Marine Science Faculty Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2012
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/721483
Abstract
Marine ecosystem models are used to investigate marine protected area (MPA) benefits for coral reef ecosystems located in Raja Ampat, in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Field data from an integrated and diverse research project is used to develop a spatial ecosystem model using Ecopath, Ecosim, and Ecospace modelling software. The ecological and fisheries responses of a reef ecosystem to different levels of fishing effort restrictions inside MPAs are explored. The trade-offs of allowing some fisheries to operate inside the MPAs versus designating the MPAs as no-take zones are highlighted. The results show that rapid rebuilding of reef fish populations, especially the large charismatic species, requires no-take areas. Distinct trade-offs in spillover benefits are observed between partially fished and no-take MPAs.
Rights Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Marine Biology, v. 2012, art. 721483
Scholar Commons Citation
Varkey, Divya; Ainsworth, Cameron H.; and Pitcher, Tony J., "Modelling Reef Fish Population Responses to Fisheries Restrictionsin Marine Protected Areas in the Coral Triangle" (2012). Marine Science Faculty Publications. 1809.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/1809
