From Australian Oceans Data Network
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Effects of mesh size and diel variability in fish trap catch in the central Great Barrier Reef

Created 23/06/2025

Updated 23/06/2025

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In June/July 1991, a broadscale survey was undertaken across replicate mid-shelf reefs (Lodestone Reef, John Brewer Reef and Rib Reef) in the central Great Barrier Reef, in order to examine the effects of reefs, diel variability and mesh size on the performance of fish traps. In October 1991, trapping was undertaken at Lodestone Reef to examine in detail the effect of mesh size and diel variability on the performance of fish traps with time.Four commercially available mesh sizes were used in the initial survey. Each trap was individually covered with only one mesh size: 12.5 mm square, 30 mm hexagonal, 40 mm hexagonal, or 50 mm hexagonal mesh. In the second survey the 12.5 mm square mesh, which had proved unsuccessful, was not used.Traps were baited with approximately 1 kg of mulched Western Australian pilchards (Sardinops neopilchardus), placed in crab pot style bait canisters. Traps were set a minimum distance of 50 m apart and ranged up to a several hundred metres apart in order that the capture fields of each trap would not overlap. Traps were set sequentially by mesh size, randomly across the back reef habitat of all reefs in depths between 20 and 40 m.All trap setting was undertaken between 07:00 and 18:30 h. 'Night' set traps were hauled from 0700h onwards, with total soak times varying from 10 to 14 hours. Sorting and processing of trap catches was usually completed by 1000h. 'Day' sets were hauled from 1530h onwards, with total soak times varying between 6 and 9 hours. Sorting and processing was usually completed by 1830h and traps redeployed. The catch from each trap was placed in bins of running seawater. Each fish was identified to species and measured to the nearest millimetre (standard length, length to caudal fork, and body depth). Trapping surveys were undertaken to select the optimal mesh size for fish traps to be used in ecological studies of lutjanids and lethrinids. Surveys were also designed to determine if there were differences in catches between day and night and at different reefs.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title Effects of mesh size and diel variability in fish trap catch in the central Great Barrier Reef
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/3976cc3e-2e85-4250-b634-f0513f7a68fb
Contact Point
Australian Ocean Data Network
reception@aims.gov.au
Reference Period 20/11/2017
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
{
  "coordinates": [
    146.870487,
    -18.479433
  ],
  "type": "Point"
}
Data Portal Australian Oceans Data Network

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Australian Oceans Data Network "Effects of mesh size and diel variability in fish trap catch in the central Great Barrier Reef". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/effects-of-mesh-size-and-diel-variability-in-fish-trap-catch-in-the-central-great-barrier-reef1