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The Critical Role Of No-Take Reserves To Protect Marine Ecosystems And Manage West Coast Fisheries By Warner Chabot The use of marine reserves to protect marine ecosystems and to manage fisheries is gaining major acceptance among many West Coast policy makers and leaders. The concept is being applied by state agencies, through state legislation, and at fishery management councils. In Santa Barbara, a landmark community-based stakeholder process, chaired by state and federal leaders, will soon make recommendations on a network of reserves in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. This growing West Coast support for reserves is a response to the steep declines in many west coast fisheries and the limited effectiveness of traditional management. The support is also based on the overwhelming evidence that reserves work. A panel of 20 distinguished biologists and marine scientists recently agreed that marine reserves offer the best hope for protecting and restoring marine ecosystems. Their article, published in the November 1999 issue of Fisheries, notes that reserves are an underutilized tool that can restore exploited fisheries and protect damaged marine habitat. The consensus of these scientists is that networks of no-take marine reserves has the potential to 1) protect coastal ecosystems, 2) rebuild depleted species, 3) improve scientific understanding of marine ecosystems, and 4) provide enriched opportunities for non-extractive uses. Historical Precedent No-take areas are not a new part of fisheries management. South Pacific Island societies have used no-take areas for centuries as a means of sustaining exploited species. Until recently, many de-facto reserves existed simply because fishing gear could not effectively reach those sites. Improved gear types have eliminated most of those sites. Now that many fisheries worldwide have partially or completely collapsed, the idea of designating some areas as off limits to fishing is receiving increasing attention. Scientific Support Numerous scientific studies have repeatedly shown the fisheries benefits of no-take reserves. Prohibiting fishing in carefully selected areas will protect vulnerable habitats, rebuild depleted species, and increase their reproductive output. In addition, reserves typically increase fish catches near the reserve border, and may actually increase overall catches despite a loss of fishing grounds. A recent survey of 89 scientific papers revealed that within reserves 1) fish were 20-30% larger, 2) densities were roughly double and 3) biomass levels were nearly triple. Reduced Bycatch And Habitat Damage Prohibiting fishing in some areas also provides important benefits to species that are not the target of fishing operations. Direct mortality due to bycatch of non-target species is a worldwide problem that can be addressed by providing refuges where fishing is prohibited. Reserves can also reduce the indirect mortality caused by habitat damage from fishing gear. Both habitat damage and bycatch have been inadequately addressed by existing management practices. Ecosystem Benefits Protection of the structure and function of ocean ecosystems is another important benefit of no-take reserves. Fisheries management focused on commodity production fails to recognize the importance of maintaining ecosystem features such as the age-structure of exploited populations and the interaction between co-occurring species. The value of such natural ecosystem attributes is often only appreciated after its elimination. Value For Scientific Studies No-take reserves provide relatively undisturbed areas for study of natural ecosystem processes, including the factors that limit the survival and reproduction of commercially valuable species. Such findings will greatly assist management of fisheries for long-term sustainability. West Coast Groundfish The decline of many species of west coast rockfishes illustrates the need for no-take reserves. Rockfishes grow slowly, reproduce late, and live long. In their variable habitat, such life history attributes are beneficial adaptations that allow large pulses of reproduction during the infrequent periods of favorable conditions. The west coast groundfish fishery over the last several decades has systematically depleted the biomass of many rockfish species and eliminated a diverse legacy of fish produced through many decades of varying conditions. Now, few adults are available to reproduce even when conditions are favorable. Consistently low levels of recruitment will likely slow the recovery of depleted rockfish species for many years. West Coast Leadership California has shown great leadership in the marine reserve process. The state is now simplifying a confusing classification system for special marine areas (including a few no-take reserves). A new state law requires a science-based, stakeholder process to evaluate the entire coast for potential networks of marine reserves. And, in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary a marine reserves stakeholder group has been meeting since the summer of 1999. Based on the process used in the Florida Keys, this Santa Barbara group seeks to find a common ground among sport and commercial fishers, scientists, and the conservation community. Conclusion Marine reserves are not a silver bullet. But, reserves are a critical tool that should be used more often in today's ocean management. In conjunction with other management techniques, reserves can help fisheries regain their productivity and stability while enhancing the species and habitats they protect. Warner Chabot is Vice President for Regional Operations at the Center for Marine Conservation's Pacific Regional Office. |