Abstract
Ecosystem-based management and community-based participation in governance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been identified as key elements to improve management success, local stakeholder support, and compliance with regulations. However, both are often rarely achieved, resulting in poor MPA governance, support and success. A quantitative assessment of the spatio- temporal change (1997-2012) of coral reef fish communities within Arrecifes La Cordillera Natural Reserve in northeastern Puerto Rico was carried out. We also identified community expectations of and support for the designation of a network of small no-take MPAs within the reserve’s boundaries. A holistic approach employing biophysical and socioeconomic methods was used as part of a participatory model to identify priorities for the designation of candidate no-take MPAs. Populations of the most important fishery-targeted species showed a significant temporal decline, particularly in areas subjected to intense recreational activities and spearfishing. Most groupers (Serranidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), barracudas (Sphyraenidae), and some parrotfishes (Scaridae) were nearly absent at most sites. Most individuals belonged to smaller size categories. Herbivores represented the majority of the total fish biomass, suggesting strong fishing impacts on apex predators. Fish declines also occurred after two massive coral bleaching events in 1998 and 2005 that were followed by mass coral mortalities, suggesting combined negative impacts of fishing and climate change. A no-take MPA designation was supported by 80% of the artisanal fishermen, 73% of the concessionaires (i.e., SCUBA diving, charter boats), and 52% of registered vessel operators. Stakeholders agreed that coral reef conditions in the reserve had declined over time, as well as water quality which affected reef health and fisheries. Stakeholders did not recognize climate change and sea surface warming as threats to coral reefs and fisheries. Nonetheless, stakeholder perceptions of candidate no-take MPA sites remarkably matched those identified through fish counts. This study also highlighted the pervasive views held by many stake-holders concerning MPA management and enforcement, and recommended that any no-take MPA designation process considers improving stakeholder participation, understanding of management objectives, actions, and accomplishments, and building stakeholders trust. The integration of ecosystem-based and community-based participatory models may be critical to foster improved support of no-take MPAs and foster a long-term community-based integration to develop and implement mitigation strategies for climate change impacts in novel future scenarios.
Highlights
The designation of no-take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has been one of the top priority strategies for the conservation and restoration of coral reef resources, and for recovering depleted reef fisheries at local, regional and global scales [1]-[7]
We used a holistic approach that employed a set of biophysical and socioeconomic methods as part of a participatory model to develop a set of interdisciplinary criteria necessary for the establishment of priorities for the identification of candidate no-take MPAs. This project was aimed at achieving the following three objectives: 1) quantitatively assess the status of coral reef fish communities within Arrecifes La Cordillera Natural Reserve (ALCNR); 2) develop a participatory model to involve local fisher communities and other stakeholder groups in a decision-making process aimed at evaluating the condition of reef habitats and fisheries, and at suggesting candidate no-take MPA sites within ALCNR; and 3) develop an interdisciplinary data matrix using a combination of biological, ecological, regional, impacts, pragmatic, social, and economic criteria to rank no-take MPA sites
This study addressed the spatio-temporal changes in fish community structure at ALCNR within a 15-year time span (1997-2012), identified areas of convergence between different stakeholder groups, ranked candidate no-take MPA sites based in multiple criteria, evaluated the preferred methods of public participation within and between community groups, and determined community expectations of no-take MPA benefits and costs
Summary
The designation of no-take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has been one of the top priority strategies for the conservation and restoration of coral reef resources, and for recovering depleted reef fisheries at local, regional and global scales [1]-[7]. MPA designation alone is not enough to protect and recover depleted reef resources from other local human sources of stress besides fishing or from large-scale, climate change related impacts. There is evidence that MPA success is highly associated to strong governance and enforcement, successful implementation of a management plan, and full participation and support of local base communities through a co-management model, but less than 20% of Caribbean MPAs in 2003 were fully compliant [15]
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.
