A model of the ecosystem, and associated penaeid prawn community, in the far northern Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

The Australian Great Barrier Reef (GBR) stretches 2000 km along the tropical and sub-tropical east coast of the state of Queensland. This complex of lagoons, coral reefs, shoals, and islands is enclosed in a marine national park which has been designated a multi-use world heritage area. Prior to the declaration of the marine park both commercial trawling and line-fishing were carried out in the inner reef lagoon and inter-reef gutters for penaeid prawns, and on the coral reefs themselves for linecaught species, mainly coral trout. There are currently 650 prawn trawlers and over 1000 line-fishing vessels endorsed to work in the park.