Attraction vs Production debate. Indirect evidences of increased biomass

Despite the high number of studies on fish assemblages associated with artificial habitats, little information exists on the role of artificial reefs in enhancing fish biomass. Direct estimation of biomass increase is difficult because AHs are open-systems in connection with the open sea. However, evidence of some processes such as increased growth rate, greater food availability and, hence, minor consumption of energy to find food items, can indirectly demonstrate that AHs can contribute to increase fish biomass. The presentation will provide a few examples on the role of AHs in enhancing production in the Adriatic Sea, such as the increase of scorpionfish growth rates collected in the proximity of AHs and the feeding behavior of sparids in an AR of the northern Adriatic Sea.