Hydroacoustic surveys reveal the distribution of mid-water fish around two artificial reef designs in temperate Australia

Becker, A; Lowry, MB; Fowler, AM; Taylor, MD

Hydroacoustic surveys reveal the distribution of mid-water fish around two artificial reef designs in temperate Australia

Becker, A Lowry, MB Fowler, AM Taylor, MD

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Fisheries Research, 2023, 257, pp. 106509
Issue Date:: 2023-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Becker, A
dc.contributor.author	Lowry, MB
dc.contributor.author	Fowler, AM
dc.contributor.author	Taylor, MD
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-17T06:17:40Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-17T06:17:40Z
dc.date.issued	2023-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Fisheries Research, 2023, 257, pp. 106509
dc.identifier.issn	0165-7836
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174713
dc.description.abstract	Artificial reef designs have evolved rapidly over the past two decades, but further work is needed to inform how specific design features affect reef function. In south-eastern Australia, most artificial reefs consist of either a field of concrete modules, or large steel structures which are deployed to enhance recreational fisheries. To evaluate how these two designs might influence the densities and distribution of fish, hydroacoustic surveys were completed across multiple concrete module and steel reefs located in the temperate inshore environment of New South Wales, Australia. There were no differences in the densities of fish between the two reef types, however there was an interactive effect between reef design and distance-from-structure. Fish associated with steel reefs at greater distances from the structure, with this effect occurring throughout the water column. Steel reefs had higher relief and may therefore provide more structure to support mid-water fish at greater distances up in the water column. Assemblages were dominated by small pelagic species that likely benefit from such high relief structure. In contrast, the concrete module reef fields provide numerous structures for mid-water fish to congregate, which may therefore reduce competition for space and the need to disperse large distances from the reef. At both reef types, fish densities were greatest in the direction of prevailing currents, which may reflect foraging behaviour by small zooplanktivores which were the most abundant type of species observed. Regardless of the area occupied by artificial reefs or the type of material, the inclusion of high vertical relief structures appears an important design feature in establishing mid-water fish assemblages.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Fisheries Research
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106509
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	0502 Environmental Science and Management, 0602 Ecology, 0704 Fisheries Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Fisheries
dc.subject.classification	3005 Fisheries sciences
dc.subject.classification	3103 Ecology
dc.subject.classification	4104 Environmental management
dc.title	Hydroacoustic surveys reveal the distribution of mid-water fish around two artificial reef designs in temperate Australia
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	257
utslib.for	0502 Environmental Science and Management
utslib.for	0602 Ecology
utslib.for	0704 Fisheries Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-17T06:17:38Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	257

Abstract:

Artificial reef designs have evolved rapidly over the past two decades, but further work is needed to inform how specific design features affect reef function. In south-eastern Australia, most artificial reefs consist of either a field of concrete modules, or large steel structures which are deployed to enhance recreational fisheries. To evaluate how these two designs might influence the densities and distribution of fish, hydroacoustic surveys were completed across multiple concrete module and steel reefs located in the temperate inshore environment of New South Wales, Australia. There were no differences in the densities of fish between the two reef types, however there was an interactive effect between reef design and distance-from-structure. Fish associated with steel reefs at greater distances from the structure, with this effect occurring throughout the water column. Steel reefs had higher relief and may therefore provide more structure to support mid-water fish at greater distances up in the water column. Assemblages were dominated by small pelagic species that likely benefit from such high relief structure. In contrast, the concrete module reef fields provide numerous structures for mid-water fish to congregate, which may therefore reduce competition for space and the need to disperse large distances from the reef. At both reef types, fish densities were greatest in the direction of prevailing currents, which may reflect foraging behaviour by small zooplanktivores which were the most abundant type of species observed. Regardless of the area occupied by artificial reefs or the type of material, the inclusion of high vertical relief structures appears an important design feature in establishing mid-water fish assemblages.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174713