Measuring and monitoring compliance in no‐take marine reserves

Abstract

No‐take marine reserves are increasingly popular tools for conservation and fisheries management. While much attention has been paid to evaluating the effects of design aspects (size, location, etc.) in achieving reserve objectives, less emphasis has been placed on the role of stakeholder compliance. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to evaluate the state of compliance literature and examine the methods used to measure compliance in reserves. The state of compliance literature is limited, although publications with compliance information have increased sixfold in the last decade. However, most studies containing compliance information (63%) fail to provide quantitative estimates. Furthermore, most (95%) quantitative estimates of compliance were reported using a single method, which is problematic because each method has biases and limited applicability. Methods used to indicate compliance include (i) direct observation; (ii) indirect observation; (iii) law enforcement records; (iv) direct questioning; (v) expert opinion; and (vi) modelling. Our second aim was to empirically demonstrate the critical role of compliance in reserve outcomes by comparing a mixed‐effects model on compliance data synthesized from 63 marine reserves to that of a null model. The model of best fit demonstrated a negative relationship between non‐compliance and target species biomass response ratios. Thus, without incorporating any aspects of reserve design, compliance data predicted reserve response ratios of fish biomass. Accordingly, researchers should explore ways to better understand and measure non‐compliance. Therefore, future research should triangulate multiple sources of quantitative compliance data collected using standardized techniques and conduct baseline surveys before reserve implementation.

Levels and drivers of fishers’ compliance with marine protected areas

“…The mere presence of an MPA does not guarantee fishers' compliance, and its effectiveness can be eroded by illegal fishing. Indeed, ecological performance of MPAs has been clearly linked to compliance (Pollnac et al 2010, Bergseth et al 2013.…”

The codevelopment of coastal fisheries monitoring methods to support local management

“…Similarly, customary knowledge was based on direct observations of resources and natural cycles, which have been shown to result in adaptive management, (Berkes et al 2000, Wilson et al 2006, Mahon et al 2008, in other words, "learning by doing" (Walters and Holling 1990). Furthermore, incorporating fishers into the monitoring and management process encourages responsibility for the resources and develops community-based values for acceptable harvest practices that are enforced and regulated by users themselves (Prince 2003, Wiber et al 2004, Cinner et al 2009, Basurto and Ostrom 2009, Bergseth et al 2015.…”

Lack of recreational fishing compliance may compromise effectiveness of Rockfish Conservation Areas in British Columbia

“…The effectiveness of marine reserves and marine protected areas (MPAs) depends on reducing or eliminating fishing pressure within their boundaries (Ainsworth et al 2012;Gaines et al 2010;Kritzer 2004;Sethi and Hilborn 2008). Reserves with high rates of noncompliance show limited recovery of fish communities (Ainsworth et al 2012;Campbell et al 2012;Kritzer 2004;McClanahan et al 2009), and compliance information can predict the recovery of fish biomass without incorporating any reserve design factors (Bergseth et al 2015). Furthermore, a global study of marine reserves identified enforcement as one of five key features that influenced effectiveness (Edgar et al 2014).…”

“…Similarly, compliance levels reported by resource users and population density were the best predictors of reserve effectiveness in a study of 56 tropical marine reserves (Pollnac et al 2010). However, despite their importance for recovery, compliance rates are rarely quantified (Sethi and Hilborn 2008;Smallwood and Beckley 2012), and when compliance is measured, most data are qualitative (anecdotal or expert opinion) and direct empirical observations are rare (Bergseth et al 2015).…”

“…The environmental and social drivers that influence compliance in marine reserves are a critical research frontier for the implementation of more effective MPAs (Bergseth et al 2015). Reserve design features such as size and shape may influence compliance Kritzer 2004;Read et al 2011).…”