Efecto del área marina protegida de las islas de Ventotene y Santo Stefano sobre la comunidad de peces

Abstract

The present study aims to examine the effect of the marine protected reserve of the islands of Ventotene and Santo Stefano, by studying the biomass of the fish community in the different protection zones. To do this, we had to sample the abundance and measure the fish. This was done in two periods of time and in different locations, within the reserve. The fish species found were analyzed in various groups in order to determine the possible effect of the reserve on these groups separately. On the other hand, and given its important socioeconomic role, the mere, was analyzed separately. The results indicate that there are significant differences in fish biomass for the different areas of the reserve that we studied. Zone A of integral reserve presented a greater number and biomass of benthic commercial species and the grouper as an individual unit. However, in pelagic species, their biomass was determined by seasonal variability. The present work shows the usefulness of the Marine Protected area of the islands of Ventotene and Santo Stefano to increase the biomass of the fish with commercial interest.