Global analysis of response and recovery of benthic biota to fishing

Kaiser, Michel J.; Clarke, K.R.; Hinz, Hilmar; Austen, Melanie C.; Somerfield, Paul J.; Karakassis, Ioannis

doi:10.3354/meps311001

Cited by 514 publications

(510 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…Assessing quantitative recovery trends is not always easy and strongly depends on the amount and quality of available data, which are missing in the large proportion of species classified as data deficient by the IUCN [12] and for most marine habitats, including shallow ones [4]. Overall, however, the magnitude of recovery seems to depend on the time span, magnitude and type of disturbance among other factors, with higher depletion linked to lower recovery [20,21].…”

Section: Magnitude Of Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a MPA, species richness of coral reef fishes reached a plateau after 10 years, whereas density peaked after 7-37 years depending on the life history [15]. After benthic trawling, slower-growing sponges and corals took up to 8 years to recover compared with <1 years for polychaetes [21]. Yet, a deep seagrass meadow showed only a few signs of recovery 100 years after trawling [75], and a megabenthic seamount assemblage failed to recover 5-10 years after trawling [76].…”

Section: Magnitude Of Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The magnitude of previous population depletion, population and meta-population structure, genetic diversity and life-history characteristics have all been shown to be important determinants of recovery [20,81] (Anna M. Magera, MSc thesis, Dalhousie University, 2011). Long-lived marine animals have lower intrinsic rates of increase and will take longer to rebound to higher abundance levels than will short-lived species [20,21]. Yet, charismatic and easily visible species might profit from enhanced public awareness and protection (Anna M. Magera, MSc thesis, Dalhousie University, 2011).…”

Section: What Else Is Needed?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, the review largely dealt with recovery from shorter-term impacts, such as eutrophication and oil spills, rather than long-term impacts, such as exploitation or habitat loss. Other studies showed that recovery often depends on intrinsic factors, such as life-history characteristics and genetic diversity [20], extrinsic factors, such as the type and magnitude of disturbance [21][22][23], and the conservation and management measures applied to reduce human impacts [3,8,9]. Thus, a broader and more nuanced treatment of marine recovery patterns and drivers is warranted.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Recovery of marine animal populations and ecosystems

Lotze¹,

Coll²,

Magera³

et al. 2011

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

352

316

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Many marine populations and ecosystems have experienced strong historical depletions, yet reports of recoveries are increasing. Here, we review the growing research on marine recoveries to reveal how common recovery is, its magnitude, timescale and major drivers. Overall, 10-50% of depleted populations and ecosystems show some recovery, but rarely to former levels of abundance. In addition, recovery can take many decades for long-lived species and complex ecosystems. Major drivers of recovery include the reduction of human impacts, especially exploitation, habitat loss and pollution, combined with favorable life-history and environmental conditions. Awareness, legal protection and enforcement of management plans are also crucial. Learning from historical recovery successes and failures is essential for implementing realistic conservation goals and promising management strategies.A new focus on recovery An increasing number of studies have reported strong declines in marine animal populations and the degradation of ocean ecosystems over past decades and centuries around the world [1][2][3][4][5][6][7], leading to a widespread perception of empty oceans and polluted waters. Yet, throughout history, humans have responded to declining resource abundance and ecosystem degradation by implementing management and conservation measures. Some of these have been successful and resulted in recovery, whereas others have failed [3,8,9].Therefore, an important question to science and management is: how common is recovery among depleted populations and degraded ecosystems in the ocean? Today, many marine mammal, bird, reptile and fish populations are at low abundance, and several species are endangered or extinct on regional or global scales [5,[10][11][12]. However, despite long periods of intense human impacts, most marine species persist and some populations do show signs of recovery [3,8,9]. Similarly, many coastal habitats, including wetlands, seagrass beds, mangrove and kelp forests, and oyster and coral reefs, have been severely reduced or degraded [2][3][4]6], yet partial recovery has been achieved in some regions in response to protection and pollution controls [3,13]. Restoration attempts at an ecosystem level have often been followed by the return and recovery of former species assemblages and ecosystem functions [13][14][15][16][17], but some ecosystems have remained in an altered state [18]. Such successes could serve as important guides for efforts to prevent further biodiversity loss and enhance future recoveries.Despite a growing number of case studies on the recovery of specific populations or ecosystems, an overview of the general patterns and drivers of marine recoveries over historical timescales is lacking. A recent review on the recovery of damaged ecosystems found that many terrestrial and marine ecosystems can recover on timescales of a few years to a few decades after major perturbations [19]. However, most case studies in the review, especially among marine and brackish examples, included small, short-...

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Section: Magnitude Of Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Magnitude Of Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: What Else Is Needed?mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Recovery of marine animal populations and ecosystems

Lotze¹,

Coll²,

Magera³

et al. 2011

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

352

316

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show abstract

“…MPAs are considered an essential means of delivering an ecosystem-based approach to management, being able to protect and conserve species, habitats, ecosystems and ecological processes (Goni et al 2000;Garcia-Charton et al 2000;Gell and Roberts 2003;Roberts et al 2005). Following concerns about the damage caused by mobile fishing gear on the structure and complexity of ecosystems, and the increase in scientific evidence of such damage (e.g., Currie and Parry 1996;Watling and Norse 1998;McConnaughey et al 2000;Kaiser et al 2000;Kaiser et al 2002;Kaiser et al 2006;Tillin et al 2006), the UK Government took advice from its conservation advisors (Natural England) and in July 2008, closed part of the Lyme Bay reefs to scallop dredging and demersal trawling gear to protect marine biodiversity against damage incurred as a result of towed benthic gear. This statutory closure represents a major attempt on the south coast of the UK to implement an MPA as a tool to protect marine life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Impacts of Establishing MPAs on Fishermen and Fish Merchants: The Case of Lyme Bay, UK

Mangi

Rodwell

2011

AMBIO

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Shortly after the implementation of a marine protected area (MPA) in Lyme Bay in 2008, inside which scallop dredging and bottom trawling is prohibited, a socio-economic impact assessment was initiated. This article presents the initial findings from this study. The aim was to understand the costs and benefits to fishermen and fish merchants of establishing the MPA. These were assessed using a combination of primary and secondary data. The results indicate that the impacts of the closure differ according to the gear type and the fishing location used by the fishermen. Static gear fishermen who fish inside the closed area have seen changes in terms of increased fishing effort, mostly because they have been able to increase the number of crab and whelk pots they deploy. The effects of the closure on static gear fishermen who fish outside the closed area has been reported in terms of increased conflicts with towed gear fishermen who now fish regularly in their traditional grounds. Fishermen using towed gear on the other hand have been impacted through displacement effects as they have been forced to look for other fishing grounds outside the closed area. Most fish merchants and processors initially claimed that they were heavily impacted by the closure but when they were interviewed 1 year after the closure they suggested a more stable picture. Preliminary analyses of landings data indicate that the introduction of the MPA has so far had minimal impacts on the average incomes and financial profits of fishermen and fish merchants. This conclusion, however, reflects a short-term view as the impacts of the closure of Lyme Bay are likely to be felt for a long time to come.

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On Seabed Disturbance, Marine Ecological Succession and Applications for Environmental Management: A Physical Sedimentological Perspective

Harris

2012

Sediments, Morphology and Sedimentary Processes on Continental Shelves

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Global analysis of response and recovery of benthic biota to fishing

Cited by 514 publications

References 73 publications

Recovery of marine animal populations and ecosystems

Recovery of marine animal populations and ecosystems

Assessing the Impacts of Establishing MPAs on Fishermen and Fish Merchants: The Case of Lyme Bay, UK

On Seabed Disturbance, Marine Ecological Succession and Applications for Environmental Management: A Physical Sedimentological Perspective

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