Nestled among South East Queensland's estuaries swims a previously untapped wealth of knowledge, with fish now being used to tell the story about the region's coastal ecosystem health.

As estuarine ecosystems face increasing challenges due to habitat loss (particularly seagrass, mangroves, saltmarsh, and oyster reefs) and ever-expanding urbanisation, scientists have turned their attention to the fascinating world of fish communities to unlock valuable insights that may pave the way to safeguarding these delicate environments.

Unravelling estuarine secrets through pioneering collaboration

With an impressive collaborative effort between Healthy Land & Water and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), the long-term monitoring for fish and fisheries project has been underway since 2020. Over the course of three years, 13 South East Queensland estuaries have been meticulously surveyed and sampled, focusing on the diverse composition of fish communities and their unique habitats.

The clues held by estuarine fish studies

So, what can the study of estuarine fish reveal about the health of our precious coastal ecosystems?

In truth, the answers are multifaceted and enlightening. These underwater surveys offer a window into:

• The condition of fish habitats.
• The overall health of the fish themselves.
• The wellbeing of the surrounding catchment areas.
• The human-induced threats affecting their composition and distribution.
• How changes ripple through the entire ecosystem, impacting various aspects of coastal life, including the fishery industry.
• The ecosystems' key functions, revealing potential areas of concern that need attention and conservation efforts.

This invaluable knowledge not only informs conservation strategies but also aids in the development of targeted solutions, including estuarine restoration priorities and plans.

Unveiling the wonders of estuarine fish with remote underwater video stations

State-of-the-art remote underwater video stations (RUVS) have been a huge factor in this initiative’s success. The team deployed underwater monitoring to survey up to 60 sites per estuary. By adapting survey methods to cater to the unique characteristics of each habitat, scientists have gained unprecedented insights into the hidden lives of these estuarine creatures.

Some of the amazing videos captured by these surveys offer a rare glimpse into this underwater wonderland. Check USC Fish Ecology Research’s YouTube channel to check out some of the action (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxiwYz6hes_f6iYhQKtx50w/feed).

These monitoring tools also serve a bigger purpose.

They can be used to monitor species and address issues on a larger scale, playing a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and ensuring the delicate ecological balance remains intact.

The 2023 surveys are on track to commence August/September. It is hoped they will provide insights into the response and recovery to the extreme climatic events of 2022, which also not surprisingly majorly impacted the results of the 2022 surveys.

It is important to remember that fish represent just one of several indicators employed to monitor the health of estuarine coastal ecosystems.

Healthy Land & Water brings a large amount of information together as part of the official South East Queensland Report Card. Pulling together the information needed to inform the health of our region is only possible thanks to a large-scale coordinated effort. Healthy Land & Water leads this, in close collaboration with its members (see below for the long list of partners in the Report Card initiative). Together we pull together the multiple data sources that help paint a snapshot of the environmental health and wellbeing of South East Queensland.

To find out more about the full EHMP program and South East Queensland Report Card, click here.

Acknowledgments

The Freshwater and Estuarine Marine Health Monitoring Project is only possible due to the close collaboration of all of our partners in the initiative. The impressive list includes: the Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council, Redland City Council, Logan City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Council, Noosa Council, Somerset Regional Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, City of Gold Coast, Ipswich City Council, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Sunshine Coast, The University of Queensland, Seqwater, and Urban Utilities.