For a period of two years (1999–2000; except September 1999
and September 2000), we collected monthly samples of fish from 6
pairs of plots (13.0m×22.0m) positioned at the waterward edge of
the mangroves throughout Rookery Bay (Fig. 1). Fish were collected
during daylight at spring high tide (±1.5 h) during monthly two-day
sampling periods (6 plots sampled per day) using a drop block net
installed in each sampling plot. The drop-block net was a remotely
triggered enclosure sampler made of a 1.5mdeep net (3mmmesh)
that, when deployed, fell into a 30 cm wide path cleared through
the mangrove roots, encircling 83m2 within each plot. The net was
staked to the bottom after it fell, in order to improve the seal and
prevent fish from escaping. As the tide receded, fish were hand
collected from the substrate surface in the waterward end of the
enclosure.