Fish Visual Census (FVC) is a widely used non-destructive method to indentify, count and weight fish species (targeted or not) in an area of interest, usually reefs or seagrass meadows. Usually, FVC are conducted once per year, preferably during summer periods (bias ?) where the water conditions are "friendly" for the divers and snorkelers. But, how such sampling approach is correct in the representativeness of the fish species and the biomass ? Do studies with monthly data exist (am not aware of any) ? Do summer period is "good" for all species (in the Mediterranean for example) ? Do the designation of MPA or the ecological evaluation of an intervention need more data than a random month in summer period ?
Dimitri,
Too many questions to reply.
We have submitted a paper to BDJ with the results of COMBER.
Please, ask Giorgos to provide you with a copy of it.
Cheers,
Christos.
Hi Dimitri,
it is obvious that samplings during one season is not enough, especially at shallow depths above the thermocline where there are strong seasonal temperature variations. This holds for both density and biomass. I dont know if there are seasonal or monthly FVC but there are quantitative studies from both Eastern and western Med showing differences in seasonality in fish assemblage structures.
MPAs are in art. 11 of the Common Fisheries Policy.
Dimitris,
We found seasonal comparison and comparisons among different habitats valuable in our monitoring studies. I am attaching a presentation we did a while back that illustrates the need for seasonal studies.
Tomas thanks for the ppt. Is exactly what am looking for. Do you have any pub on these data ?
Hello Ph Poursanidis:
In the Tropical Eastern Pacific where I work, my collaboratorators have considered the influence of ambient seasonality in the assemblage of fish response. I recommend review the works of Amilcar L Cupul-Magaña, Fabian Alejandro Rodriguez Zaragoza and Cristian Moisés Galván-Villa, for a closer look at this matter.
Excellent week!
Lee esto Colega
Saludos
Article Changes in the taxonomic diversity of the reef fish communit...
Data Seasonal-Taxonomy-Diversity-Barjau at al.2016
Article Seasonal changes in fish assemblage structure at a shallow s...
In summary form I inform you that the method of visual censuses is very effective and not destructive, and according to your concern to perform samplings every year (so I understood) you are dodging enough information, because? The fish are vaguely migratory, some are seasonal, others are permanent and within these you will find abundant species, few abundant and rare. We carry out temporary sampling and even as we are in environments where tropical and subtropical species come, we make information treatments by period, warm and col
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Zoology
- Ichthyology
- Vertebrates
- Fish