Pattern of movements within a home reef in the Chesterfield Islands (Coral Sea) by the endangered Giant Grouper,Epinephelus lanceolatus

A Giant Grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus, exhibited consistent residency within a home reef in the Chesterfield Islands (Coral Sea), with increased activity during dawn and dusk, likely for foraging. Acoustic tracking over 2.5 years revealed seasonal absences from October to December in 2010 and 2012, coinciding with known spawning periods, while a skipped spawning event was suspected in 2011. The study highlights the need for future research to locate spawning sites to inform conservation strategies. Given its ecological significance as part of the Coral Sea—linking two UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the Chesterfield Islands warrant designation as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) to safeguard this endangered species and associated ecosystems.

Clua, E., Chauvet, C., Mourier, J., Werry, J. M., & Randall, J. E. (2015). Pattern of movements within a home reef in the Chesterfield Islands (Coral Sea) by the endangered Giant Grouper,Epinephelus lanceolatus. Aquatic Living Resources, 28(1), 53–58. https://doi.org/10.1051/alr/2015006