Reef fish hotspots as surrogates for marine conservation in the Brazilian coast

Abstract

This work presents a new spatial dataset comprising biological information with analytical potential to advance reef conservation, reef fish studies and decision making at multiple levels in Brazil. Here we use reef fish hotspots as a case study to inform mismatches in the current Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) network in Brazil. Currently, MPAs protects only 2% of the Economic Exclusive Zone in Brazil. Both quantity and protection level of MPAs is uneven: while approximately 62% are for sustainable use, numbers and area of no-take MPAs are very small. We report a clear mismatch between MPAs and reef fish hotspots in Brazil, with the northeast coast and the state of Espírito Santo being the most critical areas for conservation actions. However, MPAs can no longer be considered as a ‘quick fix’ conservation tool, but rather, a very complex ecological/social-political operation. Therefore, MPAs networks should be expanded in these most critical areas (including more no-take zones) within a broader spatial planning to lessen user conflicts.