Marine Artificial Reef Research and Development: Integrating Fisheries Management Objectives

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Artificial Reef ◽  
Artificial Reefs ◽  
Research Division ◽  
Pvc Pipe ◽  
Marine Engineering ◽  
Design And Construction

<em>Abstract</em>.—Research and development (R&D) on the design and construction of artificial reefs in Malaysia was initiated by researchers from the Fisheries Research Institute, Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DoFM) based in Penang in 1975. Initially, R&D only focused on simple designs and construction using discarded tires, wooden fishing boats, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, reinforced concrete, and ceramic sewerage pipe. These reefs were used in fisheries management to maximize resource enhancement, resource conservation, and habitat rehabilitation and mitigation, as well as being an aid to alleviate the problem of depleting fish resources in coastal waters. However, in 2006, the DoFM made a major policy change in the design and construction materials of artificial reefs in the country. The focus was to construct large, heavy, and robust artificial reefs using durable materials such as reinforced concrete and steel to deter the encroachment of destructive fishing gears, especially trawlers, along the coastal and in marine protected areas. These new artificial reefs addressed several issues, such as fish behavior, target species, physical oceanography, and marine engineering, in their design. The reinforced concrete artificial reefs were built according to the British Standard 8110 under the supervision of officers from the Engineering Division and Research Division of the DoFM. Presently, the DoFM has designed 21 types of artificial reefs that have been deployed at 130 selected locations in Malaysia. This paper reviews the progress of R&D on the design and construction of artificial reefs using tires, wooden fishing boats, reinforced concrete, PVC pipe, ceramic materials, and steel in Malaysia between 1975 and 2017.

Marine Artificial Reef Research and Development: Integrating Fisheries Management Objectives

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Artificial Reef ◽  
Oil Extraction ◽  
Artificial Reefs ◽  
Fish Schools ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Species Being ◽  
Hard Substrates

<em>Abstract</em>.—It is well known that offshore gas and oil extraction platforms act as artificial reefs that create a haven for finfish species. Being attracted to hard substrates, fish schools usually aggregate around the jackets or legs of the platforms where they are afforded some protection from predators and benefit from high concentrations of prey and smaller organisms foraging in the area. However, even though higher fish densities are reported near the structures, behavior and movements of fish schools around the platforms have not yet been properly investigated.

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.

scholarly journals Artificial Reefs and People: How We Create Them and How They Affect Us

EDIS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Lisa Chong ◽  
Keith Mille ◽  
Holly Abeels ◽  
Victor Blanco ◽  
Ed Camp
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Artificial Reef ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Coastal Communities ◽  
Artificial Reefs ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Ecological Aspects ◽  
The World

Artificial reefs are constructed to provide several important ecosystem services to coastal communities and fisheries around the world, and their deployment results in significant socio-ecological and economic effects. To understand these effects, this document gives an overview of the agencies and people involved in the use of artificial reefs, how the implementation of these reefs influences their perception, and what issues are associated with their deployment. This document also specifically describes the process by which most artificial reefs are implemented in Florida. While there is extensive research on ecological aspects of artificial reefs and reef fish, there is a need for more research on the effects of the implementation of artificial reefs on humans and the coastal communities and how their respective experiences and perceptions influence artificial reef and fisheries management actions and involvement.

Marine Artificial Reef Research and Development: Integrating Fisheries Management Objectives

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Artificial Reef ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Red Snapper ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Artificial Reefs ◽  
Lutjanus Campechanus ◽  
Management Objectives

<em>Abstract</em>.—Identifying morphometrics, age composition, and growth of Red Snapper <em>Lutjanus campechanus </em>(Poey, 1860) in the Gulf of Mexico is crucial for management of this valuable species. Red Snapper are highly associated with artificial reefs situated off the coast of Texas. Artificial reefs, two in federal waters (offshore) and two in state waters (inshore), were sampled quarterly from December 2014 through December 2016. Characteristic differences in age and growth patterns at inshore and offshore sites and across sampled sites were compared. Mean ± standard deviation was calculated for total length (TL), weight, and biological age. Red Snapper collected averaged 464.5 ± 92.6 mm in TL, 1.62 ± 1.03 kg, and 3.8 ± 1.5 years. Significant differences in TL, weight, and age were observed across sites but not between inshore and offshore locations. In comparing 12 previous Red Snapper length-at-age (0–25 years) studies across the Gulf of Mexico, results were similar except for two studies significantly different from one another, but none with respect to our study. Our findings suggest that Red Snapper populations are young and restricted to one or two spawning years before capture on artificial reefs. Continued management of fisheries associated with these reefs are necessary to increase the stock and eventually lead to robust and sustainable fisheries.

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