Effect of angling intensity on feeding behaviour and community structure of subtropical reef-associated fishes

摘要: Baited hooks used in angling may influence foraging behaviour and trophic interactions among reef fishes, which be reinforced over successive generations. In contrast to other scavenging opportunities involving pulsed resources (e.g. food falls), there is an asymmetric susceptibility becoming hooked for species size classes. The resulting effect provoke behavioural changes fishes through cognitive or phenotypic selective processes. We investigated the effects of pressure on feeding community structure reef-associated using a novel underwater video approach. Fish responses simulated baits were assessed at paired sites contrasting Amity Point Ballina, east coast Australia from late 2013 2014. Bait introduction differentially influenced communities according intensity regime. Locations with higher correlated increased hesitation potentially capture-susceptible species, most notably Acanthopagrus australis. hierarchy less dominant feeders their also differed compared those exhibited under lower regimes. Specifically, smaller opportunistic Microcanthus strigatus) that could utilise bait dietary supplementation without risk being able maintain ranks areas subject high due reduced interference competition larger e.g. A. discuss potential complex ecological follow high-intensity activities highlight confounding as focus fish assemblage monitoring.