Hydro-acoustic survey was carried out to investigate the spatial characteristics of fish distribution near two artificial reefs (AO: large octagonal semi-sphere and AC: combined custom built) having different types in Jeju marine ranching area. The survey system consisted of scientific echo sounder (EK60), DGPS system, and ECDIS (Mecys). Field survey was conducted on August and October 2012 with star survey and line transect survey line method, and species composition was investigated from gill net fishing survey. The acoustic signals from individual fishes and small fish schools were mainly recorded around AO, but large and strong signals from large fish school were mainly detected in the top layer of and the water column near AC. The echogram suggest that the fish aggregation for the two types of AO and AC exist the significant difference in fish species and spatial distribution pattern.
Hybrid surveys using hydroacoustic and fish sampling gears such as trammel net, trap were conducted to investigate total biomass, distribution and dominant fish species of the demersal fishes in the marine ranching area (MRA) of Jeju. Four surveys were carried out in June, August, October and November using 38kHz quantitative echo sounder. Catch data using trammel net and trap were used to calculate biomass and to examine dominant fish species. Fish schools were mainly detected in the waters of 20 meters below and around Chagwido waters. By the result of fishing experiments, fish species living in MRA of Jeju were about 40 species, dominant fish species of a detectable fish such as Family Sparidae and Family Monacanthidae etc. were identified 59.4~68.8% of total biomass. Based on the hydroacoustic data, fish length-weight function and target strength information, mean density of the demersal fish estimated were as follows; 0.88g/m2 on June, 1.12g/m2 on August, 1.35g/m2 on October and 1.18g/m2 on November. An estimated average biomass in MRA of Jeju was founded 20.5 tons in 2007, 20.6 tons in 2008, 23.0 tons in 2009, 25.9 tons in 2010. The results showed that biomass of MRA is getting increased slowly. Therefore the hybrid survey method using hydroacoustic and fish sampling gears is assured an effective biomass survey in the waters of mixed species.
This study monitored a variety of marine fish communities in artificial reefs unit of the total 5 types (Dice type, Octagonal turtle type, Two-stage tube type, Gazebo type, Tetrapod type) which are located in the marine ranching at Jeju island by scuba diving in May, July, October and December 2009. Underwater photographing was accomplished at total 3 phases (condition of artificial reefs photographing, concentric circle movement photographing and line transect photographing). The preservation condition of artificial reefs facility was very good, and the dominant species were Chromis notatus, Sebastes thompsoni, Oplegnathus fasciatus and Halichoeres poecilopterus. Fish abundance was high in May and June, and low in October and December, 2009. Chromis notatus was dominant at the all types of artificial reefs, Halichoeres poecilopterus for Gazebo type and Tetrapod type of artificial reefs, and Sebastes thompsoni for Dice type, Octagonal turtle type and Two-stage tube type of artificial reefs.