Fish Assemblages Survey Technique (Fast) in Tunisian marine waters (Central Mediterranean)

Abstract

Following the heightened damage of marine ecosystems, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been created for the protection and the conservation of species and habitats. However, their implementation requires accurate data availability used by decision makers to enable their boundaries and zoning. Thus, for this purpose of management, a new method of fish assemblages monitoring (FAST—Fish Assemblages Survey Technique) has been tested in Tunisian marine waters. FAST survey was applied between 2011 and 2012 in three areas with various degrees of geomorphological features and human pressures; the future Marine Protected Area of Cap Serrat–Cap Negro and two coastal areas of Hammamet and Bizerte. The depths of the surveyed 11 stations are between 0 and 20 m. The FAST index is calculated seasonally for targeted species according to their presence / absence, and depending on two size classes. In terms of diversity and species richness, differences between sites were observed and results show that FAST method appears to be relevant, easy to implement and accurately reflects the environmental status of the study site. The advantages and shortcomings of this method were discussed.