A guide for planners and managers - IUCN

30 MARINE AND COASTAL
PROTECTED AREAS
Coastal and marine protected areas can benefit the breeding stocks of valuable
but vulnerable species, like such predatory fishes as snapper (lutjanids), jacks
(carangids), groupers (serranids), and porgies (lethrinids). These are the first fishes
to disappear from heavily fished areas, as in Indonesia where they may be rare or
absent on many reefs. Protected areas can aid the replenishment of depleted stocks
by preserving seed stock that can be transported to depleted areas. In addition,
protecting key breeding stocks in certain protected areas can help replenish depleted
habitats nearby through out migration.
In the Philippines, trials with closing a part of the coral reef around each of several
small islands as fish stock replenishment zones have been successful. In the 1970s,
15 ha of a 50 ha reef area surrounding Sumilon Island was closed to fishing to serve
as a sanctuary. In the other 35 ha, “ecologically sound” fishing methods were prescribed.
The total catch went from 3,633 kg in 1976 to 6,948 kg in the first 10 months of 1979
(Alcala, 1979). Apparently the closed sanctuary served to enhance the regenerative and
other capabilities of the stocks. But political difficulties ended the trial.
Then in 1984, a new project involving intensive community participation, was
commenced at three Islands—Apo, Balicasag, and Pamilacan. About 20 percent of
the reefs were closed at each with good results. The programmes continue to the present
at each island. In a survey in 1997, fishermen of all three islands agreed that fishing
was better because of the reserve and its sanctuary, which served as a semilyahan
(breeding place). A site survey in 1992 showed increases over the six years since 1986
of 83, 32, and 7 percent respectively in food fishes, total fishes, and species richness.
Coral reef cover has remained stable. Dive tourism increased significantly.
The professional staff who worked with the islanders helped them to understand
the ecological processes involved, to organize effective marine management committees
with core groups, to get supportive ordinances in place, to build community centers
(funds provided by project), and explore opportunities for additional income. After
this initial assistance, the programme has continued successfully as a community based
operation and without significant outside intervention, according to White. (Part III,
Case No. 4).
Another example is Looe Key Reef, a well developed bank reef in the lower Florida
Keys (USA) which had seen heavy spearfishing for many years. As a result, its
predator species were depleted, including snapper, grouper, hogfish, snook, and
barracuda. Individuals of these species were also significantly smaller than those on
reefs where there was less spearfishing. With predators scarce, prey species and nontarget
fish, such as parrotfish, damselfish, grunt, and sea urchins, had become more
abundant. Following its designation in 1981 as a national marine sanctuary and the
prohibition of spearfishing, a major increase in the number of key fish species on Looe
Key Reef was seen in sanctuary-supported research (Clark et al., 1989). Scientists suspect
that part of the increase results from an influx of adults and young juveniles from
other reefs and part from security of those already there. Furthermore, in many