Using the conditioned reflex method to concentrate fish populations in order to fish off man made reefs
Zhuikov, A.Yu; Panyushkin, S.N.
Voprosy Ichtiologii 30(6): 1044-1046
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-8752 Accession: 007990224
The use of conditioned reflex method to attract fish inhabiting man-made reefs and concentrate them in an open area in order to increase their harvest was studied along coastal areas of the Black Sea. Twelve species of fish were included in the study (Symphodus tinca, S. ocellatus, S. roissali, S. cinereus, Chromis chromis, Scorpaena porcus, Blennius sanguinolentus, Belone belone, Atherina hepsetus, Spicara smaris, Mullus barbatus ponticus, Trachurus trachurus). The experiment consisted of the isolated presentation of a conditioned (acoustic) stimulus followed by another conditioned stimulus combined with the presentation of food in an open area away from the reef. After conditioning, experimental catches were performed. A significantly greater number of fish were caught in the open area when the conditioned reflex method was used than when it was not, supporting its use for the fishing of man-made reefs.