Dynamics of fish assemblages on coral reefs subjected to different management regimes in the Abrolhos Bank, eastern Brazil

Published source details Francini-Filho R.B. & De Moura R.L. (2008) Dynamics of fish assemblages on coral reefs subjected to different management regimes in the Abrolhos Bank, eastern Brazil. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 18, 1166-1179.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Cease or prohibit all types of fishing in a marine protected area Action Link

Cease or prohibit all types of fishing in a marine protected area

A replicated, site comparison study in 2001–2005 of four coral reefs on Abrolhos Bank, South Atlantic Ocean, Brazil (Francini-Filho & De Moura 2008) found that prohibiting all fishing in two no-take reserves, protected from 0 and 18 years, resulted in higher biomass of commercially targeted and non–targeted fish at the older reserve compared to multiple use protected areas and unprotected openly fished areas, but the response varied with fish species and/or level in the food chain. Across all years, total biomass of both commercially targeted and non-target fish groups was higher in the older no-take reserve than any other area, but openly fished areas had higher biomass than the younger and multiple use reserves (data reported as statistical results). However, the response varied by fish species and/or food chain group (see paper for individual data). Reef fish were monitored annually in January-March 2001–2005 in four areas: one reserve area in the Abrolhos National Marine Park (no-take since 1983); one no-take reserve (since November 2001) and one multiple-use area (co-managed since 2000, use permitted by locals only, zoning and gear restrictions) in the Corumbau Marine Extractive Reserve, and an unprotected fished, open access area. Some illegal poaching was reported in the no–take areas. Two habitats at three to seven sites were sampled in each management area by underwater visual census (15–20 samples/habitat/site/year). Fish were identified and counted in a 2 m or 4 m radius.

(Summarised by: Khatija Alliji)