Characteristics of fish assemblages in boat slips (gentle slope revetments) built in fishing ports

The objective of this study is to understand the characteristics of fish assemblages in the boat slips of two fishing ports. We obtained fish samples from 39 sites, including two fishing ports on the 150-km coastline of northwestern Kyushu, Japan. Cluster analyses and nonparametric multiple comparison reveal that the boat slips contain many species of immature fish in large numbers. In contrast, they contain adult fish of far fewer species in smaller numbers. Therefore, we conclude that the boat slips potentially serve an ecological function as nursery grounds for immature fish. On the other hand, they may be unsuitable for sustaining adult fish.