Mangroves enhance local fisheries catches: a global meta‐analysis

Abstract

Mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems in tropical and subtropical regions. Historically, mangroves are assumed to support artisanal fisheries, leading decision‐makers to protect mangroves based on this premise. However, this relationship remains unclear, despite positive correlations obtained in different geographical regions. Here, we provide the first meta‐analysis of the mangroves–fisheries linkage at a global level. After conducting a systematic review, 23 publications containing 51 studies estimating the mangrove–fishery linkage were obtained. A random effect model was used to estimate the effect size (Pearson's correlation coefficient) of each individual study as well as the overall effect size. We found strong evidence for the mangrove–fishery linkage with an overall effect size of r = 0.72 (95% CI: 0.61–0.81), and substantial heterogeneity was observed (Q = 143.88, df = 50, P < 0.01). The countries where the studies were carried out were the only significant moderator (QM = 26.07, P < 0.01), while fisheries types (i.e. crab, fish, shellfish, prawn and total) and global regions were not good predictors of the relationship. Our results show that mangrove area is a good predictor of fishery catches overall, confirming the importance of conserving such habitats.

Non‐linear thresholds characterize the relationship between reef fishes and mangrove habitat

“…Previous to our study, research has suggested a mangrove enhancement effect applying to reef fishes on a wide geographical region (Serafy et al. ) or to local fisheries at a global scale (Carrasquilla‐Henao and Juanes ). We are aware that these ecosystem relationships are complex and, according to Pittman et al.…”

Drivers of mangrove ecosystem service change in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh

“…More than 0.7 million people are employed either directly or indirectly in shrimp farming and other related occupations (Banks, ; Figure ). A significant proportion of these jobs will be dependent on the presence of the mangrove forest, due to the strong evidence suggesting that mangroves enhance fisheries yields in many situations, as they act as a fish nursery area (Mumby et al ., ; Carrasquilla‐Henao & Juanes, ).…”

“…Destructive fishing practices degrade overall habitat quality and catching high proportions of juvenile species could lead to ‘recruitment overfishing' that would ultimately compromise the provisioning ecosystem service supply, as fish stocks are unable to reproduce sufficiently. This is particularly an issue when fishing close to mangroves, as mangroves are now well known to be important nursery areas for juvenile fish (Carrasquilla‐Henao & Juanes, ; Whitfield, ) due to the dense above‐ground root network of mangrove vegetation providing shelter from larger predators. Thus, fishing close to the mangrove fringe or inside the forest is likely to target juvenile fish.…”

Socio-Economic Status and Living Conditions of Coastal Communities: Impacts on the Mangrove Ecosystems in the Scarcies Estuaries, Sierra Leone, West Africa

“…These services can be categorized into provisioning, supporting and regulating, and cultural [9][10]. Provisioning services include (i) fisheries production [11][12][13][14][15]; (ii) production of timber and wood [1,16]; (iii) Medicinal purposes [17]. Supporting and regulating services include (i) carbon sequestration [2,18,19]; (ii) climate regulation [5,[20][21][22]; (iii) shoreline stabilization and coastal protection [23][24][25]; (iv) water filtration [26] and pollution regulation [27][28][29]; Mangroves also provide a suite of cultural and aesthetic services, which include: (i) recreation and tourism [30]; (ii) educational opportunities [5,31,32]; (iii) aesthetic and cultural values [32][33].…”