Abstract
Fishing is a major source of human impact, reducing density and size of a wide range of exploited species in comparison to areas exhibiting strong regulations (no-take and partially protected areas, including Territorial Use Rights for Fisheries, TURFs). Since size and density might have important consequences on reproduction, and therefore natural re-seeding, we monitored adult size, density and potential fecundity of the keyhole limpet (Fissurella latimarginata) and the red sea urchin (Loxechinus albus) in areas under two fishing regimes (TURFs and Open Access Areas, OAAs). Analyzing the distribution of suitable habitats, we predict spatial patterns of potential egg production, to identify reproductive hotspots along the central coast of Chile. The current system of TURFs in central Chile showed higher potential egg production of F. latimarginata and of L. albus than expected under a complete OAAs scenario (67 and 52% respectively). Potential egg production showed more than a twofold reduction when the complete TURFs scenario was compared against complete OAAs condition in both species. Individual size and density explained between 60% and 100% of the variability in potential egg production, suggesting the importance of the enhancement of both biological variables in TURFs in Chile. Potential egg production for both species in the northern part of the studied domain was higher due to the combined effect of (a) suitable habitat and (b) concentration of TURFs. Our results suggest that partially protected areas, such as TURFs can significantly enhance the production of propagules that could seed exploited areas.
Highlights
Coastal zones are among the most impacted ecosystems of the world [1]
In order to account for spatial variability of rocky habitat and fishing regimes (TURFs and open access areas (OAAs)) along the coast of central Chile, we developed an indicator of the condition of small fractions of the coast
Our main results show the influences of Territorial Use Rights for Fisheries (TURF) in enhancing size and density of exploited species and the direct consequences of enhanced size and density on potential egg production, thereby suggesting an important role of partially protected areas in producing propagules to seed exploited areas
Summary
Coastal zones are among the most impacted ecosystems of the world [1]. Effect of fishing on egg production in Chile and 82% of unassessed stocks currently require rebuilding [5,6]. This situation is of major concern in fisheries that are critically important for diversity and food security, such as artisanal fisheries, which currently concentrate approximately 50% of the world catch and 90% of the fishers worldwide [7]. The tools to advance in management of artisanal fisheries range from new ecosystem approaches, total allowable catches as well as spatial management including limited-entry areas (e.g., Territorial Use Rights for Fisheries; TURFs) and permanent fishing bans (e.g., Marine Reserves) [8,9,10]
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