Vertical zonation and functional diversity of fish assemblages revealed by ROV videos at oil platforms in The Gulf

Abstract

An assessment of vertical distribution, diel migration, taxonomic and functional diversity of fishes wascarried out at offshore platforms in The (Arabian–Iranian–Persian) Gulf. Video footage was recordedat the Al Shaheen oil field between 2007 and 2014 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). A totalof 12 822 individual fishes, from 83 taxonomic groups were recorded around the platforms. All thespecies identified are considered native to The Gulf, although Cyclichthys orbicularis and Lutjanusindicus were recorded for the fist time in Qatari waters. Several trends were uncovered in the verticaldistribution of the fish community; most species were observed between 20 and 50 m depth and fish abundance decreased towards the bottom, with the highest abundances recorded in the upper layers,i.e. down to 40 m depth. Vertical variation in fish diversity, however, was generally not accompaniedby differences in vertical movements. Carnivores and invertivores were the dominant trophic groups,being found at each depth range from surface to seabed. The functional indices showed no significant differences between water depths or diel cycles. The study demonstrates that oil platforms represent ahotspot of fish diversity and interesting sites for studying fish communities, abundance and behaviour