@article{fdi:010096490,
  title = {{T}una, floating objects, and habitat suitability : an analysis of the indicator-log hypothesis in the {W}estern {I}ndian ocean},
  author = {{G}uibert, {J}. and {D}upaix, {A}. and {L}engaigne, {M}atthieu and {A}ndrello, {M}. and {C}apello, {M}anuela},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}ropical tunas are known to associate with floating objects, forming large aggregations around them. {T}aking advantage of this behavior, fishers deploy artificial floating objects (known as {F}ish {A}ggregating {D}evices, or {FAD}s) worldwide to facilitate their fishing activities. {T}he lack of understanding of why tuna associate with these devices hinders the assessment of their ecological impacts. {T}he "indicator-log" hypothesis posits that floating objects of natural origin ({NLOG}s) concentrate in productive areas and that tunas associate with them to reach and remain in these areas. {T}his study tests the validity of the indicator-log hypothesis, by testing if the presence and abundance of {NLOG}s are positively correlated with environmental variables that serve as proxies for habitat preference and suitability for tropical tunas. {U}sing data (1,550 observations of {NLOG}s) recorded by scientific observers on-board purse seine vessels from 2014 to 2022 in the {W}estern {I}ndian {O}cean, along with {L}agrangian simulations of {NLOG} densities in the same area, we found no relationship between {NLOG} abundance and environmental variables in oceanic regions. {W}e did find a weak correlation only in more coastal areas ({M}ozambique {C}hannel). {C}onsequently, at both spatial and temporal scales considered in this analysis (2 degrees/month and 1 degrees/week), {NLOG}s do not appear to constitute environmental cues that can be used by tuna to identify productive oceanic areas. {A}dditional research is needed to explore other hypotheses regarding tuna associative behavior, which may also imply potential detrimental impacts of {FAD}s on tuna populations.},
  keywords = {{E}cological trap ; {A}ssociative behavior ; {T}una fisheries ; {H}abitat suitability ; {H}abitat preference ; {I}ndicator-log hypothesis ; {W}estern indian ocean ; {OCEAN} {INDIEN}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{M}arine {B}iology},
  volume = {173},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {52 [13 p.]},
  ISSN = {0025-3162},
  year = {2026},
  DOI = {10.1007/s00227-026-04804-x},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010096490},
}