Abstract
This paper presents the study on the development of fishing port facilities as a nursery for fishery resources through enhancing the colonization of native fish and artificially cultured and released ju venile fish (Epinephelus akaara). This field survey and experimental study were conducted in the fishing port on the Shiraishi Island of Okayama prefecture. Through the field survey, we firstly clarified the functions of fishing port facilities to provide juvenile fish with food and shelter, which are relevant to hydraulic and physical conditions regarding to the port itself and port facilities. And then we observed both species and biomass of fish and food organism as well as the colonization of released fish after releasing cultured juvenile on the artificial reefs, which were installed on the rubble base mound of breakwater. The results suggest that the artificial reefs have functions equivalent to those of the prototype installed off the coast of the Shiraishi Island and enhance nursery functions of the port.
