This dataset summarises benthic habitat and fish surveys in West Cape York, including the West Cape York Marine Park (Commonwealth), southern Dugong Sanctuary, Angkamuthi and Kaurareg Sea Country into 2 GIS shapefiles.
(1) A point (site) shapefile showing point location of 407 habitat survey sites.
(2) A point (site) shapefile showing point location of BRUV (baited remote underwater video) deployments to survey fish at 42 sites.
The full report is: Carter A, Groom R, Smith T, Shepherd L, van de Wetering C and Willan R (2023). Benthic habitats, fish and invertebrate communities of West Cape York Marine Park and surrounding waters. Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) Report Number 23/31, James Cook University, Cairns, pp.90
The West Cape York Marine Park (WCYMP), Queensland, is one of eight marine parks in the North Network of Australian Marine Parks. The eastern section of the WCYMP, southern part of the Torres Strait Dugong Sanctuary, and adjacent coastal waters were surveyed December 3‒16 2021, on board the MV Eclipse.
The survey was a collaboration between researchers from TropWATER (James Cook University), Charles Darwin University/Australian Institute of Marine Science, Torres Strait Regional Authority, Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation representing Kaurareg rangers and Traditional Owners, and Ipima Ikaya Aboriginal Corporation representing Angkamuthi and Gudang Yadhaykenu Traditional Owners. This work was undertaken for, and funded by, the Director of National Parks (Australian Government) and Torres Strait Regional Authority.
The objectives of the survey were to: (1) Collaborate with Traditional Owners and Indigenous rangers to share knowledge and better understand sea country resources and inform management responses; (2) identify any changes/trends in the extent, health and diversity of seagrass meadows; (3) provide information to better understand the key pressures on the health of seagrass meadows and the culturally and socially significant species which they support; (4) record invertebrate diversity; (5) provide habitat maps for the survey area; and (6) conduct a pilot study of fish communities.
The sampling methods used to survey benthic habitats were developed by TropWATER and are tailored to the location and habitat surveyed; these are described in detail in the relevant publications (https://research.jcu.edu.au/tropwater).
Geographic Information System (GIS)
All survey data were entered into a Geographic Information System (GIS) using ArcGIS 10.8. Two GIS layers were created to describe spatial features of the region: a habitat site layer and a fish site layer.
Habitat site layer
This layer contains information on the location and survey details for habitat assessment sites, and includes:
1. Temporal survey details – Survey date;
2. Spatial position - Latitude/longitude;
3. Survey location;
4. Site depth;
5. Survey method and vessel;
6. Vessel;
7. Data author and custodians.
Fish site layer
This layer contains information on the location and survey details for fish survey sites, and includes baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) at fish survey sites, and includes:
1. Temporal survey details – Survey date;
2. Spatial position - Latitude/longitude;
3. Survey location;
4. Site depth;
5. Survey method and vessel;
6. Vessel;
7. Data author and custodians.
Base map
The base map used is courtesy ESRI 2022.
Format of the data
This dataset consists of a 2 point layer packages with a geographic coordinate system of GDA2020:
1. West Cape York habitat sites 2021.lpk - Symbology representing point location of each habitat survey site
2. West Cape York fish sites 2021.lpk- Symbology representing point location of each fish survey site where baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) were deployed
Data Dictionary
West Cape York habitat sites 2021 (point data)
LATITUDE (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees south
LONGITUDE (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees east
SITE (numeric) - Unique identifier representing a single sample site
TIME (numeric) – sample time (24 hours; GMT +9:30) (NT time - subtidal sites only)
DATE (numeric) – survey date (day/month/year)
MONTH (text) – survey month
YEAR (numeric) – survey year
SURVEY NAME (text) – Name of survey
LOCATION (text) – Site location, e.g., West Cape York Marine Park zone, Dugong Sanctuary, Sea Country (Angkamuthi/Kaurareg/Outside Sea Claim), Coastal (no management zone), etc.
DBMSL (numeric) – depth below mean sea level (metres) for subtidal sites extracted from the Australian Bathymetry and Topography Grid, June 2009 (Whiteway 2009)
METHOD (text) – e.g. helicopter, walking, hovercraft, boat-based including camera, free diving, scuba diving, van Veen grab, sled net
VESSEL (text) – Vessel name (if known)
AUTHOR (text) – Creator of GIS from the data set and date of creation
CUSTODIAN (text) – Custodian/owner of the data set
Additional data that is not included in the publicly available layers, but can be requested through DCCEEW and may be shared through a negotiated data agreement with DCCEEW, TropWATER JCU and the relevant Traditional Owner group/s include:
MEADOW (text) - Unique identifier representing what meadow the sample site is located in. Blank if sample site is not located within a meadow
DEPTH_FIELD (numeric) – depth recorded from vessel depth sounder (metres) for subtidal sites.
SUBSTRATE (text) – tags identifying the types of substrates at the sample site. Possible tags are Mud, Sand, Coarse Sand, Silt, Shell, Rock, Reef, Rubble and various combinations. Listed in order from most dominant substrate to least dominant.
SEAGRASS_P (numeric) – Absence (0) or Presence (1) of seagrass
SEAGRASS_C (numeric) - Estimated % of seagrass cover at sample site
SEAGRASS_B (numeric) - Estimated total biomass per square metre for sample site calculated from the mean of three replicate quadrats. Unit is gdw m-2.
SEAGRASS_SE (numeric) – standard error of biomass at sample site calculated from the three replicate quadrats used to estimate biomass at a sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
EXCLUDE_B (numeric) – Include (0) or Exclude (1). Any site identified that needs to be excluded from contributing to the calculation of mean meadow biomass, e.g. where a visual estimate of biomass could not be optioned (i.e. no visibility at the site, only a van Veen sediment grab was used at the site)
C_rotundata (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Cymodocea rotundata at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
C_serrulata (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Cymodocea serrulata at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
E_acoroides (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Enhalus acoroides at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
H_uninervis (narrow) (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halodule uninervis (narrow leaf morphology) at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
H_uninervis (wide) (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halodule uninervis (wide leaf morphology) at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
H_decipiens (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila decipiens at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
H_ovalis (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila ovalis at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
H_spinulosa (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila spinulosa at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
H_tricostata (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila tricostata at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
S_isoetifolium (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Syringodium isoetifolium at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
T_ciliatum (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Thalassodendron ciliatum at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
T_hemprichii (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Thalassia hemprichii at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
Z_muelleri (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Zostera muelleri subsp. capricornii at the sample site. Unit is gdw m-2.
Note: C. rotundata + C. serrulata + E. acoroides + H. uninervis (narrow)+ H. uninervis (wide) + H. decipiens + H. ovalis + H. spinulosa + H. tricostata + S. isoetifolium + T. ciliatum + T. hemprichii + Z. muelleri = SEAGRASS_B
ALGAE_COVER (numeric) - Estimated % of algae cover at sample site (all algae types grouped)
TURF_MAT (numeric) – Turf mat algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that forms a dense mat on the substrate
ERECT_MACRO (numeric) – Erect macrophyte algae % contribution to algae cover. Macrophytic algae with an erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation, e.g. Sargassum, Caulerpa and Galaxaura species
ENCRUSTING (numeric) – Encrusting algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that grows in sheet-like form attached to the substrate or benthos, e.g. coralline algae.
ERECT_CALCAREOUS (numeric) – Erect calcareous algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae with erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation containing calcified segments, e.g. Halimeda species.
FILAMENTOUS (numeric) – Filamentous algae % contribution to algae cover. Thin, thread-like algae with little cellular differentiation.
Note: TURF_MAT + ERECT_MACROPHYTE + ENCRUSTING + ERECT_CALCAREOUS + FILAMENTOUS = 100% of algae cover
HARD_CORAL (numeric) – Hard coral %. All scleractinian corals including massive, branching, tabular, digitate and mushroom
SOFT_CORAL (numeric) – Soft coral %. All alcyonarian corals, i.e. corals lacking a hard limestone skeleton
pc_Gorgonian (numeric) – Gorgonian % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded
pc_SeaPen (numeric) – Sea pen % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded
pc_SeaWhip (numeric) – Sea whip % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded
pc_SCOther (numeric) – Other soft corals % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded
Note: pc_SeaPen + pc_Gorgonian + pc_SeaWhip + pc_SCOther = SOFT_CORAL % cover
SPONGE (numeric) – Sponge %
CRINOID (numeric) – Crinoid %
OTHER_BMI (numeric) – Any other benthic macro-invertebrates identified, e.g. oysters, ascidians, clams. Other benthic macro-invertebrates are listed in the “comments” attribute for intertidal and shallow subtidal camera drops, and listed as percent cover in the deepwater GIS.
pc_Ascidian (numeric) – Ascidian % benthic cover. Other BMI category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded
pc_Hydroid (numeric) – Hydroid % benthic cover. Other BMI category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded
Note: pc_ Ascidian + pc_ Hydroid = OTHER_BMI % cover
OPEN_SUBSTRATE (numeric) – Open substrate with no seagrass, algae, hard coral, soft coral, sponge, crinoid or other benthic macro-invertebrates at site
CORAL_BLEACHING (numeric) - Absence (0), Presence (1) of coral bleaching at site. Sites without coral coded as -999
DUGONG (numeric) - Absence (0) or Presence (1) of dugong/s at site
TURTLE (numeric) - Absence (0) or Presence (1) of turtle/s at site
DOLPHIN (numeric) - Absence (0) or Presence (1) of dolphin/s at site
DFT_PRESENT (numeric) - Absence (0) or Presence (1) of dugong feeding trails at site. Only clearly visible and therefore assessed at intertidal sites. Subtidal sites not assessed for DFTs coded as -999
COMMENTS (text) – Any comments for that site
*Note: SEAGRASS_C + ALGAE_COVER + HARD_CORAL + SOFT_CORAL + SPONGE + CRINOID + OTHER_BMI + OPEN_SUBSTRATE = 100% of benthic cover
West Cape York fish sites 2021 (point data)
LATITUDE (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees south
LONGITUDE (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees east
SITE (numeric) - Unique identifier representing a single sample site
TIME (numeric) – sample time (24 hours; GMT +9:30) (NT time - subtidal sites only)
DATE (numeric) – survey date (day/month/year)
MONTH (text) – survey month
YEAR (numeric) – survey year
SURVEY_NAM (text) – Name of survey
LOCATION (text) – Site location, e.g., West Cape York Marine Park zone, Dugong Sanctuary, Sea Country (Angkamuthi/Kaurareg/Outside Sea Claim), Coastal (no management zone), etc.
DBMSL (numeric) – depth below mean sea level (metres) for subtidal sites extracted from the Australian Bathymetry and Topography Grid, June 2009 (Whiteway 2009)
VESSEL (text) – Vessel name (if known)
AUTHOR (text) – Creator of GIS from the data set and date of creation
CUSTODIAN (text) – Custodian/owner of the data set
SURVEY_MET (text) – Survey method, i.e., baited remote underwater video station (BRUV)
Additional data that is not included in the publicly available layers, but can be requested through DCCEEW and may be shared through a negotiated data agreement with DCCEEW, TropWATER JCU and the relevant Traditional Owner group/s include:
DEPTH_FIEL (numeric) – depth recorded from vessel depth sounder (metres) for subtidal sites.
MEADOW (text) - Unique identifier representing what meadow the sample site is located in. Blank if sample site is not located within a meadow
SUBSTRATE (text) – tags identifying the types of substrates at the sample site. Possible tags are Mud, Sand, Coarse Sand, Silt, Shell, Rock, Reef, Rubble and various combinations. Listed in order from most dominant substrate to least dominant.
COMMENTS (text) – Any comments for that site
BRUV (numeric) – Baited Remote Underwater Videos Systems footage was suitable (1) or unsuitable (0) for processing.
Habitat (text) – Dominant habitat in the BRUVS footage
Visibility (text) – Visibility of the BRUVS footage ranging from very poor to very clear. See report for examples of visibility.
MaxN_agg (numeric) – Aggregate MaxN across all fish species recorded from BRUV footage as a representation of fish abundance, -999 where this was not recorded
Sp_Rich (numeric) – Species richness recorded from BRUV footage (number of fish species), -999 where this was not recorded
Fam_Rich (numeric) – Family richness recorded from BRUV footage (number of fish families), -999 where this was not recorded
References:
Carter A, Groom R, Smith T, Shepherd L, van de Wetering C and Willan R (2023). Benthic habitats, fish and invertebrate communities of West Cape York Marine Park and surrounding waters. Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) Report Number 23/31, James Cook University, Cairns, pp.90
eAtlas Processing:
The original data were provided as Layer Packages. The lpkg files were imported to ArcGIS and exported as shapefiles and GeoTiff. No modifications modifications to the underlying data were performed and the data package are provided as submitted.
Location of the data:
This dataset is filed in the eAtlas enduring data repository at: data\2020-2029-other\QLD_JCU_West-Cape-York_Fish-and-Habitat_2021
