Conservation benefits of temperate Marine Protected Areas: variation among fish species

Published source details Blyth-Skyrme R.E., Kaiser M.J., Hiddink J.G., Edwards-Jones G. & Hart P.J.B. (2006) Conservation benefits of temperate Marine Protected Areas: variation among fish species. Conservation Biology, 20, 811-820.
Share Tweet Email

Summary

Marine protected areas (MPAs) may be advocated to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources. Whilst beneficial effects for fish are well documented in the tropics, any effects remain largely untested in temperate waters. This study compared trends in sport-fishing catches of nine fish species in an area within a large (500 km²) towed-fishing-gear restriction zone and in adjacent areas under conventional fishery management controls.

Changes in catches of above-average-sized (trophy) fish by sport fishers within and adjacent to a 500 km² fishing gear-restriction zone off the south coast of Devon (southwest England) were investigated over a 30-year period (1973 to 2002).

Catches of trophy fish by sport fishers were cataloged by the National Federation of Sea Anglers (NFSA) and by Sea Angler magazine (SAM). Catch reports were compiled for nine species that appear regularly in sport-fishing catches from the southern coast of England and are also target species for commercial fisheries in the area: European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax, spotted ray Raja montagui, small-eyed ray R.microocellata, thornback ray R.clavata, blonde ray R.brachyura, dab Limanda limanda, plaice Pleuronectes platessa, brill Scophthalmus rhombus and turbot S.maximus.

The level of protection afforded by the protection zone to the study species appears to depend on their life-history. Those that showed strongest positive responses have limited local movements or do not undertake long-distance spawning or feeding migrations.

Over the 30 years, the average reported weight of trophy fish of species with early age at maturity and limited home range was greatest within the area influenced by the restriction zone; these species also declined less and more slowly over time. However, the average reported weight of trophy fish of species that mature late and those that undertake long-distance movements, declined at the same rate in all areas (regardless of whether in the MPA or not). These species are therefore likely to require protected areas >500 km² for effective protection.

The results also indicate that species with a localized distribution or high site fidelity may require additional protection from sport fishing to prevent declines.

Note: If using or referring to this published study, please read and quote the original paper, this can be viewed at: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00345.

Erratum printed in: 21: 895-895 doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00717.x