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Gill DA, Lester SE, Free CM, Pfaff A, Iversen E, Reich BJ, Yang S, Ahmadia G, Andradi-Brown DA, Darling ES, Edgar GJ, Fox HE, Geldmann J, Trung Le D, Mascia MB, Mesa-Gutiérrez R, Mumby PJ, Veverka L, Warmuth LM. A diverse portfolio of marine protected areas can better advance global conservation and equity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2313205121. [PMID: 38408235 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313205121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are widely used for ocean conservation, yet the relative impacts of various types of MPAs are poorly understood. We estimated impacts on fish biomass from no-take and multiple-use (fished) MPAs, employing a rigorous matched counterfactual design with a global dataset of >14,000 surveys in and around 216 MPAs. Both no-take and multiple-use MPAs generated positive conservation outcomes relative to no protection (58.2% and 12.6% fish biomass increases, respectively), with smaller estimated differences between the two MPA types when controlling for additional confounding factors (8.3% increase). Relative performance depended on context and management: no-take MPAs performed better in areas of high human pressure but similar to multiple-use in remote locations. Multiple-use MPA performance was low in high-pressure areas but improved significantly with better management, producing similar outcomes to no-take MPAs when adequately staffed and appropriate use regulations were applied. For priority conservation areas where no-take restrictions are not possible or ethical, our findings show that a portfolio of well-designed and well-managed multiple-use MPAs represents a viable and potentially equitable pathway to advance local and global conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Gill
- Duke Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC 28516
| | - Sarah E Lester
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
| | - Christopher M Free
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
| | - Alexander Pfaff
- Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Edwin Iversen
- Department of Statistical Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Brian J Reich
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Shu Yang
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Gabby Ahmadia
- Ocean Conservation, World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC 20037
| | | | - Emily S Darling
- Marine Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY 10460
| | - Graham J Edgar
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
- Reef Life Survey Foundation, Battery Point, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Helen E Fox
- Coral Reef Alliance, San Francisco, CA 94104
| | - Jonas Geldmann
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Duong Trung Le
- Duke Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC 28516
- World Bank, Washington, DC 20006
| | - Michael B Mascia
- Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
- Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA 22202
| | - Roosevelt Mesa-Gutiérrez
- Duke Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC 28516
- Integrated Statistics Inc. in support of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Protected Resources Division, Gloucester, MA 01930
| | - Peter J Mumby
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Laura Veverka
- Ocean Conservation, World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC 20037
| | - Laura M Warmuth
- Duke Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC 28516
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SZ, United Kingdom
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Niz WC, Laurino IRA, Freitas DMD, Rolim FA, Motta FS, Pereira-Filho GH. Modeling risks in marine protected areas: Mapping of habitats, biodiversity, and cultural ecosystem services in the southernmost atlantic coral reef. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 345:118855. [PMID: 37634404 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Marine Protected Area (MPA) is a fundamental strategy for the maintenance of ocean ecological processes worldwide and, consequently, their associated ecosystem services. Nevertheless, the quality of the services provided by MPAs, including cultural services such as recreational activities, depends on the effective management of marine habitats and biodiversity. Here, we performed an ecosystemic assessment in reef environments within a subtropical MPA, modeling the potential risks for their habitats and their recreational activities. The Queimada Grande Island (QGI), southeastern Brazil, was used as the model area since this island encompasses a unique and irreplaceable marine habitat, the Southernmost Atlantic coral reef. We firstly assessed and mapped the habitats, the biodiversity, and the recreational activities associated with QGI reefs. Next, we considered different scenarios of management for the modeling risks across the study area. We found that the coral reef and its adjacent habitats, such as the rhodolith bed, make the sheltered face of the island an important area for the provision of the cultural ecosystem services and overlapping uses such as onboard recreational fishing, spearfishing, and recreational diving. This area was also evaluated as the one under the highest risk of impact, considering the current scenario of management. The most successful scenario modeling to reduce these risks was the hypothetical implementation of a 66% reduction of all activities over all QGI habitats. Despite that, the scenario simulating the application of the regulations present in the MPA management plan was enough to reduce almost half the maximum risk value. Therefore, we concluded that to provide a balance among conservation, uses, and the local economy, the application of these regulations is the better management scenario modeled for the study area. Such results provided useful information and tools for local management and decision-making in this singular marine environment, also being an example for mapping ecosystem services and modeling risks in MPAs worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willians C Niz
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, Encruzilhada, 11070-100, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Ivan R A Laurino
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, Encruzilhada, 11070-100, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Débora M de Freitas
- Coastal Integrated Studies Group, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Coastal Campus. Praça Infante Dom Henrique S/nº, Parque Bitaru, 11330-900, Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda A Rolim
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, Encruzilhada, 11070-100, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabio S Motta
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, Encruzilhada, 11070-100, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme H Pereira-Filho
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha (LABECMar), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Dr. Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, Encruzilhada, 11070-100, Santos, SP, Brazil.
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3
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Machado AA, Masi BP, Aguiar AA, Ozorio MEC, Salles CN, Hostim-Silva M, Bertoncini ÁA. Rocky reef incursions: challenges faced by reef fishes in a Brazilian Hope Spot region. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 193:115240. [PMID: 37429158 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity conservation has been a critical challenge faced by environmental managers worldwide. From 2020 to 2022, a total of 576 underwater visual censuses focused on reef fishes, marine litter (ML), and non-native species were performed in the newest Brazilian Hope Spot, to understand the distribution, characteristics, and effects of ML and Tubastraea spp., on the reef fish community. Plastic was the main category recorded (34.54 %), followed by Metal and Line (mostly fishing gear within a Marine Protected Area). Tubastraea spp. was widely distributed, especially between 10-20 meters deep. The t-test analysis showed that fish abundance and richness were significantly higher at low Tubastraea cover areas. Our efforts present the baseline of ML (mean 1.92 ± 1.5 items/100 m2) and non-native species occurrence (15) and distribution (including three new records) showing their negative impacts on rocky reef ecosystems and provide managers support in the elaboration of marine conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusto A Machado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Ambiental (PPGOAM), Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brazil; Projeto Ilhas do Rio, Instituto Mar Adentro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca (CEFET-RJ), Coordenação de Biologia (COBIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Bruno P Masi
- Laboratório de Ecologia Marinha e Oceanografia Pesqueira da Amazônia (LEMOPA), Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA), Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Aline A Aguiar
- Projeto Ilhas do Rio, Instituto Mar Adentro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria E C Ozorio
- Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro (EARJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Caio N Salles
- Projeto Ilhas do Rio, Instituto Mar Adentro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecoturismo e Conservação (PPGEC), Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Projeto Verde Mar, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maurício Hostim-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Ambiental (PPGOAM), Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Áthila A Bertoncini
- Projeto Ilhas do Rio, Instituto Mar Adentro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecoturismo e Conservação (PPGEC), Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia (PPGECO), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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Merlo PJ, Venerus LA, Irigoyen AJ. Fine-scale variation in the proximity of baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) to rocky reefs reveals changes in the structure of temperate fish assemblages. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 185:105902. [PMID: 36736235 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We investigated changes in the structure of coastal fish assemblages in Northern Patagonia, Southwestern Atlantic, by using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) deployed at increasing distances from rocky reefs: 0-5 m, 15-20 m and 50-60 m. We estimated species richness and abundance (total and by preferred habitat type) and searched for diagnostic species in each distance range. We recorded 14 taxa across 11 families in 19 areas surveyed. Species richness and abundance were higher on reef ledges and decreased with distance from them, at a finer spatial scale than previously reported. Acanthistius patachonicus and Sebastes oculatus were indicative of reef ledges; they were less abundant at 15-20 m and disappeared at 50-60 m. Callorinchus callorynchus and Odontesthes spp. occurred only at distances >15-20 m from the reefs, while Galeorhinus galeus was distributed homogeneously throughout the surveyed area. Our findings have practical implications for monitoring ecotone demersal habitats with BRUVS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo J Merlo
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT CENPAT-CONICET), Blvd. Brown 2915, U9120ACD, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
| | - Leonardo A Venerus
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT CENPAT-CONICET), Blvd. Brown 2915, U9120ACD, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Alejo J Irigoyen
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT CENPAT-CONICET), Blvd. Brown 2915, U9120ACD, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
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Santos PRS, Alves MN, Severo MM. Coastal sharks and rays in a marine protected area in southern Brazil. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 98:1465-1470. [PMID: 33403689 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In southern Brazil, we investigated shark and ray capture records in an integral protection marine protection area (MPA) that allows fishing in that area. We found 10 shark and nine ray species, of which 88.5% and 66.2%, respectively, are endangered. Female adults and neonates of both sexes are abundant in the area, with records of stranding of large specimens, postcapture abortions and ovigerous capsules with fresh embryos on the beach. We suggest the application of continuous fisheries monitoring and an increase in guidelines on the capture of endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo R S Santos
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São Vicente, Brazil
- Projeto Áreas Marinhas e Costeiras Protegidas (GEFMAR), Mostardas, Brazil
| | - Marcelo N Alves
- Projeto Áreas Marinhas e Costeiras Protegidas (GEFMAR), Mostardas, Brazil
| | - Magnus M Severo
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBIO), Mostardas, Brazil
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Pereira PHC, Côrtes LGF, Lima GV, Gomes E, Pontes AVF, Mattos F, Araújo ME, Ferreira-Junior F, Sampaio CLS. Reef fishes biodiversity and conservation at the largest Brazilian coastal Marine Protected Area (MPA Costa dos Corais). NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Coral reefs harbor one of the largest fish biodiversity on earth; yet information on reef fishes is still absent for many regions. We analyzed reef fish richness, distribution, and conservation on the largest Brazilian multiple use coastal MPA; which cover a large extent of coral reefs at the SWA. A total of 325 fish species have been listed for MPA Costa dos Corais, including Chondrichthyes (28 species) and Actinopterygii (297). Fish species were represented by 81 families and the most representative families were Carangidae (23 species), Labridae (21) and Gobiidae (15). The MPA fish richness represented 44% of all recorded fish species of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWA) highlighting the large-scale importance of this MPA. A total of 40 species (12%) are registered at Near Threatened (NT), Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR). This study reinforces the importance of MPA Costa dos Corais on reef fish biodiversity and conservation and emphasize the urgent need of conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luís G. F. Côrtes
- Projeto Conservação Recifal, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | - Erandy Gomes
- Projeto Conservação Recifal, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | - Maria E. Araújo
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil
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Protecting nursery areas without fisheries management is not enough to conserve the most endangered parrotfish of the Atlantic Ocean. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19143. [PMID: 33184332 PMCID: PMC7661516 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76207-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a primary strategy for marine conservation worldwide, having as a common goal the protection of essential habitats to enhance fish population recovery. However, MPAs alone may not be effective because species are not isolated from critical impacts occurring outside their boundaries. We evaluated how protecting critical nursery habitats affect the population of an important fishing target, using a 6-year database to predict juvenile hotspots and estimate population trends of the endemic and endangered parrotfish Scarus trispinosus within a mosaic of MPAs at the Abrolhos Bank, NE Brazil. We found that important nursery habitats are within no-take areas, but both juvenile and adult populations still show a declining trend over time. MPAs failed to ensure population maintenance and recovery likely due to overfishing in adjacent areas and the lack of compliance to management rules within multiple-use and within no-take MPAs. MPAs alone are not enough to protect ecologically important endangered species, but is still one of the only conservation strategies, particularly in developing countries. Our results shed light on the need for a wider adoption of more effective conservation policies in addition to MPAs, both in Brazil and in countries with similar governance contexts.
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Pimentel CR, Andrades R, Ferreira CEL, Gadig OBF, Harvey ES, Joyeux JC, Giarrizzo T. BRUVS reveal locally extinct shark and the way for shark monitoring in Brazilian oceanic islands. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2020; 96:539-542. [PMID: 31823370 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Here we present records of sharks obtained using baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVS) at two Brazilian oceanic islands. Fourteen of the 60 deployments recorded 19 sharks in Trindade Island. In Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA), two pelagic and two demersal deployments recorded two and one shark, respectively, including the locally extinct Galapagos shark Carcharhinus galapagensis. Stereo-BRUVS should be considered as adjuncts to other non-invasive methods to monitor shark populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio R Pimentel
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Ambiental, Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Ryan Andrades
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Ambiental, Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Carlos E L Ferreira
- Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Otto B F Gadig
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Euan S Harvey
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jean-Christophe Joyeux
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Ambiental, Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Tommaso Giarrizzo
- Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca da Amazônia, Aquatic Ecology Group's Lab, Belém, Brazil
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Rojo I, Sánchez-Meca J, García-Charton JA. Small-sized and well-enforced Marine Protected Areas provide ecological benefits for piscivorous fish populations worldwide. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 149:100-110. [PMID: 31271903 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Many piscivorous fish species are depleted and/or threatened around the world. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are tools for conservation and fisheries management, though there is still controversy regarding the best design for increasing their ecological effectiveness. Here, on the basis of a weighted meta-analytical approach, we have assessed the effect of 32 MPAs, distributed worldwide, on the biomass and density of piscivorous fishes. We analysed the MPA features and the biological, commercial and ecological characteristics of fishes that may affect the response of species to protection. We found a positive effect on the biomass and density of piscivores inside MPAs. This effect was stronger for the biomass of medium-sized fishes (in relation to the maximum size reported for the species) and the density of large and gregarious species. The size of the no-take zone had a significant negative impact on both response variables and differed according to the level of enforcement, with smaller no-take zones having higher levels of enforcement. Thus, MPAs help to protect piscivorous fish species, with smaller, but well enforced reserves being more effective for the protection of the local populations of piscivorous fishes throughout the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rojo
- - Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología. Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Julio Sánchez-Meca
- - Departamento de Psicología Básica y Metodología. Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - José A García-Charton
- - Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología. Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
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