Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
2008, Vol 8, Num, 1 (Pages: 79-085)
Diel Variations on the Fish Assemblages at Artificial Reefs in Two Different Environments of the Aegean Sea (Western Coast of Turkey)
Altan Lök 1 ,Benal Gül 1 ,Ali Ulaş 1 ,F. Ozan Düzbastılar 1 ,Cengiz Metin 1
1 Ege University, Faculty of Fisheries, Bornova, 35100, İzmir, Turkey
Viewed :
4271
-
Downloaded :
2936
Determination of diel variations of fish assemblages around artificial reefs may provide a better understanding of the
ecological and biological process occurring in these man-made structures, as well as more accurate evaluation of their
effectiveness. The aim of this study was to determine the diel variations of the fish assemblages on artificial reefs on muddy
and sea grass meadow areas of Western coast of Turkey (Aegean Sea). To determine the diel variations, visual census were
conducted according to a time schedule (06:00-07:00, 12:00-13:00, 18:00-19:00 and 24:00-01:00) by SCUBA divers in
August 2004. Counts were made as three replicates during each time period. A total of 27 fish species belonging to 10
families were recorded in DAR. At GÜAR, 27 fish species belonging to 13 families were recorded. The lowest species (3 in
both sites) and individual numbers (4 in GÜAR and 9 in DAR) were recorded at night (24:00-01:00 period) observations in
both sites while the highest numbers were recorded at 06:00-07:00 at DAR (16 species and 838 individuals) and at 12:00-
13:00 at GÜAR (11 species and 1068 individuals). Biomass values changed between 293 g and 20,600 g in DAR. The lowest
value recorded at night and highest value at 12:00-13:00 period. In GÜAR, the lowest and the highest values were recorded
during morning observations. In result of study, it was found that fish assemblages showed significant diel variations in both
environments.
Keywords :
fish composition, visual census, artificial reef, Aegean Sea