Report
Habitat Enhancement Structures in Western Australia: The applications, needs, costs, benefits and cost-effective monitoring methods
FRDC Project, 2014/005, Fisheries Research & Development Corporation
01/12/2018
Abstract
This report investigated the application, needs, costs, monitoring methods and benefits of Habitat Enhancement Structure(s) (HES) in Western Australia (WA). The project designed, validated and established a world first monitoring method using recreational fishers to survey artificial reefs with Baited Remote Underwater Video system (BRUVs). It also produced a guide to assist industry, researchers, managers and the community with the HES development process. Peer-reviewed and grey literature on HES from around the world was reviewed and used to evaluate the benefits for recreational and commercial fisheries, aquaculture industries and the environment. Consultation was undertaken with stakeholders and beneficiaries, particularly within the seafood industry to identify the most effective HES designs, application and locations, however, this had limited uptake by the commercial fishing sector in WA. Various monitoring methods were explored through a desktop study to evaluate cost-effectiveness, and some of the more feasible options the subject of physical trials. All of the investigated aspects of HES were then combined into the HES guide for business, industry and community groups that have a desire to invest in HES developments. Monitoring methods were tested on the South West Artificial Reef Trial (i.e. the Dunsborough and Bunbury Artificial Reefs) in Geographe Bay from October 2015 – 2017. During this period the range of community-based monitoring methods tested included logbooks, manual and automatic observation posts, benthic mapping, and Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV). Each of these methods involved members of the public playing a role in collecting data. The BRUV component of Reef Vision was determined to be extremely effective and has gone on to become the primary monitoring method now being expanded to other HES developments state-wide. The HES guide is a tool that provides direction to a range of stakeholders and decision makers looking to undertake new HES projects. It has been promoted around WA and Australia and has already been an essential component in the development of five HES installations that will be deployed 2018 – 2020. The guide provides a background to the different types of HES, considerations for HES development (including purpose, target species, stakeholder engagement, approvals, design, location, configuration, cost/benefit analysis and many more) and the seven-step habitat enhancement process designed in this project which includes purpose, constraints mapping, finalisation of reef site, consultation, approvals, installation (procurement, construction and deployment) and post-deployment activities (monitoring, reporting and extension).
Details
- Title
- Habitat Enhancement Structures in Western Australia: The applications, needs, costs, benefits and cost-effective monitoring methods
- Authors/Creators
- J. H. FlorissonA. J. RowlandA. C. MatthewsJames R Tweedley - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic EcosystemsL. L. Campbell
- Series
- FRDC Project; 2014/005
- Publisher
- Fisheries Research & Development Corporation
- Number of pages
- 204
- Identifiers
- 9781921877230; 991005632070207891
- Copyright
- © 2018 Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Report
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