Vanessa Mae L. Cirujales Paula Margarita Tse Wing Sean Josef G. Zamora (April 2015)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
An artificial reef is a man-made underwater structure, generally, most artificial reefs have been developed in areas that are largely devoid of irregular bottom topography. Artificial reefs alone cannot just attract fishes, Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (DFADs) are necessary since they are able to attract fishes to it, and can be used for preservation or for commercial means. This study aims to assess the effects of a DFAD when attached on a newly established concrete artificial reef. Three artificial reefs with attached DFADs were placed in a straight line, while three artificial reefs wihout DFADs were placed opposite of the first three. The artificial reefs with attached DFADs were monitored for the first 15 days, then 60 days after the deployment, while the artificial reefs without DFADs was monitored only after the 60 days. After 15 days, 7 species were found in the ARs with the attached DFADs, while after 60 days, 15 species were found. In the ARs alone, 5 species of fish were found after 60 days. The results of this study suggest that the integration of a DFAD to an AR can potentially increase the rate of fish attracted to it.