Improving the value of GBR reef fish monitoring for the RIMReP

Field experiments were conducted in March 2019 to compare fish data gathered using traditional Long Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) survey methods with data from surveys using a larger species pool. The two methods were:- the RM method (RM being an acronym of reef monitoring), only species from the LTMP subset were recorded as in standard LTMP reef monitoring surveysand- the SPP method (referring to the many extra spp. included), species from the LTMP subset plus all other fish species (except for damselfishes and small cryptic fishes) were recordedComparisons were conducted on three reefs in the Townsville sector of the GBR:-two on the mid-shelf (John Brewer Reef and RibReef)-one on the outer shelf (Myrmidon Reef)At each reef, three sites were surveyed (total of nine sites). Depths of 4-7m were sampled during a 6-day sampling period. Standard LTMP underwater visual census protocols were employed, counts and length estimates of large mobile fish species along 50 × 5 m belt transects, except the transects in this study were placed randomly along the reef slope, each separated by 5–10 m, rather than along fixed sites.