Abstract

Artificial reefs are structures deposited on the seabed in order to create new habitat for flora and fauna, the composition and structure of the fish community is positively influenced by the complexity of artificial habitat. Structural complexity was determined in seven sunken barges becoming artificial reefs, where biomass of their fish communities was estimated. It was found that more structurally complex structures showed better development of benthic flora and fauna. Two complex reefs are able to withstand a high biomass despite that their structures are essentially different. Biomass was estimate by the 23 most abundant species of fish in the seven reefs examined. The maximum biomass was found in one reef, with 285 g/m2; two reefs presented intermediate biomass values (183 and 163 g/m2), and the remaining reefs exhibited lower biomass values. The species Lutjanus griseus, Megalops atlanticus, Selene vomer, Lutjanus jocu and Chaetodipterus faber, contribute with 80% of total biomass. Species important for fisheries belong to the families Carangidae, Ephippidae and Haemulidae, being the most abundant in most of the reefs studied; the rest of the families are represented by 10 species in which stand out appreciated for their market value, Lutjanidae and Carangidae

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