Thursday 7 November 2024, 10.30am (SAST)
Zoom Registration link:
https://zoom.us/j/95770623049?pwd=tDzFGvAg9cTo5gYBNGGrbPxHOdae6b.1
Passcode: 362255
by Kerry-Ann van der Walt
PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow, NRF-SAIAB
Investigating recruitment dynamics and retention patterns of fish larvae in nearshore environments along the south-east coastline of South Africa
Understanding how fish larvae settle and stay near the shore is crucial for managing and protecting coastal ecosystems. Some fish lay eggs in shallow waters, but currents can carry them offshore, or local water movements can keep them near the coast. This study looked at how fish larvae recruit and grow in different nearshore habitats within three small embayment’s along South Africa’s southeast coast. By assessing species composition, total catch and water velocity currents from sandy beaches, rocky areas, and mixed shores in these small three bays, we found that different habitats attracted distinct fish communities, suggesting that larvae actively seek preferred habitats. This research highlights the role of varied coastal habitats in supporting fish populations and underscores the need to consider these factors in conservation and management efforts for healthy coastal ecosystems.
