Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
Argyronomus japonicus (mulloway) is an inshore euryhaline species that is an important Australian commercial species as well as a popular target for recreational anglers. Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable decline in stock numbers leading to concern over the long term viability of the mulloway fishery in Australian coastal waters. As a result, there is a growing need to manage existing stocks effectively in a sustainable way. One of the most critical components of successful stock management of any wild species is to have a detailed understanding of the spatial scale at which individuals interact (i.e. population or stock structure). Traditional methods for estimating population size and for defining population structure such as tagging (mark-recapture) studies, provide direct measures but are often time consuming and expensive, particularly for aquatic species. Alternatively, an indirect estimate that employs assays of genetic diversity within and among locations has proven to be a powerful alternative method for identifying discrete stocks.
The aim of this project is to assay neutral genetic variation within and among sampling locations along the NSW coast using 8-10 nuclear DNA loci (microsatellites) to identify mulloway stocks. This study will be used to inform fishery managers about the spatial scale at which management efforts should be directed. In parallel, data generated from this research will provide guidelines for the implementation of wild stock enhancement programs currently under development.
- Study level
- Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT External Matt Taylor (University of New South Wales)
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
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Please contact the supervisor.
Dr David Hurwood
Professor Peter Mather
