Abstract
Marine reserves constitute effective tools for preserving fish stocks and associated human benefits. However, not all reserves perform equally, and predicting the response of marine communities to management actions in the long run is challenging. Our decadal-scale survey of recreational fishing yields at France's 45-year old Cerbère-Banyuls marine reserve indicated significant protection benefits, with 40-50% higher fishing yields per unit effort in the partial-protection zone of the reserve (where fishing is permitted but at a lower level) than in surrounding non-reserve areas. Over the period 2005-2014, catch per unit effort (CPUE) declined both inside and outside the reserve, while weight per unit effort (WPUE) increased by 131% inside and decreased by 60% outside. Different CPUE and WPUE trajectories among fish families indicated changing catch assemblages, with yields increasing for the family most valued by fisheries, Sparidae (the ecological winners). However, reserve benefits were restricted to off-shore fishermen (the social winners), as on-shore yields were ~4 times lower and declining, even inside the reserve. Our study illustrates how surveys of recreational fishing yields can help evaluate the effectiveness of marine protected areas for key social and ecological protagonists. We show that, more than four decades after its establishment, fishing efficiencies at the historical Cerbère-Banyuls marine reserve are still changing, but benefits in terms of catch abundance, weight, and composition remain predominantly restricted to off-shore fishermen. Further regulations appear necessary to guarantee that conservation strategies equitably benefit societal groups.
Highlights
Despite increasing management efforts, the decline of fishing yields remains a global concern [1]
Throughout the 2005–2014 survey period, catch per unit effort (CPUE) (Fig 2a) declined both inside (-58%, from 2.5 to 1.1 ind.line-1.h-1) and outside the reserve (-66%, from 2.2 to 0.8 ind.line-1.h-1) following a similar pattern to each other, while contrasting weight per unit effort (WPUE) trajectories were observed(Fig 2b), with values increasing in the reserve (+131%, from 222.3 to 514.0 g.line-1.h-1) and decreasing outside (-60%, from 275.3 to 110.1 g.line-1.h-1; S4 Table)
The effects of the reserve on CPUE and WPUE trajectories differed among the two fishermen groups
Summary
The decline of fishing yields remains a global concern [1]. Fish landings in the Mediterranean have been decreasing since the mid-1980’s, despite expanding fishing efforts toward lower trophic levels and the deeper sea [1, 7, 8] This decreasing catch rate has resulted in declines of commercial fishing activities. In the face of such uncertainties, the preservation of fisheries resources and associated socio-economic benefits poses serious regulatory challenges in terms of implementing appropriate measures for resource durability and equitable access [3, 19] In this context, identifying social and ecological protagonists vulnerable to environmental decline can refine regulatory strategies and help define win-win, sustainable management for people and ecosystems [20,21,22]
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