The influence of an offshore artificial reef on the abundance of fish in the surrounding pelagic environment
Molly E. Scott A C D , James A. Smith A C , Michael B. Lowry B , Matthew D. Taylor A B and Iain M. Suthers A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Evolution and Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
B Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Locked Bag 1, Nelson Bay, NSW 2315, Australia.
C Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: mollyscott23@gmail.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 66(5) 429-437 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF14064
Submitted: 22 August 2013 Accepted: 29 July 2014 Published: 6 January 2015
Abstract
Artificial reefs are a popular fisheries management tool, but the effect of these reefs on the abundance of fish in the surrounding pelagic environment is uncertain. Pelagic baited remote underwater video (PBRUV) was used to observe the fish assemblage surrounding an offshore artificial reef (OAR), near Sydney, Australia. PBRUVs were deployed at three distances (30, 100, 500 m) from the OAR, and compared with a drop camera deployed directly over the OAR. There was a significantly greater abundance of fish on the OAR, but no significant difference in abundance at the 30-, 100- or 500-m distances. Two highly mobile non-resident species (Seriola lalandi, Pseudocaranx dentex) were significantly more abundant on the OAR, but this association was not detected 30 m away. The lack of a significant difference in total fish abundance, or in assemblage composition, between the 30-, 100- and 500-m distances suggests that any association with the OAR is on a localised scale (<30 m). One exception was the ocean leatherjacket (Nelusetta ayraudi), which had an association detected 100 m from the OAR. This predominantly small-scale effect may be influenced by the proximity of this OAR to numerous natural reefs.
Additional keywords: BRUV, MaxN, pelagic fish, PERMANOVA, Trachurus.
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