Fishery Reserve Research Articles

Before–after control–impact (BACI) assessment of the effects of a deep-water no-take fishery reserve to recover Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) overfished populations and coexisting megafauna

AbstractOne of the main drivers of marine ecosystem change is fishing activity, bottom trawling being the most intensive fishing practice affecting benthic ecosystems worldwide. In the western Mediterranean Sea, Norway lobster stocks present signs of overexploitation due to trawling pressure, as their biomass and abundance have decreased abruptly during the last few years. No-take fishery reserves, a type of marine protected area where fishing is prohibited, could be efficient management measures to recover Norway lobster overexploited populations and coexisting demersal megafauna. Adopting a BACI (before–after control–impact) approach, we performed experimental fishing surveys before and after 4 years of the implementation of a deep-sea no-take reserve in the northwestern Mediterranean. After 4 years of closure, the Norway lobster population increased in abundance, biomass, body size, and trophic level in the no-take reserve. Our approach also revealed an increase in Norway lobster biomass beyond its boundaries, suggesting a spillover effect. Other demersal fish species also increased in biomass and abundance in the no-take reserve. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that no-take reserves might be an effective measure for recovering the Norway lobster stock and some species present in the same habitat.

ROV-based monitoring of passive ecological recovery in a deep-sea no-take fishery reserve

In the context of marine conservation, trawl fishing activity is the most important ecosystem stressor in demersal Mediterranean waters. Limited management measures in bottom trawling have caused deep-sea stocks of the iconic Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus to decrease over the last decade. This crustacean acts as an umbrella species for co-existing megafauna. Here, we used non-invasive Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) video-surveys to investigate the status of a pilot deep-sea no-take reserve implemented in the northwestern Mediterranean by quantifying demographic indicators of Norway lobsters and the co-existing benthic community, seafloor restoration, and the presence of marine litter. The results revealed that in the no-take reserve the Norway lobster stock showed higher abundance and biomass, and slightly larger body sizes than in the control area without fishing prohibition. Some taxa, such as the fishes Helicolenus dactylopterus and Trigla lyra and anemones of the family Cerianthidae, increased in abundance. We also observed that all trawling marks were smoothed and most of the seafloor was intact, clear indicators of the recovery of the muddy seafloor. The accumulation of marine debris and terrestrial vegetation was similar in the no-take reserve and the fished area. On the basis of the results of this study, we suggest that the use of no-take reserves might be an effective measure for recovering the Norway lobster stock, its co-existing megafauna community, and the surrounding demersal habitat. We also suggest that ROV video-survey might be a useful, and non-invasive method to monitor megafauna and seafloor status in protected deep-sea environments.

STATUS MUTU AIR DI KAWASAN KONSERVASI PERIKANAN (RESERVAT) LEBUNG KARANGAN OGAN ILIR SUMATERA SELATAN

Water conservation areas are also known as fisheries reserves or reserves. Lebung Karangan is a fishery reserve in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra. Community activities, either directly or indirectly, will produce waste in the form of organic and inorganic waste. This study aims to analyze the water quality status, and to identify the types of pesticides in Lebung Karangan reserve. The study was conducted in the Lebung Karangan reserve, located in Sejaro Sakti Village, Indralaya, Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, in November 2019. The sampling location was carried out at 4 (four) stations based on considerations of conditions at the research location. Analysis of water quality parameters was carried out in situ and ex situ. The data obtained from water quality measurements were calculated using the Pollution Index (IP) method to determine the status of water quality. The results showed that the water quality status of the Lebung Karangan reserve was in a moderately polluted to heavily pollute state, with an IP value of 10-13,54. The Lebung Karangan reserve was identified as containing organochlorine pesticides. The results of this study are expected to be used as a reference for the government in order to make policies in managing the Lebung Karangan reservae considering the condition of the waters being lightly polluted and the discovery of pesticide compounds. Key words : Lebung Karangan, organochlorine pesticides, reserve, quality status

Transaction Cost Analysis of Sustainable Management of Terubuk Fish (Tenualosa macrura) in the Waters of Bengkalis Riau

This research was conducted in a terubuk fishermen area in Bengkalis District (3 villages), Bukit Batu District (4 villages) in Bengkalis Regency; Sungai Apit District (2 villages), Siak Regency and Tasik Putri Puyu District (2 villages) in Meranti Islands Regency. The location is densely populated by fishermen with the largest fishery reserve in the waters of Bengkalis, Riau. This study was carried out to examine the transaction costs in the management of terubuk fish in Bengkalis waters. A survey was administered to collect primary data and secondary data through interview and focus group discussions with stakeholders relevant to Terubuk fisheries reserves (fishermen and the government). The transaction cost structure of terubuk fish management was determined using transaction cost analysis. Analytical method using the equation . The results of the study showed that the total transaction costs required in the management of terubuk fish in Bengkalis waters reported by the government reached IDR 1,505,134,000 for a year. Meanwhile, the transaction cost of fishermen was IDR 95,750,000 per year which is significantly lower than the one reported by the government. The cost included the decision-making costs, information costs, and joint operational cost.

Aquatic environmental characteristic of Singkil Swamp Wildlife Reserve in Aceh Singkil Regency

Singkil Swamp Wildlife Reserve is a peat swamp ecosystem located in Aceh Singkil Regency, Aceh Province. Peat swamp ecosystem has an important function in protecting and balancing water systems, carbon stocks and biodiversity conservation. However, information on the characteristics of the waters of this ecosystem is still not widely known, especially in the area of utilization that is influenced by community activities. This study aims to determine the aquatic environmental characteristics of the Singkil Swamp Wildlife Reserve utilization area covering the physical and chemical parameters of the water and the relationship among those parameters. Sampling was carried out through field observations both in-situ and ex-situ at 5 stations for 3 months (April-June 2021). Observations were made on water quality parameters namely temperature, transparency, depth, current, colour, salinity, water smell, pH, DO, TDS, TSS, conductivity, phosphate and nitrate. Analysis of the data was conducted, namely correlation analysis, PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and CA (Cluster Analysis). The water color was black and the pH was acidic, that is a characteristic of the swamp waters. The results of the measurement of water quality parameters indicate that TDS (13-44 mg/l), TSS (9-236 mg/l), total phosphate (0.01-2.14 mg/l), and nitrate (0.5-25.7 mg/l) were suitable for freshwater aquaculture to support fishery reserve. Based on the clustering of those stations, 5 observation stations were grouped into two different groups, namely cluster 1 with the number of observation stations of 2 stations (Stations 1 and 2) and cluster 2 with the number of observation stations of 3 stations (3, 4 and 5). The parameter values of total phosphate, pH, DO, and nitrate in cluster 1 tend were higher than in cluster 2.Keywords:Peat swampFreshwaterWater quality

Sizing up the role of predators on Mullus barbatus populations in Mediterranean trawl and no-trawl areas

Fishing leads to drastic changes in ecosystems with a net loss of predatory biomass. This issue has been evidenced from historical ecological studies and from the evaluation of the effects of effective and large marine protected areas. In two fishery reserves off the northern Sicily coast the red mullet Mullus barbatus underwent an impressive biomass increment and a few piscivores fish species recovered after a trawl ban. The red mullet, more than 20% of all demersal fish in the untrawled areas, represented a huge food resource to its potential predators. By contrasting two trawled and two untrawled gulfs we figured out predator - prey relationships through the use of a combined approach based on trophic niche, stable isotopes data and biomass. We show that the white grouper Epinephelus aeneus and the black-bellied anglerfish Lophius budegassa are the most important predators of the red mullet with higher biomass in the untrawled areas. We also found a potential re-establishment of the trophic role for white grouper inside the untrawled areas. Our study highlights some of the benefits obtained from the use of large offshore marine protected areas as a tool for ecosystem restoration.

Fish movements within community-managed fishery reserve networks: an acoustic survey of Lethrinus harak in Vanuatu

Fish movements within community-managed fishery reserve networks: an acoustic survey of Lethrinus harak in Vanuatu

Modelling the distribution and density of the invasive seaweed Sargassum muticum (Fucales, Sargassaceae) in shallow subtidal areas

The present study describes the distribution and density of Sargassum muticum in shallow subtidal areas of the Marine Fishery Reserve (MFR) ‘Os Miñarzos’ (Galicia, north-western Spain) by using a data-collection strategy and a statistical approach fairly unused in literature. Our surveys showed a rapid spread of the invasive alga in the study area, where the number of patches increased more than 50% between 2008 and 2009. A model-selection approach was used to test the goodness of fit of Sargassum density data and the zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) appeared to be the best model. The ZIP model quantified a probability of 22% of finding at least one Sargassum plant in a randomly placed quadrat within 11-m depth, demonstrating that a large part of the MFR has been invaded. In particular, the ZIP model showed that season, richness of macroalgal community, and abiotic factors, such as wave exposure and depth, are essential drivers for the establishment of S. muticum thalli in subtidal areas. Our results showed that the invasion of subtidal areas often follows patterns similar to the intertidal areas. The present study also demonstrated the usefulness of zero-inflated models to assess early and mid-stages of a seaweed invasion.

Estado de los arrecifes de coral y comunidades de peces e invertebrados con interés comercial asociadas al Banco de Pedro, Jamaica

The coral reefs located off the north coast of the Jamaican mainland are some of the best and most studied reefs in the world. Coral reefs of Pedro Bank, Jamaica were assessed in March, 2012 as part of the KSLOF Global Reef Expedition using a modified Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) protocol. The main objectives were to: 1) characterize the distribution, structure and health of coral reefs; and 2) evaluate the population status of commercially important reef fishes and invertebrates. This work was conducted to assist in characterizing coral reef habitats within and outside a proposed fishery reserve, and identify other possible conservation zones. Within 20 reefs, live coral cover ranged from 4.9% to 19.2%. Coral communities were dominated by small corals (esp. Agaricia, Porites and Siderastrea) although many sites had high abundances of large colonies of Montastraea annularis and M. faveolata, and these were generally in good condition. A single area, within the proposed fishery reserve, had extensive Acropora cervicornis thickets, and several shallow locations had small, but recovering A. palmata stands. Macroalgal cover at all sites was relatively low, with only three sites having greater than 30% cover; crustose coralline algae (CCA) was high, with eight sites exceeding 20% cover. Fish biomass at all sites near the Cays was low, with a dominance of herbivores (parrotfish and surgeonfish) and a near absence of groupers, snappers and other commercially important species. While parrotfish were the most abundant fish, these were all extremely small (mean size= 12cm; <4% over 29cm), and they were dominated by red band parrotfish (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) followed by striped parrotfish (Scarus iseri). While coral communities remain in better condition than most coastal reefs in Jamaica, intense fishing pressure using fish traps (main target species: surgeonfish) and hookah/spear fishing (main target: parrotfish) is of grave concern to the future persistence of these reefs. The proposed fishery reserve encompasses some of the best coral reef habitat near the Cays, but this MPA should be expanded to encompass other habitats and MPAs should be considered for bank reefs at the northwestern end, as well as Banner Reef and Blowers Rock. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 3): 11-24. Epub 2014 September 01.

Moving beyond a top-down fisheries management approach in the northwestern Mediterranean: Some lessons from the Philippines

Abstract The management of fisheries resources in the northwestern Mediterranean is traditionally centralized and developed within the framework of coastal states and European Union common policies. In general, it has not been sufficiently effective in reversing the declining situation of fisheries resources and fishers in this region. This paper discusses the feasibility of moving away from a top-down approach in fisheries management towards a more participative and convergent mode of governance in the region. More specifically, the study focuses on MPAs as a fisheries management tool and evaluates their current establishment and management system in the French Mediterranean as a case study for the region. A brief review of the experiences on fisheries and MPA management in the Philippines is also presented to obtain insights on bottom-up and collaborative management approaches. Finally, possible opportunities for adopting a more decentralized and coordinated approach in fisheries management within the French socio-political system, and possibly in the northwestern Mediterranean region, are discussed. These include the existence of fishing community organizations in the region, such as the prud'homies in France and cofradias in Spain, starting with management strategies that are simpler to enforce and more acceptable to direct users, e.g., fishery reserves, and exploring co-management arrangements to manage fisheries at ecologically meaningful but operationally manageable scales as has been proposed by some development organizations. However, effective changes in the system would require major national policy and institutional reforms, social preparation and organizational strengthening which would take time and resources.

Genetic considerations on the introduction of farmed fish in marine protected areas: The case of study of white seabream restocking in the Gulf of Castellammare (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea)

Human exploitation has drastically reduced the abundance and distribution of several marine fish and invertebrate populations through overfishing and habitat destruction. Restocking can potentially mitigate these impacts and help to reconstitute depleted stocks but genetic repercussions must be considered. In the present study, the degree of genetic similarity between white seabream (Diplodus sargus Linnaeus 1758) individuals reared for restocking purposes and the receiving population in the Gulf of Castellammare fishery reserve (Sicily, Italy) was assessed using microsatellites. We also inferred the spatial pattern of the genetic structure of D. sargus and connectivity along Sicilian coasts. The farmed population showed significant heterozygosity deficiency in 6 loci and an important reduction in the number of alleles, which could indicate an incipient inbreeding. Both the farmed population and the target one for restocking (Castellammare fishery reserve), showed high and significant values of genetic differentiation due to different allele frequencies, number of privative alleles and total number of alleles. These findings indicate a low degree of genetic similarity between both populations, therefore this restocking initiative is not advisable. The genetic connectivity pattern, highly consistent with oceanographic currents, identified two distinct metapopulations of white seabream around Sicily. Thus it is recommended to utilize broods from the same metapopulation for restocking purposes to provide a better genetic match to the wild populations.

Island Villagers’ Willingness to Work or Pay for Sustainability of a Marine Fishery Reserve: Case of San Miguel Island, Philippines

Establishment of marine reserves or marine protected areas (MPAs) has emerged as a major coastal resource management tool in the Philippines. A major sustainability constraint is the enforcement of MPA and fisheries regulations. We contribute to the literature of using stated preference methods to investigate the local residents’ willingness to work (WTW) and willingness to pay (WTP) for the continued existence of the San Miguel Island (SMI) fishery reserve in Bicol Region, Philippines. We surveyed 435 respondents in three villages. The lower-bound mean WTW is 3.5 days/mo for residents in the “owner” village and 1.9 days/mo for residents in adjacent villages. Using a fraction of mean daily income to impute the monetary equivalent of WTW, the result is more than 3 times higher than the Php16 to 25/mo (US$0.34 to 0.75/mo) estimated mean WTP. We hypothesize that labor market in this rural village is incomplete so residents have stronger preference for money than for time. However, further investigation on the opportunity cost of time and understanding the labor market is warranted when using WTW in a valuation framework. Some policy implications are: (1) considering use of voluntary labor as management option for MPAs and (2) establishing “own village” MPAs may increase residents’ conservation value.

Benthic Habitat Modification through Excavation by Red Grouper, Epinephelus morio, in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Red grouper (Epinephelus morio) is an economically important species in the reef fish community of the south- eastern United States, and especially the Gulf of Mexico. It is relatively common in karst regions of the Gulf and is asso- ciated with low-relief rocky features devoid of overlying sediments. Working both inshore in Florida Bay, Florida (U.S.A.), and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico shelf-edge fishery reserves, Madison Swanson and Steamboat Lumps, we characterized red-grouper habitat and the associated faunal assemblages and demonstrated through a series of experiments that red grouper expose rocky habitat by excavating with their mouths and fanning with their fins to clear away surficial sediment, thereby providing habitat for themselves as well as other reef-dwelling organisms. They also maintain this habi- tat by periodically clearing away sediment and debris. Such maintenance provides a clean rocky substrate for the attach- ment of sessile invertebrates, thereby modifying habitat features to provide refuge for many other species of fish and mo- tile invertebrates. We demonstrated increased biodiversity and abundance associated with habitat structured by red grou- per, and we speculate here as to its fishery importance as habitat for other economically important species such as spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) and vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens).

Effects of a marine fishery reserve and habitat characteristics in the abundance and demography of the red hind grouper,Epinephelus guttatus

A BSTRACT. — No-take marine fishery reserves have been established worldwide to reduce the impact of overfishing in marine ecosystems and to restore depleted fishery stocks. In this study we used capture-markrecapture methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of a small no-take marine fishery reserve in enhancing local abundance, size structure, survival and growth of the red hind grouper, Epinephelus guttatus . The benthic and fish communities were also characterized to discern between the effects of reserve protection from those of habitat variability. A total of 342 red hinds were captured at three localities inside and three outside (200 inside, 142 outside), with a recapture rate of 21.9%. All recaptures were made at the site of initial capture. Density of red hind groupers significantly differed among localities; however, no effect of the reserve was evident. The highest red hind grouper densities were found in hard ground habitats irrespective of management (i.e. inside vs. outside no-take marine fishery reserve). Survival and growth rates did not vary significantly among localities or between management treatments. However, red hind groupers inside the reserve were significantly larger than those outside. Significant differences in benthic community structure were found among localities, but not between management treatments. Variation in red hind grouper population parameters among sites did not correlate with benthic community variables, except for relief, that correlated negatively with red hind grouper density. The overriding factor accounting for differences in red hind grouper density among sites appears to be habitat choice, not the protection from fishing conferred by the reserve.

Small-Scale Sicilian Fisheries: Opinions of Artisanal Fishers and Sociocultural Effects in Two MPA Case Studies

Marine resource management and related stakeholder conflicts have been clearly defined in recent decades as pressing issues worldwide. This article provides a comparative study of the management regimes of the Gulf of Castellammare Fishery Reserve and the Egadi Islands Marine Reserve in Sicily, Italy. What managers in these two reserves have neglected to include in management is a social science evaluation scheme to ensure the development of more effective overall management. This is a significant problem in both Italy and the rest of the Mediterranean, where few sociocultural and economic studies have been conducted. Using data collected with standard anthropological field methods, analysis was conducted on how artisanal fishers are impacted by reserves, the extent of their knowledge regarding regulations, their opinions on management, and demographics. The results indicate that while fishers in the two case studies are all aware of the marine reserves where they fish, most fishers are not well informed of the associated regulations. Fishers feel alienated from the management process, and would feel more comfortable with reserve managers and regulations if they were involved in management. The article concludes by showing how such data could help to develop more useful and practical management practices in both these and other MPAs with similar problems.

Biological Evaluation of Marine ­Protected Area: Evidence of Crowding Effect on a Protected Population of Queen Conch in the Caribbean

Abstract This study provides a first evaluation of the biological impact of a marine fishery reserve on the stock of queen conch (Strombus gigas) in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The density and the shell length of the population living in the reserve are compared with those of the individuals living in the surrounding fished areas. The results show that the adult density is six times higher in the reserve than in the fished areas. The shell length analysis shows that both adults and juveniles are significantly smaller in the reserve than in the fished area. This unexpected result suggests the existence of a crowding effect (i. e. a high density‐induced reduction in growth rate) within the ­reserve. It is hypothesised that this crowding effect is due to the superimposition of two factors leading to very high density values in the reserve: (a) the reduced fishing mortality following the creation of the reserve, (b) the existence of natural barriers that impede the emigration of adults outside the reserve. These results are then discussed in relation to current considerations on marine fisheries reserves.

The Human Dimension of Coral Reef Marine Protected Areas: Recent Social Science Research and Its Policy Implications

Coral reefs provide ecosystem goods and services to millions of people around the world (Cesar et al. 1997; Costanza et al. 1997). The long-term sustainability of these ecosystem benefits is threatened, however, by direct overexploitation of coral reef resources, destructive fishing practices, air and water pollution, and climate change (Wilkinson 2000). Traditional efforts to manage coral reefs—species by species, sector by sector—have proven insufficient to ensure resource sustainability or to protect biodiversity against these threats, spurring calls for an ecosystem-oriented approach (Botsford et al. 1997; Cicin-Sain & Knecht 1998; National Research Council 1999, 2001 ). Central to this ecosystem approach to coral reef management are marine protected areas (MPAs), a family of spatially explicit marine management systems that includes underwater parks, fishery reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries (National Research Council 1999, 2001). Coral reef MPAs have yet to realize their full potential. Although the number of coral reef MPAs has grown rapidly in recent years, their performance remains highly variable (Kelleher et al. 1995; Halpern in press; M. G. Pajaro, C. M. Nozawa, M. N. Lavides, and S. Gutierrez. 2000. Status of marine protected areas in the Philippines: better management of coral reefs and coastal areas in the tropics. Paper presented at the 9th ICRS [hereafter referred to as Pajaro et al. 2000].). Research suggests that social factors, not biological or physical variables, are the primary determinants of MPA success or failure (Kelleher & Recchia 1998; McClanahan 1999). Efforts to design more effective coral reef MPAs are hindered, however, by the dearth of social scientific research into the human dimensions of MPA development and management. Social science research presented during the ninth International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS; in Bali, Indonesia, 2000) provides valuable insights into the human dimensions of coral reef MPAs. Here I synthesize findings from social science MPA research delivered at the ICRS and suggest several implications of these findings for coral reef MPA policy.

Connectivity Between Coastal Habitats of Two Oceanic Caribbean Islands as Inferred from Ontogenetic Shifts by Coral Reef Fishes

Mangroves and seagrass beds are considered important nursery habitats for juveniles of coral reef fishes. Studies have mostly focused on the fish community of just one habitat, so the connectivity between different coastal habitats is often unclear. In this study, density and size of reef fish were determined using a single sampling technique in four non-estuarine bay habitats and four reef zones in Curacao and Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles). The data indicate that of the complete reef fish community at least 21 species show ontogenetic cross- shelf shifts in habitat utilization. The 21 species mainly utilized shallow-water habitats (mangroves, seagrass beds, channel and shallow reef) as nursery habitats and the deeper coral reef zones (> 5 m depth) as adult life- stage habitats. Fish species utilized 1-3 different nursery habitats simultaneously, but habitat utilization clearly differed between species. Previous studies showed that the dependence on these nursery habitats is very high, based on reduced density or absence of adults on coral reefs where these habitats were absent. The strong connectivity between several coastal habitats during the ontogeny of various commercially important reef fish species is evidence for the inclusion of bay habitats within boundaries of fishery reserves or marine protected areas. bay species were defined as species which are abundant in bays as juveniles and adults, and are not present or occur in low abundances on the coral reef. Studies showed that juveniles of 17 nursery species are highly associated with mangrove/seagrass dominated bays (Nagelkerken et al. 2000b, Nagelkerken and van der Velde 2002), but are largely absent in bays lacking these nursery habitats (Nagelkerken et al. 2001a). Further- more, these species are rarely found as juveniles on the coral reef (Nagelkerken et al. 2000b). In addition, Nagelkerken et al. (2002) demonstrated that 10 out of the 17 nursery species show absence or highly reduced densities of adults on reefs of islands completely lack- ing mangroves and seagrass beds. This suggests a high dependence of these nursery species on mangroves and seagrass beds, and implies that their density on the reef is a function of the presence of these habitats. Previous studies have shown that in mangrove/

Groupers (Pisces:Serranidae) in fished and protected areas of the Florida Keys, Bahamas and northern Caribbean

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 198:261-272 (2000) - doi:10.3354/meps198261 Groupers (Pisces: Serranidae) in fished and protected areas of the Florida Keys, Bahamas and northern Caribbean Mark Chiappone*, Robert Sluka, Kathleen Sullivan Sealey The Nature Conservancy, Marine Conservation Science Center, University of Miami, Department of Biology, PO Box 249118, Coral Gables, Florida 33124, USA *Present address: University of North Carolina at Wilmington, The National Undersea Research Center, 515 Caribbean Drive, Key Largo, Florida 33037, USA. E-mail: mark@benthos.cox.miami.edu ABSTRACT: Groupers (Pisces: Serranidae) of littoral environments of warm-temperate and tropical regions have experienced intense fishery exploitation. Indicators of intense fishing include declines or change in abundance, size, spawning aggregations, and species composition. Surveys of grouper were carried out from 1995 to 1997 in the Florida Keys, central Bahamas, southeastern Cuba, and the southeastern Dominican Republic to illuminate patterns in species composition, abundance, and size, along a gradient of relative fishing pressure. We assumed that the diversity, composition, density, and size would serve as indicators of fishing pressure in these areas. The study locations included 2 national parks and a national marine sanctuary, and were categorized as: (1) intensively fished with little or no management for groupers (southeastern Cuba, southeastern Dominican Republic), (2) intensively fished with numerous gear and effort regulations (Florida Keys), (3) lightly fished with some gear and effort regulations (northern and southern Exuma Cays, Bahamas), and (4) a no-take marine fishery reserve closed to fishing (Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, Bahamas). On each site 10 to 20 strip transects (20 m x 5 m) were surveyed in water of 1 to 20 m depth over rocky hard-bottom habitats for density and size of grouper. Nine grouper species (2 Cephalopholis spp., 4 Epinephelus spp., and 3 Mycteroperca spp.) were documented among all areas. Results show that areas where grouper fishing was relatively light had greater numbers of species, density, and biomass, particularly for larger species such as Nassau grouper E. striatus. Classification of groupers by 3 life history categories or growth strategies (small, intermediate, and large) indicated significant differences in density and biomass among study areas. The density and biomass of larger grouper species were significantly greater in the no-take marine reserve and lightly fished areas than in the more intensively fished areas. In 3 of the areas characterized as intensively fished, one of which has several grouper fishery regulations, grouper density and biomass were dominated by small, non-targeted species such as the graysby C. cruentatus and the coney C. fulva. This pattern may indicate a second-order effect of fishing, indicative of potential changes in competition or predation. No-take marine fishery reserves represent a viable means to protect grouper resources, simplifying enforcement relative to complex catch and effort regulation, but also potentially alleviating the need to gather fisheries-dependent data. KEY WORDS: Caribbean · Groupers · Marine fishery reserve · Overfishing Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 198. Publication date: June 05, 2000 Print ISSN:0171-8630; Online ISSN:1616-1599 Copyright © 2000 Inter-Research.