Fish assemblages at the surroundings of a port terminal of liquefied natural gas in the central coast of Peru

Port terminals constitute new habitats in coastal areas driving changes in biodiversity. We studied the assemblage structure, abundance, species richness, and diet composition of coastal fish in the surroundings of a marine terminal used to export liquified natural gas in the central coast of Peru. Since terminal infrastructure and control sites away from the infrastructure constitute different habitats, we predicted that the fish assemblages’ structure would differ. Fishes were collected using surface and bottom gillnets, longlines, and hook and line. Sampling was done out twice yearly during the Austral autumn and spring from 2016 to 2019. We recorded 18 fish species during the study period. Fish assemblages close to the shore at terminal sites were similar to those at control sites in the northwest. Assemblages at sampling sites next to the terminal but in deeper waters and control sites in the southeast differed. Spatial differences in assemblage structure were driven by changes in abundance of the most dominant species such as the snakehead kingcroaker ( Menticirrhus ophicephalus ), stardrum ( Stellifer minor ), Peruvian banded croaker ( Paralonchorus peruanus ), Peruvian weakfish ( Cynoscion analis ), and lorna drum ( Sciaena deliciosa ). Spatial differences in the proportion of omnivores and carnivores were similar to the analysis per species. No significant changes were detected among years and seasons which preliminarily suggests the presence of a persistent fish assemblage over time. This study highlights the nonlinear response of fish assemblages to port terminal infrastructure in an upwelling system and calls for further research on neritic fish habitat preferences.