Movement patterns of surf-zone fish species in a subtropical marine protected area on the east coast of South Africa

A long-term mark-recapture study of surf-zone fish species in the St Lucia Marine Reserve, part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Parkrevealed that most species exhibit station-keeping behavior, suggesting the reserve serves as a critical refuge. While five dominant species (Pomadasys furcatus, Epinephelus andersoni, E. marginatus, Dinoperca petersi, and Lutjanus rivulatus) primarily remained within 200–1,025 meters of their tagging sites, they also made exploratory excursions up to 125 km in both directions. No migratory behavior was observed among the 71 species studied over a 12-year period (2001–2013), with recapture rates ranging from 7% to 50%. The findings highlight the reserve's importance for local fish populations while noting limited export to adjacent areas.

Mann, B., Cowley, P., & Fennessy, S. (2015). Movement patterns of surf-zone fish species in a subtropical marine protected area on the east coast of South Africa. African Journal of Marine Science, 37(1), 99–114. https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232x.2015.1023220