Study

Measuring the long-term success of small-scale marine protected areas in a Philippine reef fishery

  • Published source details Bayley D.T.I., Purvis A., Nellas A.C., Arias M. & Koldewey H.J. (2020) Measuring the long-term success of small-scale marine protected areas in a Philippine reef fishery. Coral Reefs, 39, 1591-1604.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Designate a Marine Protected Area and prohibit all types of fishing and collection

Action Link
Coral Conservation
  1. Designate a Marine Protected Area and prohibit all types of fishing and collection

    A replicated, before-and-after, site comparison study in 2000–2011 at eight coral reef sites on the Danajon bank reef system off Bohol, Philippines (Bayley et al. 2020) found that protected areas that prohibited all types of fishing and collection had similar coral cover compared to unprotected areas. Coral cover was similar inside and outside protected areas 7–16 years after protection was established (inside: 8–58%, outside: 10–47%), and from two years before to two years after protection was established (inside: 12–44%, outside: 8–52%). Change in coral cover over time did not differ between protected and unprotected areas at seven of eight sites, but for one site cover increased inside the protected area (from 39% to 58% cover over 11 years) and decreased outside (from 48% to 25% cover). In addition, overall composition of community traits was similar for protected and unprotected areas, but at each site there were small differences between the protected and unprotected areas (data reported as statistical model result). Surveys were carried out inside and outside eight community-led, “well enforced” Marine Protected Areas (10–50 ha). Unprotected areas were subject to fishing pressure from multiple gear types, including blast fishing. From 2000–2011, coral cover was surveyed each year via 2–3 transects inside and outside protected areas in the wet and dry season.

    (Summarised by: William Morgan)

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