Monitoring strategies and statistical approaches to study fishery resources of ARs in the Mediterranean and Black Sea

A critical element in understanding how artificial reefs can be integrated into a more general marine resource management framework is an ability to evaluate their performance. Despite significant developments in construction and design, artificial reef projects have been criticized for a lack of planning in the development of monitoring programs that will provide fisheries scientists and managers the information required to test objective. Artificial structures, particularly in the initial phase following deployment demonstrate an ability to support greater fish abundance, diversity and biomass than similar naturally occurring habitats. Differences in the assemblage structure and recruitment patterns are further complicated by the relatively small size and isolated nature of many artificial reefs. The presentation will provide some elements that will help in opening a discussion about a Mediterranean standardization of monitoring programs for the ARs.