Gradients of abundance of fish across no-take marine reserve boundaries: evidence from Philippine coral reefs
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Published source details
Abesamis R.A., Russ G.R. & Alcala A.C. (2006) Gradients of abundance of fish across no-take marine reserve boundaries: evidence from Philippine coral reefs. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 16, 349-371.
Published source details Abesamis R.A., Russ G.R. & Alcala A.C. (2006) Gradients of abundance of fish across no-take marine reserve boundaries: evidence from Philippine coral reefs. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 16, 349-371.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Cease or prohibit all types of fishing in a marine protected area Action Link |
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Cease or prohibit all types of fishing in a marine protected area
A replicated, paired, site comparison study in 2002 of four coral reefs off two islands in the Bohol Sea, Philippines (Abesamis et al. 2006) found that prohibiting all types of fishing resulted in greater abundance and biomass of commercially targeted fish at one of two marine reserves established for 15–20 years, and higher abundance of non-target fish, compared to nearby fished areas. Abundance and biomass of commercially targeted fish were higher inside Apo marine reserve compared to fished areas (density, inside: 68, outside: 26 fish/500 m2; biomass, inside: 90, outside: 25 kg/ 500 m2) and were similar inside and outside Balicasag reserve (inside: 44, outside: 34 fish/500 m2; biomass data not reported). The abundance of non-commercially targeted fish was greater inside both marine reserves than fished areas (inside: 75–129 fish/ 250 m2, outside: 90–147 fish/250 m2). In November and December 2002, fish were surveyed at one site inside and one outside each of the Apo (450 m length of reef, no-take since 1982) and Balicasag marine reserves (650 m long reef, no fishing since 1985, the collection of deep–water ornamental shells is permitted). Fish were surveyed along fifteen 50 × 10 m transects/site: commercial fish 5 m either side (96 species from 13 families) and non–commercial fish 2.5 m either side of the transects (four species of damselfish Pomacentridae, 15 species of butterflyfish Chaetodontidae).
(Summarised by: Khatija Alliji)
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