WWF Cover photo - Soufriere Marine Management Association ...

Further work is now going on to investigate the effects of no-take reserves on non-target reef fish, in addition tothe regular monitoring of fishing effort and catch. There is also an ongoing project looking at the effects of theclosed areas on the local reef-flat invertebrate fisheries. Preliminary results indicate higher abundances ofinvertebrates such as giant clams (Tridacna spp.) and other molluscs within the no-take areas compared to otherareas (R.F.G. Ormond and J. Ashworth pers. comm.).Key points• Fully protected areas were implemented within an established management area and were designed andmanaged in close collaboration with the community.• Community rangers were highly successful in achieving compliance with regulations.• Fish from three key commercial families – groupers, emperors and snappers – increased in abundance in thereserve after 5 years of protection and catch per unit effort in the adjacent fishery increased by two thirds.• The establishment of the network of no-take marine reserves has played a key role in maintaining thesustainability of the fishery.• Other management tools complemented the fully protected reserves, including traditional measures such asreturn of bycatch, and a ban on spearfishing.• The Nabq area shows that fully protected reserves can offer benefits in places that are not intensively fished.Thanks to Nasser Galal, Jennifer Ashworth and Rupert Ormond.ReferencesGalal, N., Ormond, R.F.G., and Hassan, O. (2002) Effect of a network of no-take reserves in increasingexploited reef fish stocks and catch per unit effort at Nabq, South Sinai, Egypt. Marine and FreshwaterResearch 53, 199-205.Pearson, M.P. and Shehata, A.I. (1998) Protectorates management for conservation and development in the ArabRepublic of Egypt. Parks 8(2), 29-35.35