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Marine protected area improves yield without disadvantaging fishers

Author

Listed:
  • Sven E. Kerwath

    (Forestry and Fisheries, Fisheries Research and Development
    Marine Research Institute, University of Cape Town)

  • Henning Winker

    (Marine Research Institute, University of Cape Town)

  • Albrecht Götz

    (Elwandle Node, South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON))

  • Colin G. Attwood

    (Marine Research Institute, University of Cape Town)

Abstract

Potential fishery benefits of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are widely acknowledged, yet seldom demonstrated, as fishery data series that straddle MPA establishment are seldom available. Here we postulate, based on a 15-year time series of nation-wide, spatially referenced catch and effort data, that the establishment of the Goukamma MPA (18 km alongshore; 40 km2) benefited the adjacent fishery for roman (Chrysoblephus laticeps), a South African endemic seabream. Roman-directed catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) in the vicinity of the new MPA immediately increased, contradicting trends across this species’ distribution. The increase continued after 5 years, the time lag expected for larval export, effectively doubling the pre-MPA CPUE after 10 years. We find no indication that establishing the MPA caused a systematic drop in total catch or increased travel distances for the fleet. Our results provide rare empirical evidence of rapidly increasing catch rates after MPA implementation without measurable disadvantages for fishers.

Suggested Citation

  • Sven E. Kerwath & Henning Winker & Albrecht Götz & Colin G. Attwood, 2013. "Marine protected area improves yield without disadvantaging fishers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms3347
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3347
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    Cited by:

    1. Rasheed, A. Rifaee, 2020. "Marine protected areas and human well-being – A systematic review and recommendations," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    2. Muhammad Syukri & M. Sulton Mawardi & Lia Amelia & Annabel Noor Asyah & Made Anthony Iswara, 2024. "Balancing Conservation and Community Welfare: Enhancing the Management of Marine Protected Areas in Indonesia," Working Paper 006bf288-32fd-448d-bce4-4, Agence française de développement.
    3. Raphael Seguin & David Mouillot & Joshua E. Cinner & Rick D. Stuart Smith & Eva Maire & Nicholas A. J. Graham & Matthew McLean & Laurent Vigliola & Nicolas Loiseau, 2023. "Towards process-oriented management of tropical reefs in the anthropocene," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(2), pages 148-157, February.

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