Experimental acoustic telemetry experiment reveals strong site fidelity during the sexual resting period of wild brown meagre, Sciaena umbra

The spatial and temporal patterns exhibited by wild brown meagre, Sciaena umbra, during the sexual resting period were determined using an array of omnidirectional acoustic receivers. In mid-October 2010, four individuals were tagged using internal acoustic tags and released into their natural habitat. Fish were monitored for up to 70 days within the array of the acoustic receivers. The results provided proof for a variety of aspects of the behavioural biology of this species, including strong site-fidelity and low levels of mobility. No temporal patterns related to the diel phase were observed, nor was there any significant difference between the means of detection during the day or night. The observations on the use of space also suggest that the brown meagre is a sedentary species with a very limited adult dispersal capacity, spending much of its time within a small home range area (< 1 km2). However, a larger space was used during the night, suggesting an increase in fish activity. This study also provides recommendations for further research on spatial and temporal patterns over lengthy time periods and in different behavioural states such as during the spawning season.