CSMP 2023 Boot and Ashmore Reef Survey Data

Background:Ashmore and Boot Reefs in the far north of the Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP) have been identified through recent research as ‘bright spots’ within the CSMP, supporting higher cover and diversity of corals, and greater fish diversity and biomass than other CSMP reefs, and are considered the ‘jewel’ among Torres Strait reefs. Together with their potential ecological importance, Ashmore and Boot Reefs have cultural connections to the Meriam people. Despite the cultural and ecological significance of Ashmore and Boot Reefs our understanding of the habitats (both shallow and deep) within these reefs, the biodiversity they support, and the current status of culturally significant species is limited. The project also undertook detailed surveys of benthic and fish communities in both shallow and deep habitats using diver-based surveys, and video-based surveys (i.e., remotely operated vehicles – ROV: Blue Robotics – Blue ROV 2; and baited remote underwater video systems - BRUVS), respectively, across multiple sites in February-March 2023. These surveys were conducted to provide rigorous quantitative information on spatial patterns within and between reefs, and among depths in the (i) cover, richness and composition of major benthic taxa, namely hard corals, and algae; (ii) abundance, species richness, and biomass of reef fishes, and (iii) abundance and/or biomass of culturally important fish and macro- invertebrate species.
Methods:Data collection consisted of diver-based surveys of benthic, macro-invertebrate, and fish communities in shallow (