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Structure of a Temperate Reef Fish Community Prior to the Establishment of a Marine Protected Area

Emanuel Goncalves, Miguel Henriques and Vítor Almada

Eco-Ethology Research Unit - ISPA, LISBON, PORTUGAL

Theme: TH5

The structural patterns of fish communities associated with coral reefs have been intensively studied in the past years. There are, however, few studies dealing with biodiversity, composition and dynamics of temperate reef fish. Our study area is a 30 km stretch of coast on the west Portuguese shore that has recently been assigned as a Marine Park (Marine Park of the Arrábida Nature Park). From a biogeographical perspective, mainland Portugal is located in a transitional zone where many cold water and warm water fish species reach their southern and northern distribution limits, respectively. This situation contributes strongly to the maintenance of a high level of biodiversity in the Lusitanian province, and also makes it very sensitive to climatic oscillations such as those predicted by Global Warming. In this study, we analysed the fish community composition in the marine reserve and ascribed a hierarchical importance for the coastal sectors and the different habitats present. A set of management measures is suggested. The aim of this research is to build a long-term database of the fish communities present in this area, assessing the main factors influencing their structure and distribution patterns, and to monitor the reserve effects on a long-term basis. A fuller understanding of the nature of reef fish assemblages and the processes responsible for their structure and dynamics will be of direct benefit to managers, both those who manage reef fisheries and those who manage coastal rocky areas for conservation, tourism or other purposes.