Fish attraction to artificial reefs not always harmful: a simulation study

摘要: The debate on whether artificial reefs produce new fish or simply attract existing biomass continues due to the difficulty in distinguishing these processes, and there remains considerable doubt as are a harmful form of habitat modification. harm typically associated with attraction is that will be easier harvest aggregating at newly deployed reef. This outcome has not progressed past an anecdotal form, however, always perceived process. We present numerical model simulates effect redistributed biomass, reef, fishing catch per unit effort (CPUE). can used identify scenarios (in terms fish, characteristics) pose most risk exploitation attraction. properties this were compared long-standing predictions by Bohnsack (1989) factors increase Simulations revealed because it does maximum density. Rather, sometimes disperses making them harder catch. Some ideal, CPUE lowest when leads equal distribution between natural reefs. also showed outcomes from depend characteristics target species, such transient pelagic species often more than resident species. Our findings generally agree Bohnsack's predictions, although we recommend "mobility" "fidelity" identifying attraction, traits had great influence patterns attracted biomass.