Researchers have found that using the sounds of healthy reefs can attract fish back to areas where coral has been destroyed on the Great Barrier Reef. The study found that fish numbers doubled and the variety of fish species increased by 50% on sites that were “enriched” with underwater speakers playing recordings of healthy reef sounds. The researchers hope that this technique can help restore ecosystem functions to damaged coral reefs. They also discovered that juvenile fish use reef acoustics to find their way back to healthy reefs after being spawned in open water. However, attracting fish alone may not be sufficient for reef recovery, as other factors such as pollution, climate change, and overfishing still need to be addressed.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Researchers use sounds to attract fish to reefs | From depleted reefs to increased fish species | More fish and improved ecosystem functions | Restoring damaged coral reefs |
| Fish numbers double and species increase | From low fish population to higher diversity | More diverse fish populations | Improving coral reef ecosystem |
| Coral polyps navigate towards healthy reefs | From damaged reefs to healthier sounding reefs | Improved navigation for coral polyps | Sensing vibrations or sound signals |
| Climate change, pollution, and overfishing remain | From unresolved issues to improved conditions | Addressing major stressors | Protecting coral reefs from further damage |
| Fish populations crucial for healthy reefs | From damaged reef ecosystems to healthy reefs | Restoring the ecosystem functions | Preserving the health of coral reef ecosystems |
| Juvenile fish use acoustics to find healthy reefs | From drifting in open water to finding a home | Improved navigation for juvenile fish | Finding suitable habitats in coral reefs |
| Damaged reefs are quieter compared to healthy ones | From quiet damaged reefs to lively healthy reefs | Increased sound in healthy reefs | Identifying healthy reef environments |
| Attracting fish won’t immediately revive a reef | From dead reefs to potential recovery efforts | Boosting reef recovery through fish | Creating space for coral regrowth |
| Fish attractor not a solution for reef recovery | From limited impact to broader reef restoration | Addressing larger issues for reef recovery | Overcoming various stressors affecting reefs |