Fish assemblage in the Hairtail Protected Area, East China Sea in relation to environmental variables

The East China Sea (ECS) supports some of the most important fisheries and stocks of China. The rapid economic development and subsequent multiple pressures led to a concomitant decline of fisheries resources. To protect and restore the fisheries resources the Government has implemented the Hairtail Protected Area (HPA) in 2008. In 2012-2013 we conducted spring and autumn surveys using bottom trawling to investigate the effects of protected policy on fisheries recovery in the HPA. Species richness and composition were determined. A total of 138 fish species were collected, belonging to 2 classes, 17 orders and 57 families. Fish biomass and abundance increased in autumn and decreased in spring. Eight species were considered as dominant species, respectively accounting for 51.4% in 2012 and 48.6% in 2013 of the total biomass. Except Trichiurus lepturus and Harpogon nehereus, the dominant species were replaced by small-sized species, and the dominant species in HPA showed obviously seasonal turnover. Temperature was the most influential variable to shape the fish assemblage in the HPA. Salinity was also important in determining fish composition except in spring 2012. This study provides information for strategizing management of HPA.