scholarly journals Fish assemblages associated with artificial reefs assessed using multiple gear types in the northwest Gulf of Mexico

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 655-678
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D Plumlee ◽  
Kaylan M Dance ◽  
Michael A Dance ◽  
Jay R Rooker ◽  
Thomas C TinHan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Red Snapper ◽  
Artificial Reefs ◽  
Adaptive Resolution ◽  
Fish Traps ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Imaging Sonar ◽  
Gray Triggerfish

Quantitative surveys of fishes associated with artificial reefs in the northwest Gulf of Mexico were conducted over a 4-yr period (2014–2017). Artificial reefs surveyed were comprised of three types: concrete structures, rig jackets, and decommissioned ships. All reefs were surveyed using vertical long line (VLL), fish traps, and Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS 1800). Mean fish abundance did not significantly differ using VLL [1.7 ind set –1 (SD 2.2)] among the three reef types. However, relative abundance among all fishes collected was significantly highest on rig reefs using traps [6.2 ind soak–1 (SD 3.8)], while results from sonar surveys indicated that the mean relative fish density was highest on concrete reefs [15.3 fish frame–1 (SD 26.8)]. Red snapper (n = 792), followed by gray triggerfish (n = 130), pigfish (n = 70), tomtate (n = 69), and hardhead catfish (n = 57) were the most numerically abundant species using VLL and traps; red snapper comprised 90.7% of total catch using VLL and 43.9% using traps. Mean Brillouin's diversity (HB) was highest on ships using VLL [0.41 (SD 0.14)] and highest on rigs using traps [0.87 (SD 0.58)] compared to the lowest diversity found on concrete [VLL 0.07 (SD 0.11); traps 0.36 (SD 0.32)]. Findings from this study can be used to inform the planning of future artificial reefs and their effect on the assemblages of reef-associated fishes. Additionally, these results highlight the value of using multiple gear types to survey reef fish assemblages associated with artificial reefs.

Effectiveness of the electric fish fence as a behavioural barrier at a pumping station

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 1459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonhard Egg ◽  
Joachim Pander ◽  
Melanie Mueller ◽  
Juergen Geist
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fish ◽  
Pumping Station ◽  
Adaptive Resolution ◽  
Pumping Stations ◽  
Promising Solution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Imaging Sonar ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Mean Current ◽  
High Fish

Dyke-based pumping stations have been linked with high fish mortalities during pumping events. Behavioural barriers like electric fish fences have been proposed as a promising solution to prevent entrainment of fish into pumps. In order to test the effectiveness of such barriers, the intake of a pumping station was equipped with a new generation electric fish fence while fish behaviour was observed with an adaptive resolution imaging sonar (ARIS) during non-electrified (reference) and electrified (treatment) operation modes. This study revealed the functionality of the fish fence as a behavioural barrier, with a fish turning rate of up to 72% at a mean water temperature of 4.3°C and a mean current velocity of 0.05ms–1. These field results suggest that new-generation electric fish fences may be a promising solution to reduce the effects of pumping stations on fish.

Marine Artificial Reef Research and Development: Integrating Fisheries Management Objectives

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Artificial Reef ◽  
Red Snapper ◽  
Artificial Reefs ◽  
Lutjanus Campechanus ◽  
The Status ◽  
Vermilion Snapper

<em>Abstract</em>.—Reef-fish assemblage structure was compared among multiple artificial and geologic (i.e., naturally occurring hard bottom) habitats in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico during 2014–2016 as part of a larger fishery-independent survey. Baited remote underwater video systems equipped with stereo cameras were deployed (<em>n </em>= 348) on 11 habitat types, classified through interpretation of side-scan sonar imagery. In the video samples, 11,801 fish were enumerated. Nonparametric analysis of reef-fish assemblages detected four clusters related to habitat; assemblages associated with geologic habitats were distinct, whereas the remaining three clusters represented groupings of artificial habitats of different size, scale, and complexity. While many species, including Vermilion Snapper <em>Rhomboplites aurorubens </em>and Red Snapper <em>Lutjanus campechanus</em>, were observed in greater numbers on artificial reef habitats, most species were observed in all habitats sampled. Among artificial reef habitats, the habitat cluster consisting of unidentified depressions, unidentified artificial reefs, construction materials, and reef modules was similar to geologic habitats in supporting larger individuals, specifically Gray Triggerfish <em>Balistes capriscus </em>and Red Snapper. In contrast, the habitat cluster consisting of smaller, generally solitary chicken-transport cages was inhabited by smaller individuals, including smaller Red Snapper. Although geologic reefs are the predominant reef habitat throughout much of the eastern Gulf, artificial reefs are important locally, especially in the Florida Panhandle. Accordingly, continued incorporation of artificial reef habitats within large-scale fishery-independent monitoring efforts is critical to the accurate assessment of the status of reef-fish stocks on broad spatial scales.

Red Snapper: Ecology and Fisheries in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico

2007 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Red Snapper ◽  
Lutjanus Campechanus ◽  
Reef Habitat ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
North Central ◽  
The North

<em>Abstract.</em>—Video estimation of the relative abundance of fishes is a noninvasive method commonly used to assess fish densities. This technique can be used to characterize habitat use patterns either of fish assemblages or of a particular species of interest. The objectives of this study were to quantify relative abundance of red snapper, <em>Lutjanus campechanus</em>, and to characterize with video methodology the associated fish assemblages over different habitat types. Fishes were enumerated over sand, shell, and natural hard bottom reef habitats in the north-central Gulf of Mexico (GOM) off Alabama on quarterly cruises over a two-year period with a baited stationary underwater video camera array. Red snapper showed both significantly higher abundance and larger size over the reef habitat; however, no seasonal effects were observed, indicating temporal abundance patterns were consistent among seasons. Fish assemblages differed among habitats, with significant differences between reef and shell assemblages. Efforts to identify the species that most contributed to these differences indicated that the red snapper accounted for 59% of the overall similarity within the reef fish assemblage and 20% of the total dissimilarity between the shell and reef fish assemblages. This study highlights the utility of applying video techniques to identify the importance of sand, shell, and reef habitat types both to different life stages of red snapper, and to the different fish assemblages occupying distinct habitats in the north-central GOM.

Red Snapper: Ecology and Fisheries in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico

2007 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Stomach Content Analysis ◽  
Red Snapper ◽  
Artificial Reefs ◽  
Order Estimate ◽  
Lutjanus Campechanus ◽  
North Central ◽  
The North ◽  
Specific Diet ◽  
The U.S

<em>Abstract.</em>—Red snapper, <em>Lutjanus campechanus</em>, is a heavily exploited reef fish that is harvested in the Gulf of Mexico from both natural and artificial reefs. Since regulations were imposed in 1990, the stock has begun to recover; this recovery has also been attributed in part to an increase in artificial habitats/reefs. However, little is known about the role artificial reefs play in the trophic dynamics of the species. To this end, the seasonal and size-specific diet of red snapper was examined through stomach content analysis of individuals collected from artificial reefs in the north-central Gulf of Mexico off Alabama between May 1999 and April 2000. Diet information was subsequently combined with data from the literature to obtain a first-order estimate of prey demand of the red snapper population on artificial reefs off Alabama. Results indicate both that diet varied with season and red snapper size and that the overall diet was comprised primarily of demersal crustaceans, fish, and pelagic zooplankton. Annual prey demand of the red snapper population on Alabama artificial reefs was estimated to be over 31 million kg. Red snapper derived most of their nutrition from sand/mud- and water column-associated organisms, not from organisms associated with reefs. Based on these results, and the results from other red snapper studies off Alabama, Alabama artificial reefs may be attracting, not producing red snapper.

Marine Artificial Reef Research and Development: Integrating Fisheries Management Objectives

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Artificial Reef ◽  
Fork Length ◽  
South Texas ◽  
Spawning Season ◽  
Artificial Reefs ◽  
Batch Fecundity ◽  
Balistes Capriscus ◽  
Gray Triggerfish

<em>Abstract</em>.—Artificial reefs in the northwest Gulf of Mexico act as preferential habitat for Gray Triggerfish <em>Balistes capriscus </em>(Gmelin, 1789) and are heavily targeted by local and international fishing efforts. Three artificial reefs off the south Texas coast were studied to investigate the reproductive characteristics of this ubiquitous reef member whose importance to both commercial and recreational fishing has resulted in a dramatic reduction in Gulf of Mexico-wide estimated biomass for the past 20 years. Characteristics examined included sex ratio, peak spawning season, batch fecundity of females (1 × 10<sup>6</sup> oocytes), fork length (FL, mm) at maturity, and batch fecundity as a function of FL or weight (i.e., Δ1 × 10<sup>6</sup> oocytes = ΔFL). These characteristics were investigated to build a foundational understanding of an understudied region of the Gulf and a relatively new artificial reef habitat. Reef sites managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Artificial Reef Program were sampled for 1 year, yielding 112 individuals. The sex ratio was 1:1 males to females but varied among sample sites, suggesting that an unidentified factor may have influenced aggregations of males and females. Spawning season was similar in other regions of the Gulf of Mexico (i.e., between June and August with a peak in July). Female batch fecundity was 7.36 × 10<sup>5</sup> ± 2.69 × 10<sup>5</sup> mature oocytes, and the batch fecundity to FL relationship was 14.353 × FL<sup>1.88</sup>, similar to other populations of Gray Triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico.

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