Combining multispecies home range and distribution models aids assessment of MPA effectiveness

Abstract

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are today's most important tools for the spatial management and conservation of marine species. Yet, the true protection that they provide to individual fish is unknown, leading to uncertainty associated with MPA effectiveness. In this study, conducted in a recently established coastal MPA in Portugal, we combined the results of individual home range estimation and population distribution models for 3 species of commercial importance and contrasting life histories to infer (1) the size of suitable areas where they would be fully protected and (2) the vulnerability to fishing mortality of each species. Results show that the relationship between MPA size and effective protection is strongly modulated by both the species' home range and the distribution of suitable habitat inside and outside the MPA. This approach provides a better insight into the true potential of MPAs in effectively protecting marine species, since it can reveal the size and location of the areas where protection is most effective and a clear, quantitative estimation of the vulnerability to fishing throughout an entire MPA.KEY WORDS: Cuttlefish · Maxent · Marine reserve · Sole · Vulnerability to fishing · White seabream Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

A review of acoustic telemetry in Europe and the need for a regional aquatic telemetry network

“…The use of animal-borne telemetry sensors has also allowed scientists to gather ocean observation data remotely and at affordable costs [7], leading to a better understanding of the oceanographic processes and the effects of environmental variables on the movements and distribution of marine species [8,9]. Thus, the information obtained via animal telemetry has allowed us to better understand the spatial ecology of key aquatic species and informed management and conservation efforts [7,[10][11][12].…”

“…11 The Marine Biological Association of the U.K, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK. 12 Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, P. O. Box 1346, Kaneohe, HI, USA.…”

Diel and seasonal changes in the spatial behaviour of a soft-sediment fish (Solea senegalensis) inside a marine reserve

“…Interestingly, the majority of the tagged individuals displayed a higher attachment to the no-take zone than to the partially protected area. As the proportion of monitored habitat was similar in both areas, this result might be either an artefact of the small sample size or an indication that the former holds a higher percentage of preferred habitats (as modelled in Abecasis et al 2014b). Indeed, even though bottom substrates are relatively similar, differences in macrobenthos assemblages across the LSMP have been observed in past surveys ( Fig.…”

Collaborative lessons towards marine sustainability: a long-term collective engagement

“…More than 10 years after implementation of the PMLS plan and regulation, some positive ecological signs can be detected resulting from MPA management (Cunha et al, 2014;Abecassis et al, 2014;Batista et al, 2015) and wider perceptions of stakeholders are positive with respect to ecological and governance aspects (Stratoudakis et al, 2015c). However, perceptions are mixed with respect to the socio-economic effects of PMLS, being negative or neutral for fisheries (considering that the increase in spatial restrictions have not resulted in increase of yield for the main target species, but see also Batista et al, 2015) and positive for other economic activities (considering that PMLS has increased visitation and business opportunities for leisure activities thus increasing local employment and revenue -Stratoudakis et al, 2015 b and c).…”