Fish assemblages associated with oil industry structures on the continental shelf of north‐western Australia |
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| Authors: | A. M. Fowler D. J. Booth P. I. Macreadie |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Centre for Environmental Sustainability, School of the Environment, University of Technology, Sydney, P. O. Box 123, 2007 Broadway, Australia;2. Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster, School of the Environment, University of Technology, Sydney, P. O. Box 123, 2007 Broadway, Australia |
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| Abstract: | This study provides the first assessment of fish associations with oil and gas structures located in deep water (85–175 m) on Australia's north‐west continental shelf, using rare oil industry video footage obtained from remotely operated vehicles. A diverse range of taxa were observed associating with the structures, including reef‐dependent species and transient pelagic species. Ten commercially fished species were observed, the most abundant of which was Lutjanus argentimaculatus, with an estimated biomass for the two deepest structures (Goodwyn and Echo) of 109 kg. |
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| Keywords: | artificial reef decommissioning Lutjanus argentimaculatus rigs‐to‐reefs video analysis |
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