dc.description.abstract | Artificial reefs attract fish, but whether or not actual production occurs remains
unclear. To examine this question, fish and epibenthic assemblages were compared
between reefs with and without copper-based anti-fouling paint treatment. Artificial reefs
(n = 60) were constructed approximately 28 km south of Dauphin Island, Alabama, in the
Hugh Swingle reef-building zone. Twenty reefs (n = 20) were constructed during
October 2005 (Reef Set 1), and forty reefs (n = 40) were constructed during July 2006
(Reef Set 2). Each reef consisted of twelve concrete blocks (20 X 20 X 41 cm) with four
break-away sample bricks arranged on a plywood base (1.48 m2) that were placed on the
bottom at 20 m depths. Half of the reefs (n = 30) were coated with copper-based
anti-fouling paint and the other half (n = 30) were left unpainted. Reef Set 1 was
surveyed 1 week, 2, 7, 10, and 14 months after deployment, and Reef Set 2 was surveyed
11 months after deployment. During each survey, two SCUBA divers visually estimated
the abundance and size of all fish species. Break-away sample bricks were removed from
reefs for later identification and measurement of epibenthic organisms.
Copper painted reefs showed significantly lower mean total epibenthos coverage,
biomass, diversity, and richness compared to unpainted reefs. Epibenthic assemblages
also showed significant patterns of succession over the duration of the study period and
no “climax” was reached. Observed patterns in fish recruitment were correlated with
epibenthic assemblages on artificial reefs. Mean total fish abundance, diversity, and
richness were significantly greater on unpainted compare to painted reefs. Red snapper,
Lutjanus campechanus (Poey); wrasse, Halichoeres spp., (Rüppell); bank sea bass,
Centropristis ocyurus (Jordan & Evermann); rock sea bass, Centropristis philadelphica
(L.); blenny, Blenniidae spp.; and Atlantic spadefish, Chaetodipterus faber (Broussonet),
showed significantly higher abundances on unpainted versus painted reefs. Additionally,
fish assemblages showed significant seasonal patterns with time. This study showed that
epibenthic assemblages affected recruitment of fishes to artificial reefs. Since these
epibenthos are known food items for many reef fishes, our findings support the
contention that artificial reefs result in increased fish production, not simply attraction. | en_US |