Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been advocated as a solution to the challenges of both conservation and modern fishery management, but their application remains controversial, partly because there are only general guidelines for evaluating their effectiveness. We propose a framework to specifically evaluate established MPAs in six steps. We tested the approach by reviewing published research and unpublished information on the Goukamma MPA in the centre of the South African temperate south coast. Information reviewed included effects on the structure of fish populations, catch and abundance indices of fish species, and ecosystem effects. We investigated factors that determine the usefulness of a MPA in fisheries management, including the movement behaviour of adult fishes, larval dispersal and fisher-displacement patterns. We found that differences in the rates of exploitation across the MPA border resulted in differences in abundance, size and condition of the main target species, roman (Chrysoblephus laticeps). The diversity and abundance of non-target fish species, and the composition of the benthic invertebrate community, were affected by the cessation of fishing. The potential for ‘spillover’ of adult roman might be limited to the vicinity of the MPA by their small home range, but there is potential for self-seeding and dispersal of roman eggs and larvae over wider areas. These theoretical considerations were confirmed by an analysis of catch data from before and after MPA implementation. The framework presented here may help to identify and fill gaps in the knowledge of established MPAs along South Africa’s temperate south coast.
Highlights
Marine protected areas (MPAs) have long been advocated as a marine conservation strategy and, more recently, as a way to address the global crisis in fisheries management.[1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
By investigating a set of key questions, we were able to show that the exclusion of fishing boats from Goukamma had an overall beneficial effect which manifested itself in a recovery of the species that had been the main target within the MPA, which in turn had positive effects on the maintenance of ecosystem functioning inside the MPA and an improved fishery yield outside its boundaries
Other frameworks focused on different aspects of MPA assessments, such as management efficiency[31] and economic value,[34] or used mathematical models to describe the trade-offs between conservation and fishery benefits.[90]
Summary
AFFILIATIONS: 1Elwandle Node, South African Environmental Observation Network, Grahamstown, South Africa 2Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cape Town, South Africa 3Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. A step-by-step framework to assess benefits of established temperate marine protected areas. The potential for ‘spillover’ of adult roman might be limited to the vicinity of the MPA by their small home range, but there is potential for self-seeding and dispersal of roman eggs and larvae over wider areas. These theoretical considerations were confirmed by an analysis of catch data from before and after MPA implementation. The framework presented here may help to identify and fill gaps in the knowledge of established MPAs along South Africa’s temperate south coast
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
