scholarly journals Impacts of a novel shellfishing gear on macrobenthos in a marine protected area: pump-scoop dredging in Poole Harbour, UK

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo J. Clarke ◽  
Luciana S. Esteves ◽  
Richard A. Stillman ◽  
Roger J.H. Herbert

Understanding the impact of bottom-fishing gears at various scales and intensities on habitats and species is necessary to inform management. In Poole Harbour, UK, a multiple use marine protected area, fishermen utilise a unique ̋“pump-scoop” dredge to harvest the introduced Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Managers need to balance the socio-economic benefits of the fishery with ecological concerns across the region, which has required a revision of by-laws that include both spatial and temporal measures. Within an operational fishery, we used a Before-After-Control-Impact sampling design to assess the impacts of pump-scoop dredging on benthic physical characteristics and community structure in an area where there was no dredging, an area newly opened to dredging and an area subject to high levels of historic dredging. A sampling grid was used in each area to best capture any fishing effort in the newly opened area. Core samples were taken to a depth of 30 cm within intertidal mudflats. A significant loss of fine sediments was observed in the site subject to high intensity dredging and a significant change in community structure also occurred in both dredged sites throughout the study period. In the newly opened site this was characterised by a relative increase in species richness, including increased abundance of annelid worms, notably Hediste diversicolor and Aphelochaeta marioni and a decline in the abundance of the bivalve mollusc Abra tenuis. These changes, albeit relatively small, are attributed to physical disturbance as a direct result of pump-scoop dredging, although no difference in the classification of the biotope of the site was observed. This is of particular interest to managers monitoring site condition within areas under the new by-laws as the Manila clam is spreading to other protected estuaries in the region.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Zito ◽  
Gavina Manca

The Porto Conte Natural Park, an institution managing and developing the area surrounding the territory of Alghero in Sardinia, decided to join the Park and Protected Area Network Environmental Quality Label (“Marchio di Qualità della Rete dei Parchi e delle Aree Protette”). The label may be awarded to products and accommodation facilities taking special care of the protection of the environmental and local development. In order to evaluate the benefits of this initiative on the companies operating within the park, a survey was administered among the companies awarded with the label and the local community. The companies recognized the benefits thereof, mostly in terms of reputation, as a result of the adoption of responsible environmental behaviors by the members of the business organization. In addition, greater attention to environmental protection resulted in a decrease of waste production and a rigorous compliance with the applicable rules and regulations. Most of the companies interviewed were generally satisfied with the park's project but complained about the poor advertising initiatives by the Park's Managing Body. As a matter of fact, about the 50% of the residents interviewed were not aware of the label award and the product certification. Considering that the residents of the park area are sensitive to environmental issues, and they believe that the park is a major asset for the area, better communication, and a greater involvement of all stakeholders in the initiative undertaken by the Park's Managing Body may help companies expand their business also locally.


Author(s):  
August Daulat ◽  
Widodo Setiyo Pranowo ◽  
Syahrial Nur Amri

Nusa Penida, Bali was designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) by the Klungkung Local Government in 2010 with support from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Indonesia. Mangrove forests located in Nusa Lembongan Island inside the Nusa Penida MPA jurisdiction have decreased in biomass quality and vegetation cover. It’s over the last decades due to influences from natural phenomena and human activities, which obstruct mangrove growth. Study the mangrove forest changes related to the marine protected areas implementation are important to explain the impact of the regulation and its influence on future conservation management in the region. Mangrove forest in Nusa Penida MPA can be monitored using remote sensing technology, specifically Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from Landsat satellite imagery combined with visual and statistical analysis. The NDVI helps in identifying the health of vegetation cover in the region across three different time frames 2003, 2010, and 2017. The results showed that the NDVI decreased slightly between 2003 and 2010. It’s also increased significantly by 2017, where a mostly positive change occurred landwards and adverse change happened in the middle of the mangrove forest towards the sea.


2012 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Alemany ◽  
Oscar O. Iribarne ◽  
Eduardo M. Acha

Abstract Alemany, D., Iribarne, O. O., and Acha, E. M. 2013. Effects of a large-scale and offshore marine protected area on the demersal fish assemblage in the Southwest Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70:123–134. There are few extensive and offshore located marine protected areas (MPAs) in the world oceans and their performance is still being debated. We evaluated the effects of a large-scale offshore MPA located on the Southwest Atlantic Patagonian Shelf (43°S 63°W) on the demersal fish assemblage. Compliance of the Patagonian MPA was assessed by analysing eight years of satellite vessel monitoring system (VMS; 2000–2008) data, which showed compliance and fishing effort concentrated near the protection boundaries. MPA effects were studied by employing a five year database collected by a scientific research vessel in protected and fishing locations, before and after the MPA establishment. We assessed 152 scientific trawling stations using multivariate analysis of fish assemblage structure, fish abundance (discriminating target and non-target species), and mean size and proportion of juveniles of the target species (Argentine hake, Merluccius hubbsi). The identified MPA effects were a trend towards increasing abundance of the demersal fish assemblage, the target and non-target fish species, and hake juvenile size, and a higher proportion of juveniles aged 2+ inside the MPA. These positive trends support the case for offshore, large-scale MPAs.


2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 1009-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl J Walters ◽  
Ray Hilborn ◽  
Richard Parrish

Quantitative models of marine protected area (MPA) proposals can be used to compare outcomes given current biological knowledge. We used a model of a linear coastline, with 200 discrete cells each spanning 1.6 km of coast. This model is used to evaluate alternative proposals for marine protected area networks, predicting equilibrium changes in abundances and harvests while accounting for dispersal of larvae and older fish, changes in fecundity with reduced mortality in reserves, impacts of displaced fishing effort on abundances outside reserves, and compensatory (stock–recruitment) changes in postsettlement juvenile survival. The model demonstrates that modest dispersal rates of older fish can substantially reduce abundance within protected areas compared with predictions from models that ignore such dispersal. The strength of compensatory improvements in postsettlement juvenile survival is the most critical factor in determining whether a reserve network can rescue populations from the impacts of severe overharvesting. We use the model to compare specific alternative proposals for protected area networks along the California coast, as mandated through California's Marine Life Protection Act, and show that achieving the goals of the Act depends primarily on the fisheries management regulations outside of protected areas and that the size and configuration of MPAs has little impact.


2009 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aitor Forcada ◽  
Carlos Valle ◽  
José L. Sánchez-Lizaso ◽  
Just T. Bayle-Sempere ◽  
Fabio Corsi

Abstract Forcada, A., Valle, C., Sánchez-Lizaso, J. L., Bayle-Sempere, J. T., and Corsi, F. 2010. Structure and spatio-temporal dynamics of artisanal fisheries around a Mediterranean marine protected area. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 191–203. Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been proposed and established throughout the world, but few studies have adequately assessed the spatial adaptations of fishers to the limitations imposed by their placement. The main objectives of this work were to identify and describe the characteristics of the artisanal fisheries around Tabarca Marine Reserve (western Mediterranean Sea) and to define their activity in space and time. Data were collected through questionnaires to fishers and onboard sampling. The artisanal fisheries were complex owing to the multispecific nature of the landings, the variety of gears involved, and their marked seasonality. All boats of the three harbours around the MPA were assessed, for a total of 32 boats. The fishers exploit 18 fishing grounds with eight gear types, for a total of 17 métiers. Mullus trammelnet, Sepia trammelnet, and sparid longline are the most frequently used métiers. The main factors determining the spatial distribution of the fishing effort are proximity to home harbour, habitat heterogeneity, and closeness to the MPA. Total fishing effort appeared slightly concentrated around the MPA, but each métier showed different patterns of effort distribution. Although the sparid gillnet and the sparid longline concentrated along MPA boundaries, the Sepia trammelnet and the Mullus trammelnet did not.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Harvey-Carroll ◽  
Joshua D. Stewart ◽  
Daire Carroll ◽  
Basith Mohamed ◽  
Ibrahim Shameel ◽  
...  

AbstractThe whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is an endangered species with a declining global population. The South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), Maldives, is one of few locations globally where year-long residency of individuals occurs. This SAMPA aggregation appears to consist almost exclusively of immature males. Due to its year-round residency, this local aggregation is subjected to a high degree of tourism pressure. This ecotourism contributes to the high level of interest and protection offered to whale sharks by the local community. Unfortunately, if regulations are not followed or enforced, tourism can bring with it major stressors, such as accidental injuries. We used POPAN capture-mark-recapture models and lagged identification rate analysis to assess the effect of major injuries on whale shark residency within SAMPA. Injuries may be obtained outside SAMPA. We found individuals with major injuries had a higher apparent survival in the area than those without. Lagged identification rates also demonstrated that sharks with major injuries are more likely to return to the area. We suggest that major injuries result in sharks prolonging their time in the developmental habitat. These findings have implications for individual fitness and the population viability of this endangered species. We propose targeted conservation strategies be considered to protect sharks from further injury. Based on the presented spatio-temporal distributions of sharks, and current local knowledge of sighting patterns, speed limit zones and propeller-exclusion zones should be implemented and enforced. If carried out alongside tourist education, these measures will contribute to the protection of whale sharks within SAMPA and beyond. Furthermore, our results can aid research direction, alongside regulation and enforcement development, at similar sites worldwide.


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