Abstract:
The relationship between the benthos and fish populations associated with it was investigated. Fish counts, fish behaviour and samples of fish were collected. Four 5m x 2m transects were surveyed for fish counts at four sites at Cape Armitage and Pram Point. The sites at Cape Armitage represented four different depths over the reef platform. At Pram Point, two shallow sites and two deep sites were
... surveyed. Within each transect, all fish observed by a diver with a torch were identified and recorded with an estimate of their total length. Up to 10 fish at each site were followed for ten minutes. Their behaviour every minute was recorded. These observations discontinued after 2 days as the fish were found to be inactive for great lengths of time. Diving observations were limited to a maximum of 40 minutes and this method therefore proved inefficient to continue this survey. Ten fish of a range of sizes from each species (Trematomus bernacchii, T. pennellii (centronotus) and T. hansoni) were collected from an area distant from the survey sites so as not to interfere with densities in the monitored area. Each fish was measured and weighed, then fixed in bouins and the gut injected with preservative. Samples were analysed for gut content, sex and age. 
