Spotted Handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) - GPS Underwater Visual Census - 2014-2018 repeated population surveys
Citation
Link to originating metadata record. http://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=51702b57-d4e4-4477-b199-b3485675f66c https://doi.org/10.15468/i5n5op accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-11-03.Description
Dive surveys were conducted in 2014 and the same sites resurveyed annually until 2018, to establish a baseline and monitor the status of the critically endangered spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) population. This dataset is a summary of all surveys season 2014 to 2018 in which the 11 sites across the Derwent Estuary and D'Entrecasteaux Channel were assessed. The data describes the search effort (transect length, swathed area) and counts of handfish observed on each transect, including size measurements (total length) and depth records for each sighted fish.
Note that the specific latitude and longitude of individual fish have been redacted due to the vulnerable status of the species. Contact the point of contact listed in this record for more information.
Sampling Description
Study Extent
Population surveys of spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) were conducted during the non-breeding season (March – August) of 2015 and 2016. Surveys were conducted at 9 different location within the Derwent Estuary and 2 additional locations in D'Entrecasteaux Channel.Sampling
Data were collected using a variable length, GPS tracked underwater visual census method. Divers swam abreast approximately 0.5m-1m above the sediment to search for fish while towing a surface float with GPS housed onboard. The GPS tracked the position of the divers in real time and allowed extraction of spatial data post-hoc to determine searched distance to parameterise each transect. When B. hirsutus were located along the transect a series of photographs were taken to record the time of the sighting for cross-referencing with GPS spatial logs to determine the location of each sighting. The total length of each fish was measured to the nearest millimetre using a ruler placed laterally adjacent to the fish.Method steps
- Repeat photos allowed georeferencing to the floating GPS unit
Additional info
marine, harvested by OBIS Original data contains accurate positions of the handfish, related environment data and images. Please consult with the custodian.Taxonomic Coverages
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Brachionichthys hirsutuscommon name: Spotted handfish rank: species
Geographic Coverages
Bibliographic Citations
- Wong LSC, Lynch TP, Barrett NS, Wright JT, Green MA, Flynn DJH (2018) Local densities and habitat preference of the critically endangered spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus): Large scale field trial of GPS parameterised underwater visual census and diver attached camera. PLoS ONE 13(8): e0201518. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201518 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0201518
Contacts
Tim Lynchoriginator
position: Principal Investigator
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere
GPO Box 1538
Hobart
7001
Tasmania
AU
email: Tim.Lynch@csiro.au
Tim Lynch
metadata author
position: Principal Investigator
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere
GPO Box 1538
Hobart
7001
Tasmania
AU
email: Tim.Lynch@csiro.au
OBIS Australia Node manager
publisher
position: OBIS Australia Node Manager
CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure Data Centre
PO Box 1538
Hobart
7001
Tasmania
AU
email: obisau@csiro.au
homepage: http://www.obis.org.au
Tim Lynch
administrative point of contact
position: Principal Investigator
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere
GPO Box 1538
Hobart
7001
Tasmania
AU
email: Tim.Lynch@csiro.au