Marine and Freshwater Research

Marine and Freshwater Research is a multidisciplinary journal publishing original research and reviews on all aquatic environments and subject areas. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Max Finlayson

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Marine and Freshwater Research has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 09 May 2024

MF22276Regional differences in the air–sea CO₂ flux between 3 and 14°S in the south-western tropical Atlantic

Lucas Medeiros Guimarães

, Manuel J. Flores Montes and Nathalie Lefèvre

The carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration of surface seawater was measured from 2008 to 2020 in the south-western tropical Atlantic (SWTA) by volunteer merchant ships equipped with an autonomous system that measures CO₂ while the vessels were underway. The study area is influenced by the seasonal variability in the main marine currents of the region, and the tropical meteorological system. The SWTA is as a large source of CO₂ to the atmosphere, and further studies in this important area of global climate change are needed.

Published online 09 May 2024

MF24023Development and validation of a TaqMan-based qPCR assay for reliable detection of invasive sailfin catfishes (Pterygoplichthys spp.) through measurements of environmental DNA

Chena Desai, Kartikey, Suman Mallick, Jitendra Kumar Sundaray and Ratna Ghosal

Aquatic ecosystems are threatened by the introduction of several invasive fishes, for example, the Amazon sailfin catfish that has been reported to successfully invade different freshwaters around the globe, threatening the sustenance of the ecosystem. Here, we developed a specific molecular tool to accurately detect the presence and abundance of the catfish, thus contributing towards management of the aquatic biodiversity.

Published online 07 May 2024

MF23180Understanding the effects of egg loss from fisher handling to improve conservation of a threatened freshwater crayfish (Euastacus armatus)

S. M. C. Raymond

, C. R. Todd

and J. Ryall

Picture of an adult male Murray crayfish (Euastacus armatus) from the Murray River, Australia.

Fishers often unfurl crayfish tails to determine the presence of eggs. This intrusive practice results in the loss of eggs of fertilised females. Using a crayfish population model, combined with field data, we determined that increasing harvest pressure (capture and handling) of crayfish increased their risk of extinction. Educating fishers to visually assess the sex and reproductive maturity of female crayfish eliminates the need to unfurl crayfish tails, thereby supporting their conservation. (Photograph by Scott M. Raymond)

Published online 06 May 2024

MF23198High levels of mislabelling of shark flesh in Australian fish markets and seafood shops

Teagan J. Parker Kielniacz

, Adam J. Stow

and Nicolette C. Armansin

We collected raw shark fillets from fish markets and takeaway shops across Australia to identify species of shark being sold and the labels used. Our study shows a high level of mislabelling, including misuse of the label ‘flake’ under the Australian Fish Names Standard, and various threatened species being sold. This has implications for consumers and identifies a potential impact of the Australia seafood industry on threatened species.

MF23198 Abstract | MF23198 Full Text | MF23198PDF (443 KB) | MF23198Supplementary Material (585 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 17 April 2024

MF23039_COCorrigendum to: Unravelling a specialised diet of an Amazonian catfish in a controlled flood-pulse area by combining stomach-content and stable-isotope analyses

Izabella Cristina da Silva Penha, Lidia Brasil Seabra, Erival Gonçalves Prata, Tiago Magalhães da Silva Freitas and Luciano Fogaça de Assis Montag

MF23039_CO Full Text | MF23039_COPDF (374 KB)

Published online 15 April 2024

MF23224Improving the size selectivity of crayfish fyke-net codend, applying the hexagonal mesh and sorting grid

Mehmet Cilbiz

and Celalettin Aydin

Crayfish are important freshwater invertebrates both ecologically and economically. In Turkey, there is no aquaculture of this species, and it is solely produced through fishing. Owing to poor size selectivity of the fyke-nets used in harvesting this species, the rate of undersized catch is quite high (40.7%). This study aimed to enhance the size selectivity of fyke-nets through various manipulations.

Published online 15 April 2024

MF23255Diel patterns of habitat use and movement by juvenile and subadult trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) in a regulated lowland river

Wayne M. Koster

, David R. Dawson and Paul D. Moloney

Picture of a trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) collected for tagging from the Goulburn River, Australia.

This study investigated habitat use and movements of trout cod using radio-telemetry. Trout cod typically occupied small (<300 m) reaches of stream, undertook larger-scale movements and moved onto inundated riparian habitats during high flows. It occupied deeper water bank during the day and shallower water during the night and used areas with slower velocities more than was their availability. It also made extensive use of in-stream cover (i.e. wood). (Photograph by W. M. Koster.)

Published online 12 April 2024

MF22192Evaluation and analysis of water-regulation value of ecosystem in Qinghai area of Qilian Mountain National Park, China

Ying Zhang

, Na Meng, Yan Shi and Xiaoge Li

The InVEST water-yield model and support-vector regression (SVR) model were utilised to assess and forecast the ecosystem water-regulation value in Qinghai Area of Qilian Mountain National Park, China. The research showed that grassland plays a crucial role in regulating water, with an anticipated increase in both physical and monetary values by 2030. To further enhance monitoring efforts, it is recommended to establish an ecological big-data platform within the park.

Published online 12 April 2024

MF23039Unravelling a specialised diet of an Amazonian catfish in a controlled flood-pulse area by combining stomach-content and stable-isotope analyses

Izabella Cristina da Silva Penha

, Lidia Brasil Seabra, Erival Gonçalves Prata

, Tiago Magalhães da Silva Freitas

and Luciano Fogaça de Assis Montag

Exploring what fish eat is important to understand how changes in the environment can affect their lives. In this study, we looked into the diet of an Amazonian catfish in a river affected by the construction of a dam. We found that the catfish mostly fed on sediment and aquatic insects, and these feeding habits were not strongly influenced by changes in the local water levels.

Published online 11 April 2024

MF23159A step-by-step guide to ageing octopus

Erica D. Durante

, Louise Hosking

, Karina Hall and Zoë A. Doubleday

Photograph of a southern keeled octopus hatchling (Octopus berrima), which was one of the study species used to develop this ageing guide.

Lack of age data is a critical limitation in assessing the resource status of octopus. However, only a small number of researchers have the hands-on knowledge to execute these methods in the laboratory. Here, we present the first step-by-step guide to ageing octopus. We hope it will enable researchers new to ageing to undertake the process, as well as make an informed decision on the most suitable ageing method for their octopus species. (Photograph: E. D. Durante.)

MF23159 Abstract | MF23159 Full Text | MF23159PDF (4.8 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 11 April 2024

MF23173Phenological and life-history responses of a tropical cladoceran Moina micrura to multiple environmental drivers

Muhammad Raznisyafiq Razak, Ahmad Zaharin Aris

, Muhammad Rozaimi Mohd Zaki, Fatimah Md Yusoff and Zetty Norhana Balia Yusof

To explore climate effects on tiny aquatic life, we delved into how changes in water conditions affect Moina micrura, a small freshwater creature. Results showed that extreme pH harms the offspring and slows the heartbeat of this species, but warmth and longer daylight boost the numbers. Interestingly, M. micrura produces more males when food is scarce. This research informs strategies to protect these creatures in our tropical waters.

Published online 11 April 2024

MF23161Immune responses of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) to combined environmental stress from high temperature and oil pollution

Zhonglei Ju

, Xishan Li

, Wei Yang and Deqi Xiong

We investigated the immune responses in the respiratory tree of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) to high temperature, oil pollution, and the combined stress of high temperature and oil pollution. We found that acute exposure to oil pollution may have affect the immune function of sea cucumbers, whereas high temperature may exacerbate the health challenges of sea cucumbers subjected to environmental stress.

Published online 10 April 2024

MF23236Genomic population structure of great hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna mokarran) across the Indo-Pacific

Naomi L. Brunjes

, Samuel M. Williams

, Alexis L. Levengood, Matt K. Broadhurst, Vincent Raoult

, Alastair V. Harry, Matias Braccini, Madeline E. Green

, Julia L. Y. Spaet

, Michael J. Travers and Bonnie J. Holmes

Currently, little information exists describing population structure of great hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna mokarran) in Australian waters. This study used genetic techniques to investigate structuring across the Indo-Pacific. No fine-scale population structuring was observed in Australia; however, structuring occurred for all Australian sharks when compared to those in the Red Sea. Findings suggest a single population for great hammerheads in Australia.

MF23236 Abstract | MF23236 Full Text | MF23236PDF (1.1 MB) | MF23236Supplementary Material (1.2 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 04 April 2024

MF23116Gaps in gender reporting in National Reports of Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (2021–2022)

James C. Whitacre

This perspective provides empirical data on the Ramsar Convention and gender equity. This paper assessed how Ramsar Convention complied with its own goals for gender mainstreaming in 2018, guided by the Global 2018 Gender and Wetlands Resolution agreed upon by 171 nations. The data were derived from National Reports from around the world. The findings shed light on the room for improvement in gender mainstreaming and gender equity in the wetland science and policy.

Published online 04 April 2024

MF23094The social and economic dimensions of one of the world’s longest-operating shark fisheries

Matias Braccini

, Maddison Watt, Clinton Syers, Nick Blay, Matthew Navarro and Michael Burton

We calculated the social and economic contribution of the shark fishery operating in Western Australia, one of the world’s few sustainable shark fisheries. We found substantial management-driven reductions in fishing effort and improvement in catch rates. This fishery provides considerable socio-economic returns to regional economies, with an average annual market value of A$32.6 × 10⁶.

MF23094 Abstract | MF23094 Full Text | MF23094PDF (1.5 MB) | MF23094Supplementary Material (1.6 MB) Open Access Article