The Former Pelagic Longline Fishery of a Large‐Scale Marine Protected Area

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT The establishment of large‐scale marine protected areas (LSMPAs) has emerged as one the defining trends in ocean conservation over recent decades. To assess potential benefits such designations, it is necessary to understand nature threats that have been excluded. Here, we summarise 25 years historical catch and effort data for a pelagic longline fishery formerly operated within recently designated LSMPA surrounding Ascension Island (UK), using compiled from logbooks observer programmes. Licenced fishing by foreign vessels (primarily flagged Taiwan Japan) intermittently exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between 1988 2016, with peaking at 5000 t year −1 early 1990s. Bigeye tuna ( Thunnus obesus ) was dominant species targeted (76% total weight) whilst oceanic sharks (e.g. blue shark Prionace glauca other predatory finfish longnose lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox appear presented sizable bycatch risk, accounting 37% individuals caught local data. displayed strong seasonality, two thirds activity occurring December March consistently concentrated northwest EEZ. This distribution closely aligns satellite‐derived vessel tracking which suggests regional hotspot remains high seas area adjacent MPA. Our results suggest fish will be most direct beneficiaries MPA, although mobility these may lessen any impacts, given intense areas. While illegal threat, spatiotemporal predictability historic useful identifying elevated risk enforcement this large, remote

Language: Английский

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Planning conservation priority areas for marine mammals accounting for human impact, climate change and multidimensionality of biodiversity

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 381, P. 125193 - 125193

Published: April 7, 2025

Language: Английский

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Exploratory analysis of marine reserve site selection by Monte Carlo mixed integer programming

Ocean & Coastal Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 267, P. 107712 - 107712

Published: May 2, 2025

Language: Английский

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Development of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Vietnam from a coevolutionary governance perspective: Challenges of unholy alliances between the state, businesses and NGOs

Environmental Science & Policy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 149, P. 103560 - 103560

Published: Aug. 16, 2023

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are widely recognised as a management framework for achieving biodiversity conservation and sustainable ocean uses. Although the attention to improving governance of MPAs priority effective has been escalated, debates concerning MPA inspired mainly by bottom-up approach its focus on horizontal vertical linkages means resolving conflicts, with assumption that state should only take passive role. As best model continue, progress spatially expanding global network remains slow created many paper parks. Through coevolutionary lens, this aims empirically examine development in Vietnam reflect national realities targets. Our findings emphasise frameworks adopted Vietnamese typically characterised significant decentralisation responsibilities province-/district-level governments but lack conditions accountability attached such related oversight from central government. Consequences include rent-seeking clientelism opportunities local authorities, elite capture benefits, diminishing trust stewardship among communities. study suggests that, face increasing overfishing corporate interests nurtured unholy alliances between state, businesses NGOs, equitable critically rely synergies different approaches, which case-specific, along sufficient political will state.

Language: Английский

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Effects of management objectives and rules on marine conservation outcomes

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 37(6)

Published: Sept. 20, 2023

Understanding the relative effectiveness and enabling conditions of different area-based management tools is essential for supporting efforts that achieve positive biodiversity outcomes as conservation coverage increases to meet newly set international targets. We used data from a coastal social-ecological monitoring program in 6 Indo-Pacific countries analyze whether social, ecological, economic objectives specific rules (temporal closures, fishing gear-specific, species-specific restrictions) were associated with coral reef fish biomass above sustainable yield levels across types (i.e., comparing those designated marine protected areas [MPAs] other management). All categories objectives, multiple combinations rules, all had some sites able sustain high biomass-a key measure functioning-compared reference no management. Yet, same also low biomass. As governments advance their commitments Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target conserve 30% planet's land oceans by 2030, we found although can be effective, most managed our study regions did not criteria effectiveness. These findings underscore importance strong governance need ecological impact rather than counting because designation.

Language: Английский

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Balancing climate goals and biodiversity protection: legal implications of the 30x30 target for land-based carbon removal

Frontiers in Climate, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Dec. 20, 2023

This article examines the legal conflicts between land-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies and establishment of protected areas through lens international environmental law. We argue that 2022 Global Biodiversity Framework's “30x30” target—which aims to protect 30% global terrestrial marine by 2030—constitutes a “subsequent agreement” under law thus clarifies scope content obligation establish Article 8 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Since states have pledged 120 million square kilometers for CDR, these commitments potentially conflict with target, especially if cropland food production is be maintained. Consequently, some CDR may directly or indirectly impede achievement which could deemed inconsistent However, as all operates in continuum, this does not imply should categorically ruled out. Rather, focus emission reductions implementing options provide most co-benefits climate mitigation biodiversity protection efforts.

Language: Английский

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The quantifying, mapping, and risk analysis of human-related stressors in the high seas

Science Progress, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 107(4)

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Objectives: Marine biodiversity and ecosystem services in the high seas are threatened by numerous stress factors caused human activities, including global shipping, high-sea fishing, marine plastic pollution, anthropogenic climate change. Socioeconomic one of criteria for establishment area-based management tools conservation beyond national jurisdiction. The aim work is to propose a spatiotemporal approach identify risks from activities recommendations governance. Methods: Data related 2014 2022 were used calculate distribution changes human-related stressors, risk activities. Results: North Atlantic, Philippine Sea, Arabian Bay Bengal, East Central Atlantic show increasing intensities therefore particularly at need protection biodiversity. Risks vary within areas that prioritized protection. study recommends designation protected should take into account types which different exposed, be established gradually. At same time, appropriate measures formulated according intensity areas. Conclusions: Quantifying classifying stressors could help solution facilitate spatial planning, area based tools, seas.

Language: Английский

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Delivering effective and equitably governed marine protected area networks in the UK: The role of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs)

Marine Policy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 171, P. 106449 - 106449

Published: Oct. 18, 2024

Language: Английский

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Great ape abundance and per capita carbon storage in their habitats

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: Nov. 7, 2024

The ecological importance of great apes is widely recognised, yet few studies have highlighted the role protecting apes' habitats in mitigating climate change, particularly through carbon sequestration. This study used GIS tools to extract data from various sources, including International Union for Conservation Nature database, examine quantity and ape abundance African habitats. Subsequently, we employed a generalised linear model assess relationship between locally measured populations storage across areas with different levels protection. Our findings showed positive their storage, likely since conservation efforts may be strengthened higher populations. results reveal that gorilla exhibited than chimpanzee Specifically, inhabited by gorillas are associated mean increase 27.47 t/ha storage. Additionally, observed association highly protected within indicates stored 1.13 compared medium areas, which show reduction 15.49 t/ha. highlights critical play both species sequestration, contributing significantly mitigation efforts. Furthermore, our underscores significant contribution habitats, extending beyond highlighting potential synergistic strategies targeting Protecting vital reducing emissions deforestation boosting tropical forest sinks. Since nearly 90% live outside targeted these low-protected also crucial.

Language: Английский

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A meta‐analysis examining how fish biodiversity varies with marine protected area size and age

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2023

Abstract Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a well‐established conservation practice worldwide, but their effectiveness in protecting or replenishing fish biodiversity remains uneven. Understanding the patterns of this heterogeneity is central to general guidelines for MPA design and can ultimately provide guidance on how maximize potential. Here, we examine associations between degree protection, duration area size, with inside relative that sites nearby, outside areas. We quantitatively synthesize 116 published estimates species richness from 72 MPAs 38 Shannon entropy 21 MPAs. show average 18% (95% CIs: 10%–29%) higher than open fishing; average, 13% −2% 31%) within outside. find no relationship protection ratio versus areas; both fully partially contribute accumulation areas, all ages similarly conservation. In contrast our expectations, increasing size was associated decreased sampled at area, possibly due, example, insufficient enforcement and/or low compliance. Finally, discuss why meta‐analyses such as ours summarize effect sizes local scale responses, is, those single site, only give partial answer question whether larger harbor more comparable unprotected

Language: Английский

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