DPIRD and CSIRO scientists have been using drones and recreational fish finders to study pink snapper aggregations in Cockburn Sound.
The field days occurred on multiple new moons in 2022, where drones and fish finders captured data on spawning aggregations. The research is testing whether these methods can be used to monitor changes in occurrence or abundance of snapper.
The team identified snapper aggregations using each method, but found that using them in combination was the most successful approach.
The surveys will be repeated in 2023 to refine the methods and determine if this will provide an effective, repeatable way to monitor changes in abundance and occurrence of snapper aggregations.