Abstract
The perceived value of oyster reefs as fish habitat has led to many restoration projects in areas of historically high oyster populations. This study evaluated fish usage of a limestone cobble mimic oyster reef in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, as compared to a mud-bottom reference site. Emphasis was given to species of economic and ecological importance, including spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), and bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli). There were no observed differences in community structure or catch per unit effort (CPUE) between habitats, likely due to high variability in the data, though seasonal differences were observed. CPUE of spotted seatrout, Atlantic croaker, and bay anchovy did not differ between habitats. Seasonal differences in abundance were detected, with significantly higher CPUE of spotted seatrout in summer, of Atlantic croaker in spring and summer, and of bay anchovy in winter. Spotted seatrout and Atlantic croaker were both significantly larger over the artificial reef, while bay anchovy were significantly larger over the mud bottom. Spotted seatrout, a prized recreational fishing species in Louisiana, appeared to be the only species that showed higher biomass, determined by numbers and size, at the the artificial reef. This is important in the context of managing habitat enhancement projects. While the reef did not increase numbers or species richness of the overall fish community, it did have an effect on one recreationally important species. Therefore, the success of such projects is based as much on the intended purpose, as its affect on the overall community.
Highlights
The loss of coastal marine habitats has been described as one of the greatest threats to the viability of commercial and recreational fisheries [1]
Degradation of estuarine habitats has led to numerous restoration projects throughout the United States, including the addition of artificial reef structures both to mitigate the loss of natural reef habitat and to enhance fish habitat [3,4,5,6]
The analysis of species richness, which was determined from the combination of nets, was limited to sampling events in which both gears were available
Summary
The loss of coastal marine habitats has been described as one of the greatest threats to the viability of commercial and recreational fisheries [1]. With the current shift in emphasis towards ecosystem based fisheries management, it is important to understand how habitat loss and habitat restoration will affect associated fish communities [2]. Degradation of estuarine habitats has led to numerous restoration projects throughout the United States, including the addition of artificial reef structures both to mitigate the loss of natural reef habitat and to enhance fish habitat [3,4,5,6]. Inshore artificial reefs in the northern GOM are generally created to replace shellfish habitat that is lost due to harvest and to enhance fisheries opportunities [10]. These reef structures may provide ecosystem functions for the associated fish assemblages that are similar to natural habitat
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