Creation of fishing ground and nursery by the artificial reef technique

"The artificial reef plays an important role in creating productive fishing ground and nursery. The aim of this study is to obtain basic understanding of the function of artificial reef which is closely related to the behavior pattern of fish. The first point of this study concerns adequacy of the location of reef that has relation to the migration behavior of fish in coastal waters and to the reaction of fish to the reef. The second point related to the diel changes in aggregation of fish in the reef area in accordance with environmental water movement and underwater irradiance. The third point is that structural properties of the reef, such us a shape and a vacancy in the reef, has an effect on aggregation of commercial fish and cohabiting organisms including the young. In the last point, the current status of fishing activities in the reef area is described by vessel and gears used, fishing seasons and catches of target species. The reef area is used by various coastal fisheries with emphasis on fishes having high marketprice. Long-term artificial reef management is an important research subject to develop coastal fisheries and to sustain local fish stock in a favorable condition."