Effects of population density and body size on disease ecology of the European lobster in a temperate marine conservation zone.
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Published source details
Davies C.E., Johnson A.F., Wootton E.C., Greenwood S.J., Clark K.F., Vogan C.L. & Rowley A.F. (2014) Effects of population density and body size on disease ecology of the European lobster in a temperate marine conservation zone.. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 72, 128-138.
Published source details Davies C.E., Johnson A.F., Wootton E.C., Greenwood S.J., Clark K.F., Vogan C.L. & Rowley A.F. (2014) Effects of population density and body size on disease ecology of the European lobster in a temperate marine conservation zone.. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 72, 128-138.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Designate a Marine Protected Area with a zonation system of activity restrictions Action Link |
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Designate a Marine Protected Area with a zonation system of activity restrictions
A site comparison study in 2011 of six sites in two zones inside a marine protected area in the Bristol Channel, UK (Davies et al. 2014 – similar set-up as Coleman et al. 2013) found that sites in the no-take zone (where all fishing had been prohibited for seven years) had more and bigger European lobsters Homarus gammarus than sites outside in the zone where potting was allowed. Lobsters were more abundant inside the no-take zone (40/line of 35 pots) than outside (20), and grew bigger inside (93 mm) than outside (85 mm). In addition, more lobsters were above the minimum landing size (90 mm) inside the no-take zone (61% of lobsters) than outside (32% of lobsters). Because more and bigger lobsters occurred inside the no-take zone, more were found injured (inside: 41%; outside: 19%; assumed to be likely due to increases in fighting behaviour). The percentage of diseased lobsters was similar inside (28%) and outside (17%) the no-take zone. Lundy Island marine protected area was designated as a voluntary reserve in 1971 (statutory since 1986). In 2003, it included a 4 km2 no-take zone (no fishing or harvesting allowed), the rest being a refuge zone only allowing crab and lobster potting (all other fishing is prohibited). In August 2011, six sites inside the protected area were surveyed: two within the no-take zone and four outside in the refuge zone. At each site, one line of 35 baited pots was deployed for 24 h, and all lobsters caught were measured (carapace length) and assessed for injuries and diseases.
(Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson)
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