Benefits of Spearfishing Regulation for Local Fisheries
Author Information
Author(s): Rocklin Delphine, Tomasini Jean-Antoine, Culioli Jean-Michel, Pelletier Dominique, Mouillot David
Primary Institution: Laboratoire Ecologie des Systèmes Marins Côtiers, Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
Hypothesis
Limiting spearfishing will increase the availability of fish for artisanal fishers.
Conclusion
Limiting recreational fishing through zoning in marine protected areas significantly benefits local artisanal fisheries.
Supporting Evidence
- The catch per unit effort (CPUE) increased by approximately 60% in the protected area after spearfishing restrictions.
- Highly targeted fish species showed a doubling in CPUE, while never targeted species had a much smaller increase.
- The ReGS indicator, which measures fish assemblage health, significantly increased in the area with spearfishing restrictions.
Takeaway
When spearfishing was restricted in a protected area, local fishers caught a lot more fish, showing that rules can help fish populations grow.
Methodology
The study analyzed fish assemblage data from artisanal fisheries in a marine protected area over several years, comparing catch per unit effort before and after spearfishing restrictions.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the reliance on self-reported fishing data and the specific ecological context of the study area.
Limitations
The study is limited to a specific marine protected area and may not be generalizable to other regions.
Participant Demographics
The study involved local artisanal fishers operating in the Bonifacio Strait Natural Reserve.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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