The Science of Marine Reserves
15 March 2011
The Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) has just published a new edition of its report, Science of Marine Reserves, focussing specifically on European marine reserves.
Flamborough no take zone © Paula Lightfoot
This European edition looks at the effects of marine reserves on wildlife across Europe, and also design considerations and location. The report contains a series of case studies of reserves exclusively in European reserves including the effects of the trawling and dredging ban in the Manx Bradda inshore ground and at our two full no-take-zones – Lundy Island and Flamborough Head.
The report found that:
Worldwide, only 0.1% of the ocean is covered by marine reserves
Reserves are effective in European waters –new analysis found that increases in biomass, density, body size and diversity inside marine reserves. these results are similar to a 2006 study of marine all around the world
Biomass increases inside a reserve – by 2007, Lundy lobsters were 9% bigger than those in the fished areas – but it can take time for the benefits to spread beyond the reserve boundary
There can be other effects too – loss of fishing pressure on predatory species led to a fall in juvenile spiny lobster in a Spanish reserve while in Italy, abundant sea breams keep their urchin prey in check, enabling seaweeds to flourish
Marine reserves are only part of the solution – marine planning, gear restrictions and biodiversity monitoring all have a part to play in sustainable seas.
Download the report The Science of Marine Reserves (PISCO)
.
The report was jointly funded by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, Oregon State University, University of California (Santa Barbara) and Natural England.
A peer-reviewed scientific paper has also been published on the effects of establishing of a No-Take Zone on lobsters and crabs, using Lundy as a case study. You can view the report on the Lundy Marine Conservation Zone page.
