1. Characterise estuarine & marine faunas associated with disturbed, undisturbed habitats at selected sites within the Tin Can Bay/Great Sandy Strait region, southern Queensland.

2. Identify sources of variation and describe levels of variation in abundance of important finfish, crustacean and cephalopod populations and in community structure

3. Assess whether changes considered undesirable from a fisheries viewpoint may have resulted from disturbances

4. Provide a basis for the preparation of guidelines for acceptable levels of disturbance to rrsult in minimal impacts on fisheries and habitats in northern Australia