diary survey from September 2023 to August 2024 (inclusive) provides comparisons with previous surveys in 2020/21 (September 2020 to August 2021), 2017/18 (September 2017 to August 2018), 2015/16 (September 2015 to August 2016), 2013/14 (May 2013 to April 2014) and 2011/12 (March 2011 to February 2012).

Fisheries Science Update - Pilbara Fishing Competition Science 2020 To 2024 - July 2025, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Science Updates

Key Points:

• Pilbara recreational fishing competitions are helping to track the sustainability of pelagic species like Spanish mackerel.
• Over 500 pelagic fish have been sampled at Pilbara fishing competitions over 5 years.
• This information goes towards DPIRD’s assessment of Spanish mackerel and monitoring the large pelagic resource in the North Coast Bioregion.