Table 4 provides a breakdown of issues identified within the paper abstracts. These
were highlighted as potentially important factors in design and management. Again,
the figure in brackets represents the number of papers that raised a number of issues,
of which the primary one is recorded elsewhere in the table. As can be seen 76 papers
did not highlight any significant issue or factor, these mainly being descriptive in
nature, reviews or dedicated to experimental methodology.
The main areas highlighted relate to the artificial reef itself and design features.
For example, 36 papers (14%) noted the importance of design complexity, the
configuration of the reef, its size, volume and area. The provision of shelter through
refuges and crevices was highlighted as important by a number of papers (6%),
particularly in relation to juveniles and shellfish. Other major design factors include
the structural integrity and stability of the artificial reefs and the type of material
used. Other aspects deemed important in targeting fish species include the provision
of void space, bottom relief, height and shading.
Very much integrated with the reef and its design is the site where the reef is to be
placed and local environmental conditions. 40 papers (16%) cited the importance of
local habitat and ecological characteristics such as recruitment, target species,
colonisation, fish behaviour, sediment type and biodiversity. Other factors often
cited as important include currents and wave action, and other hydrographic
parameters suchas temperature, depthand water quality.
Aspects of planning and management were also raised, general planning and
management being highlighted in 19 papers (8%). Other more specific factors
include aspects of socio-economics, performance evaluation and monitoring.
In terms of deployment, 13 papers (5%) highlighted the importance of the
location. Other factors include seasonality and temporal considerations.