Demographic effects of full vs. partial protection from harvesting: inference from an empirical before–after control-impact study on Atlantic cod

Published source details Fernández-Chacón A., Moland E., Espeland S.H. & Olsen E.M. (2015) Demographic effects of full vs. partial protection from harvesting: inference from an empirical before–after control-impact study on Atlantic cod. Journal of Applied Ecology, 52, 1206-1215.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Cease or prohibit all fishing activity in a marine protected area with limited exceptions Action Link

Cease or prohibit all fishing activity in a marine protected area with limited exceptions

A replicated, controlled, before-and-after study in 2005–2013 of three seabed areas in the Skagerrak, Norway (Fernández-Chacón et al. 2015) found that in a marine protected area prohibiting almost all fishing, except for commercial hook and line fishing of cod Gadus morhua and research sampling, cod survival increased over eight years, compared to outside areas where a wider range of fishing gear types were allowed. Overall average survival probability of cod inside the protected area increased after implementation (after: 0.2–0.4, before: 0.1–0.2) and in comparison with areas outside the protected area (after: 0.2, before: 0.2). Sampling was done in April–July 2005–2013. Cod were captured inside the protected area and at two unprotected sites with fyke nets and tagged and released at the capture location. Data on 10,764 recaptures of tagged fish were used: 1,454 tagged within the protected area and 9,310 tagged in other areas along the Skagerrak coast. Survival was estimated using a model, described in the original paper. The protected area (Flødevigen, 1 km²) was implemented in September 2006 and allowed a hook and line fishery and research sampling. At unprotected areas, hook and line, gillnets, fyke nets and other fishing gear types were allowed, but not bottom trawling within 12 nautical miles from the coast, with an exception for small scale coastal trawling for shrimp Pandalus borealis.

(Summarised by: Chris Barrett)