Reef Life Survey: Cryptic Fish
Citation
Reef Life Survey (2019). Reef Life Survey: Cryptic Fish. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/t1tqmm accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-05-31.Description
Reef Life Survey is designed to develop and resource a network of skilled recreational divers for rapid and cost-effective assessment of the state of the inshore marine environment at the global scale. The project uses standardised underwater visual census methods employed by trained SCUBA divers to survey fish and invertebrate species and to record habitat type using photo quadrats - this dataset refers to the cryptic fish and invertebrate survey component only.Purpose
The dataset generated by recreational divers provides a national framework for monitoring the state of the inshore environment and the identification of those threats and locations of greatest conservation concern. The project also increases awareness and interest by the recreational diving community in marine issues, and enhanced scientific capacity of personnel in regional areas.Sampling Description
Method steps
- Line transects 50 m in length are laid along a depth contour. Densities of fishes are recorded along duplicate 50 m x 5 m transects. For this, the diver swims at 2.5 m from the transect line, recording all fish 2.5 m to either side, replicating this for both sides of the transect line. Large invertebrates such as rock lobsters, abalone and sea urchins are recorded within duplicate 50 m x 1 m blocks along the transect. For this the diver searches a 1 m strip to one side of the transect line (brushing away algae, searching crevices etc) recording invertebrates > 2.5 cm, and also recording cryptic fish (that would have been missed in the fish swim). GPS location, date, time, depth and visibility are also recorded. A Standardized Survey Procedures for Monitoring Reef Ecosystems is under revision, please contact the project for access (reeflife.survey@utas.edu.au).
Taxonomic Coverages
Geographic Coverages
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
originatorReef Life Survey
metadata author
Reef Life Survey
distributor
Atlas of Living Australia
CSIRO Ecosystems Services
Canberra
2601
ACT
AU
email: info@ala.org.au
Rick Stuart-Smith
administrative point of contact
position: Co Investigator
Telephone: (03) 6227 7214
email: Rick.StuartSmith@utas.edu.au