Unusual visitor to Port Coogee Marina
A Stott's goatfish was seen by marine scientists Glen Whisson and Alexandra Hoschke of Aqua Research and Monitoring Services during regular fish diversity studies at the marina in April for the City of Cockburn.
Dr Whisson said the species was first described by former WA Museum curator of fishes Dr Barry Hutchins in 1990, who at the time had seen it only once in inshore waters of the continental shelf.
'The typical depth range for Stott's goatfish is greater than 50m, so an observation in the shallow waters of the marina was highly unusual,' Dr Whisson said.
WA Museum curator of fishes Glenn Moore agreed it was an 'unusual record'.
'Although this species occurs all the way from around Albany to Shark Bay, it usually lives in deeper offshore areas between 30 and 60m deep,' Dr Moore said.
'I know of a few shallower records but they are from muddy trawl grounds like the middle of Shark Bay. It's amazing to see this species in the marina.'
The study also uncovered a juvenile Indo-Pacific sergeant major which is usually found further north.
'This juvenile most likely arrived on the Leeuwin Current during the most recent marine heatwave, washing into the marina with floating seaweed,' Dr Whisson said. A juvenile Indo-Pacific sergeant major. Credit: Aqua Research and Monitoring Services
'We also saw a really big school of hundreds of scaly mackerel all feeding quite near our boat at the end of our dive in April.'
Marina manager Samantha Standish said the city held a fish diversity study at the marina every three years and results from the new study would be available by the end of the year.
A 2022 Fish Diversity Study revealed 81 finfish species, including 15 not previously recorded in the 2019 study.
The marina was recently accredited for the third time from the Marina Industries Association and for the first time as fish-friendly.
It achieved a 98.4 per cent clean marina score and a 96.15 per cent fish-friendly score.
'The city values the local environment and creating an environmentally aware, fish-friendly marina forms part of that philosophy,' Ms Standish said.
'One small way we do that at the marina is with a floating Seabin designed to capture any rubbish floating on the water's surface, including many micro and macro plastics.
'The device, dubbed Bob due to its up and down motion in the water, has collected about 2.5kg of rubbish including cigarette butts, rope and fast-food packaging which usually ends up in the water due to the wind.
'Other actions we take to encourage and support the existence of fish life in the marina include regular audits of boats in the marina, ensuring fishers use the designated fishing jetty only, and installing additional floating jetties to provide more structures for marine life.
'We will soon install eight information plaques along 100m of the Chieftain Esplanade boardwalk to inform and educate members of the public about the marina's fish and coral diversity.'
Mayor Logan Howlett said the city worked hard to protect its waterways and oceans to support marine biodiversity and healthy aquatic ecosystems.
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Unusual visitor to Port Coogee Marina
Marine scientists have spotted a fish species in the Port Coogee Marina that is usually found deep under the surface. A Stott's goatfish was seen by marine scientists Glen Whisson and Alexandra Hoschke of Aqua Research and Monitoring Services during regular fish diversity studies at the marina in April for the City of Cockburn. Dr Whisson said the species was first described by former WA Museum curator of fishes Dr Barry Hutchins in 1990, who at the time had seen it only once in inshore waters of the continental shelf. 'The typical depth range for Stott's goatfish is greater than 50m, so an observation in the shallow waters of the marina was highly unusual,' Dr Whisson said. WA Museum curator of fishes Glenn Moore agreed it was an 'unusual record'. 'Although this species occurs all the way from around Albany to Shark Bay, it usually lives in deeper offshore areas between 30 and 60m deep,' Dr Moore said. 'I know of a few shallower records but they are from muddy trawl grounds like the middle of Shark Bay. It's amazing to see this species in the marina.' The study also uncovered a juvenile Indo-Pacific sergeant major which is usually found further north. 'This juvenile most likely arrived on the Leeuwin Current during the most recent marine heatwave, washing into the marina with floating seaweed,' Dr Whisson said. A juvenile Indo-Pacific sergeant major. Credit: Aqua Research and Monitoring Services 'We also saw a really big school of hundreds of scaly mackerel all feeding quite near our boat at the end of our dive in April.' Marina manager Samantha Standish said the city held a fish diversity study at the marina every three years and results from the new study would be available by the end of the year. A 2022 Fish Diversity Study revealed 81 finfish species, including 15 not previously recorded in the 2019 study. The marina was recently accredited for the third time from the Marina Industries Association and for the first time as fish-friendly. It achieved a 98.4 per cent clean marina score and a 96.15 per cent fish-friendly score. 'The city values the local environment and creating an environmentally aware, fish-friendly marina forms part of that philosophy,' Ms Standish said. 'One small way we do that at the marina is with a floating Seabin designed to capture any rubbish floating on the water's surface, including many micro and macro plastics. 'The device, dubbed Bob due to its up and down motion in the water, has collected about 2.5kg of rubbish including cigarette butts, rope and fast-food packaging which usually ends up in the water due to the wind. 'Other actions we take to encourage and support the existence of fish life in the marina include regular audits of boats in the marina, ensuring fishers use the designated fishing jetty only, and installing additional floating jetties to provide more structures for marine life. 'We will soon install eight information plaques along 100m of the Chieftain Esplanade boardwalk to inform and educate members of the public about the marina's fish and coral diversity.' Mayor Logan Howlett said the city worked hard to protect its waterways and oceans to support marine biodiversity and healthy aquatic ecosystems.
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