Marine Protected Areas and Mature Benthic Communities

Summary: 

The management procedures enacted in each Marine Protected Area is a key factor determining the pace of ecosystem recovery from over-fishing practices. It provides data showing the recovery of benthic communities, including artisanal fisheries around the borders ( 'spill over effect '). Benthic communities reach a matura structure, with few seaurchins and larger fish.

Additional remarks: 

Tuya, F. García-Diez, C., Espino, F & Haroun, R.J. 2006. Assessment of the effectiveness of two marine reserves in the Canary Islands (eastern Atlantic). Ciencias Marinas, 32(3): 505-522. Tuya, F., Sanchez-Jerez, P. & Haroun, R.J. 2006. Populations of inshore serranids across the Canarian Archipelago: Relationships with human pressure and implications for conservation. Biological Conservation, 128: 13-24. Sangil, C., Martín-García, L. & Clemente, S. 2013. Assessing the impact of fishing in shallow rocky reefs: A multivariate approach to ecosystem management. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 76: 203-213.

Category of best practice: 

Characterization of biodiversity (e.g. inventory, description of species and ecosystems)
Drivers of evolution (e.g. global and local change, dynamics of evolution, impact of human activities)
Biodiversity management (e.g. conservation ex situ and in situ, sustainable use and exploitation, rehabilitation, management of invasive species, pollutants, pesticides)
Governance and policies (e.g. interactions science/societies, regulations, decision-makers, networks, international collaborations)

Criteria used to define the best practice: 

Significant contribution to preservation of biodiversity and ecological effectiveness
Provision of further environmental and socio-economic benefits
Applicability/transferability to other regions
Good governance (involve relevant stakeholders and integrate different interests and perspectives and needs in part from local stakeholders)
Generating multiplier/imitation effects

Organisation: 

Biodiversity and Conservation Research Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Contact details: 

Ricardo Haroun (ricardo.haroun@ulpgc.es), Fernando Tuya (ftuya@yahoo.es) Fernando Espino

Geographic region: 

Macaronesia

Location: 

Canaries