Location and transport of early life stages of West Australian dhufish Glaucosoma hebraicum

The present study used an integration of hydrodynamic modelling, field sampling and rapid DNA-based identification to provide the first detailed location map of early life stages Glaucosoma hebraicum. The results of the particle tracking model showed that larvae in nearshore habitats, in 20 to 30 m deep waters, are rapidly carried offshore unless they vertically migrate and then use onshore return flows to reverse the seaward transport. The hydrodynamic model of the Capes region, in south-western Australia, indicated that larvae are most likely to be retained around Capes Naturaliste (33⁰31’S, 115⁰00’E) and Leeuwin (34⁰, 22’S, 115⁰08’E) and in Geographe Bay (33⁰35’S, 115⁰15’E).