Effect of a network of no-take reserves in increasing catch per unit effort and stocks of exploited reef fish at Nabq, South Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

In 1995, in collaboration with local Bedouin fishermen, five no-take fisheries reserves were established within the Nabq Natural Resource Protected Area, South Sinai, Egyptian Red Sea. The abundance, size structure and catch of commercially targeted groupers (Serranidae), emperors (Lethrinidae) and snappers (Lutjanidae) were investigated before the establishment of these reserves, then in 1997 and again in 2000. By 1997, these fish had shown a significant increase in mean abundance within two of the no-take reserves. By 2000 each family and three individual species (Lethrinus obsoletus, Cephalopholis argus and Variola louti) had increased in abundance in the reserves. There were significant increases in mean individual length of the serranids Epinephelus fasciatus and C. argus and of the lethrinids L. nebulosus and Monotaxis grandoculis. Meanwhile, mean recorded catch per unit effort (CPUE) within the adjacent fished areas increased by about two-thirds (P <0.05) during the 5 years. The establishment of the no-take reserves appears to have played a key role in maintaining the sustainability of the fishery. The involvement of local Bedouin and fishermen in the co-management of fisheries resources was critical to the success of this initiative.

Status of marine protected areas in Egypt

“…Some benefits from the protection were detected within the PA. Since 1995, fishery has been regulated, and after five years of protection the abundance of the main target fish families was found to be significantly greater (Galal, 1999;Galal et al, 2002). However, Galal et al (2002) reported that fishing by Bedouins in Nabq PA had led to a significant decrease in the abundance and mean length of some serranids and lethrinids.…”

“…Since 1995, fishery has been regulated, and after five years of protection the abundance of the main target fish families was found to be significantly greater (Galal, 1999;Galal et al, 2002). However, Galal et al (2002) reported that fishing by Bedouins in Nabq PA had led to a significant decrease in the abundance and mean length of some serranids and lethrinids. Moreover, the high diversity of the area gives it tourism potential with an average of 18,000 visitors/year (Mabrouk, 2007).…”

Assessment of parrotfish community structure along a fishing pressure gradient in South Sinai marine protected areas, Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt

“…In South Sinai (the Egyptian GoA), parrotfish communities are subject to markedly different levels of fishing pressure, ranging from virtually none in Ras Mohammed and Sharm El-Sheikh; increased in Nabq, Dahab, and Abu Galum; and reaching extremely high levels in Nuweiba and Taba. Several previous studies in South Sinai MPAs (Galal et al, 2002(Galal et al, , 2012Ashworth, 2004;Tilot et al, 2008) used UVC to assess the impact of fishing on coral reef fishes (including parrotfishes). However, the majority of these studies were limited to focusing on a specific geographic area or conducted only on one reef habitat.…”

“…In Ras Mohammed and Sharm El-Sheikh, all forms of nearshore fishing are prohibited (Pearson and Shehata, 1998;Mabrouk, 2015). Whereas in Nabq and Abu Galum, only local Bedouin fishermen are allowed to fish using traditional fishing methods (Galal et al, 2002). In Dahab, fishing is prohibited at all dive sites (Hasler and Ott, 2008).…”

Herbivorous fish of Sinai marine protected areas (Gulf of Aqaba): Structure baseline for potential thermal stress impact management

“…In Ras Mohammed and Sharm el-Sheikh (south GoA), all forms of nearshore fishing activities are prohibited (Mabrouk, 2015). However, in Nabq (north of Sharm el-Sheikh), fishing is permitted for local Bedouin using their traditional gears (e.g., gillnets and trammel nets) that principally target herbivorous fish species entering the reef flat with the rising tides to feed on algae (Galal et al, 2002). Whereas, in Abu Galum and Dahab (central GoA), fishing is allowed in certain locations and prohibited at dive sites (Hasler and Ott, 2008).…”