Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Residency and movement patterns of yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus australis) released at natural and artificial reef sites

Michael Lowry A C , Alistair Becker A , Heath Folpp B , James McLeod A and Matthew D. Taylor A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, NSW 2316, Australia.

B Coffs Harbour Fisheries Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: michael.lowry@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 68(8) 1479-1488 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF16351
Submitted: 8 April 2016  Accepted: 10 February 2017   Published: 3 May 2017

Abstract

The present study investigated the long-term (>2 years) site fidelity, residency and movement patterns of Acanthopagrus australis (Sparidae) at artificial (AR) and natural reef (NR) sites. Acoustic telemetry was used to assess movement patterns of 39 fish released at NR and AR locations and other habitat types within the study area. Detection periods ranged from 1 day to a maximum of 912 days, with 36% of fish detected by the array for >1 year and a further 7% detected for >2 years. Results indicate that tagged fish tended to remain associated with the release site; however, AR fish were detected for considerably longer periods with greater numbers of fish identified as resident within the AR system. AR-released fish were also identified more frequently across the entire array, with the majority (90%) of detections between receiver stations located within the AR system. Results were affected by short detection periods (<6 days) of a relatively high proportion of fish released at the NR, possibly indicating differential rates of fishing mortality between locations. Longer range movements of >200 km were also detected, but there was no obvious trend with release location. The results of the present study indicate interactions between existing and introduced artificial habitat are more complex than a ‘draw-down’ effect and provide further evidence that AR systems provide suitable habitat for a variety of species, as well as further support for the use of AR systems in fisheries enhancement initiatives. The results also have important implications for understanding the effect of AR systems and indicate that the size of the reef system may be an important factor in controlling for levels of fishing-related mortality.


References

Abecasis, D., Bentes, L., Lino, P., Santos, M., and Erzini, K. (2013). Residency, movements and habitat use of adult white seabream (Diplodus sargus) between natural and artificial reefs. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 118, 80–85.
Residency, movements and habitat use of adult white seabream (Diplodus sargus) between natural and artificial reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Airoldi, L., Abbiati, M., Beck, M. W., Hawkins, S. J., Jonsson, P. R., Martin, D., Moschella, P. S., Sundelöf, A., Thompson, R. C., and Åberg, P. (2005). An ecological perspective on the deployment and design of low-crested and other hard coastal defence structures. Coastal Engineering 52, 1073–1087.
An ecological perspective on the deployment and design of low-crested and other hard coastal defence structures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Anderson, M. J., Gorley, R. N., and Clark, K. L. (2008). ‘PERMANOVA+ for PRIMER: Guide to Software and Statistical Methods.’ (PRIMER-E: Plymouth, UK.)

Bohnsack, J. A. (1989). Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference? Bulletin of Marine Science 44, 631–645.

Bortone, S. A. (1998). Resolving the attraction–production dilemma in artificial reef research: some yeas and nays. Fisheries 23, 6–10.
Resolving the attraction–production dilemma in artificial reef research: some yeas and nays.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Brochier, T., Auger, P., Thiam, N., Sow, M., Diouf, S., Sloterdijk, H., and Brehmer, P. (2015). Implementation of artificial habitats: Inside or outside the marine protected areas? Insights from a mathematical approach. Ecological Modelling 297, 98–106.
Implementation of artificial habitats: Inside or outside the marine protected areas? Insights from a mathematical approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Campbell, H. A., Watts, M. E., and Dwyer, R. G. (2012). V-Track: software for analysing and visualising animal movement from acoustic telemetry detections. Marine and Freshwater Research 63, 815–820.
V-Track: software for analysing and visualising animal movement from acoustic telemetry detections.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Carr, M. H., and Hixon, M. A. (1997). Artificial reefs: the importance of comparisons with natural reefs. Fisheries 22, 28–33.
Artificial reefs: the importance of comparisons with natural reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Claisse, J. T., Pondella, D. J., Love, M., Zahn, L. A., Williams, C. M., Williams, J. P., and Bull, A. S. (2014). Oil platforms off California are among the most productive marine fish habitats globally. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 111, 15462–15467.
Oil platforms off California are among the most productive marine fish habitats globally.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhslKmtbzL&md5=52e597cb88cf955d05fb4269b33a2297CAS |

Claudet, J., and Pelletier, D. (2004). Marine protected areas and artificial reefs: a review of the interactions between management and scientific studies. Aquatic Living Resources 17, 129–138.
Marine protected areas and artificial reefs: a review of the interactions between management and scientific studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Clynick, B. G. (2008). Characteristics of an urban fish assemblage: distribution of fish associated with coastal marinas. Marine Environmental Research 65, 18–33.
Characteristics of an urban fish assemblage: distribution of fish associated with coastal marinas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtlGhsrrM&md5=891b1a9314ec4af9ecdf1e747649e8feCAS |

Clynick, B. G., Chapman, M. G., and Underwood, A. J. (2008). Fish assemblages associated with urban structures and natural reefs in Sydney, Australia. Austral Ecology 33, 140–150.
Fish assemblages associated with urban structures and natural reefs in Sydney, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cresson, P., Ruitton, S., and Harmelin-Vivien, M. (2014). Artificial reefs do increase secondary biomass production: mechanisms evidenced by stable isotopes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 509, 15–26.
Artificial reefs do increase secondary biomass production: mechanisms evidenced by stable isotopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Crook, D. A., Lowe, W. H., Allendorf, F. W., Erős, T., Finn, D. S., Gillanders, B. M., Hadwen, W. L., Harrod, C., Hermoso, V., and Jennings, S. (2015). Human effects on ecological connectivity in aquatic ecosystems: integrating scientific approaches to support management and mitigation. The Science of the Total Environment 534, 52–64.
Human effects on ecological connectivity in aquatic ecosystems: integrating scientific approaches to support management and mitigation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXmslGjsLk%3D&md5=fcfa643de79a80645087824662e90471CAS |

D’Anna, G., Giacalone, V. M., Pipitone, C., and Badalamenti, F. (2011). Movement pattern of white seabream, Diplodus sargus (L., 1758) (Osteichthyes, Sparidae) acoustically tracked in an artificial reef area. Italian Journal of Zoology 78, 255–263.
Movement pattern of white seabream, Diplodus sargus (L., 1758) (Osteichthyes, Sparidae) acoustically tracked in an artificial reef area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Folpp, H., Lowry, M., Gregson, M., and Suthers, I. M. (2011). Colonization and community development of fish assemblages associated with estuarine artificial reefs. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography 59, 55–67.
Colonization and community development of fish assemblages associated with estuarine artificial reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gannon, R., Payne, N. L., Suthers, I. M., Gray, C. A., van der Meulen, D. E., and Taylor, M. D. (2015). Fine-scale movements, site fidelity and habitat use of an estuarine dependent sparid. Environmental Biology of Fishes 98, 1599–1608.
Fine-scale movements, site fidelity and habitat use of an estuarine dependent sparid.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gillanders, B. M., Elsdon, T. S., Halliday, I. A., Jenkins, G. P., Robins, J. B., and Valesini, F. J. (2011). Potential effects of climate change on Australian estuaries and fish utilising estuaries: a review. Marine and Freshwater Research 62, 1115–1131.
Potential effects of climate change on Australian estuaries and fish utilising estuaries: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Granneman, J. E., and Steele, M. A. (2014). Fish growth, reproduction, and tissue production on artificial reefs relative to natural reefs. ICES Journal of Marine Science 71, 2494–2504.
Fish growth, reproduction, and tissue production on artificial reefs relative to natural reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gray, C., McElligott, D., and Chick, R. (1996). Intra-and inter-estuary differences in assemblages of fishes associated with shallow seagrass and bare sand. Marine and Freshwater Research 47, 723–735.
Intra-and inter-estuary differences in assemblages of fishes associated with shallow seagrass and bare sand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Grossman, G. D., Jones, G. P., and Seaman, W. J. (1997). Do artificial reefs increase regional fish production? A review of existing data. Fisheries 22, 17–23.
Do artificial reefs increase regional fish production? A review of existing data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hamer, P., Mills, K., Grixti, D., and Rogla, R. (2011). Trial of recreational fishing reefs in Port Phillip Bay. Report number 36, Fisheries Victoria, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

Hannan, J. C., and Williams, R. J. (1998). Recruitment of juvenile marine fishes to seagrass habitat in a temperature Australian estuary. Estuaries and Coasts 21, 29–51.
Recruitment of juvenile marine fishes to seagrass habitat in a temperature Australian estuary.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hiscock, K., Sharrock, S., Highfield, J., and Snelling, D. (2010). Colonization of an artificial reef in south-west England – ex-HMS ‘Scylla’. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 90, 69–94.
Colonization of an artificial reef in south-west England – ex-HMS ‘Scylla’.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXitlejs78%3D&md5=00cee339a0abe365005bdff0a5fb58d9CAS |

Hobbs, R. J. (1992). The role of corridors in conservation: solution or bandwagon? Trends in Ecology & Evolution 7, 389–392.
The role of corridors in conservation: solution or bandwagon?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3M7itVyjsQ%3D%3D&md5=af1883cdf6dc52f7224d7210eeec1f7eCAS |

Kessel, S. T., Cooke, S. J., Heupel, M. R., Hussey, N. E., Simpfendorfer, C. A., and Vagle, S. (2014). A review of detection range testing in aquatic passive acoustic telemetry studies. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 24, 199–218.
A review of detection range testing in aquatic passive acoustic telemetry studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Koeck, B., Alós, J., Caro, A., Neveu, R., Crec’hriou, R., Saragoni, G., and Lenfant, P. (2013). Contrasting fish behavior in artificial seascapes with implications for resources conservation. PLoS One 8, e69303.
Contrasting fish behavior in artificial seascapes with implications for resources conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXht1yqtbzP&md5=325366671b5668ebb2fb6ce1335e7a66CAS |

Koeck, B., Tessier, A., Brind Amour, A., Pastor, J., Bijaoui, B., Dalias, N., Astruch, P., Saragoni, G., and Lenfant, P. (2014). Functional differences between fish communities on artificial and natural reefs: a case study along the French Catalan coast. Aquatic Biology 20, 219–234.
Functional differences between fish communities on artificial and natural reefs: a case study along the French Catalan coast.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Krohling, W., and Zalmon, I. R. (2008). Epibenthic colonization on an artificial reef in a stressed environment off the north coast of the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology 51, 213–221.
Epibenthic colonization on an artificial reef in a stressed environment off the north coast of the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Leitão, F., Santos, M. N., Erzini, K., and Monteiro, C. C. (2008). Fish assemblages and rapid colonization after enlargement of an artificial reef off the Algarve coast (Southern Portugal). Marine Ecology 29, 435–448.
Fish assemblages and rapid colonization after enlargement of an artificial reef off the Algarve coast (Southern Portugal).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lowry, M., Glasby, T., Boys, C., Folpp, H., Suthers, I., and Gregson, M. (2014). Response of fish communities to the deployment of estuarine artificial reefs for fisheries enhancement. Fisheries Management and Ecology 21, 42–56.
Response of fish communities to the deployment of estuarine artificial reefs for fisheries enhancement.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nielsen, A. F. (1995). Lake Macquarie estuary process study. Report series 94/25. (Australian Water and Coastal Studies.) Available at http://www.livinglakemacquarie.org/files/dwnlds/archives/dnarch07/Estuary%20Process%20Study%20Volume%201.pdf [Verified 20 March 2017].

Osenberg, C. W., St Mary, C. M., Wilson, J. A., and Lindberg, W. J. (2002). A quantitative framework to evaluate the attraction production controversy. ICES Journal of Marine Science 59, S214–S221.
A quantitative framework to evaluate the attraction production controversy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Payne, N. L., van der Meulen, D. E., Gannon, R., Semmens, J. M., Suthers, I. M., Gray, C. A., and Taylor, M. D. (2013). Rain reverses diel activity rhythms in an estuarine teleost. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London – B. Biological Sciences 280, 20122363.
Rain reverses diel activity rhythms in an estuarine teleost.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Perkol-Finkel, S., and Benayahu, Y. (2005). Recruitment of benthic organisms onto a planned artificial reef: shifts in community structure one decade post-deployment. Marine Environmental Research 59, 79–99.
Recruitment of benthic organisms onto a planned artificial reef: shifts in community structure one decade post-deployment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXnsFSitb4%3D&md5=ef06c725986505db67af34b340292e5bCAS |

Perkol-Finkel, S., Shashar, N., and Benayahu, Y. (2006). Can artificial reefs mimic natural reef communities? The roles of structural features and age. Marine Environmental Research 61, 121–135.
Can artificial reefs mimic natural reef communities? The roles of structural features and age.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtlaktLg%3D&md5=6b9bbfde8c0c6d415e16ab97788f7f64CAS |

Pickering, H., and Whitmarsh, D. (1997). Artificial reefs and fisheries exploitation: a review of the ‘attraction versus production’ debate, the influence of design and its significance for policy. Fisheries Research 31, 39–59.
Artificial reefs and fisheries exploitation: a review of the ‘attraction versus production’ debate, the influence of design and its significance for policy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Piraino, M., and Szedlmayer, S. (2014). Fine-scale movements and home ranges of red snapper around artificial reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 143, 988–998.

Pitcher, T. J., and Seaman, W. (2000). Petrarch’s principle: how protected human-made reefs can help the reconstruction of fisheries and marine ecosystems. Fish and Fisheries 1, 73–81.
Petrarch’s principle: how protected human-made reefs can help the reconstruction of fisheries and marine ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pollock, B. R. (1982). Movements and migrations of yellowfin bream, Acanthopagrus australis (Günther), in Moreton Bay, Queensland as determined by tag recoveries. Journal of Fish Biology 20, 245–252.
Movements and migrations of yellowfin bream, Acanthopagrus australis (Günther), in Moreton Bay, Queensland as determined by tag recoveries.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Polovina, J. J. (1989). Artificial reefs: nothing more than benthic fish aggregators. In ‘CalCOFI Reports’, vol. 30, pp. 37–39. (California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations.) Available at http://calcofi.org/publications/calcofireports/v30/Vol_30_Polovina.pdf [Verified 20 April 2017].

Powers, S. P., Grabowski, J. H., Peterson, C. H., and Lindberg, W. J. (2003). Estimating enhancement of fish production by offshore artificial reefs: uncertainty exhibited by divergent scenarios. Marine Ecology Progress Series 264, 265–277.
Estimating enhancement of fish production by offshore artificial reefs: uncertainty exhibited by divergent scenarios.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rilov, G., and Benayahu, Y. (2000). Fish assemblage on natural versus vertical artificial reefs: the rehabilitation perspective. Marine Biology 136, 931–942.
Fish assemblage on natural versus vertical artificial reefs: the rehabilitation perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ross, P. M., Thrush, S. F., Montgomery, J. C., Walker, J. W., and Parsons, D. M. (2007). Habitat complexity and predation risk determine juvenile snapper (Pagrus auratus) and goatfish (Upeneichthys lineatus) behaviour and distribution. Marine and Freshwater Research 58, 1144–1151.
Habitat complexity and predation risk determine juvenile snapper (Pagrus auratus) and goatfish (Upeneichthys lineatus) behaviour and distribution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Saunders, D. A., Hobbs, R. J., and Margules, C. R. (1991). Biological consequences of ecosystem fragmentation: a review. Conservation Biology 5, 18–32.
Biological consequences of ecosystem fragmentation: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Seaman, W. (2007). Artificial habitats and the restoration of degraded marine ecosystems and fisheries. Hydrobiologia 580, 143–155.
Artificial habitats and the restoration of degraded marine ecosystems and fisheries.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Simonsen, K. A., and Cowan, J. H. (2013). Effects of an inshore artificial reef on the trophic dynamics of three species of estuarine fish. Bulletin of Marine Science 89, 657–676.
Effects of an inshore artificial reef on the trophic dynamics of three species of estuarine fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Smith, J. A., Lowry, M. B., and Suthers, I. M. (2015). Fish attraction to artificial reefs not always harmful: a simulation study. Ecology and Evolution 5, 4590–4602.
Fish attraction to artificial reefs not always harmful: a simulation study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Steffe, A. S., and Chapman, D. J. (2003). A survey of daytime recreational fishing during the annual period, March 1999 to February 2000, in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales. Report number 52, NSW Fisheries, Sydney , NSW, Australia.

Steffe, A. S., Murphy, J. J., Chapman, D. J., and Gray, C. C. (2005). An assessment of changes in the daytime recreational fishery of Lake Macquarie following the establishment of a ‘Recreational Fishing Haven’. Report number 79, NSW Department of Primary Industry, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Summerfeldt, R. C., and Smith, L. S. (1990). Anethestia, surgery and related techniques. In ‘Methods for Fish Biology’. (Eds C. B. Schreck and P. B. Moyle.) pp. 213–272. (American Fisheries Society: Bethesda, MD, USA.)

Szedlmayer, S. T., and Schroepfer, R. L. (2005). Long-term residence of red snapper on artificial reefs in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134, 315–325.
Long-term residence of red snapper on artificial reefs in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Taylor, M., McPhan, L., van der Meulen, D., Gray, C., and Payne, N. (2013). Interactive drivers of activity in a free-ranging estuarine predator. PLoS One 8, e80962.
Interactive drivers of activity in a free-ranging estuarine predator.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Taylor, M. D., Payne, N. L., Becker, A., and Lowry, M. B. (2017). Feels like home: homing of mature large-bodied fish following translocation from a power-station canal. ICES Journal of Marine Science 74, 301–310.
Feels like home: homing of mature large-bodied fish following translocation from a power-station canal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |