Oral Presentation Australian Society for Fish Biology Conference 2024

Satellite telemetry reveals offshore movements and habitat use of mature-sized yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) (111485)

Belinda K Goddard 1 2 , Hayden T Schilling 3 , Julian M Hughes 4 , Tristan A Guillemin 2 , Daniel Ierodiaconou 5 , Corey P Green 6 , Charlie Huveneers 7 , Rob Harcourt 2 , Iain M Suthers 8 , Matt D Taylor 3 , Stephanie Brodie 9 , Sean R Tracey 10 , Fabrice R. A Jaine 1 2 10
  1. Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW, Australia
  2. School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
  3. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens, NSW, Australia
  4. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Mosman, NSW, Australia
  5. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia
  6. Victorian Fisheries Authority, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia
  7. Southern Shark Ecology Group, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
  8. School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  9. Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  10. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies , University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) are one of Australia’s most valued recreational and commercial species, with a single genetic stock encompassing south-eastern Australia and New Zealand (NZ). Previous tracking research was largely restricted to coastal habitats due to the challenges of accessing offshore habitats and limitations of conventional tagging and acoustic telemetry. As such, there is limited knowledge about habitat use of the sexually mature kingfish population, and the degree of connectivity between offshore and coastal environments. We used pop-up satellite archival tags (MiniPAT, Wildlife Computers), to investigate the movement behaviour of mature-sized kingfish (n = 43) off south-eastern Australia and NZ. Kingfish were tracked for a total period of 3016 days (mean ± sd. = 70 ± 85 days) and travelled a total distance of 29,488 km (mean ± sd. = 719 ± 828 km). We found marked differences in behaviour between kingfish in coastal environments (56% data days) compared to offshore environments (44% data days) (e.g. Lord Howe Island), with the latter utilising deeper waters but staying within their preferred thermal habitat. Regular movements and connectivity between coastal and offshore environments, including directional movements to seamounts by mature-sized kingfish, is consistent with hypothetical spawning habitats around offshore features.