Ecological Engineering in a Marine Port for Fish Nursery Restoration

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Authors:
LECAILLON, G.; GUDEFIN, A; FONTCUBERTA A; BOISSERY P; SELFATI M; BAZAIRI H; LENFANT, P.

Publication Date:
2021

Abstract/Summary:
In intact marine coastal ecosystems, natural mortality rate of juvenile fish is about 90%, but without suitable habitats, the mortality can reach 100%. Unfortunately, shoreline infrastructures (harbors) are increasingly prevalent, directly affecting the Essential Fish Habitats of juvenile. Mitigating these impacts is crucial to restore the connectivity and life cycle of aquatic populations. Ports are often perceived as nature-depleted zones with few opportunities for life to develop due to habitat homogenization. However, their ecological functions can be enhanced thanks to complex artificial habitat like the Biohut®. By providing simultaneously food and shelter to the young fish and crustaceans, this micro-habitat enables them to survive and grow during this critical life-stage. The talk will highlight the fact that Biohut present an extraordinary marine biodiversity comparable to natural zone or even more important for some crucial specie (eg: groupers.). Artificial habitats can maximize ecological functions in the short term, when natural zone optimizes them in the long term. Those results are based on six recent scientific publication. The talk will then try to explain the main reasons why Biohut are so successful. Indeed, some soon-published results on bioacoustics monitoring are highlighting one of the possible reasons as the food web within the oyster shells essential inner substrate of the Biohut is probably the second major reason. To conclude, Biohut® (bio) mimic the major ecological functions of a fish costal nursery. They are now used as a remediation tool in 28 harbors in France and start to be exported and also begin to be used in the freshwater ecosystems.

Resource Type:
Conference Presentation, SER2021

Pre-approved for CECs under SER's CERP program

Source:
SER2021