The use of artificial reefs in enhancing fish communities in Singapore

Abstract

Intense development of the coastal zone in Singapore has resulted in the degradation of much of the marine ecosystem. In order to restore and enhance fish communities of denuded areas, an artificial reef consisting of a tyre reef and a concrete reef, was established in the vicinity of the southern islands of Singapore. Results from fish visual censuses after the establishment of the artificial reef indicated an increase in numbers of juveniles and adults. A total of 37 and 32 fish species were recorded over a period of 11/2 years at the concrete and tyre reefs respectively. The dominant fish families were Pomacentridae, Labridae, Chaetodontidae, Apogonidae, Gobiidae and Nemipteridae. The artificial reefs also serve as a nursery ground for some species (e.g. Neopomacentrus sp.) which are important primary consumers of algae on natural reefs. Greater numbers of ‘target’ (food-important) fishes were observed at the concrete reef while the tyre reef harboured more juveniles and smallersized adults. The results indicate that the concrete modules were more effective than the tyre reef in terms of fish abundance per unit volume. Such structures can enhance the biological resources of relatively unproductive areas.