Revisiting an artificial reef after 10 years: What has changed and what remains the same?

To overcome anthropogenic impacts which have reduced fisheries productivity due to habitat limitations, artificial reefs have been deployed in increasing numbers throughout the world. A significant body of research has been undertaken to evaluate the response of fish assemblages to reef deployments, however the majority of these studies only cover the first year post-deployment. The few studies spanning 10 years or more suggest these time frames are required to properly document the performance of artificial reefs. We monitored artificial reefs, deployed to enhance recreational fisheries, over two time periods separated by 10 years, with each period lasting two years. In the first two years the fish assemblage on artificial reefs was distinct to those on nearby natural reefs, with this pattern found to remain consistent after 10 years. Recreationally important species were recorded during the first two years, however the abundances of some increased after 10 years and additional species targeted by anglers were only observed during the latter sampling period. No decline in the abundances of recreationally important species were recorded after 10 years. Despite a lack of convergence with fish assemblages at natural reefs, the artificial reefs continued to meet their pre-deployment goals of enhancing local recreational fisheries.

Automated summary

Artificial reefs are deployed to overcome habitat limitations and enhance fisheries productivity. A study spanning 10 years shows that artificial reefs continue to meet their goals by enhancing recreational fisheries, with no decline in the abundances of important species and an increase in some species.