Demersal fish communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, indicate partial congruence with proposed conservation biozones

The KwaZulu-Natal shelf, on the east coast of South Africa, is inhabited by diverse communities demersal fishes; however, previous studies deeper than 30 m have largely investigated these with extractive techniques. Using baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs), this study quantified how depth and substrate type correlated composition fish between 35 100 m, assessed whether displayed congruence three benthic biozones, which were modelled using abiotic surrogates for purposes conservation planning: Biozone 1 (warm; coarse sediment dominant; low seafloor oxygen, phosphate organic carbon concentrations), 2 (flat; high oxygen concentrations) 3 (shallow; warm; fine higher concentrations). A total 118 taxa recorded from 200 BRUV deployments conducted different types. All diversity indices differed significantly among types, whereas only number species per site Margalef’s index. Multivariate analyses determined that explained significant amounts variation in communities. difference was also detected Biozones 3, being most distinct biozones investigated. Overall their associated ranged 41% 45%. This suggests that, at a broad spatial scale, could be adequately represented second biozone comprising combined.