Petrarch's Principle: how protected human-made reefs can help the reconstruction of fisheries and marine ecosystems

Petrarch's Principle, named here, is to know things unseen, yet to ignore things seen. We apply the principle to the debate over the appropriate role and utility of human-made reefs (HMRs) in fishery and ecosystem management by reviewing four linked issues that were discussed at the recent 7th International Conference on Artificial Reefs and Related Aquatic Habitats. First, deploying protected HMRs can help to mitigate the depletion of fishery stocks through overharvest and habitat degradation. Secondly, to achieve this objective effectively, it is essential that HMRs are protected as no-take areas, and that, thirdly, HMRs are large, well-planned, evaluated and monitored. Finally, ecosystem modelling and adaptive management responses are necessary to forecast and manage the benefits of HMRs. Moreover, uncertainty about the resolution of the well-rehearsed attraction/production debate may be resolved by ensuring that HMRs are managed as protected no-take areas. And to ensure an unbiased attitude that will aid the clarification of consequences, costs and benefits, we propose a change in terminology, from artificial reefs to human-made reefs.     

Diplodus spp. assemblages on artificial reefs: importance for near shore fisheries

Abstract  Artificial reefs have been deployed along the southern coast of Portugal (Algarve) since 1990 to enhance artisanal fisheries. The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe the colonisation process; (2) assess the role of the artificial reefs in terms of juvenile recruitment and growth and as mating/spawning areas and (3) evaluate the potential of artificial reefs as near shore artisanal fishing grounds for three economically important fish species, Diplodus bellottii (Steindachner), Diplodus sargus (L.) and Diplodus vulgaris (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire). The fish assemblages were monitored after the deployment of a large artificial reef (Faro/Ancão) in 2002. Colonisation rates for the three species were fast. Artificial reefs play a multiple role for Diplodus spp., acting as recruitment, growth and nursery areas for juveniles, and spawning/mating areas for adults, and can thus be considered essential fish habitat. Three months after deployment of the artificial reefs, exploitable biomass was 16, 29 and 8 kg per reef group, respectively, for D. bellotti , D. sargus and D. vulgaris . These results indicate that artificial reefs quickly become good fishing grounds, where suitable financial yields may be obtained by fisher. Moreover, the artificial reefs became new and alternative fishing grounds, allowing reduction of fishing effort over traditional rocky areas that are scarce along the Algarve coast. Management measures for artificial reefs, in terms of fishing strategies, are discussed.     

A socio-economic perspective on gear-based management in an artisanal fishery in south-west Madagascar

Abstract  Artisanal fisheries are important socially, nutritionally and economically. Poverty is common in communities dependent on such fisheries, making sustainable management difficult. Poverty based on material style of life (MSL) was assessed, livelihoods surveyed and the relationship between these factors and fishery data collected using a fish landing study were examined. Species richness, diversity, size and mean trophic level of catches were determined for six fishing gears in an artisanal fishery in south-west Madagascar. There was little livelihood diversification and respondents were highly dependent on the fishery. No relationship was found between poverty and gear use. This suggests that poverty does not have a major impact on the nature of the fishery; however, this study was dominated by poor households, so it remains possible that communities with more variation in wealth might show differences in fishing methods according to this parameter. The fishery was heavily exploited with a predominance of small fish in the catches. Beach seines caught some of the smallest fish, overlapped in selectivity with gill nets and also had the highest catch per fishers. Thus, a reduction in the number of beach seines could help reduce the catch of small fish and the overlap in selectivity among gears.     

人工鱼礁的环境功能与集鱼效果

人工鱼礁是用于改善海域生态环境，建设渔场和增养殖场的人工设施。人工鱼礁投放到海中后，使周围海域的流、光、音、底质等非生物环境发生变化，这种变化又引起生物环境的变化，使水生生物量增大，从而形成良好的渔场或增养殖场，焦鱼效果也非常明显。本文作者综述了人工鱼礁的环境功能和焦鱼效果，并分析了今后人工鱼礁研究的发展趋势，特别是人工鱼礁在海洋生态环境改造方面的应用前景。     

Natural and artificially-induced habitat complexity and freshwater fish species composition

Abstract  The effects of habitat complexity, induced by construction of artificial reefs, on the fish assemblages in the Barra Bonita reservoir, Brazil, and in the lotic zone immediately below the dam were studied. Four artificial reefs were constructed in each habitat at variable distances from the shore. Multiple correspondence analysis showed that the factors distance from the shore and type of habitat were determinants for the group formation, and artificial reefs had a lesser effect. Fish species composition was about the same at locations with and without reefs.     

Artificial Reefs, the Attraction-production Issue, and Density Dependence in Marine Ornamental Fishes

Artificial reefs may provide a useful tool to enhance production of marine ornamentals and to divert detrimental harvesting activities from sensitive natural habitat. The efficacy of this strategy depends, in part, on the extent to which artificial reefs contribute to new production (vs. attract fishes from natural habitat) and therefore benefit harvested populations on a local and regional basis. Here the attraction and production hypotheses and their application to marine ornamentals are presented. Specifically, it is discussed how the strength and timing of density dependence can affect the response of fish population dynamics to artificial reefs. In addition to this discussion, examples of density dependence in marine ornamentals and related reef fishes are provided. Based on this information, a simple conceptual model is presented to clarify the role of density dependence, and this is followed by a discussion on the use of artificial reefs in the management and production of marine ornamentals. Finally, unresolved scientific issues that remain to be addressed are provided.     

Genetic structure of Orbicella faveolata population reveals high connectivity among a marine protected area and Varadero Reef in the Colombian Caribbean

1. The protection of ecosystems with high diversity, such as coral reefs, is not an approach that guarantees their conservation. Thus, maintaining connectivity among coral populations over the long term is a strategy that should be adopted in order to protect diversity and ecological processes. Although coral reefs in Colombia are highly diverse, the population genetics baseline data of keystone species such as Orbicella faveolata are limited.
2. To provide current information about the connectivity between populations of O. faveolata in the Colombian Caribbean, the genetic diversity and distribution of O. faveolata was evaluated with analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), principal components, and migration estimations using 113 genets distributed in six populations. Also, a genetic structure analysis that included the available data for the Caribbean population was conducted, seeking to understand how the Colombian populations relate to the broader region.
3. According to the global fixation index (F_ST) for the Colombian Caribbean, there was no genetic structure (F_ST = 0.002). Discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) showed that Corales del Rosario Archipelago (CR), Este de Isla Fuerte (EIF), San Bernardo Archipelago (SB), and Varadero Reef (VR) were grouped with Oeste de Isla Fuerte (OIF), with Bushnell (BS) representing the most divergent cluster. Migration analysis showed relatively high migration from VR to CR and SB, highlighting the importance of VR as a genetic reservoir for the region. Structure analysis showed that the Colombian population presented a specific genetic identity (F_ST = 0.254), suggesting that the Colombian Caribbean population could be a peripheral population that contributes significantly to genetic variation and is connected through a complex connectivity process.
4. In conclusion, the estimated genetic connectivity reflects the influence of sea surface dynamics over the interpopulation exchange dynamics and the role of protected and nonprotected coral reef in the Colombian Caribbean. Thus, the Colombian Caribbean population of O. faveolata could be relevant to the conservation of genetic diversity on a larger scale.

     

南沙群岛重点岛礁潟湖微型浮游动物的群落结构与摄食

潟湖是岛礁生物多样性演变的重要环境场,在岛礁水生态系统的物质循环和能量流动中发挥重要作用,而微型浮游动物的生态功能研究是解析南沙群岛岛礁水域潟湖生态系统初级生产力组成、流向、能量流动效率的重要研究内容之一。实验通过对南沙群岛重点岛礁渚碧礁、美济礁与永暑礁潟湖表层水域中微型浮游动物与生态环境调查,研究了其群落结构及其与环境因子的关系,并通过稀释培养实验研究了微型浮游动物的摄食压力。结果显示,调查水域共发现微型浮游动物20种,总丰度的范围为320～1 460个/L,以无壳纤毛虫丰度最高。无壳纤毛虫在渚碧礁潟湖西部水域（ZB-1）丰度最高,砂壳纤毛虫峰值则出现在永暑礁潟湖中部水域（YS-3）,桡足类幼体丰度最大值出现在美济礁潟湖北部水域（MJ-2）。聚类分析结果显示,3个岛礁潟湖中部区域的微型浮游动物群落相似度较高,溶解氧是影响群落结构的最重要因素,特别是对MJ-3站位影响最为突出。摄食实验结果显示,3个岛礁潟湖水域浮游植物生长率为0.22～1.36 d^-1;微型浮游动物摄食率范围为0.22～0.60 d^-1,微型浮游动物每天约摄食浮游植物现存量的...     

南沙岛礁周围水域主要鱼类食物网

在南沙岛礁周围水域收集了43种主要鱼类,共940个胃含物,根据对它们的食性分析,并依其食料生物的生态类群以及消化器官特点,一般可划分为浮游生物食性、底栖动物食性、游泳动物食性、浮游生物兼底栖动物食性、底栖动物兼游泳动物食性等5种食性类型。根据食物网中各营养级的相互关系,初步划分为4个营养级,即初级生产者(海洋植物)、草食性动物和杂食性动物、低级肉食性动物和中级肉食性动物、高级肉食性动物。并根据这些营养级的划分,南沙岛礁周围水域43种主要鱼类可分低级肉食性鱼类,中级肉性鱼类和高级肉食性鱼类,它们的比为28105。灰裸顶鲷是南沙岛礁周围水域三重剌网举足轻重的捕捞对象,从食物网的观点出发,应加强灰裸顶鲷幼鱼期敌害鱼和其竞食者的捕捞,为低级肉食性经济鱼类除害,灰裸顶鲷就有可能增加资源量。