Characterization and management of informal fisheries confronted with socio-economic changes in New Caledonia (South Pacific)

Guillemot, Nicolas; Léopold, Marc; Cuif, Marion; Chabanet, Pascale

doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2009.03.013

Cited by 38 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Although herbivorous fish represent about 30% [60] to 50% [61] of estimated reef fish catches in New Caledonia, the biomass, density and diversity of each herbivorous group relative to the whole fish community were actually higher in the most heavily fished sites. This effect on the structure of the fish communities strongly suggests that fishing primarily affects fish of higher trophic levels in New Caledonia, and that an exclusive protection of herbivorous fish would unlikely significantly increase algal grazing in coral reefs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

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Does Herbivorous Fish Protection Really Improve Coral Reef Resilience? A Case Study from New Caledonia (South Pacific)

et al. 2013

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Parts of coral reefs from New Caledonia (South Pacific) were registered at the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2008. Management strategies aiming at preserving the exceptional ecological value of these reefs in the context of climate change are currently being considered. This study evaluates the appropriateness of an exclusive fishing ban of herbivorous fish as a strategy to enhance coral reef resilience to hurricanes and bleaching in the UNESCO-registered areas of New Caledonia. A two-phase approach was developed: 1) coral, macroalgal, and herbivorous fish communities were examined in four biotopes from 14 reefs submitted to different fishing pressures in New Caledonia, and 2) results from these analyses were challenged in the context of a global synthesis of the relationship between herbivorous fish protection, coral recovery and relative macroalgal development after hurricanes and bleaching. Analyses of New Caledonia data indicated that 1) current fishing pressure only slightly affected herbivorous fish communities in the country, and 2) coral and macroalgal covers remained unrelated, and macroalgal cover was not related to the biomass, density or diversity of macroalgae feeders, whatever the biotope or level of fishing pressure considered. At a global scale, we found no relationship between reef protection status, coral recovery and relative macroalgal development after major climatic events. These results suggest that an exclusive protection of herbivorous fish in New Caledonia is unlikely to improve coral reef resilience to large-scale climatic disturbances, especially in the lightly fished UNESCO-registered areas. More efforts towards the survey and regulation of major chronic stress factors such as mining are rather recommended. In the most heavily fished areas of the country, carnivorous fish and large targeted herbivores may however be monitored as part of a precautionary approach.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Species size was either small (maximum standard length SL ≤30 cm), or large (maximum SL ≥31 cm). Species were assigned as fished or unfished based on detailed descriptions of local fisheries [61], [99], [100].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Herbivorous Fish Protection Really Improve Coral Reef Resilience? A Case Study from New Caledonia (South Pacific)

et al. 2013

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“…Stopping fishing inside reserves could also lead to trophic cascade, increased predation (Fanshawe et al 2003; David et al 2010;Ferraris et al 2005;Guillemot et al 2009;Jollit et al 2010;Preuss et al 2009;Wantiez et al 1997. Guidetti 2006;Saintilan et al 2008), and unforeseen changes in the structure of communities rather than to the reconstruction of targeted populations.…”

Section: Positive Effects On Fish Populations and Ecosystems Inside Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Marine Protected Areas in fisheries management systems: some criteria for ecological efficiency

Mesnildrey

Gascuel

Pape

2013

Aquat. Living Resour.

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-Through a review of the scientific literature and a more in-depth qualitative meta-analysis of 16 case studies distributed worldwide, this article aims to study impacts of MPAs on marine living resources, ecosystems and related fisheries and to highlight their criteria of efficiency as management tools for a sustainable exploitation. MPAs are efficient for conservation purposes and resource restoration, especially inside their borders. MPAs can also be part of fisheries management systems, but there is a lack of knowledge about their wider scale impacts on fish stocks, ecosystem and fisheries. Adjacent fisheries can increase their catches near closed areas, but such effects are delayed until after MPA establishment and are often limited over distance. Even though local specificities in ecosystems and fishing resources lead to high variability in MPA effects, four major criteria modulate the efficiency of MPAs for fisheries management: (1) the size of the closed area; (2) the level of protection of essential habitats for exploited resources; (3) MPA integration as part of wider integrated fisheries management plans; and (4) efficient monitoring and regulation systems, including participative decision making, to ensure that restrictive measures are respected.

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“…Guillemot et al, 2009). During the 2008 harvesting season (from April to September), all harvesters present at low tide in the different areas were questioned (i.e.…”

Section: Harvestingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invertebrate harvesting on tropical urban areas: Trends and impact on natural populations (New Caledonia, South Pacific)

et al. 2011

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Characterization and management of informal fisheries confronted with socio-economic changes in New Caledonia (South Pacific)

Cited by 38 publications

References 57 publications

Does Herbivorous Fish Protection Really Improve Coral Reef Resilience? A Case Study from New Caledonia (South Pacific)

Does Herbivorous Fish Protection Really Improve Coral Reef Resilience? A Case Study from New Caledonia (South Pacific)

Integrating Marine Protected Areas in fisheries management systems: some criteria for ecological efficiency

Invertebrate harvesting on tropical urban areas: Trends and impact on natural populations (New Caledonia, South Pacific)

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