© Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia Full citation Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia: Volume 1 - Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes. Report for the South Australian Working Group for Marine Species of Conservation Concern. J. Baker (consultant); Science and Conservation Division, and Coast and Marine Conservation branches of S.A. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH); Marine and Coastal Community Network of S.A. (MCCN), and Threatened Species Network (TSN). Web version published by Reef Watch, South Australia.

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Southern Gurnard Perch

Family Name:	Neosebastidae
Scientific Name:	Maxillicosta meridianus Motomura, Last & Gomon, 2006
Recommended Status in S.A:	Data Deficient
Rationale:  Maxillicosta meridianus is included here because (i) like other members of the Neosebastidae, it is a benthic, site-associated reef fish of limited mobility, and these characteristics increase the species’ vulnerability to site-specific impacts; (iii) the species is likely to be part of the bycatch in some of the Commonwealth-managed trawl fisheries in southern Australia, as well as prawn trawl fisheries in S.A., but there are no species-specific data; (iv) given the strong site association and limited dispersal ability of gurnard perches, dredging and other physical damage to shallow, soft bottom habitats may adversely affect populations at localised scales, but there are no specific data, and (v) there is no knowledge of population sizes or population dynamics, and little information on the biology (particularly fecundity, annual recruitment strength, and longevity).

Page Contents

Current Conservation Status

no listings known

Distribution

Southern Australia

The species is found in northern Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia (Motomura et al., 2006).
Prior to the description of this species (Motomura et al., 2006), specimens from south-eastern and southern Australia were previously identified as Maxillicosta whitleyi, which occurs only in eastern Australia (i.e. southern Queensland, New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria, Australia) (Motomura et al., 2006).

South Australia

Examples of locations in S.A. in which the Southern Gurnard Perch has been recorded include the head of the Great Australian Bight (R. Foster, South Australian Museum, pers. comm., 2006); Flinders Island in the eastern Great Australian Bight (Investigator groups of islands); Cape Wiles off Eyre Peninsula (Motomura et al., 2006); Spencer Gulf (as M. whitleyi) (Museum of Victoria data, cited in OZCAM database, 2006), Gulf St Vincent (as M. whitleyi), and Encounter Bay (as M. whitleyi) (South Australian Museum record, Museum of Victoria records, cited in OZCAM database, 2006).
The central GAB is considered to be the western limit of the distribution (M. Gomon, Museum of Victoria, pers. comm. to R. Foster, S.A. Museum, 2006).

Habitat

M. meridianus inhabits sandy substrates, such as deeper sand channels, away from rubble and seagrasses (R. Kuiter, pers. comm., cited by Motomura et al., 2006).
To date, specimens have been collected between 10m and 137m deep (CSIRO Marine Research data; Museum of Victoria data, cited in Motomura et al., 2006).

Notes on the Biology and Behaviour

Most specimens collected to date have been less than 8cm long (CSIRO Marine Research data; Museum of Victoria data, cited in Motomura et al., 2006).
Individuals bury completely in the sand during daytime, and emerge e at night, when they have been observed sitting on the sand (R. Kuiter, pers. comm., cited by Motomura et al., 2006).
The diet of Southern Gurnard Perch is not recorded, but may be similar to other members of the genus Maxillicosta, which consume benthic organisms, mostly crustaceans (such as small crabs, prawns and amphipods), but also small quantities of polychaetes and other worms, molluscs and macroalgae (Platell and Potter, 1998, 2001).

Fisheries Information

Commercial

There is no species-specific information on the commercial catch of this species. It is likely that a proportion of the trawl bycatch in southern Australian fisheries that is listed as Maxillicosta whitleyi or Maxillicosta scabriceps, may actually be M. meridianus, which was not recognised as a separate species until recently. Given the depth range and the geographic distribution, the species is likely to be part of the bycatch in some of the Commonwealth-managed trawl fisheries in southern Australia, as well as prawn trawl fisheries in S.A.

Recreational

No information on recreational fishing is available for this report. It is noted that in the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (Henry and Lyle, 2003, and associated data), results for all species in the Neosebastidae were aggregated, hence it is difficult to determine species-specific catches. Given that the species is small and mostly buried in sand during daylight, it is unlikely to be taken in significant quantities by recreational fishers.

Vulnerable Characteristics of the Species

Like other members of the Scorpaenidae, the Southern Gurnard Perch is a benthic, site-associated fish of limited mobility, and these characteristics increase the species’ vulnerability to localised impacts, and to capture by fishing methods such as trawling.

Threatening Processes

Bycatch in trawling may be a threatening process to Southern Gurnard Perch; however population abundance data across the range are not available, hence the extent to which trawling impacts this species in southern Australia is not currently known.
Given the strong site association and limited dispersal ability of gurnard perches and scorpionfishes, dredging and other physical damage to shallow, soft bottom habitats may adversely affect populations at localised scales.

Research Requirements

More information is required on distribution and abundance within the range, and the biology and population dynamics of this species (particularly fecundity, annual recruitment strength, and longevity).
Data are required on the numbers taken by commercial and recreational fishers across the range (including South Australia), in relation to required studies of abundance.

Management Requirements

More information is required on the presence of this species in fisheries bycatch, and the potential population impacts of bycatch mortality. Where possible, measures are required to reduce the bycatch of benthic fishes (such as those in Neosebastidae and Scorpaenidae) in Commonwealth- and State-managed fisheries, including trawl fisheries.
Dredging operations in continental shelf waters should be conscious of the presence of site-associated benthic species such as Southern Gurnard Perch, and measures to reduce mortality should be undertaken where possible.
In States other than Tasmania (where regulations already exist), recreational fishing regulations (e.g. size limits and bag limits) are recommended to regulate the capture of benthic, site-associated fishes such as members of the Scorpaenidae and Neosebastidae.