Indicazioni per la gestione razionale di una barriera artificiale: studio dell'evoluzione del popolamento necto-bentonico

The evolution of nekto-benthic fish assemblage living at an artificial reef located in the central Adriatic Sea was analysed on the basis of catch data obtained through a 10-years fishing survey carried out since reef deployment. Analysis was performed using the ratio between the catches obtained at the artificial reef and at a control site without hard substrates. The monthly data series were seasonally adjusted by Moving Average filter. Mean catch richness reached stabilisation about 3 years after reef deployment with a ratio of 3.5:1. From a quantitative point of view, catch ratio showed a longer period of increase (about 5 years) followed by a levelling on a value of 9:1.