Perspective on an artificial habitat program for fishes of the Cuban Shelf

Claro, Rodolfo and Garcia-Arteaga, Juan P. (1999) Perspective on an artificial habitat program for fishes of the Cuban Shelf. Gainesville, FL, Florida Sea Grant College Program, (Florida Sea Grant Extension Bulletin, SGEB-4)

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Abstract

A brief analysis of the bsics of artificial reefs as well as the methods and techniques in use are provided. The need for clear objectives and the design of artificial reefs for long-term goals is emphasized. Several principles are established. First, artificial reefs must target the enhancement of biological and fishery production of the Cuban shelf. This principle introduces major changes in current concepts, which are bsed exclusively on the increase of catch per unit effort. Second, an adequate balance between fishing effort, refuge capacity, food availability and fish recruitment must be established. Therefore, the use of artificial reefs siwth many cavities as habitats for algae, invertebreates and fishes, in place of artificial reefs exclusively employed as fish aggregators, is discussed. A methodology for a national development program, including the materials, structures, reef configurations, quantities, and distributions is proposed. As a result of examinations of habitats on the four sections of the Cubman shelf, an area of 12,500 sq.km. is defined as adequate for artificial reefs and isolated refuges. Eight-hundred and fifty reefs, each one formed by 200 refuges, are proposed. The use of artificial reefs for recreational fisheries is recommended for Cuba. (English & Spanish editions, 46 pgs in each edition; full text searching unavailable)

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