Science Advisory Report 2010/027
Review of the Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area monitoring indicators, protocols and strategies, and an assessment of the Gilbert Bay cod population
Summary
- The five indicators currently being used to monitor the Gilbert Bay cod population, and their respective sampling and analytical protocols, are appropriate and sufficient to monitor the MPA against its Conservation Objective(s).
- Data from the five indicators currently being used to monitor the Gilbert Bay cod population are sufficient to assess the status of the Gilbert Bay cod population.
- Current indicators used in the assessment of the Gilbert Bay cod population indicate a decline in abundance.
- Current indicators used in the assessment of the demographics of the Gilbert Bay cod population also suggest that the population may decline further due to decline in reproductive potential.
- Given the current status of the Gilbert Bay cod population and the indication of poor recruitment in recent years, the removal of an unknown number of spawners, in the area adjacent to the MPA, by the commercial and recreational fisheries is a concern.
- Further research is required to develop or improve indicators for monitoring natural and anthropogenic pressures on the Gilbert Bay cod population.
- Given recent advances in telemetry and the current telemetric infrastructure in place for monitoring the Gilbert Bay cod population, enhancing the use of telemetry to indicate movements of large cod between the MPA and adjacent areas would prove useful to further understanding sources of mortality of Gilbert Bay cod.
- Reference levels for the Gilbert Bay cod population should be explored to provide a benchmark against which to better determine population status in future assessments.
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