Effects of an artificial reef system on demersal nekton assemblages in Xiangshan Bay, China

An evaluation method for determining the optimal structure of artificial reefs based on their flow field effects

“…The ratio of the Reynolds number in the simulations to the actual Reynolds number was 0.889. Many studies have confirmed that the hydrodynamic performance of artificial reefs does not change significantly within a certain range of Reynolds numbers (Liu et al, 2013;Jiang et al, 2016;Kim et al, 2019). Therefore, the simulations reflect similar flow-field characteristics of the ARs.…”

“…According to this criterion, the upwelling and back vortex flow are crucial indices to evaluate the flow field effect of AR. Upwelling is formed on the stoss side of the AR, which can promote the transportation and exchange of nutrients, increase the diffusion of bait organisms, and improve the natural habitat (Jiang et al, 2016). The back vortex flow is formed on the lee side of the AR, which provides energy saving, sheltering, feeding stopover, and spawning space for marine creatures (Kim et al, 2019).…”

Quantitative assessment of fish assemblages on artificial reefs using acoustic and conventional netting methods, in Xiangshan Bay, Zhejiang Province, China

“…Xiangshan Bay, in Zhejiang Province, eastern China (121°33′54″–121°35′42″ E, 29°29′42″–29°30′24″ N) (Figure 1), is a highly productive nursery area for many commercially important fish species but is subject to increasingly strong anthropogenic pressure. With the objectives of preserving the fish populations and sustainable development of the fisheries, artificial reefs were installed, in April 2012, by the Ningbo Ocean & Fishery Bureau (Jiang et al., 2016; Yuan et al., 2013). The artificial reefs consist of 1,015 concrete blocks creating a cuboid (2.5 × 2.5 × 2 m) or hexagonal prism‐shape (prism side 2.5 m, height 3.57 m), distributed in seven, separate, replicate groups.…”

“…A pilot project was initiated in Xiangshan Bay to prevent further depletion of the already declining fisheries resources and to protect nursery areas crucial to several commercially important species. This pilot project to construct artificial reefs in the bay began with the deployment of a series of cuboid‐ and hexagonal prism‐shaped artificial reefs in April 2012 (Jiang et al., 2016; Wang, Zhang, Wang, Zhao, et al, 2010; Yuan et al., 2011). The impact of artificial reefs on the composition of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic communities has been described in connection with the pre‐ and post‐deployment of artificial reefs in the study area (Chen et al., 2013, 2014; Liao et al., 2014).…”

“…To quantitatively assess the efficacy of newly installed artificial reef structures, we investigated temporal variations in the diversity, fish biomass, and species richness of fish communities by using acoustic methods and bottom trammel nets (Yuan et al., 2013). Additionally, a before‐and‐after impact analysis involving control sites was used to clarify the impact of artificial reefs on demersal nekton assemblages in the same area (Jiang et al., 2016).…”