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Dryad

Impact of artificial reef deployment on reef fish movement and community assemblages

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Mar 27, 2025 version files 8.97 KB

Abstract

Artificial reefs provide critical habitat for fish in areas lacking benthic structure, yet our understanding of how artificial reefs function and develop is limited. Here, changes in fish community assemblages were monitored using baited remote underwater video (BRUV) surveys before and after a new artificial reef was deployed in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Movement of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) and gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) between nearby oil and gas platforms (n=3) and the new artificial reef was examined using acoustic telemetry, and residency was calculated for fish associated with both structure types. Fish community development at the artificial reef site was slow despite close proximity to existing habitat, and fish communities at the artificial reef site did not differ from control sites (unconsolidated substrate) one year after reef deployment. Residency of red snapper and gray snapper at the artificial reef was surprisingly low with most tagged fish emigrating rapidly, and no tagged fishes from the surrounding platforms were detected moving to the artificial reef during the initial eight months following artificial reef deployment. While residency was much higher at the platforms, a major hurricane (Hurricane Ida) passed directly over the sites and led to large numbers of tagged fishes emigrating from the study area. Results highlight an artificial reef with limited fish community development and low residency after one year despite close proximity to existing habitats. Given the presence of seasonal benthic hypoxia in this region, findings suggest that artificial reefs with limited vertical relief may offer sub-optimal habitat for reef fish in comparison to the substantial vertical relief offered by standing platforms, reducing the potential benefits to reef fish. Given the rapid decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico, this study has significant implications for rigs-to-reefs programs as well as artificial reef siting and design.