The impact of artificial-reef fish assemblages on their potential forage area

Artificial reef fish assemblages have the potential to alter the trophic structure of the nearby fauna by changing the available forage food. As the number and biomass of fish attracted to artificial reefs increases, they can reduce the potential energy available to sustain the assemblage. During 1994 we investigated the impact that artificial reef assemblages had on the proximate infauna in the forage area immediately surrounding several artificial reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The forage community parameters (number of individuals, taxonomic richness, biomass, and diversity) were compared from areas which had no reefs to areas around reefs. Our analysis indicates there was considerable variation in the infauna in all areas. The number of individuals was lower near the reefs but was at the background level about 80 m from the reefs. Number of taxa was lower next to the reef and increased slightly away from the reefs but was much lower than background species richness. Species diversity was higher in the area near the reefs. To optimize the potential yield from artificial reefs, managers should recognize the potential impact that the reef fish assemblage can have on the available food resources needed to sustain a viable artificial reef fish assemblage.