Study

Promoting restoration of fish communities using artificial habitats in coastal marinas

  • Published source details Selfati M., El Ouamari N., Lenfant P., Fontcuberta A., Lecaillon G., Mesfioui A., Boissery P. & Bazairi H. (2018) Promoting restoration of fish communities using artificial habitats in coastal marinas. Biological Conservation, 219, 89-95.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Create small adjoining cavities or ‘swimthrough’ habitats (≤100 mm) on subtidal artificial structures

Action Link
Biodiversity of Marine Artificial Structures
  1. Create small adjoining cavities or ‘swimthrough’ habitats (≤100 mm) on subtidal artificial structures

    A replicated study in 2014–2015 on subtidal pontoons in a marina in the Alboran Sea, Morocco (Selfati et al. 2018) found that small swimthrough habitats created under pontoons were used by seven species of juvenile fishes. After 12 months, 34 juvenile mottled groupers (Mycteroperca rubra) and 28 juvenile dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) were recorded on and around swimthrough habitats (Biohuts). Juveniles of three seabream species (Diplodus sargus, Diplodus cervinus, Sarpa salpa), European bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and mullet (Mugilidae) were also recorded on and around swimthroughs. On average, there were 3 juveniles/Biohut. Small swimthrough habitats were created in June 2014 by attaching steel cages containing oyster shells (Biohuts) beneath pontoons. Fifty Biohuts (height: 0.8 m; length: 0.5 m; width: 0.3 m; mesh size: 25–50 mm) were attached at 1 m depth beneath pontoons (arrangement not reported). Juvenile fishes were counted on and around Biohuts after 12 months.

    (Summarised by: Ally Evans)

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