Seagrass beds are a dominant marine ecosystem of Tayaritja (the Furneaux Group of Islands) in the north-eastern waters off Tasmania. Historical coarse mapping has indicated extensive beds of Posidonia, Amphibolis, Heterozostera, and Zostera species, potentially comprising some of the largest and deepest seagrass extents found in temperate Australian waters. However, limited data on the distribution and ecological value of these seagrass habitats represents a significant knowledge gap in understanding Australia's wetland natural assets. This project mapped the extent, ecological composition, population structure, and blue carbon value of seagrass beds around Tayaritja, in partnership with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. This record specifically describes the collection and analysis of epiphyte and mollusc communities associated with seagrass beds. Quadrat-level sampling of seagrass, epiphyte and mollusc community data was undertaken across five subtidal sites in Tayaritja Sea Country in February 2024. At each site, seagrass species, morphology, biomass and cover; epiphyte cover; and mollusc taxon counts, richness, abundance, and diversity metrics were assessed. The dataset provides a baseline for understanding biodiversity values associated with different seagrass species and epiphyte loads in Tayaritja Sea Country. See the "Lineage" section of this record for full methodology. ***EMBARGO NOTE*** Data is currently embargoed until 31/12/2026. Please contact the NESP Data Wrangler (Southern node) to discuss access options: Emma.Flukes@utas.edu.au

Database includes data on abalone size at maturity, collected from sites around Tasmania from 1988.

Recreational abalone fishing data for the periods between 2002/03 to 2024/25 for eight assessment areas in Tasmania. The data includes estimated catch (in kilograms and numbers of abalone), estimated effort (in fishing days) and estimated catch rate (in number of abalone/fishing days). Both species, blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) and greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata) are targeted by the recreational fishers. The data was compiled from the Tasmanian Recreational Rock Lobster and Abalone Fisheries survey reports produced by IMAS. The assessments are conducted using a survey involving a random sample of licence-holders who are contacted by telephone prior to the start of the fishing season and invited to participate in a phone-diary survey to monitor their abalone fishing activity between November and April.

The effect of barrens formed by the long spined sea urchin, Centrostephanus rodgersii, on the standing stocks of southern rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) and black lip abalone (Haliotis rubra) was estimated by divers using underwater visual census methods to compare lobster and abalone abundance in barrens with that in adjacent kelp habitat. Abalone (H. rubra) and rock-lobster (J. edwardsii) populations were compared on C. rodgersii barrens and in adjacent algal-dominated habitat at the same depth and on the same substratum type at three sites in eastern Tasmania (Elephant Rock:Binalong Bay, St Helens Is, and Mistaken Cape:Maria Island). At Elephant Rock and St Helens Island , the barrens are extensive and well established Type 1 barrens, while at Mistaken Cape the barrens in 8-14 m are incipient Type 4 barrens, comprising small barren patches in the algal bed (see FRDC report for classification of barren types). Note that while there are extensive barrens in deeper water (>18 m) at Mistaken Cape, at these depths working time is limited and it was difficult to locate intact macroalgal beds on equivalent substrata.