Opportunities and impacts of range extending scalefish species: understanding population dynamics, ecosystem impacts and management needs

The response of different species to ocean warming is important as they underpin the structure and function of marine ecosystems and the productivity of fisheries that operate within them. There are a number of range-extending species that have become increasingly abundant in Tasmanian waters, providing new fishing opportunities. In addition, the broader ecosystem impacts of such range extending species, including competition with resident species, are unknown but could have consequences for recreationally and commercially important species. This project tackles some of these issues by: - developing a program for ongoing collection of biological samples and data of key range-shifting fish species using citizen science initiatives; - generating geographically discrete life-history parameters for key range-shifting fish species in Tasmania to inform management decisions; - determining the diet composition of key range-shifting fish species to refine ecosystem model parameterisation; and - utilising the Atlantis ecosystem model framework to predict ecological impacts of increasing abundance of key range-shifting fish species in Tasmania.