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  • 1
    In: Marine and Coastal Fisheries, Wiley, Vol. 9, No. 1 ( 2017-01), p. 404-418
    Abstract: Artificial reefs are commonly created with the goal of enhancing fish populations. However, many studies evaluating their effects on these populations have been hindered by a lack of preconstruction data from existing natural habitats and temporal comparisons with control areas. Here, we present findings from a before–after control–impact study designed to assess the effects of a new artificial reef on fish populations in the western Gulf of Mexico. Vertical line and fish traps were used to sample the reef site and a paired control site with soft bottom substrates for 1 year before and 2 years after reef construction. Prior to reef construction in October 2013, and over bare substrates in general, infrequent catches of sea catfishes and small coastal sharks were observed. With the exception of rare occurrences of juvenile Gray Triggerfish Balistes capriscus and Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus , which were observed only during the summer recruitment season, the control site exhibited a lack of reef species. In contrast, we documented dramatic increases in the frequency of occurrence and abundance of multiple reef species at the reef site following the addition of structured habitat. Distinct cohorts of Red Snapper could be followed through time suggesting site fidelity, and few fish greater than age 2 years were captured indicating limited migration of older fish from other areas. Given that the reef supported high densities of juvenile Red Snapper that were in good condition, growing quickly, and protected from potential shrimp trawl mortality, export of juveniles (i.e., production) to the adult population was evident and likely greater on a per‐unit‐area basis than for the control site. Our study highlights the potential benefits of artificial reefs to species like Red Snapper; however, future studies should investigate the relative roles of emigration and fishing mortality to better understand the effects of these structures on reef fish population dynamics.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1942-5120 , 1942-5120
    Language: English
    Publisher: Wiley
    Publication Date: 2017
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2483227-3
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  • 2
    In: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, Wiley, Vol. 146, No. 4 ( 2017-07), p. 762-777
    Abstract: Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus support economically important fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and have been classified as overfished since the first stock assessment was conducted in 1988. Although the stock is now showing signs of recovery, management could benefit from a better understanding of regional or even habitat‐level differences in stock demographics, as these dynamics ultimately determine overall stock productivity. From 2012 to 2014, we used a fishery‐independent vertical line survey to assess Red Snapper relative abundance, size and age structure, and growth parameters at standing oil and gas platforms, decommissioned platform artificial reefs, and natural banks in the western GOM. We captured 1,170 Red Snapper ranging from 275 to 855 mm TL. Vertical line CPUE data showed no differences among the three habitat types. Ages determined for 1,143 individuals ranged from 2 to 30 years; however, most (90%) were younger than age 8. Size and age frequencies revealed that natural banks supported a greater proportion of large and relatively old fish compared to standing platforms or artificial reefs, although this difference was heavily influenced by a single bank that had significantly larger and older Red Snapper than other sites. Mean age was not significantly different among habitat types. Among a suite of growth models fitted to size‐at‐age data, the logistic model provided the best fit and suggested that fish from artificial reefs reached larger sizes at age than fish from either standing platforms or natural banks. Our study provides the first estimates of habitat‐specific growth parameters for Red Snapper in the western GOM, and this information can benefit future stock assessments. This study also highlights the potential benefits of artificial reefs to Red Snapper and indicates that all habitats could contribute similarly to stock productivity on a per‐unit‐area basis. Received December 21, 2016; accepted March 14, 2017 Published online May 26, 2017
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0002-8487 , 1548-8659
    Language: English
    Publisher: Wiley
    Publication Date: 2017
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2192460-0
    SSG: 12
    SSG: 21,3
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  • 3
    In: Marine and Coastal Fisheries, Wiley, Vol. 9, No. 1 ( 2017-01), p. 170-189
    Abstract: Oil and gas platforms along the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) shelf have served as artificial reefs since oil and gas exploration intensified in the 1950s. As these structures are decommissioned, they must be removed; however, some are converted to permanent artificial reefs. Despite the potential effects these artificial habitats may have on marine fisheries, investigations that assess the fish communities inhabiting these structures relative to natural habitats are rare. During fall 2012, we used remotely operated vehicle surveys to compare fish communities between artificial reefs (i.e., reefed platforms; n = 5) and adjacent natural banks (n = 5) in the western GOM. Our surveys successfully documented 79 species representing 28 families. Multivariate analyses suggested that fish communities at artificial reefs were distinct from those at natural banks. Post hoc analyses indicated that the differences were driven by high abundances of transient, midwater pelagics and other gregarious species at artificial reefs. Many fisheries species, like the Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus , were found in both habitat types, with density at artificial reefs estimated to be nearly eight times greater than at natural banks. Despite lower densities at natural banks, the disproportionately large areas of these habitats resulted in relatively high total abundance estimates—approximately 5% of the 2012 GOM Red Snapper annual catch limit (3.67 million kg [8.08 million lb])—a finding that has significant implications for Red Snapper and artificial reef management in the GOM. Our study suggests that although fish community structure may differ between these two habitats, artificial reefs serve as important habitat for species like Red Snapper by potentially diverting fishing pressure from natural habitats; however, future studies that address species‐specific life history traits will be needed to better understand the function and performance of artificial reefs in supporting fisheries productivity.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1942-5120 , 1942-5120
    Language: English
    Publisher: Wiley
    Publication Date: 2017
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2483227-3
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  • 4
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC ; 2022
    In:  Environmental Biology of Fishes Vol. 105, No. 9 ( 2022-09), p. 1237-1249
    In: Environmental Biology of Fishes, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 105, No. 9 ( 2022-09), p. 1237-1249
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0378-1909 , 1573-5133
    Language: English
    Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    Publication Date: 2022
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    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1497685-7
    SSG: 21,3
    SSG: 12
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  • 5
    In: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, Wiley, Vol. 147, No. 6 ( 2018-11), p. 1030-1041
    Abstract: Energy exploration in the Gulf of Mexico (hereafter, Gulf) has resulted in the addition of numerous oil and gas production platforms that create structurally complex habitat in an area otherwise dominated by barren mud/sand bottom. How these artificial structures affect fish populations is largely unknown, and there is ongoing debate regarding their value as surrogate habitats for ecologically and economically important reef fish species. Thus, the purpose of this study was to characterize trends in Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus reproductive potential in the western Gulf at oil and gas platform reefs relative to reproductive potential at natural banks. Red Snapper ( n  = 1,585) were collected during 2013–2015 from standing platforms, decommissioned platform artificial reefs, and natural banks by using standardized vertical line gear. Comparisons of gonadosomatic index, male : female ratios, batch fecundity, annual fecundity, spawning frequency, and number of spawning‐capable individuals indicated that Red Snapper reproductive biology was similar among natural bank, standing platform, and artificial reef habitats. These results suggest that in terms of reproductive output, fish inhabiting artificial reefs are functionally similar to similar‐aged fish on natural banks. This work can be used to make informed management decisions and suggests that there are benefits to converting decommissioned platforms into designated artificial reefs. Future studies should consider site‐specific characteristics, such as depth, vertical relief, and proximity to other structures, to elucidate how habitat characteristics may influence reproduction, ultimately improving future artificial reef deployments for fisheries enhancement in the western Gulf.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0002-8487 , 1548-8659
    URL: Issue
    Language: English
    Publisher: Wiley
    Publication Date: 2018
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2192460-0
    SSG: 12
    SSG: 21,3
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  • 6
    In: Journal of Fish Biology, Wiley, Vol. 96, No. 2 ( 2020-02), p. 434-443
    Abstract: Two different methods, metagenetics and free‐otolith identification, were used to identify prey in the stomach contents of 531 Gymnura lessae captured by trawling in Mobile Bay, Alabama 2016–2018. Both methods were found to produce analogous results and were therefore combined into a single complete dataset. All prey were teleosts; the families Sciaenidae and Engraulidae were the most important prey (prey specie index of relative importance 89.3% I PSRI ). Multivariate analyses indicated that the diet of G. lessae varied with sex and seasonality. Specifically, variability was probably due to morphologically larger females consuming larger teleost prey species compared with males, whereas seasonal variability was probably due to changes in the available prey community composition. The findings indicate that both metagenetics and free otolith identification, used independently or complementarily, offer robust means of characterising dietary habits for teleost‐specialised species such as G. lessae , which may play an important role in the structure and maintenance of coastal food webs such as those in Mobile Bay.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0022-1112 , 1095-8649
    URL: Issue
    Language: English
    Publisher: Wiley
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 410564-3
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1471958-7
    SSG: 21,3
    SSG: 12
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  • 7
    In: Global Change Biology, Wiley, Vol. 28, No. 11 ( 2022-06), p. 3515-3536
    Abstract: Offshore platforms, subsea pipelines, wells and related fixed structures supporting the oil and gas (O & G) industry are prevalent in oceans across the globe, with many approaching the end of their operational life and requiring decommissioning. Although structures can possess high ecological diversity and productivity, information on how they interact with broader ecological processes remains unclear. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the role of O & G infrastructure in maintaining, altering or enhancing ecological connectivity with natural marine habitats. There is a paucity of studies on the subject with only 33 papers specifically targeting connectivity and O & G structures, although other studies provide important related information. Evidence for O & G structures facilitating vertical and horizontal seascape connectivity exists for larvae and mobile adult invertebrates, fish and megafauna; including threatened and commercially important species. The degree to which these structures represent a beneficial or detrimental net impact remains unclear, is complex and ultimately needs more research to determine the extent to which natural connectivity networks are conserved, enhanced or disrupted. We discuss the potential impacts of different decommissioning approaches on seascape connectivity and identify, through expert elicitation, critical knowledge gaps that, if addressed, may further inform decision making for the life cycle of O & G infrastructure, with relevance for other industries (e.g. renewables). The most highly ranked critical knowledge gap was a need to understand how O & G structures modify and influence the movement patterns of mobile species and dispersal stages of sessile marine species. Understanding how different decommissioning options affect species survival and movement was also highly ranked, as was understanding the extent to which O & G structures contribute to extending species distributions by providing rest stops, foraging habitat, and stepping stones. These questions could be addressed with further dedicated studies of animal movement in relation to structures using telemetry, molecular techniques and movement models. Our review and these priority questions provide a roadmap for advancing research needed to support evidence‐based decision making for decommissioning O & G infrastructure.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1354-1013 , 1365-2486
    URL: Issue
    Language: English
    Publisher: Wiley
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2020313-5
    SSG: 12
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  • 8
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC ; 2020
    In:  Marine Biology Vol. 167, No. 12 ( 2020-12)
    In: Marine Biology, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 167, No. 12 ( 2020-12)
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0025-3162 , 1432-1793
    Language: English
    Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1117-4
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1459413-4
    SSG: 12
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  • 9
    In: Zootaxa, Magnolia Press, Vol. 4286, No. 4 ( 2017-07-04)
    Abstract: In 2007, three rays identified as Rhinoptera brasiliensis based on tooth series counts were captured in the northern Gulf of Mexico, a region far outside their accepted range of the coastal waters of southern Brazil. Genetic analyses confirmed that these individuals were distinct from R. bonasus, the only recognized indigenous rhinopterid in the Gulf of Mexico. Further analyses of over 250 specimens confirmed the widespread occurrence of two species in the northern Gulf of Mexico and revealed that the anomalous individuals related most closely to vouchered specimens of R. brasiliensis from Brazil. Discriminant function analyses of morphological data identified several potential discriminating characters, but the degree of overlap of the measurements and counts between the two species rendered most impractical for identification purposes. However, the shape of the supracranial fontanelle appeared to be consistently reliable in differentiating between the two species. Tooth series counts (R. bonasus = 5 to 15, R. brasiliensis = usually 7 to 13) were significantly different between the two species but exhibited considerable overlap. This is the first study to verify the occurrence of R. brasiliensis in the northern Gulf of Mexico; however, the close genetic relationships to other rhinopterid species, as well as the morphological similarity of the group as a whole, require additional research. 
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1175-5334 , 1175-5326
    URL: Issue
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: Magnolia Press
    Publication Date: 2017
    SSG: 12
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  • 10
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC ; 2016
    In:  Estuaries and Coasts Vol. 39, No. 4 ( 2016-7), p. 1234-1248
    In: Estuaries and Coasts, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 39, No. 4 ( 2016-7), p. 1234-1248
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1559-2723 , 1559-2731
    Language: English
    Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    Publication Date: 2016
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2229170-2
    SSG: 12
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