Volume 62

Exploring the role of a tropical marine protected area to mitigate fishing impacts on ecosystem. A meso-scale spatial simulation approach


Authors
Diaz-Vesga, R,; Duarte, L.O.
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Date: November, 2009


Pages: 471-474


Event: Proceedings of the Sixty -Second Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute


City: Cumaná


Country: Venezuela

Abstract

Tayrona National Natural Park (TNNP) is one of the protected areas included in the Colombian governmental system. TNNP holds a high biodiversity ecosystem which registered more than 40% of the Colombian Caribbean marine species. In this area, artisanal fishing has been carried out for years, but assessments about potential effects of fishing on ecological functioning have not been achieved. A spatial simulation Ecospace model was constructed for the TNNP ecosystem to explore the potential role of the protected area to mitigate the effects of fishing on functional groups. The input parameters for the model were derived from an extensive review of published and unpublished sources. A total of 32 compartments including detritus, primary producers, invertebrates, fishes, marine mammals and birds, were defined in the model. Three scenarios were simulated for a period of 20 years considering: (1) the whole TNNP as a no-take zone, (2) the current established no-take zones, and (3) without no-take zones. In terms of predicted biomasses and catches, the scenario with a partial protection of the TNNP shows marginal difference with the one without no-take zones. In contrast, simulation of protecting the whole TNNP shows increments in predicted biomasses of several functional groups with a consequent spillover effect. According to the ecological benefit showed in the results, it is recommendable to close the TNNP to fishing; hence the local capabilities to control the fishing effort and to provide alternative activities for the fishers must be assessed in the region.

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