Structural aspects of the surf-zone fish assemblage at King's Beach, Algoa Bay, South Africa: Long-term fluctuations

doi:10.1016/0272-7714(84)90084-2

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

Volume 18, Issue 4, April 1984, Pages 459-483

https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-7714(84)90084-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

Regular collections of fish were obtained from the surf-zone at King's Beach, Algoa Bay. A total of 3970 fish, representing 50 species was caught with a coarse net and 16 857 fish, representing 37 species, were caught with a fine net. Predominant species were the blacktail, Diplodus sargus; the sand steenbras, Lithognathus mormyrus; the mullet, Liza richardsoni; the gorrie, Pomadasys olivaceum; the white stumpnose, Rhabdosargus globiceps; the sandshark, Rhinobatos annulatus; and the streepie, Sarpa salpa. No seasonal trends were discernible in the overall abundance or species diversity. The species composition of the dominant component of the fish assemblage varied considerably. This indicated instability in the community structure and cast doubts on the applicability of a classic community concept and the use of diversity indices. Neither classification nor correspondence analysis were of any use in identifying a characteristic species component. Multiple regression analysis indicated that short-term variations in wind conditions might be a primary determinant of fluctuations in abundance. The lack of seasonality in the community parameters may reflect the fact that short-term variability masks seasonal perturbations.

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Intense tourism and human activities have resulted in habitat destruction in sandy beach ecosystems with negative impacts on the associated communities. To investigate whether urbanized beaches affect surf zone fish communities, fish and their benthic macrofaunal prey were collected during periods of low and high human pressure at two beaches on the Southeastern Brazilian coast. A BACI experimental design (Before-After-Control-Impact) was adapted for comparisons of tourism impact on fish community composition and structure in urbanized, intermediate and non-urbanized sectors of each beach. At the end of the summer season, we observed a significant reduction in fish richness, abundance, and diversity in the high tourist pressure areas. The negative association between visitors’ abundance and the macrofaunal density suggests that urbanized beaches are avoided by surf zone fish due to higher human pressure and the reduction of food availability. Our results indicate that surf zone fish should be included in environmental impact studies in sandy beaches, including commercial species, e.g., the bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix. The comparative results from the less urbanized areas suggest that environmental zoning and visitation limits should be used as effective management and preservation strategies on beaches with high conservation potential.
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^a: Present address: Department of Zoology, University of Transkei, Private Bag X5092, Umtata, Transkei, Southern Africa.

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Structural aspects of the surf-zone fish assemblage at King's Beach, Algoa Bay, South Africa: Long-term fluctuations

Abstract

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science

Journal of Theoretical Biology

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science

Fish species diversity as indicators of pollution in Galveston Bay, Texas

Contributions to Marine Science

The barred surf-perch in southern California

California Department of Game and Fisheries Bulletin

Annual cycles of species occurrence, abundance and diversity in Georgia estuarine fish populations

American Midland Naturalist

The fishes of the shore zone of Rehoboth and Indian River Bays, Delaware

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society

Communities of organisms

Seasonal occurrence of fishes in two shore habitats in Barataria Bay, Louisiana

Beta diversity of a Gulf of California rocky shore fish community

Environmental Biology of Fishes

The theory of diversity-stability relationships in ecology

Quarterly Review of Biology

Studies on marine fishes in Texas

Publication of the Institute of Marine Science of the University of Texas

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Publication of the Texas Institute of Marine Science

The impact of surf-zone fish communities on faunal assemblages associated with sandy beaches

A table for calculating the “equitability” component of species diversity

Journal of Animal Ecology