Disentangling the response of fishes to recreational fishing over 30 years within a fringing coral reef reserve network

Few studies assess the effects of recreational fishing in isolation from commercial fishing. We used meta-analysis to synthesise 4444 samples from 30 years (1987–2017) of fish surveys inside and outside a large network of highly protected reserves in the Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia, where the major fishing activity is recreational. Data were collected by different agencies, using varied survey designs and sampling methods. We contrasted the relative abundance and biomass of target and non-target fish groups between fished and reserve locations. We considered the influence of, and possible interactions between, seven additional variables: age and size of reserve, one of two reserve network configurations, reef habitat type, recreational fishing activity, shore-based fishing regulations and survey method. Taxa responded differently: the abundance and biomass inside reserves relative to outside was higher for targeted lethrinids, while other targeted (and non-targeted) fish groups were indistinguishable. Reef habitat was important for explaining lethrinid response to protection, and this factor interacted with reserve size, such that larger reserves were demonstrably more effective in the back reef and lagoon habitats. There was little evidence of changes in relative abundance and biomass of fishes with reserve age, or after rezoning and expansion of the reserve network. Our study demonstrates the complexities in quantifying fishing effects, highlighting some of the key factors and interactions that likely underlie the varied results in reserve assessments that should be considered in future reserve design and assessment

The fish communities and main fish populations of the Jurien Bay Marine Park

The Strategic Research Fund for the Marine Environment funded a range of floral and faunal research projects to determine the characteristics of the marine communities in the Jurien Bay Marine Park (JBMP), which was gazetted in 2003. This project has determined the diversity, density and species compositions of the fishes that occupy reefs, seagrass, unvegetated sand and nearshore surf zone habitats in three different types of management zones in the JBMP. The zones were (1) General use zones, where all types of fishing are allowed. (2) Scientific reference zones, where recreational and commercial rock lobster fishing and selected shore-based fishing activities are allowed. (3) Sanctuary zones, where no boat-based fishing is permitted. Future management of the marine park requires a sound understanding of the relationships among the fish faunas, both within and among the main habitat types in each of the different management zones, and of the variability that occurs at different spatial scales. The vision provided by the management plan for the JBMP was: “In the year 2025, the marine flora and fauna, habitats and water quality of the Jurien Bay Marine Park will be in the same or better condition than in the year 2005. The area will support viable and ecologically sustainable fishing, aquaculture, recreation and nature-based tourism and the marine park will be considered an important asset by the local community” (Anon., 2005). Key performance indicators, described in the management plan, were designed to ensure that this vision is met. This requires data on how estimates of abundance of fishes varied according to the type of sampling method used during this study. The baseline values for different sampling methods can then be used, in the future, to assess whether the vision for the marine park has been achieved. This study used the following complementary sampling methods to survey fishes in the different habitats in the JBMP, i.e. underwater visual census (UVC) and baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) over reefs, BRUVS and trawling in seagrass and over unvegetated sand and seine netting in surf zones. The combined results from the different methods demonstrated that the fish fauna of the JBMP is diverse and comprises temperate, sub-tropical and tropical species. Variability in the fish faunas was detected both within and among the main habitat types and was related to the range of physical and biological characteristics present. The compositions of species sampled by each method differed. In particular, whereas the samples obtained using UVC, trawling and seine netting contained a range of trophic groups, those collected employing BRUVS were dominated by carnivorous species. These differences in ichthyofaunal composition within and among habitat types and between sampling methods must thus be taken into account when selecting the methods used both for long-term monitoring of fish communities and for providing the types of data necessary for assessing whether the marine park is achieving its objectives