Vertical Zoning in Marine Protected Areas: Ecological Considerations for Balancing Pelagic Fishing with Conservation of Benthic Communities

Marine protected areas (MPAs), ideally, manage human uses that threaten ecosystems, or components of ecosystems. During several recent MPA designation processes, concerns have arisen over the scientific justification for no-take MPAs, particularly those that restrict recreational fishing for pelagic species. An important question is: under what conditions might recreational pelagic fishing be compatible with the conservation goals of an MPA that is primarily focused on benthic Communities? In 2005, an expert workshop of fisheries biologists, marine ecologists, MPA managers, and recreational fishermen was convened by NOAAs National MPA Center to evaluate the limited empirical data on benthic-pelagic coupling and to help provide practical advice on this topic. The participants (i) proposed a preliminary conceptual framework for addressing vertical zoning, (ii) developed preliminary guidelines to consider when evaluating whether to allow or restrict pelagic fishing in an MPA, and (iii) identified future research priorities for understanding benthic-pelagic Coupling. A Suite of ecological conditions where recreational pelagic fishing may not be compatible with benthic conservation were identified: (1) high relief habitats, (2) depths shallower than 50-100 m (depending upon the specific location), (3) major topographic and oceanographic features, and (4) spawning areas. Similarly, pelagic fishing is not likely to affect benthic communities adversely in many circumstances. Until further scientific study can shed more light on the issue of how benthic-pelagic linkages affect specific conservation targets, the proposed framework in this manuscript provides practical, easily-applied guidance for using vertical zoning to manage fishing in multiple use MPAs that focus on benthic conservation.Areas Marinas Protegidas (AMP) idealmente, administran el uso humano que amenaza los ecosistemas o sus componentes. Durante el actual proceso de declaracion de AMP, han surgido algunas preocupaciones acerca de la justificacion cientifica para establecer areas de no pesca, particularmente aquellas que restringen la pesca recreativa de especies pelagicas. Una pregunta importante es QQQ ?bajo que condiciones la pesca pelagica recreativa es compatible con los objetivos de conservacion de un AMP que se enfoca principalmente en comunidades bentonicas? En 2005, un taller de expertos en biologia pesquera, ecologfa marina, manejo de AMP y Pescadores recreativos fue convocado por el Centra Nacional de AMP de la NOAA para evaluar los pocos datos empiricos del acoplamiento entre los sistemas pelagico y bentonico, y ofrecer asesoria practica sobre el tema. Los participantes (i) propusieron un marco conceptual preliminar para abordar el tema de la zonacion vertical, (ii) desarrollar directrices preliminares para que cuando se haga una evaluation si se permite o restringe la pesca pelagica dentro de la AMP, y (iii) identificar futuras lineas de investigation para comprender mejor el acoplamiento entre el bentos y el sistema pelagico. Se identifico una serie de condiciones ecologicas en las que la pesca recreativa pelagica puede no ser compatible con la conservacion del bentos: (1) habitat de alto relieve, (2) profundidades menores a 50 m-100 m (dependiendo de la zona), (3) caracteristicas oceanograficas y topograficas sobresalientes, y (4) areas de desove. De igual forma, bajo varias circunstancias, la pesca pelagica puede no afectar las comunidades bentonicas. Hasta que los estudios cientificos brinden mas information acerca de como las relaciones entre el bentos y el ambiente pelagico afectan los objetivos especificos de la conservacion, el contexto propuesto en este trabajo provee una guia practica y de facil aplicacion para utilizar la zonacion vertical en el manejo pesquero en varios aspectos de las AMP que se enfocan en la conservacion del bentos.Keywords: Trophic level, Marine protected areas, Pelagic fisheries, Conservatio

Vertical Zoning in Marine Protected Areas: Ecological Considerations for Balancing Pelagic Fishing with Conservation of Benthic Communities

Marine protected areas (MPAs), ideally, manage human uses that threaten ecosystems, or components of ecosystems. During several recent MPA designation processes, concerns have arisen over the scientific justification for no-take MPAs, particularly those that restrict recreational fishing for pelagic species. An important question is: under what conditions might recreational pelagic fishing be compatible with the conservation goals of an MPA that is primarily focused on benthic communities? In 2005, an expert workshop of fisheries biologists, marine ecologists, MPA managers, and recreational fishermen was convened by NOAA\u27s National MPA Center to evaluate the limited empirical data on benthic-pelagic coupling and to help provide practical advice on this topic. The participants (i) proposed a preliminary conceptual framework for addressing vertical zoning, (ii) developed preliminary guidelines to consider when evaluating whether to allow or restrict pelagic fishing in an MPA, and (iii) identified future research priorities for understanding benthic-pelagic coupling. A suite of ecological conditions where recreational pelagic fishing may not be compatible with benthic conservation were identified: (1) high relief habitats, (2) depths shallower than 50–100 m (depending upon the specific location), (3) major topographic and oceanographic features, and (4) spawning areas. Similarly, pelagic fishing is not likely to affect benthic communities adversely in many circumstances. Until further scientific study can shed more light on the issue of how benthic-pelagic linkages affect specific conservation targets, the proposed framework in this manuscript provides practical, easily-applied guidance for using vertical zoning to manage fishing in multiple use MPAs that focus on benthic conservation