The Impacts of Artificial Reefs on the Income of Artisanal Fishers in Terengganu, Malaysia

AbstractOffshore wind farms (OWFs) act as artificial reefs, attracting high abundances of fish, which could potentially increase their local production. This study investigates the feeding ecology of fish species that abundantly occur at artificial habitats, such as OWFs, by examining the short- and the long-term dietary composition of five species: the benthopelagic Gadus morhua and Trisopterus luscus, the pelagic Scomber scombrus and Trachurus trachurus, and the benthic Myoxocephalus scorpioides. We conducted combined stomach content and stable isotope analyses to examine the short- and the time-integrated dietary composition, respectively. Our results indicated that benthopelagic and benthic species utilize artificial reefs, such as OWFs, as feeding grounds for a prolonged period, since both analyses indicated that they exploit fouling organisms occurring exclusively on artificial hard substrates. Trachurus trachurus only occasionally uses artificial reefs as oases of highly abundant resources. Scomber scombrus does not feed on fouling fauna and therefore its augmented presence in OWFs is probably related to reasons other than the enhanced food availability. The long-termed feeding preferences of benthic and benthopelagic species contribute to the hypothesis that the artificial reefs of OWFs could potentially increase the fish production in the area. However, this was not supported for the pelagic species.

Download Full-text

Marine artificial reefs, a meta-analysis of their design, objectives and effectiveness

Global Ecology and Conservation ◽

10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01538 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

pp. e01538 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Baptiste Vivier ◽

Jean-Claude Dauvin ◽

Maxime Navon ◽

Anne-Marie Rusig ◽

Isabelle Mussio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Artificial Reefs

Download Full-text

A “new normality” for small-scale artisanal Fishers? The case of unregulated fisheries during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Bahía Blanca estuary (SW Atlantic Ocean)

Ocean & Coastal Management ◽

10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105585 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 206 ◽

pp. 105585

Author(s):

Daniela M. Truchet ◽

Natalia S. Buzzi ◽

M. Belén Noceti

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Ocean ◽

Small Scale ◽

Bahía Blanca Estuary ◽

Artisanal Fishers ◽

Sw Atlantic ◽

Blanca Estuary

Download Full-text

Ichthyological ethnoknowledge of the “piabeiros” from the Amazon region, Brazil

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine ◽

10.1186/s13002-021-00468-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel da Silva Ladislau ◽

Maiko Willas Soares Ribeiro ◽

Philip Dalbert da Silva Castro ◽

Jackson Pantoja-Lima ◽

Paulo Henrique Rocha Aride ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fish Species ◽

Local Ecological Knowledge ◽

Middle Part ◽

Ornamental Fish ◽

Ecological Knowledge ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Economic Activities ◽

Negro River ◽

Artisanal Fishers ◽

Ecological Aspects

Abstract Background The capture of ornamental fish is one of the main economic activities of riverine families in the Amazon. However, studies regarding the local ecological knowledge of workers in this activity are still incipient. In view of this, we have studied and explored the local ecological knowledge of artisanal fishers who specialize in the capture of fish for the aquarium trade in the middle part of the Negro River basin and investigated issues related to the ecological aspects of the fish species that are targeted by this trade in the region. Methods Therefore, we conducted semi-structured interviews and applied questionnaires to artisanal fishers of ornamental fish (N = 89), from the municipality of Barcelos, from January to April 2016. Results In total, 41 popular names were cited, which correspond to four ethnocategories and 10 families. The main species were Paracheirodon axelrodi (12.5%), Hemigrammus bleheri (8.3%), Ancistrus dolichopterus (6.4%), Symphysodon discus (5.3%), and Potamotrygon motoro (3.8%). According to the fishers, the species of fish known in the region as “piabas” have a preference for living in clusters (28.9%) and carry out migratory movements (26.1%). The diet of local fish species reported by fisheries is diverse, though mainly based on periphyton (42.2%), and the reproductive cycle directly influenced by the period of flooding of rivers in the region (37.6%) Conclusion Our study revealed that the fishers possess information on the ecological aspects of local ornamental fish species, many of which are consistent with scientific literature. The information presented may assist in the decision-making process for the management of local fishery resources and contribute to the resumption of growth and sustainability in the capture of ornamental fish.

Download Full-text