Targeted fishes are larger and more abundant in ‘no-take’ areas in a subtropical marine park

Malcolm, Hamish A.; Williams, Julian C.; Schultz, Arthur L.; Neilson, Joseph; Johnstone, Nicola; Knott, Nathan A.; Harasti, David; Coleman, Melinda A.; Jordan, Alan

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2018.07.003

Cited by 28 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…Higher abundance of target species was observed within NTRs, but protection status did not correlate with any differences in the abundance of non-target species. Indeed, studies have showed increased abundance of highly targeted fishes inside no-take NTRs, with lower influence on non-target [3, 5, 22, 91, 92], reinforcing evidence of the direct effects of fishing. Abundance of target species also increased with greater distance from the shore, which can be related to the increased fisheries activity close to the shore as described above [88].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the consequences of large removal of individuals by fisheries activities is represented by a rapid decrease in abundance and richness, especially of large bodied target species [78]. Indeed, the effects of fisheries on the size of individuals is well described, in which target species reach larger sizes within NTRs [22, 86, 91, 102, 103]. The present study corroborates these studies, showing a significantly higher density of larger individuals of target species of the families Epinephelidae, Kyphosidae, Carangidae and Scaridae within protected areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Network of small no-take marine reserves reveal greater abundance and body size of fisheries target species

Rolim

Langlois

Rodrigues

et al. 2018

Preprint

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24No-take marine reserves (NTRs), i.e. areas with total fishing restrictions, have been 25 established worldwide aiming to provide biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Brazil has 26 established NTRs, but currently lacks scientific knowledge and understanding of their 27 ecological role, particularly regarding rocky reefs in subtropical regions. Consequently, this 28 study aimed to contrast NTR, from the 30 year old Tupinambás Ecological Station, and 29 comparable fished sites across a coastal biogeographic gradient to investigate the effect of 30 fishing and habitat variability on the abundance and body-size of rocky reef fish. We used 31 Baited Remote Underwater stereo-Video (stereo-BRUVs) and Diver Operated stereo-Video 32 (stereo-DOVs) systems to simultaneously sample reef fish and habitat. Model selection and 33 results identified habitat and biogeographic variables, such as distance from shore, as important 34 predictor variables, explaining several aspects of the fish assemblage. The effect of protection 35 was important in determining the abundance and body-size of targeted species, in particular for 36 epinephelids and carangids. Conversely, species richness was correlated with habitat 37 complexity and not with protection status. This is the first study to publish data using these 38 novel survey methods in the Southeastern Atlantic and demonstrate their utility, in combination 39 with an established network of NTR's, to provide benchmarks for conservation and fisheries 40 management. 41 42 43 EventMeasure, GAM.46 47No-take marine reserves (NTRs) have been established worldwide as a management 48 strategy mostly aiming to recover marine biodiversity from effects of fisheries. It is well 49 documented that these areas can provide refuge to marine life, increasing local abundance, 50 species richness, body size and the reproductive capacity of fish [1][2][3][4]. 51Networks of NTRs can be used to investigate effects of fishing across biogeographic 52 gradients, with the aim of estimating benchmarks for conservation and fisheries management. 53Besides facing direct fisheries effects from biomass removal, NTRs have also highlighted 54 indirect effects, where the removal of large carnivores in areas without protection can result in 55 a higher abundance of prey species, leading to a trophic reorganization [5][6][7]. 56It is also well documented that fish assemblage structure will vary with physical, 57 chemical and biological factors across biogeographic and habitat gradients through space [8-58 10]. In particular, distance from the coast and topographic complexity have shown to increase 59 species richness, abundance and biomass of reef fish [11][12][13][14][15][16]. It is therefore important for any 60 investigation of the effects of fishing to be able to control for these covariates across any inside 61 versus outside NTR comparison. 62Brazil has 8500 km of coastline and a territorial sea that, together with the Exclusive 63 Economic Zone, encompasses 4 million km 2 . Of this area, 26.4% is protected by...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Network of small no-take marine reserves reveal greater abundance and body size of fisheries target species

Rolim

Langlois

Rodrigues

et al. 2018

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This decline is also in conflict with evidence that both the abundance and length of C . auratus increases within no-take areas in NSW [37, 42, 43], and in many locations across its range [44]. Additionally, it has been previously established through acoustic tracking surveys that C .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illegal recreational fishing causes a decline in a fishery targeted species (Snapper: Chrysophrys auratus) within a remote no-take marine protected area

et al. 2019

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One role of Marine Protected Areas is to protect biodiversity; however, illegal fishing activity can reduce the effectiveness of protection. Quantifying illegal fishing effort within no-take MPAs is difficult and the impacts of illegal fishing on biodiversity are poorly understood. To provide an assessment of illegal fishing activity, a surveillance camera was deployed at the Seal Rocks no-take area within the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park from April 2017-March 2018. To assess impacts of illegal fishing activity in the no-take area, Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVs) were used to quantify abundance and size of snapper Chrysophrys auratus from 2011–2017. BRUVs were also deployed at two nearby fished locations and two other no-take areas to allow comparison. Over 12 months of camera surveillance, a total of 108 recreational vessels were observed illegally fishing within the no-take area (avg 9.0 ± 0.9 per month). The greatest number of vessels detected in a single month was 14 and the longest a vessel was observed fishing was ~ 6 hours. From 2011–2017, the abundance of C. auratus within the Seal Rocks no-take area significantly declined by 55%, whilst the abundance within the other fished areas and no-take areas did not significantly decline over the same period. Lengths of C. auratus in the Seal Rocks no-take area were significantly smaller in 2017 compared to 2013 which was driven by a decline in the number of legal sized fish over 30 cm. Based on mean number of illegal fishers per vessel recorded in the no-take area, and an allowable bag limit of 10 C. auratus per person, it is possible that more than 2,000 C. auratus are removed annually from this no-take area. There is a strong likelihood that illegal recreational fishing is causing a reduction on a fishery targeted species within a no-take MPA and measures need to be implemented to reduce the ongoing illegal fishing pressure.

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“…In addition, NTAs can be used to manage a range of threats in a spatial context, including resource use and fishing pressures, and to provide refuge for fishes (Byers & Noonburg, ) and invertebrates (Meyer & Byers, ). Specifically, target species abundance and sizes have been shown to increase within NTAs and surrounding areas (Malcolm, Schultz, Sachs, Johnstone, & Jordan, ; Malcolm et al, ; Sala, Giakoumi, & Pendleton, ). NTAs can also be used to provide spatially and temporally restricted closures, such as those needed to protect spawning grounds (Armstrong et al, ; Moltschaniwskyj, Pecl, & Lyle, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictive modelling of illegal fishing in no‐take marine protected areas

Davis

Harasti

2020

Fisheries Management Eco

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Illegal fishing is an acknowledged problem within no‐take areas (NTAs), which are frequently used as a marine conservation management tool. While gathering data on illegal fishing is difficult, it is necessary, as these data enable increased efficiency of compliance patrols, where resources are inherently limited. In particular, information about short‐term temporal variations in illegal fishing in NTAs is needed to guide management and compliance efforts. To address this knowledge gap, daily variations in illegal fishing effort were examined using surveillance cameras at two sites in New South Wales, Australia. Generalised linear modelling (GLM) identified that illegal fishing was significantly greater on non‐working days and during periods with no rain, light winds and slight seas. The GLM developed provided useful predictions of illegal activity in both the NTA used to build the model and in a second nearby NTA. The study demonstrated that illegal fishing was principally concentrated on days with good boating conditions and was greater at the study site closer to boat launching facilities. These insights will assist with future targeting of enforcement, community outreach and management efforts, which should focus on days and sites with an increased likelihood of illegal fishing.

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Targeted fishes are larger and more abundant in ‘no-take’ areas in a subtropical marine park

Cited by 28 publications

References 70 publications

Network of small no-take marine reserves reveal greater abundance and body size of fisheries target species

Network of small no-take marine reserves reveal greater abundance and body size of fisheries target species

Illegal recreational fishing causes a decline in a fishery targeted species (Snapper: Chrysophrys auratus) within a remote no-take marine protected area

Predictive modelling of illegal fishing in no‐take marine protected areas

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