Artificial Reef Development Along the Atlantic Coast of Guatemala

A visual census of a four year old artificial reef in the Bahia de Amatique off Guatemala\u27s Atlantic coast indicates a substantial standing number of fishes. The fish fauna is comprised chiefly of juvenile grunts (Haemulon aurolineatum; 7.39/m2) accounting for the reef\u27s low species diversity (H\u27 = 0.68). A considerable portion of the assemblage is composed of commercially exploitable adults of Lutjanus griseus (0.38/m2) and Haemulon plumieri (0.03/m2). The proximate grassbeds have large populations of juveniles and small adults of all the commercially exploitable species. Further development of the reef is indicated providing the grassbed biotope remains healthy and fishing pressure does not become excessive

Fish and Macroinvertebrate Evaluation Methods

This chapter discusses the importance and need for evaluating fish and invertebrate faunas associated with artificial reefs, reviews the biotic and abiotic factors impacting the faunas, examines the criteria involved in designing relevant studies, and describes the methods (both destructive and nondestructive) used in assessing faunal assemblages. Terms employed in these studies are defined. This is followed by some actual and hypothetical examples relating to assessment studies. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future needs and directions in artificial reef research

Artificial Reef Development Along the Atlantic Coast of Guatemala

A visual census of a four year old artificial reef in the Bahia de Amatique off Guatemala\u27s Atlantic coast indicates a substantial standing number of fishes. The fish fauna is comprised chiefly of juvenile grunts (Haemulon aurolineatum; 7.39/m2) accounting for the reef\u27s low species diversity (H\u27 = 0.68). A considerable portion of the assemblage is composed of commercially exploitable adults of Lutjanus griseus (0.38/m2) and Haemulon plumieri (0.03/m2). The proximate grassbeds have large populations of juveniles and small adults of all the commercially exploitable species. Further development of the reef is indicated providing the grassbed biotope remains healthy and fishing pressure does not become excessive

A comparative analysis of habitat quality between artificial and natural creeks in the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus

1. In transitional water ecosystems, habitat loss is one of the major threats to fish biodiversity. This is particularly true in the case of temperate salt marshes. Good quality artificial novel habitats may compensate for the loss of natural habitats, acting as a refuge for fish populations. 2. The aim of this study was to use coloured ornamental traits exhibited by the males of a small lagoon-resident fish, the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes, 1821), to assess habitat quality in both the natural and artificial creeks of the Venice lagoon. 3. The conspicuousness of two secondary sexual traits, the yellow/orange caudal fin pigmentation and the contrast between white and dark vertical bars on body sides, proved to be greater in artificial habitats compared to natural salt marshes, highlighting the refuge function of artificial creeks. 4. The use of secondary sexual traits could be extended to other fish species and to other aquatic habitats as a non-invasive approach. This would allow the identification of good quality habitats in the context of fish population management and conservation