Mesophotic fishes of the Abrolhos Shelf, the largest reef ecosystem in the South Atlantic

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Authors: Simon, T., Pinheiro, H. T., Moura, R. L., Carvalho‐Filho, A., Rocha, L. A., Martins, A. S., Mazzei, E., Francini‐Filho, R. B., Amado‐Filho, G. M., Joyeux, J.‐C.
• Other Authors: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2016
• Subjects: South Atlantic Ocean
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12967; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fjfb.12967; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jfb.12967

Fishes inhabiting rhodolith beds and reefs at mesophotic depths on the Abrolhos Shelf, which encompasses the largest and richest coral reef formation in the South Atlantic Ocean, were assessed through technical diving and remotely operated vehicles ( ROVs ). A total of 74 fish species were recorded, including at least one new species, one new record for the south‐western Atlantic and six new records for the Abrolhos region. Overfishing, mining and port activities are already threatening many endangered and commercially important species recorded on the mesophotic reefs of Abrolhos Shelf, and the establishment of marine protected areas and off‐reserve fisheries regulations are urgently needed.