Cite this paper:
ZHANG Jun, CHEN Guobao, CHEN Zuozhi, QIU Yongsong, XIONG Dan. Application of hydroacoustics to investigate the distribution, diel movement, and abundance of fish on Zhubi Reef, Nansha Islands, South China Sea[J]. Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 2016, 34(5): 964-976

Application of hydroacoustics to investigate the distribution, diel movement, and abundance of fish on Zhubi Reef, Nansha Islands, South China Sea

ZHANG Jun1,2, CHEN Guobao1,2, CHEN Zuozhi1,3, QIU Yongsong1, XIONG Dan1,4
1 South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China;
2 Key Field Scientific Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resource and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510300, China;
3 Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510300, China;
4 College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201303, China
Abstract:
A combination of traditional fish sampling methods (hand-line and gill net) and modern hydroacoustic techniques were used to study fish community structure, distribution, and diel movements of fish on Zhubi Reef to enhance understanding of the ecosystem. We collected 126 individuals from 29 species, 20 genera, 17 families, three orders, and two classes using traditional gear. Perciforms were the dominant group in terms of species richness and biomass. The acoustic data indicated that very small (target strength[TS], dB) <-60 dB) and small (-60 dB≤TS<-45 dB) fish contributed the most to abundance and species richness on the coral reef, and that the proportion of medium-sized (-45 dB≤TS<-35 dB) and largesized (-35 dB≤TS) fish increased gradually as depth increased. The single-target detection method revealed two distinct size classes during the day in the 12-16 and 16-20-m layers. One group consisted of very smallsized fish (TS<-60 dB) and the other consisted of medium and large-sized fish (TS>-55 dB). The number of single-target detections was significantly higher during the night than during the day (P<0.05). The singletarget TS frequency distribution during the day was significantly different than during the night at depths of 4-8, 8-12, 12-16, and 16-20 m. Significant differences were observed among the 4-8, 8-12, 12-16, and 16-20-m-depth layers during day and night. Diel vertical movement was evidenced as fish began to spread and move upward just before sunset and began to assemble and descend shortly (15 min) after sunrise.
Key words:    coral reef|fish|hydroacoustic technique|diel vertical movement|abundance   
Received: 2015-01-21   Revised: 2015-03-26
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Articles by ZHANG Jun
Articles by CHEN Guobao
Articles by CHEN Zuozhi
Articles by QIU Yongsong
Articles by XIONG Dan
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