Correlating environmental DNA and hydroacoustic estimates of biomass and abundance to monitor the globally Endangered mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus)

Meaghan L. Rourke ^1,2* Matt K. Broadhurst ^3,4 Ashley M. M. Fowler ⁵ Julian M. Hughes ⁵ Joseph D. DiBattista ^6,7 Stefan Sawynok ⁸ Elise M. Furlan ⁹

• ¹ New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Narrandera, Australia
• ² Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia
• ³ New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Conservation Technology Unit, National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, Australia
• ⁴ School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• ⁵ New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, Australia
• ⁶ School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
• ⁷ Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia
• ⁸ InfoFish Australia, Murarrie, Australia
• ⁹ Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia

Monitoring long-term spatiotemporal changes in the populations of vulnerable species requires non-lethal methods. Here we investigate the utility of environmental DNA (eDNA) for estimating the relative biomass and abundance of the globally Endangered mulloway (Argyrosomus japoinicus) in aa southeastern Australian estuary (Hawkesbury River). During minimal tidal movement, ten parallel transects at each of 12 sites were surveyed, involving water samples being collected for determining eDNA concentrations of mulloway DNA prior to hydroacoustics being used to estimate their abundance and then biomass. There was no significant linear relationship between eDNA and abundance but there was for biomass, although the direction of differences varied seasonally, with positive and negative regressions observed during autumn and spring, respectively. As non-invasive survey methods, both eDNA and hydroacoustics require further validation, and such efforts should assess the influence of key environmental factors.