Fish health assessment methods for South Trees Inlet

Fish are biological indicators of water quality and other environmental disturbances, forming an important component of coastal marine environmental monitoring programs. Previous research in Gladstone Harbour has identified fish health indicators suitable for long-term monitoring at the harbour-wide scale including the Health Assessment Index (HAI). The aim of this study is to investigate appropriate fish health assessment techniques for the smaller spatial scale of South Trees Inlet, through a desktop assessment of possible fish species and indicators, and a pilot field study. A range of biomarkers were selected for investigation through a pilot field study, including: Biomarkers of effect – Fulton’s Condition Factor (K), Hepatosomatic Index (HSI), and lipid storage analysis for % lipid content of muscle tissue and ratio of triacylglycerol to sterol (TAG:ST); and the Health Assessment Index (HAI). Biomarkers of exposure – Cytochrome P450 A1 (CYP1A).