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A framework for assessing the biodiversity and fishery aspects of marine reserves
Article first published online: 11 JUN 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01667.x
© 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 British Ecological Society
Additional Information
How to Cite
Levin, P. S., Kaplan, I., Grober-Dunsmore, R., Chittaro, P. M., Oyamada, S., Andrews, K. and Mangel, M. (2009), A framework for assessing the biodiversity and fishery aspects of marine reserves. Journal of Applied Ecology, 46: 735–742. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01667.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 1 JUL 2009
- Article first published online: 11 JUN 2009
- Received 23 December 2008; accepted 1 May 2009 Handling Editor: Andre Punt
Keywords:
- California current;
- ecosystem-based management;
- fisheries management;
- marine protected area;
- species–area relationship
Summary
1. Resource management agencies are often charged with managing natural resources for economic and social goals, while also protecting and conserving biodiversity and ecosystem function. However, this may not always be possible. Ecosystem-based management is frequently suggested as a way to achieve multiple objectives in resource management and requires that trade-offs among conflicting objectives be identified and an effective means to utilize these trade-offs developed.
2. We examine the relationship between area and species richness in a diverse assemblage of fishes along the US West Coast and then use parameters from this relationship as input for a model that considers trade-offs between fisheries yield and the number of species protected by different management strategies.
3. The species–area relationship (S = cAz) for fishes along the US Pacific coast is well described by the relationship S = 16·18A0·226.
4. There are nearly linear trade-offs between diversity and yield when fishing effort is low. However, the trade-offs become nonlinear as fishing effort increases and imposing MPAs increases both the conservation and fisheries value of the system when the system is overfished.
5. Synthesis and applications. Solving conflicts between fisheries and conservation requires attention as to how conservation benefits accrue as fishing effort is reduced. However, scientists often lack quantitative information about the trade-offs inherent in human activities such as fisheries. The approach we develop here can begin to help frame the questions to be posed and evaluate the likely consequences of different management options.