Global baselines and benchmarks for fish biomass: comparing remote reefs and fisheries closures

TitleGlobal baselines and benchmarks for fish biomass: comparing remote reefs and fisheries closures
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsMcClanahan TR, Schroeder RE, Friedlander AM, Vigliola L, Wantiez L, Caselle JE, Graham NAJ, Wilson S, Edgar GJ, Stuart-Smith RD, Oddenyo RM, Cinner JE
JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series
Volume612
Pagination167–192
Abstract

{ABSTRACT: Baselines and benchmarks (B&Bs) are needed to evaluate the ecological status and fisheries potential of coral reefs. B&Bs may depend on habitat features and energetic limitations that constrain biomass within the natural variability of the environment and fish behaviors. To evaluate if broad B&Bs exist, we compiled data on the biomass of fishes in \textasciitilde1000 reefs with no recent history of fishing in 19 ecoregions. These reefs spanned the full longitude and latitude of Indian and Pacific Ocean reefs and included older high-compliance fisheries closures (>15 yr closure) and remote reef areas (>9 h travel time from fisheries markets). There was no significant change in biomass over the 15 to 48 yr closure period but closures had only \textasciitilde40% of the biomass (740 kg ha$^\textrm-1$, lower confidence interval [LCI] = 660 kg ha$^\textrm-1$, upper confidence interval [UCI] = 810 kg ha$^\textrm-1$

URLhttps://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v612/p167-192
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