Sc. Schroeter et al., The use of marine reserves in evaluating the dive fishery for the warty sea cucumber (Parastichopus parvimensis) in California, USA, CAN J FISH, 58(9), 2001, pp. 1773-1781
Citations number
22
Categorie Soggetti
Aquatic Sciences
Journal title
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
Management of sustainable fisheries depends upon reliable estimates of stoc
k assessment. Assessment of many stocks is based entirely on fishery-depend
ent data (e.g., catch per unit effort), which can be problematic. Here we u
se fishery-independent data on stock size, collected within and outside of
no-take reserves before and after the onset of fishing, to evaluate the sta
tus of the dive fishery for warty sea cucumbers, Parastichopus parvimensis,
in southern California. Long-term monitoring data showed that abundance de
creased throughout the Channel Islands within 3-6 years after the onset of
fishing. No significant changes in the abundance of P. parvimensis were obs
erved at the two non-fished reserve sites, although densities tended to inc
rease following onset of the fishery. Before-after, control-impact (BACI) a
nalyses of seven fished and two non-fished sites implicated fishing mortali
ty as the cause of 33-83% stock declines. In sharp contrast, stock assessme
nt based on CPUE data showed no declines and a significant increase at one
island. To date, most discussion on marine reserves has focused on the prot
ection and enhancement of exploited populations. Our study demonstrates the
critically important, but often overlooked, role that marine reserves can
play in providing reliable information on stock assessment.