Assessment of French artificial reefs: due to limitations of research, trends may be misleading

Abstract

Artificial reefs have been deployed in France since 1968 with the principal objective of enhancing success and continuity of artisanal fishing. Over 50 % of the volume of reef material has been deployed since 2000. Because of significant expansion of reef construction and availability of new research results concerning their performance since the late 1990s, we examined status and trends of French artificial reefs. Since the review of Barnabé et al. (Artificial reefs in European seas, 2000), 35 reports have been published and are analyzed here. Fish assemblages on artificial reefs have been the focus of ecological research, with emphasis on species richness and abundance. Fish production has been associated with the age of artificial reefs and the reef’s structural complexity. The perception of stakeholders toward artificial reefs is a notable area of investigation. Economic studies are absent. Other developments in French artificial reefs over the last 10–15 years include the discontinued use of waste materials in reef construction, more directed design of reef structure, and the inclusion of additional objectives concerning biodiversity and recreation. Recommendations here include development of long-term ecological studies of artificial reefs and the evaluation of fishery production, including issues such as trophic dynamics, ecological connectivity of habitats, and socio-economic studies.