Marine Reserves and Fishery Profit
Author Information
Author(s): White Crow, Kendall Bruce E, Gaines Steven, Siegel David A, Costello Christopher
Primary Institution: University of California Santa Barbara
Hypothesis
Can reserve-based management strategies increase fishery profit despite relying on increased harvest pressures compared to conventional management?
Conclusion
Reserves can benefit fisheries and maximize profit with moderate proportions of the coast in reserves and management flexibility.
Supporting Evidence
- Reserves can still benefit fisheries, even those targeting species that are expensive to harvest.
- Only a moderate proportion of the coast in reserves is required to maximize profit.
- Reserve area and harvest intensity can be traded off with little impact on profits.
Takeaway
This study shows that having protected areas in the ocean can help fish populations and make fishing more profitable, even if some fishing happens nearby.
Methodology
A bioeconomic model was developed to evaluate the economic performance of reserve-based management strategies.
Limitations
The model assumes equilibrium conditions and does not account for demographic and environmental stochasticity.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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