Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop -...

Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop

Program & Abstracts

21–23 November 2007

Sydney Institute of Marine Science

Sydney, News South Wales, Australia

Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop 2007, Program and abstract book

Program and Abstracts for the 2007 Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop 21-23 November 2007, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Charlie Huveneers & Rob Harcourt (editors) © Sydney Institute of Marine Science, 2007 www.sims.org.au The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of SIMS or Vemco. Abstracts may be reproduced provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given and the reference cited.


Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................5

Introductory statement................................................................................................................5

Maps and how to get there..........................................................................................................6

Workshop program and timetable ............................................................................................10

Abstract list...............................................................................................................................13

POSTER ABSTRACTS .......................................................................................................14 PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS ........................................................................................17

Delegate list ..............................................................................................................................33

Notes.........................................................................................................................................35

Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop 2007, Introduction

Acknowledgements This workshop is in part supported by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), Amirix/Vemco, and New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. Thanks go to Mark Scognamiglio (SIMS) and Paul Hallam (SIMS), and the staff of Amirix/Vemco for their assistance organising this workshop and to Charlie Gray and Steve Kennelly for providing sponsorship from NSW DPI. Introductory statement The popularity of the passive acoustic receivers developed by Amirix/Vemco has been increasing since the conception of the first VR1. Researchers have been using this technology worldwide to investigate movement patterns, residence time, and site fidelity of various marine organisms. The ease of use and relatively low costs of these receivers provides a powerful incentive for current users to increase their arrays/curtains and is also attractive to potential new users. However, new users may well purchase and depoly acoustic receivers without access to the breadthe of knowledge of the limitations and subtle constraints on their effective use that experienced users have gained through the years of using this equipment. Researchers have and continue to work in collaboration with Amirix/Vemco to improve current products and develop new equipment. Whereas, current users of acoustic telemetry have expertise in the practicability of using this technology, Amirix/Vemco has the engineering knowledge to advise scientists on the capabilities of acoustic equipment. The aim of this workshop is to bring together engineers, scientists, experienced users, and new or prospective users; to inform researchers of the limitations of this technology, inform engineer of researchers’ needs, improve current technologies, array design, mooring design, and analysis methodologies, and help new users avoid repeating the same mistakes that other scientists have done in the past. Because acoustic receivers can detect acoustic tags other than the tags deployed in the primary project, there are strong incentives for collaborative efforts among users. In so doing, individual users have the opportunity to increase their area of detection by sharing code numbers, and reporting unknown codes to a registry of users. The Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System (AATAMS) is offering this infrastructure. AATAMS has recently obtained funding from the Department of Education, Science and Technology (DEST) through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure System (NCRIS) to deploy acoustic receivers and provide a national depository for detections and tag identification codes. Along with AATAMS’ collaboration with the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN), this will enable an international network between researchers and projects using acoustic telemetry to be created. A second aim of this workshop is to bring current acoustic telemetry users together to inform them of AATAMS’ function, areas where coverage will be increased through the deployment of over 300 receivers, and discuss data management, access, and availability. We hope that you will find this workshop useful and look forward to many productive discussions. Charlie Huveneers and Rob Harcourt

Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop 2007, How to get there

Chowder Bay

SIMS

Chowder Bay

SIMS

Maps and how to get there By car (parking can sometimes be limited) From the Cremorne Point Manor and the Oaks Concierge Apartments, take Military Road towards Manly (east) and follow it. The road is slightly windy; keep going until the road forks, take the right hand feeder lane following the sign for Taranga Zoo. This is still Military Road (straight on it has become Spit Road). Follow the road passed the Mosman shops and the school until you get to a round about and turn left onto Middle Head Road. Follow this road all the way down. The road will narrow and you will go passed two speed bumps. Just after the HMAS Penguin entrance gate, turn right onto Chowder Bay Road. Follow this road all the way until the end where there is a round about. You have arrived at Chowder Bay Harbour Trust. SIMS is in Bulding 22. First building on the left as you walk down from the round about and walk on the dirt/gravel.

Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop 2007, How to get there

SIMS SIMS

SIMS (Building 22)

Parking spaces

SIMS (Building 22)

Parking spaces

By bus Bus 244 leaves from the city and takes you all the way to Middle Head Road. Get off at the second last stop (near a restaurant called Tea Gardens), and follow a bush track down to Chowder Bay (path starts next to the restaurant). After a 5–10 minutes walk, the track ends with a set of stairs in front of a round about. Turn right, SIMS is in Bulding 22. First building on the left as you walk down from the round about and walk on the dirt/gravel. Bus 228 leaves from North Sydney to Clifton Gardens. Get off at the terninus (Clifton Gardens) and walk along the beach to the Sydney Harbour Trust (left hand side when facing the water) where you will see a small coffee shop called Bacino. Walk passed Bacino to the pit/pool. Take the stairs all the way to the top (passed the restaurant Ripples) and turn left at the top on the parade ground (gravel road). SIMS will be in front of you, bulding 22.

Bus 244 Timetable City-Mosman QVB, York St Stand D 10:31am 11:31am 12:31pm 1:31pm 2:31pm Wynyard, Carrington St Stand A 6:45am 7:15am 7:38am 8:10am 8:33am 9:38am 10:38am 11:38am 12:38pm 1:38pm 2:38pm 3:38pm 4:37pm 5:20pm 5:54pm 6:34pm Neutral Bay, Military Rd Nr Watson St 6:53am 7:23am 7:48am 8:20am 8:43am 9:47am 10:47am 11:47am 12:47pm 1:47pm 2:47pm 3:47pm 4:46pm 5:32pm 6:06pm 6:46pm Neutral Bay, Military Rd Nr Wycombe Rd 6:54am 7:24am 7:49am 8:21am 8:44am 9:48am 10:48am 11:48am 12:48pm 1:48pm 2:48pm 3:48pm 4:47pm 5:33pm 6:07pm 6:47pm Cremorne, Military Rd Nr Hampden Av 6:55am 7:25am 7:50am 8:22am 8:45am 9:49am 10:49am 11:49am 12:49pm 1:49pm 2:49pm 3:49pm 4:48pm 5:34pm 6:08pm 6:48pm Cremorne, Military Rd Nr Cabramatta Rd 6:56am 7:26am 7:51am 8:23am 8:46am 9:50am 10:50am 11:50am 12:50pm 1:50pm 2:50pm 3:50pm 4:49pm 5:35pm 6:09pm 6:49pm Spit Junction, Military Rd 7:00am 7:30am 7:55am 8:27am 8:50am 9:54am 10:54am 11:54am 12:54pm 1:54pm 2:54pm 3:54pm 4:53pm 5:39pm 6:13pm 6:53pm Mosman, Military Rd Nr Belmont Rd 7:01am 7:34am 7:59am 8:31am 8:54am 9:58am 10:58am 11:58am 12:58pm 1:58pm 2:58pm 3:58pm 4:57pm 5:43pm 6:17pm 6:56pm Mosman, Military Rd Nr Raglan St 7:02am 7:35am 8:00am 8:32am 8:55am 9:59am 10:59am 11:59am 12:59pm 1:59pm 2:59pm 3:59pm 4:58pm 5:44pm 6:18pm 6:57pm Mosman, Middle Head Rd Nr King Max St 7:03am 7:36am 8:01am 8:33am 8:56am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 4:59pm 5:45pm 6:19pm 6:58pm Mosman, Middle Head Rd Nr Kahibah Rd 7:05am 7:38am 8:03am 8:35am 8:58am 10:02am 11:02am 12:02pm 1:02pm 2:02pm 3:02pm 4:02pm 5:01pm 5:47pm 6:21pm 7:00pm Middle Head, Balmoral Naval Base 7:07am 7:40am 8:05am 8:37am 9:00am 10:04am 11:04am 12:04pm 1:04pm 2:04pm 3:04pm 4:04pm 5:03pm 5:49pm 6:23pm 7:02pm

Mosman-City Middle Head, Balmoral Naval Base 7:21am 7:48am 8:17am 8:48am 9:18am 10:18am 11:18am 12:18pm 1:18pm 2:18pm 3:18pm 4:18pm 5:18pm Mosman, Middle Head Rd Nr Markham Cl 7:23am 7:50am 8:19am 8:50am 9:20am 10:20am 11:20am 12:20pm 1:20pm 2:20pm 3:20pm 4:20pm 5:20pm Mosman, Middle Head Rd Nr King Max St 7:26am 7:53am 8:22am 8:53am 9:23am 10:23am 11:23am 12:23pm 1:23pm 2:23pm 3:23pm 4:23pm 5:23pm Mosman, Middle Hd Rd Nr Bradleys Hd 7:26am 7:53am 8:22am 8:53am 9:23am 10:23am 11:23am 12:23pm 1:23pm 2:23pm 3:23pm 4:23pm 5:23pm Mosman, Military Rd Nr Raglan St 7:27am 7:54am 8:23am 8:54am 9:24am 10:24am 11:24am 12:24pm 1:24pm 2:24pm 3:24pm 4:24pm 5:24pm Mosman, Military Rd Nr Belmont Rd 7:28am 7:55am 8:24am 8:55am 9:25am 10:25am 11:25am 12:25pm 1:25pm 2:25pm 3:25pm 4:25pm 5:25pm Spit Junction, Military Rd 7:31am 7:58am 8:28am 8:59am 9:29am 10:29am 11:29am 12:29pm 1:29pm 2:29pm 3:29pm 4:29pm 5:29pm Mosman, Military Rd Nr Wudgong St 7:32am 7:59am 8:29am 9:00am 9:30am 10:30am 11:30am 12:30pm 1:30pm 2:30pm 3:30pm 4:30pm 5:30pm Cremorne, Military Rd Nr Cabramatta Rd 7:35am 8:02am 8:32am 9:03am 9:33am 10:33am 11:33am 12:33pm 1:33pm 2:33pm 3:33pm 4:33pm 5:33pm Neutral Bay, Military Rd Nr Wycombe Rd 7:37am 8:06am 8:36am 9:06am 9:36am 10:36am 11:36am 12:36pm 1:36pm 2:36pm 3:36pm 4:36pm 5:36pm Neutral Bay, Military Rd Nr Watson St 7:39am 8:09am 8:39am 9:08am 9:38am 10:38am 11:38am 12:38pm 1:38pm 2:38pm 3:38pm 4:38pm 5:38pm Wynyard, York St Set Down 7:46am 8:20am 8:50am 9:15am 9:45am 10:45am 11:45am 12:45pm 1:45pm 2:45pm 3:45pm 4:45pm 5:46pm QVB, York St Nr Market St 10:48am 11:48am 12:48pm 1:48pm 2:48pm

Bus 228 Timetable Mislons Point-Clifton Gardens Milsons Point, Alfred St Nr Olympic Dr 7:35am 8:46am 9:51am 10:51am 11:51am 12:51pm 1:51pm 2:51pm 3:46pm 4:42pm 5:47pm 6:17pm

Milsons Point, Alfred St Nr Glen St 7:37am 8:48am 9:53am 10:53am 11:53am 12:53pm 1:53pm 2:53pm 3:48pm 4:44pm 5:49pm 6:19pm

North Sydney, Blue St Stand D 7:41am 8:05am 8:52am 9:57am 10:57am 11:57am 12:57pm 1:57pm 2:57pm 3:52pm 4:48pm 5:53pm 6:23pm

North Sydney, Miller St Nr Berry St 7:43am 8:07am 8:54am 9:59am 10:59am 11:59am 12:59pm 1:59pm 2:59pm 3:54pm 4:50pm 5:56pm 6:26pm

North Sydney, Miller St Nr McLaren St 7:44am 8:08am 8:55am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 3:55pm 4:51pm 5:57pm 6:27pm

North Sydney, Miller St Nr Ridge St 7:45am 8:09am 8:56am 10:01am 11:01am 12:01pm 1:01pm 2:01pm 3:01pm 3:56pm 4:52pm 5:58pm 6:28pm

North Sydney, Miller St Nr Carlow St 7:46am 8:10am 8:57am 10:02am 11:02am 12:02pm 1:02pm 2:02pm 3:02pm 3:57pm 4:53pm 5:59pm 6:29pm

North Sydney, Falcon St Nr Bardsley Gdns 7:47am 8:11am 8:58am 10:03am 11:03am 12:03pm 1:03pm 2:03pm 3:03pm 3:58pm 4:54pm 6:01pm 6:31pm

Neutral Bay, Military Rd Nr Watson St 7:51am 8:15am 9:02am 10:07am 11:07am 12:07pm 1:07pm 2:07pm 3:07pm 4:02pm 4:58pm 6:05pm 6:35pm

Neutral Bay, Military Rd Nr Wycombe Rd 7:52am 8:16am 9:03am 10:08am 11:08am 12:08pm 1:08pm 2:08pm 3:08pm 4:03pm 4:59pm 6:06pm 6:36pm

Cremorne, Military Rd Nr Hampden Av 7:53am 8:17am 9:04am 10:09am 11:09am 12:09pm 1:09pm 2:09pm 3:09pm 4:04pm 5:00pm 6:07pm 6:37pm

Cremorne, Military Rd Nr Cabramatta Rd 7:54am 8:18am 9:05am 10:10am 11:10am 12:10pm 1:10pm 2:10pm 3:10pm 4:05pm 5:01pm 6:08pm 6:38pm

Spit Junction, Military Rd 7:58am 8:22am 9:09am 10:14am 11:14am 12:14pm 1:14pm 2:14pm 3:14pm 4:09pm 5:05pm 6:12pm 6:42pm

Mosman, Military Rd Nr Belmont Rd 8:02am 8:26am 9:13am 10:18am 11:18am 12:18pm 1:18pm 2:18pm 3:18pm 4:13pm 5:09pm 6:16pm 6:46pm

Mosman, Military Rd Nr Raglan St 8:03am 8:27am 9:14am 10:19am 11:19am 12:19pm 1:19pm 2:19pm 3:19pm 4:14pm 5:10pm 6:17pm 6:47pm

Mosman, Bradleys Hd Rd, Whiting Bch Rd 8:06am 8:30am 9:17am 10:21am 11:21am 12:21pm 1:21pm 2:21pm 3:21pm 4:16pm 5:13pm 6:20pm 6:49pm

Mosman, Bradleys Hd Rd Nr Thompson St 7:00am 8:06am 8:30am 9:17am 10:21am 11:21am 12:21pm 1:21pm 2:21pm 3:21pm 4:16pm 5:13pm 6:20pm 6:49pm

Mosman, Thompson St Nr Bradleys Hd Rd 7:00am 8:06am 8:30am 9:17am 10:21am 11:21am 12:21pm 1:21pm 2:21pm 3:21pm 4:16pm 5:13pm 6:20pm 6:49pm

Clifton Gardens, Morella Rd Terminus 7:05am 8:11am 8:35am 9:22am 10:26am 11:26am 12:26pm 1:26pm 2:26pm 3:26pm 4:21pm 5:18pm 6:25pm 6:54pm

Clifton Gardens-Milsons Point

Clifton Gardens, Morella Rd Terminus 7:11am 7:42am 8:19am 8:55am 9:36am 10:33am 11:33am 12:33pm 1:33pm 2:33pm 3:33pm 4:31pm 5:31pm 7:00pm

Mosman, Thompson St Nr Bradleys Hd Rd 7:16am 7:47am 8:24am 9:00am 9:41am 10:38am 11:38am 12:38pm 1:38pm 2:38pm 3:38pm 4:36pm 5:36pm 7:05pm

Mosman, Bradleys Head Rd Nr Whiting Bch Rd 7:16am 7:47am 8:24am 9:00am 9:41am 10:38am 11:38am 12:38pm 1:38pm 2:38pm 3:38pm 4:36pm 5:36pm 7:05pm

Mosman, Military Rd Nr Raglan St 7:19am 7:50am 8:27am 9:03am 9:44am 10:41am 11:41am 12:41pm 1:41pm 2:41pm 3:41pm 4:39pm 5:39pm 7:08pm

Mosman, Military Rd Nr Belmont Rd 7:20am 7:51am 8:28am 9:04am 9:45am 10:42am 11:42am 12:42pm 1:42pm 2:42pm 3:42pm 4:40pm 5:40pm 7:09pm

Mosman, Myahgah Rd Nr Belmont Rd 9:09am

Spit Junction, Military Rd 7:23am 7:54am 8:32am 9:12am 9:49am 10:46am 11:46am 12:46pm 1:46pm 2:46pm 3:46pm 4:44pm 5:44pm 7:13pm

Mosman, Military Rd Nr Wudgong St 7:24am 7:55am 8:33am 9:50am 10:47am 11:47am 12:47pm 1:47pm 2:47pm 3:47pm 4:45pm 5:45pm 7:14pm

Cremorne, Military Rd Nr Cabramatta Rd 7:27am 7:58am 8:36am 9:53am 10:50am 11:50am 12:50pm 1:50pm 2:50pm 3:50pm 4:48pm 5:48pm 7:16pm

Neutral Bay, Military Rd Nr Wycombe Rd 7:29am 8:00am 8:40am 9:56am 10:53am 11:53am 12:53pm 1:53pm 2:53pm 3:53pm 4:51pm 5:51pm 7:19pm

Neutral Bay, Military Rd Nr Watson St 7:31am 8:03am 8:43am 9:58am 10:55am 11:55am 12:55pm 1:55pm 2:55pm 3:55pm 4:53pm 5:53pm

North Sydney, Miller St Nr Falcon St 7:34am 8:08am 8:48am 10:01am 10:58am 11:58am 12:58pm 1:58pm 2:58pm 3:59pm 4:57pm 5:57pm

North Sydney, Miller St Nr Carlow St 7:35am 8:09am 8:49am 10:02am 10:59am 11:59am 12:59pm 1:59pm 2:59pm 4:00pm 4:58pm 5:58pm

North Sydney, Miller St Nr Ridge St 7:36am 8:11am 8:51am 10:03am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:01pm 4:59pm 5:59pm

North Sydney, Miller St Nr McLaren St 7:38am 8:13am 8:53am 10:05am 11:02am 12:02pm 1:02pm 2:02pm 3:02pm 4:03pm 5:01pm 6:01pm

North Sydney, Miller St Nr Pacific Hwy 7:39am 8:15am 8:55am 10:06am 11:03am 12:03pm 1:03pm 2:03pm 3:03pm 4:05pm 5:03pm 6:03pm

North Sydney, Blues Point Rd Nr Blue St 7:40am 8:16am 8:56am 10:07am 11:04am 12:04pm 1:04pm 2:04pm 3:04pm 4:06pm 5:04pm 6:04pm

Kirribilli, Broughton St Nr Pitt St 7:45am 8:21am 9:01am 10:11am 11:08am 12:08pm 1:08pm 2:08pm 3:08pm 4:10pm 5:08pm 6:08pm

Milsons Point, Alfred St Nr Olympic Dr 7:46am 8:22am 9:02am 10:12am 11:09am 12:09pm 1:09pm 2:09pm 3:09pm 4:11pm 5:09pm 6:09pm

Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop 2007, Program

Workshop program and timetable WEDNESDAY 21st NOVEMBER

9:00am Registration and Coffee 9:30am Welcome note

Keynote speaker – Rob Harcourt/Charlie Huveneers 9:40am The Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System (AATAMS)

10:30am Morning tea

Australian studies (Chair: Jayson Semmens) Paul Brown 11:00am Use of longitudinal acoustic arrays to detect catchment-scale and reach-scale movements of riverine fish Thomas Stieglitz 11:20am The Yongala’s Halo of Holes – Who’s Digging It? Craig Franklin 11:40am Acoustic Tracking of Estuarine Crocodiles Vemco (Greg McKinnon) 12:00pm Single frequency telemetry - rational

12:20pm Lunch

Detection range (Chair: Barry Bruce) Jason How 1:20pm Properties of acoustic range tests under varying conditions and issues for analysis Colin Simpfendorfer 1:40pm Variation in the performance of acoustic receivers and its implication for positioning algorithms in a riverine setting Michelle Heupel 2:00pm Effects of biofouling on performance of moored datalogging acoustic receivers Vemco (Dale Webber) 2:20pm Equipment overview & demonstrations

3:00pm Afternoon tea

3:30pm Open Discussion 5:00pm SIMS guided tour Cheese and wine


THURSDAY 22nd NOVEMBER

9:00am Arrival and Coffee Keynote speaker – Alastair Hobday 9:10am Estimating detection probabilities for linear acoustic monitoring arrays

Analysis (Chair: Colin Simpfendorfer) Hugh Pederson 9:50am Integrating benthic morphology models and acoustic telemetry data for improved interpretation of animal behaviour Tim Pauly 10:10am Closely coupled visualization and analysis tools for 4D marine environmental data: Tracking Applications

10:30am Morning tea

Tagging and deployments (Chair: Alistair Hobday) Stirling Peverell 11:00am Acoustic monitoring of sawfish (Pristis spp) and speartooth shark (Glyphis sp.A) in remote Cape York Peninsula Vic Peddemors 11:20am Shark telemetery in South Africa: trials & tribulations Ivars Reinsfeld 11:40am Consigned to the deep: requiem or recovery of VR2W receivers in a freshwater river gorge after a 1:2 year flood Nick Otway 12:00pm South East Australian Coastal Acoustic Monitoring System (SEACAMS)

12:20pm Lunch

Vemco (Dale Webber) 1:20pm Code maps, data rate (Collisions), & false detections Charlie Huveneers 2:20pm AATAMS/Australian network session


3:30pm Open Discussion


FRIDAY 23rd NOVEMBER

9:00am Arrival and Coffee Vemco (Greg McKinnon and Dale Webber) 9:10am False detection, detection performance, range limits, and array design

10:30am Morning tea

11:00am Open Discussion

12:20pm Lunch

Vemco (Dale Webber and Greg McKinnon) 1:20pm VUE Software and new products


3:30pm Open Discussion 4:30pm Closing remarks

Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop 2007, Presentation abstract

Abstract list © Rob Harcourt A total of 16 talks and three posters will be presented during the Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop. Abstracts are listed alphabetically using the presenting author’s name and do not indicate any seniority. Poster abstracts are listed first, followed by presentation abstract.


POSTER ABSTRACTS Movement patterns of tiger sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, at the Aliwal Shoal, Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa K. Pillay and Vic Peddemors School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa ([email protected]) Tiger sharks are considered potentially dangerous, yet dive tourism operators at Umkomaas, South Africa, are offering tiger shark diving using bait to attract these sharks. Tiger sharks are the ninth most commonly caught shark in KZN, but the catch is spatially skewed with increased catches in central KZN inshore of the Aliwal Shoal reef. Telemetry tracking was employed to determine the movement patterns and habitat use of tiger sharks at the Aliwal Shoal with the aim of determining any impact from baiting. VEMCO receivers were placed at five strategic positions on the reef. Seven tiger sharks were tagged (5 females & 2 males). Most of the detections occurred at North Sands (200 detections) which is frequently used as a recreational diving area and is more than 1km north of the baiting area. The second most frequented region was the nearest inshore reef off Greenpoint. Some niche separation was evident in that large tiger sharks (between 2.9m PCL – 3.2m PCL) dominated North Sands, while smaller sharks (between 1.7m-2.3m PCL) dominated Greenpoint. Detections only occurred between mid-morning and afternoon, with no tiger sharks being detected after 18:00pm at any of the receivers. Preliminary results suggest baiting has minimal impact on the ranging of these sharks.


Detecting dispersal in an estuarine predator: Carrying capacity and mulloway stock enhancement Andy Fairfax1,2, Iain Suthers1,2 and Matt Taylor1,2 1Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW ([email protected]) 2Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW Establishing an ecological basis for stocking density is essential for responsible fisheries stock enhancement. Stocking density can be estimated through the Predatory Impact Model (PIM) based on the habitat and dietary requirements and production of key forage species in the target ecosystem, however the effect of stocking at modelled estimates remains unknown. We present a novel design to test the density dependent response of overstocking mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus in an urbanised estuary. The approach will use acoustically tagged 200 mm mulloway stocked at a PIM-estimated stocking density, 5x modelled stocking density and 10x modelled stocking density. Short term dispersal and foraging behaviour will be monitored by a fine-scale continual (1 detection h-1, 24 h d-1) manual tracking regime, using Sonotronics IBT transmitters and boat based receiver, for a period of three weeks post release. Long term dispersal from release sites will be monitored using a combination of automated tracking of Vemco V9 coded transmitters by VR2W receivers, and fortnightly manual detection with a VR100 receiver. Tracking data will also be supported by tag/recapture/growth data of mulloway stocked under the three regimes. The combination of different technologies and approaches into this design will provide fine and broad scale information to assess the effect of exceeding carrying capacity when stocking estuarine fish. Results will feed-back into ongoing development of the Predatory Impact Model, and demonstrate any benefit of the PIM approach.


Effects of environmental flows on the movements of two co-occurring Percicthyidae fishes. Chris Walsh1,2, Ivars Reinfelds3, Ron West2 ,Charles Gray1 and Dylan Van Der Meulen1 1Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre of Excellence, Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 21, Cronulla, NSW, 2230 ([email protected]) 2School of Biological Sciences. University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522 3Department of Water and Energy, PO Box 867, Wollongong, NSW, 2520 Estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum) and the closely related Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) are catadromous fishes that inhabit the coastal drainages of south-eastern Australia. Currently there is limited information available concerning their movements and ecological requirements. Using acoustic telemetry (Vemco), this study will examine the localised movements and annual spawning migrations of estuary perch and Australian bass in the Shoalhaven River. Critical aspects of the environmental flow regime including flow depths and velocities that facilitate their successful (or unsuccessful) upstream migration will also be determined. Acoustic receivers (several with conductivity/temperature loggers) have been placed throughout the Shoalhaven River from the dam wall downstream to the sea (a distance of 75km). Mature estuary perch and Australian bass have been surgically implanted with transmitters and will be monitored over the next 2-3 years. Movement data will be tested against environmental information including river discharge, hydrology, salinity, bathymetric and habitat data. This critical information on the effects of environmental flows on populations will help provide advice for the future sustainable management of these two recreationally important native species.


PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS Use of longitudinal acoustic arrays to detect catchment-scale and reach-scale movements of riverine fish Paul Brown1, John Douglas, Nigel Abery and Daniel Stoessel 1Fisheries Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, Private Bag 20, Alexandra, Vic, 3714 ([email protected]) Present address: Arthur Rylah Institute, Department of Sustainability and Environment, 123 Brown Street, Heidleberg VIC 3084 Movements of Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata), estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum) and their hybrids, in the Snowy River; brown trout (Salmo trutta) in the Goulburn River and Rubicon River, in Victoria; and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) across the whole Murray-Darling River system, have been studied using remote acoustic data-logging receivers and internally implanted coded acoustic pinger-tags. The almost ‘linear’ nature of rivers, lends itself well to methods of deploying acoustic receivers to intercept the longitudinal movements of riverine fish at a range of spatial scales. In locations that are remote, with limited or costly access, and studies of residence or habitat-use where permanent round-the-clock vigilance of fish-movement patterns is required, remote data-logging receivers are appropriate to maximise data-collection. Brown trout residence patterns in relation to riparian willow removal were examined in single reaches of a large river and a small stream using receivers (n=6) deployed to detect residence within individual habitat-units. A linear array of receivers (n=14), deployed singly, was used to clarify seasonal and catchment-scale movement patterns of Australian bass and estuary perch in relation to temperature and flows, and passage through a river-reach physically degraded by sand deposition. The array was used to simultaneously locate both species when receivers deployed throughout the Snowy River freshwater and estuarine zones were used to study the seasonal fish movement. Common carp movements among large tributaries of the Murray and Darling Rivers are being studied with a larger array of receivers (n=50), deployed in pairs to detect directional movement at nodes in a large network of river tributaries. To varying degrees in all these studies, critical issues have been detection range in noisy environments and the trade-off between minimising off-time and maximising tag life-expectancy to avoid fish ‘skipping’ past receivers.


Acoustic Tracking of Estuarine Crocodiles Craig E. Franklin School of Integrative Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072 ([email protected]) Determining the movement patterns of any species is difficult, but if the range of that species is extensive, the species is cryptic, lives in remote locations or its behaviour is modified by the continued presence of humans, then monitoring becomes increasingly difficult. Studying crocodiles in their natural habitats present such problems and necessitates the use of biotelemetry to track their movements and physiology undisturbed. In August 2007 an acoustic telemetry study was initiated in Lakefield National Park to record the movement patterns, body temperatures and diving profiles of estuarine crocodiles, Crocodylus porosus. Twenty VR2 recording stations were deployed along 50 km of a river system and 27 estuarine crocodiles ranging in body size from 2.3 to 5 m captured and implanted with temperature and pressure sensitive transmitters. This presentation will summarise the setting up of this project, the aims and scope of the research program, deployment methods, and some preliminary findings.


The history of the Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System (AATAMS) – Background and aims Robert G. Harcourt1,2 and Charlie Huveneers1,2 1Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109 ([email protected]) 2Sydney Institute for Marine Science, Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088 The Australian Government is providing $542 million over 2005-2011, through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), to provide researchers with major research facilities, supporting infrastructure and networks necessary for world-class research. As part of NCRIS, $55.2 million has been committed to establish an Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS). In a true paradigm shift in Australian marine research, IMOS is creating an enhanced, nationally integrated capacity to collect marine data, draw it together and make it accessible to researchers. IMOS is distributing sets of scientifc equipment and will provide data-information services which collectively contribute to meeting the needs of marine research in Australia. IMOS brings together the resources and expertise of ten Australian universities, research institutes and Commonwealth agencies to implement and operate 11 facilities for the collection of ocean observing data. The Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System (AATAMS) is one of the 11 National Facilities. Acoustic monitoring is a powerful tool for observing tagged marine animals with networks or cross shelf arrays and curtains of receivers, allowing animals to be monitored over scales of hundreds of metres to thousands of kilometres. AATAMS will target areas under the influence of the East Australia Current; the Ningaloo Reef and upwelling systems off Southern Australia as well as supporting smaller local projects on a competitive basis. AATAMS aims to: • To form a national network of acoustic tracking research; • Invest in permanent, strategically located acoustic curtains that maximise national benefit and with existing infrastructure form a continental array; • Lead the Southern Hemisphere section of an internationally coordinated marine animal tracking program: Ocean Tracking Network (OTN).


Effects of biofouling on performance of moored datalogging acoustic receivers Michelle R. Heupel1,3, K.L. Reiss2 and B.G. Yeiser1 1Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, U.S.A.. 2Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455 U.S.A. 3Current address: School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, 4811, Australia ([email protected]) Biofouling on scientific equipment deployed in marine and estuarine environments can have implications for how well the equipment performs, and the type and amount of data collected. Here we examined biofouling on the performance of datalogging acoustic receivers deployed in shallow coastal waters off Florida. Five treatment types of receivers were examined including old and new versions of VR2 (Amirix/Vemco Ltd) receivers with complete, partial or no antifouling paint. Receivers were deployed for two months and acoustic signal detection rates examined. All receivers had some extent of biofouling during the course of the study and performance was variable among treatment types. Old version receivers did not perform as well as new version receivers in all cases and significant differences were apparent in detection rate and receiver performance metrics. Reductions in receiver performance over time occurred for most treatments and were likely due to settlement of biofouling organisms including barnacles, annelids, tunicates and ascidians. Biofouling appeared to affect receiver performance over time and should be taken into account in acoustic telemetry studies.


Estimating detection probabilities for linear acoustic monitoring arrays Alistair J. Hobday1,2 and Doug Pincock3 1CSIRO Marine Research, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001 2School of Zoolgoy, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001 3Amirix Systems, Vemco division, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Acoustic monitoring is a low-cost technique for studying the movements of aquatic animals, and has been widely used over the past decade. One common configuration in these studies is the deployment of a linear array of receivers such that animal passage across the line is detected. The typical goal in such studies is to estimate the fraction of a population that moves across the line. These curtains can have non-overlapping or overlapping detection envelopes. It has been assumed that in the case of non-overlapping arrays that the detection rate of tagged animals is proportional to the coverage of the line. Unfortunately, the estimation process is not as simple as previously believed. We show that the detection probability is Gaussian-shaped rather than uniform with distance from the receiver and varies over both short and long time scales due to biotic and abiotic noise and interference. Wind-generated noise in particular, can have a major influence on the performance of receivers within an array. Range testing, while important, will not solve the problem. In fact, the complexity of this variable detection envelope renders a statistical solution improbable, and we propose that simulation modelling provides a better alternative for estimating detection probability for non-overlapping arrays. We conclude that for certain situations, such as remote, exposed locations, the best solution is to design overlapping arrays, with the detection distance estimated for the worst detection environment.


Properties of acoustic range tests under varying conditions and issues for analysis Jason How1 and Simon de Lestang2 1Coastal and Marine Research Group, School of Natural Science, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive Joondalup, WA, 6027 ([email protected] or [email protected]) 2Department of Fisheries, WA Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, 39 Northside Drive Hillarys WA, 6025 ([email protected]) Overlapping omni-directional receiver detection areas in acoustic arrays have been used to determine movement patterns of aquatic organisms, especially in situations where the organisms cannot be tracked manually. Detection on multiple receivers during specific time periods (time bins) have also been used to estimate areas of organism activity (activity centres). At its core, this has a linear relationship between distance and number of detections recorded. However, range tests conducted at a number of sites along the West Australian coast under a variety of environmental conditions have consistently displayed a non-linear relationship between distance and number of positive receptions recorded. Rather, a sigmoidal algorithm appears to best describe this relationship. Preliminary information seems to suggest that tag type (power) may influence the type of relationship between distance and positive receptions recorded. Environmental conditions provide considerable variation in range test variables, which further complicate the analysis process. These results will be discussed in the context of an analysis technique being developed to account for the sigmoidal relationship between distance and pings received.


The running of the Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System (AATAMS) – Deployments, projects, and data management Charlie Huveneers1,2 and Robert G. Harcourt1,2 1Sydney Institute for Marine Science, Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088 2Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109 ([email protected]) A total of 14 arrays and curtains consisting of combinations of VR2W and VR3-UWM (Vemco™) receivers will be deployed around the Australian coast as part of the Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System (AATAMS). The curtains will be deployed in New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria at narrow stretches of the shelf edge to the 200 m isobath. Deployments, download, and servicing will be carried out by AATAMS with the help of several governmental institute providing in-kind support. Coverage along the New South Wales (NSW) coast will be enhanced by the current deployment of receivers by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to monitor the grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus). The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) is also providing AATAMS with $1.2 million worth of receivers and acoustic releases. Data will be accessible through one of the IMOS facility, the electronic Marine Information Infrastructure or eMII, that will be IMOS central depository in charge of quality standards, archiving data and producing data products. The distinctive feature of AATAMS will be able the ability to combine movement information with oceanographic characteristics provided by the other IMOS tools. IMOS’ other facilities include autonomous underwater vehicles, ocean gliders, coastal radars, and oceanographic moorings. Further to the proposed deployments, AATAMS is creating a network of existing arrays and curtains through eMII that will ensure greater collaboration between acoustic telemetry users, and increase the areas of detection through the creation of a code registry.


South East Australian Coastal Acoustic Monitoring System (SEACAMS) Nick M. Otway and Megan T. Storrie

NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Centre, Locked Bag 1, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315 ([email protected]) A South East Australian Coastal Acoustic Monitoring System (SEACAMS), set up by the NSW Department of Primary Industries as part of reproductive research on grey nurse sharks, has been operational for 18 months. The system comprises 60 acoustic listening stations deployed at various sites along the NSW coast, from the Victorian to Queensland borders. Each listening station consists of a VR2 acoustic receiver and temperature mini-logger. These are attached to a bottom-set mooring comprising a concrete-filled tyre and upright pole with attachment points for a purpose-built stainless steel bracket for the VR2 receiver (see display). Each mini-logger has been programmed to record seawater temperature once per hour. The number of listening stations deployed at any given site varies according to the usage of the site by grey nurse sharks, depth, currents and topography. Data on the localised and migratory movements of grey nurse and great white sharks, tagged with R-coded acoustic tags, are currently being obtained via SEACAMS. The spatial scale at which the SEACAMS acoustic listening stations have been deployed provides the opportunity for researchers to obtain similar information on local species of interest in closer proximity to their respective research institutions. The location of individual SEACAMS acoustic listening stations, operational constraints, and preliminary movement and water temperature results will be provided. The acoustic curtains to be deployed as part of AATAMS, will integrate with SEACAMS and provide a network of acoustic listening stations to enable researchers interested in localised and migratory movements of fish to access this infrastructure at a cost that would have previously not been possible. For those who may be interested in accessing SEACAMS, information will be made available upon request.


Closely coupled visualization and analysis tools for 4D marine environmental data: Tracking Applications Tim Pauly Myriax SonarData, G.P.O. Box 1387, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001 ([email protected]) We aim to enhance the excitement of discovery that visualization brings to data analysis - to provide a suite of user-extensible tools that makes the interesting fascinating and the mundane easy. Ultimately we will offer ‘inter-ocular traumatic impact’ - understanding that hits you between the eyes. This paper demonstrates the value of four-dimensional (4D) visualisation and analysis tools, for investigating tracking data in marine ecosystems for the exploration of spatial and temporal foraging and other behavioural patterns. To meet this aim we are developing a suite of innovative tools that significantly enhance the ease with which scientists can manipulate complex marine environmental data. In particular, we seek to facilitate the fusion of different data types, so that the analyst can pose novel questions regarding feature relationships in an integrated context. By enabling coincident visualisation, analysis of trans-disciplinary results and the fusion of model and sampled data, such tools facilitate the study of dynamics and change detection, and allow the bridging of specialist domains for example physical oceanography and fisheries research. Modern fish tracking systems present unique challenges in data complexity, and data quality and quantity. Visualisation is essential to all stages of working with these data: quality assurance; filtering; analysis and hypothesis forming; and presentation of results. Through supporting leading researchers around the world to meet the demands of new-generation fisheries multibeam and scanning sonar systems, we have developed a unique, closely coupled 4D visualisation and analysis environment. Underpinned by immersive visualisations, data fusion through a high-dimensional topology model and user extensibility, our 4D environment provides significant opportunities for understanding marine ecological systems. This paper presents some initial examples of 4D visualisation and fusion of tracks, and environmental data, in an architecture designed to support the sharing of analysis methods and the communication of results.


Shark telemetery in South Africa: trials & tribulations Vic Peddemors1,2, Mieke van Tienhoven1, Malcolm Smale3, Matt Dicke3 and Mark Addison4 1School of Biological & Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 2Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109 and Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Chowder Bay, Sydney, NSW, 2088 ([email protected]) 3Bayworld Centre for Research and Education, Port Elizabeth Museum, South Africa 4Blue Wilderness Diving Expeditions, Rocky Bay, South Africa Experiences in tagging free-ranging grey nurse and tiger sharks off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with Vemco V16 tags are discussed with comment on tag bio-fouling and retention. Methods of VR2 deployment off semi-rigid inflatable boats are described. Relevant mooring design and the placement of receivers according to data collection requirements are described. Anaylsis of the incidence of bio-fouling of receivers indicates that both depth and the degree of exposure/protection from the elements affects the degree of bio-fouling. Equipment loss through storm seas and/or human interference has had severe impact on telemetry projects in KwaZulu-Natal. These issues will be addressed with recommendations on how to avoid potential future losses.


Integrating benthic morphology models and acoustic telemetry data for improved interpretation of animal behaviour Hugh Pederson, Vanessa Lucieer and Jayson Semmens Marine Research Laboratories, Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001 ([email protected]) Despite recent advances in the development and application of acoustic tracking technology there has been very little emphasis placed on improving methods for analysing movement data, the incorporation of external data sets into analyses, and understanding the interaction of species with the physical environment. While a small number of studies have examined habitat utilisation and habitat preferences the links between animal movement and habitat have often been formed using coarse-scale habitat maps. Coarse-scale habitat maps constructed from vessel towed video or diver swum transects are limited because they are user biased, non-quantifiable and unable to be replicated with any level of precision. By applying geomorphometry theory developed by terrestrial ecologists, digital terrain models (DTM) of bathymetric data can be converted into models that classify features on the seabed. The resulting classification maps are high resolution, scale-independent, quantitative and have assigned levels of certainty in the classification of features. Among the simpler features that can be identified by the model are a set of six morphometric features: pits, peaks, passes, channels, ridges and planes. These six features can be used to characterise benthic habitats to scales approaching resolutions of 1x1m using high resolution multi-beam data and resolutions approaching 3x3m using single beam acoustic data in depths <40m. With the aid of newly developed visualisation software we will present an example of how multiple spatial data sets, including outputs from the benthic classification model and acoustic tracking data, can be integrated more effectively.


Acoustic monitoring of sawfish (Pristis spp) and speartooth shark (Glyphis sp.A) in remote Cape York Peninsula Stirling C. Peverell1 and Richard Pillans2 1Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Cairns, Queensland, 4870 ([email protected]) 2CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Cleveland, Queensland, 4163 ([email protected]) The use of telemetric techniques to investigate temporal movement, habit use and behaviour of fish and other aquatic animals has typically been performed by researchers operating independently of the local community. In this study we challenge this concept by actively seeking and involving community and industry stakeholder participation in the telemetric study of the endangered sawfish species (Pristis spp.) and speartooth shark (Glyphis sp. A). Researching protected species is always a challenge, given their rarity. The study site is Mapoon, an Aboriginal community located 70km north of Weipa. This community has limited capacity to generate jobs and provide skills based training for locals, although some ranger based programs now exist. This project provides the opportunity for the community Council to “value add” to existing ranger programs by creating reliable and interesting paid work through the deployment and monitoring of acoustic listening stations positioned in their local area. With assistance from community members, aquarium industry and two local Mapoon commercial fishers a total of nineteen Vemco VR2W acoustic loggers have been deployed. Critical to the success of the project is Mapoon community involvement in the monthly retrieval, download and redeployment of each of the data loggers. Mitigating risk to personal safety and to equipment loss was a major consideration in the design of the mooring system and VR2W attachment. Some of the risks considered included bio-fouling, major flood events, theft, and dangerous animals (crocodiles and sharks). We developed an innovative VR2W retrieval system that allows for safe community participation. Providing a safe working environment was vital in achieving ranger involvement in the program. A key project outcome is to help mitigate threatening processes on sawfish and speartooth shark through better understanding of the life history and ecology of these species. Extension of project information through school and community presentations has helped pave strong project support from the wider Mapoon community and is raising local awareness of these endangered species.


Consigned to the deep: requiem or recovery of VR2W receivers in a freshwater river gorge after a 1:2 year flood Ivars Reinfelds1, Chris Walsh2,3 and T. Haeusler1 1Department of Water and Energy, PO Box 53, Wollongong NSW, 2500 ([email protected]) 2Department of Primary Industries, Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre of Excellence, PO Box 21, Cronulla, NSW, 2230 3School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW, 2533 The Shoalhaven River through Tallowa Dam provides a major water supply for greater Sydney during drought periods when Sydney's total water storage drops below 60% capacity. During such times, environmental flows in the Shoalhaven River below Tallowa Dam are set at 90 ML/d, plus an additional 40 ML/d released for the City of Shoalhaven. This relatively low and ‘flat-lined’ environmental flow regime has prompted questions regarding its adequacy in facilitating fish passage across natural rapids and riffles below the dam. As such, twenty VR2W receivers were deployed in the Shoalhaven River gorge below Tallowa Dam in May 2007 to enable detailed assessment of factors influencing the migration and movements of Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata), an iconic, catadromous, top-level predator of considerable ecological and recreational angling importance. In June 2007, a series of east coast low pressure systems resulted in a flood rising more than 8 m above the regulated low flow water level, an event with an estimated recurrence interval of approximately 1 in 2 years. Reconnaissance investigations after the flood indicate a survival rate of 80% for deployed receivers, with logs moving across the riverbed being the primary factor responsible for receiver loss. All anchor bags for the VR2W receivers investigated to date, each weighing an estimated 100-120 kg, rolled 1-2 times during the flood event. This shortened the ropes suspending the receivers in the water column by 1-2 m, causing subsequent problems for safe and efficient receiver retrieval. This paper outlines: the background and rationale for the project; receiver deployment and anchoring systems; modelled flow velocities and shear stress resulting in anchor bag entrainment; range testing data from a freshwater river gorge; and, lessons learnt from our experiences to date for deployment of receivers in high energy freshwater riverine environments.


Variation in the performance of acoustic receivers and its implication for positioning algorithms in a riverine setting Colin A. Simpfendorfer1, Michelle R. Heupel2 and A.B. Collins3 1Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, 4811 ([email protected]) 2School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, 4811 3Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, U.S.A. The performance of an array of data-logging single frequency acoustic receivers in the Caloosahatchee River, Florida, was examined and the results incorporated into a positioning algorithm for animals tracked within the system. The mean code detection efficiency across all individual receivers and all download periods was 0.414 detections per synchronization code. On average the code rejection coefficient was approximately 4%, indicating that it was only a minor factor in reducing code detection efficiency. There were significant performance differences between stations and download periods, but no interaction between these two factors for all three metrics. Code detection efficiency, the rejection coefficient and the noise quotient all showed significant variations with distance from the river mouth and time since deployment. Comparison of position estimates with and without efficiency produced small differences for bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) and cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) monitored via this system. Root mean square errors were higher for cownose rays (48 m) than for bull sharks (23 m). Mean differences for individuals were always slightly downstream due to the increasing code detection efficiency of upriver receivers. The results of this comparison indicated that the inclusion of code detection efficiency did not significantly improve the results of the positioning algorithm.


The Yongala’s Halo of Holes – Who’s Digging It? Thomas Stieglitz AIMS@JCU / Australian Institute of Marine Science / School of Maths, Physics & IT James Cook University, Townsville; Qld ([email protected]) The wreck of the Yongala is one of the world’s most famous wreck-diving sites, attracting thousands of recreational divers each year. During a pilot study on acoustic mapping of the Great Barrier Reef seascape, a ‘halo of holes’ around the wreck was discovered. Anecdotal evidence from divers suggests that resident Black-blotched Fantail Rays (Taeniura meyeni) are likely to be responsible for the holes. Although the rays are some of the largest animals in the GBR, remarkably little scientific knowledge exists on these benthic feeders. Establishing the ray’s role in creating or maintaining the halo of holes requires a more comprehensive understanding of the movement patterns of the animals. To document the habitat use of these large stingrays around the iconic shipwreck of the Yongala, an acoustic tracking study is underway. To date, we have tagged seven Taeniura meyeni, and one Himantura spp. with Vemco V9P-2L tags. The animals are currently tracked with an array of Vemco VR2’s arranged around the wreck in an overlapping pattern, which will allow us to discriminate between regions of the seafloor that we have identified from multibeam bathymetry data as potentially different habitat partitions. Early results indicate that the rays are not ‘as resident’ to the wreck as anticipated, and that the wreck is used as a cleaning station for the animals.


Australian Vemco workshop Dale Webber and Greg McKinnon Amirix Systems, Vemco division, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada The development and popularity of VR2 automated acoustic receiver technology designed and produced by VEMCO has significantly increased over the last five years. This technology is currently being used by biologists worldwide to assess movement patterns, behaviour, and site fidelity of fishes and invertebrates. VEMCO staff will discuss several detailed technical issues related to this passive and active acoustic technology thus providing the user with the necessary tools to use the equipment effectively. Topics will include Understanding Single Frequency Telemetry, Equipment Overview and Representative Deployments, Code Maps & Worldwide Unique IDs, Data Rate and Collisions, Detection Performance & Range Limits, Vemco User Environment (VUE) Software, and Future Product Directions. Users are encouraged to help us explore problems regarding deployment methods, experimental design, identification of unknown codes, data management, handling and analysis.

Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop 2007, Delegate list

Delegate list

Name Institution Town State Phone Email

Alan Jordan NSW Department of Primary Industries

Port Stephens

New South Wales 02 4916 3874 [email protected]

Alistair Hobday CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Hobart Tasmania 03 6232 5310 [email protected]

Andrew Bruce NSW Department of Primary Industries

Port Stephens


Andrew Fairfax University of New South Wales Sydney


Barry Bruce CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Hobart Tasmania 03 62325413 [email protected]

Charles Gray NSW Department of Primary Industries Cronulla


Charlie Huveneers

Sydney Institute of Marine Science Sydney


Chris Walsh NSW Department of Primary Industries Cronulla


Colin Simpfendorfer James Cook University Townsville Queensland 07 4781 5287 [email protected]

Iain Field Charles Darwin University Darwin

Northern Territory 08 8946 6713 [email protected]

Craig Franklin University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 07 3870 9375 [email protected]

Dale Webber Amirix/Vemco Halifax Canada [email protected] Damien O'Mahony Arthur Rylah Institute Melbourne Victoria 02 9450 8600 damien.o'[email protected]

David Holley Edith Cowan University Perth

Western Australia 08 6304 2212 [email protected]

David Phillips Department of Primary Industries Victoria Queenscliff Victoria 0432 921 919 [email protected]

Dennis Reid NSW Department of Primary Industries Sydney


Dylan Van Der Meulen

NSW Department of Primary Industries Cronulla


Edward Forbes Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute Hobart Tasmania [email protected]

Emily Buckly University of Technology, Sydney Sydney


Greg Jenkins Deparment of Primary Industries Victoria Queenscliff Victoria 03 5258 0333 [email protected]

Greg McKinnon Amirix/Vemco Halifax Canada [email protected]

Hugh Pederson Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute Hobart Tasmania 03 6227 7276 [email protected]

Ivars Reinfelds Department of Water and Energy Wollongong


Jamie Seymour James Cook University Cairns Queensland 07 4042 1229 [email protected]

Jason How Edith Cowan University Perth


Jason Morton University of Newcastle Cooranbong New South Wales 02 4980 2220 [email protected]

Jason Thiem ACT Government Canberra ACT 02 6207 2119 [email protected]

Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop 2007, Delegate list

Jayson Semmens Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute Hobart Tasmania 03 6227 7275 [email protected]

Jeremy Hindell

Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne Victoria 03 9450 8600 [email protected]

Joe Neilson The Ecology Lab Sydney New South Wales Jonathan Werry Griffith University Gold Coast Queensland 07 5552 8983 [email protected]

Lachlan Barnes NSW Department of Primary Industries Cronulla


Marcus Lincoln Smith The Ecology Lab Sydney


Matias Braccini Department of Primary Industries Victoria Queenscliff Victoria 03 5258 0228 [email protected]

Matt Taylor University of New South Wales Sydney


Matthew Gordon James Cook University Cairns Queensland 07 4042 1724 [email protected]

Megan Storrie NSW Department of Primary Industries

Port Stephens


Michelle Heupel James Cook University Townsville Queensland 07 4781 5287 [email protected]

Nicholas Payne University of Adelaide Adelaide South Australia 08 8303 7037 [email protected]

Nick Otway NSW Department of Primary Industries

Port Stephens


Paul Brown Department of Primary Industries Victoria Alexandra Victoria 03 5770 8013 [email protected]

Paul Butcher NSW Department of Primary Industries

Coffs Harbour


Paul Rogers

South Australian Research and Development Institute Adelaide

South Australia 08 8207 5487 [email protected]

Rob Harcourt Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales 02 9850 7970 [email protected]

Rory McAuley Western Australian Fisheries Perth


Scott Evans Western Australian Fisheries Perth


Sean Barker Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales 0439 792 772 [email protected]

Stirling Peverell Queensland Department of Primary Industries Cairns Queensland 07 4057 3779 [email protected]

Thomas Stieglitz James Cook University Townsville Queensland 07 4781 5432 [email protected] Tim Pauly Myriax SonarData Hobart Tasmania 03 6234 1822 [email protected]

Tony Fowler

South Australian Research and Development Institute Adelaide

South Australia 08 8207 5432 [email protected]

Vic Peddemors Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales 02 9850 7972 [email protected]

Wayne Koster Arthur Rylah Institute Melbourne Victoria 03 9450 8600 [email protected]

Will Robbins NSW Department of Primary Industries Cronulla


Vemco and acoustic telemetry workshop 2007, Notes

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