The expansion of no-fishing zones across the Great Barrier Reef has allowed fish numbers to rebound in some places to levels not seen since European arrival in Australia, a long-term study of the ecosystem has shown.
A new report suggests fish numbers have halved since 1970.
Scientists do not know why the fish numbers seem to have increased.
As a result, fish numbers, catches and revenues will decline faster than previously estimated.
Locally, areas experiencing high heat and post-fire debris flows had reduced fish numbers and altered fish habitats.
Given your findings, do you think that every reef recovery plan should take into account fish numbers?
Separately, the report noted, an MSC survey showed people agreeing fish numbers were critically low rose from 43percentntoto 56percentnt between 2008 and 2010.
These might divide up and sell lobster pots, numbers of fish, numbers of boats, bits of the ocean or even individual reefs.
Although fish numbers began to decline, the boats still found plenty to catch by using echo finders, later enhanced by computers and satellite positioning.
"Complete ecosystem collapse" is being seen on parts of the Great Barrier Reef, as fish numbers tumble and surviving corals continue to bleach into winter, according to a scientist returning from one of the worst-hit areas.
Dam by dam, Americans in the following centuries walled off upstream spawning grounds, and fish numbers dwindled to the point where most runs of Atlantic salmon qualify for endangered-species status.
