Change in wild-oyster assemblages of Port Stephens, NSW, Australia, since commencement of non-native Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) aquaculture

Bishop, Melanie J.; Krassoi, Fredrick R.; McPherson, Ross G.; Brown, Kenneth R.; Summerhayes, Stephen; Wilkie, Emma M.; O’Connor, Wayne A.

doi:10.1071/mf09177

Cited by 28 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…M. marginalba is a generalist predator on inter tidal rocky shores that displays highly variable handling times among its prey species according to their mechanical, behavioural, and chemical defences (Fairweather & Underwood 1983). On rocky shores, dead oysters are frequently found with a drill hole, indicative of predation by M. marginalba (Moran et al 1984) or the mussel drill Bedeva hanleyi, another muricid gastropod that is locally common (Bishop et al 2010). Using prey choice and no-choice laboratory experiments, we tested the hypothesis that oysters from sites close to drains would be preyed on at a greater rate than oysters from reference sites due to the shorter handling time required to penetrate the former.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of estuarine acidification on predator–prey interactions

Amaral¹,

Cabral²,

Bishop³

2012

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Short-term experiments exposing calcifying organisms to acidification have revealed altered growth and strength of their exoskeletons. We tested the hypothesis that multi-generational exposure to sustained estuarine acidification from runoff from acid sulphate soils (ASS) would: (1) reduce the shell strength of sessile or relatively immobile wild benthic invertebrates and (2) as a consequence render these invertebrates that rely on armour for anti-predator defence more susceptible to generalist benthic predators. First, we compared the force required to break the exoskeletons of Saccostrea glomerata, Bembicium auratum, and Heloecius cordiformis between replicate south-east Australian mangrove forests close to (acidified) and away from (reference) major ASS outflow drains. Second, we assessed differences in the susceptibility of oysters from acidified and reference forests to predation by the generalist muricid gastropod Morula marginalba. Mollusc shells were significantly weaker at ASS-affected than at reference sites, but the strength of crab carapaces was not influenced by acidification. Oysters from acidified sites were consumed by M. marginalba at a faster rate than oysters from reference sites in choice and nochoice experiments because M. marginalba required less time to drill through weaker shells. Many other predators such as crabs are generalist feeders that consume prey at rates inversely proportional to their shell strength. Hence, in the absence of effects of acidification on the ability of these predators to consume prey, molluscs at acidified sites may also be more susceptible to other such predators. This study highlights how human stressors can rapidly alter predator-prey interactions that have evolved over many years.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of estuarine acidification on predator–prey interactions

Amaral¹,

Cabral²,

Bishop³

2012

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…gigas has outcompeted and replaced native intertidal S . glomerata ecosystems in some NSW locations [ 76 ] where it is listed as a Class 2 Noxious Species. Despite being viewed as a threat to native S .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Australian shellfish ecosystems: Past distribution, current status and future direction

et al. 2018

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We review the status of marine shellfish ecosystems formed primarily by bivalves in Australia, including: identifying ecosystem-forming species, assessing their historical and current extent, causes for decline and past and present management. Fourteen species of bivalves were identified as developing complex, three-dimensional reef or bed ecosystems in intertidal and subtidal areas across tropical, subtropical and temperate Australia. A dramatic decline in the extent and condition of Australia’s two most common shellfish ecosystems, developed by Saccostrea glomerata and Ostrea angasi oysters, occurred during the mid-1800s to early 1900s in concurrence with extensive harvesting for food and lime production, ecosystem modification, disease outbreaks and a decline in water quality. Out of 118 historical locations containing O. angasi-developed ecosystems, only one location still contains the ecosystem whilst only six locations are known to still contain S. glomerata-developed ecosystems out of 60 historical locations. Ecosystems developed by the introduced oyster Crasostrea gigas are likely to be increasing in extent, whilst data on the remaining 11 ecosystem-forming species are limited, preventing a detailed assessment of their current ecosystem-forming status. Our analysis identifies that current knowledge on extent, physical characteristics, biodiversity and ecosystem services of Australian shellfish ecosystems is extremely limited. Despite the limited information on shellfish ecosystems, a number of restoration projects have recently been initiated across Australia and we propose a number of existing government policies and conservation mechanisms, if enacted, would readily serve to support the future conservation and recovery of Australia’s shellfish ecosystems.

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“…; Bishop et al . ), and the reintroduction of spawning adults was a common practice during the early years of modern aquaculture in Australia (1890–1920; Roughley ; Nell ). Where natural spat supply still occurs but barriers such as availability of substrate for oysters to attach to or predation are preventing natural recovery, the removal of these barriers could be considered an assisted regeneration approach.…”

Section: Identifying Restoration Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoring Angasi oyster reefs: What is the endpoint ecosystem we are aiming for and how do we get there?

Gillies¹,

Crawford²,

Hancock³

2017

Eco Management Restoration

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Summary Three‐dimensional reefs and beds created predominately by the native Angasi Oyster or Flat Oyster (Ostrea angasi) were once common across its range in Australia's southern coastal waters but were lost during the mid‐late1800s and early 1900s due to a combination of destructive fishing practices, overfishing and changes to estuarine conditions. Despite the continued presence of low densities of individuals and cessation of commercial fishing, reefs structures and their associated communities have shown little signs of natural recovery. Since 2014, a range of oyster reef restoration projects have commenced in Australia, guided by international restoration protocols that prioritise the re‐establishment of the keystone species on artificial stable substrates placed in locations where natural oyster reefs have previously existed. These projects invariably need clear and realistic goals and objectives for restoration, which are aided by the use of a reference ecosystem as a model or target, for the local oyster reef ecosystem being restored, yet few reference sites exist. Reefs, established by Angasi, are absent from much or all of its geographical distribution, and the ecosystem has been poorly studied to date; hence, the application of restoration target ecosystems will largely depend on deriving a model based on historical descriptions and observation of what remains. Here, we develop an interim reference model to help set restoration objectives and recommended procedural framework for Angasi reef restoration based on available knowledge of the ecology, biology and aquaculture of the keystone species. We use the Port Phillip Bay oyster reef restoration project as a case study for using the reference model to guide interventions and evaluate the progress of recovery.

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Change in wild-oyster assemblages of Port Stephens, NSW, Australia, since commencement of non-native Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) aquaculture

Cited by 28 publications

References 19 publications

Effects of estuarine acidification on predator–prey interactions

Effects of estuarine acidification on predator–prey interactions

Australian shellfish ecosystems: Past distribution, current status and future direction

Restoring Angasi oyster reefs: What is the endpoint ecosystem we are aiming for and how do we get there?

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