Abstract

Daryush Akbar Shokof, Javad Sadeghi and Andre Farahani

Artificial reefs are used as a management tool to compensate for overfishing and anthropogenic degradation. In the present study, to find the best artificial structure for enhancing of fish yields, the values of total fish catch and its seasonal changes were investigated in different forms of artificial structures placed in costal waters of Persian Gulf (Bandar-e-Lengeh-Iran). For this purpose, eight treatments including different forms of artificial reefs, reef ball (RB), fish house (FH), non-designed materials (ND), RB+FH, RB+ND, FH+ND and RB+ND+FH and one control group (C) were established. At each site, the fish sampling were carried out every three months for one year. According to data, total fish catch was higher significantly in RB+ND+FH treatment than in other experimental reef structures. As well as, the total fish yields in spring season were significantly higher than in other seasons. The catch composition data showed that Epinephelus coioides with 65% allocates the main quota of total catch on experimental artificial structures. In conclusion, the results indicated that artificial structures especially a complex of RB+ND+FH are more suitable for enhancing of fish catch successes in inshore waters of Bandar Lengeh.