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Spillover benefits from the world's largest fully protected MPA
Sarah Medoff1, John Lynham2, Jennifer Raynor3
1Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 20, 2022
Summary
Marine protected areas can benefit migratory fish. The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument shows spillover benefits for yellowfin and bigeye tuna populations.
Area of Science:
- Marine conservation
- Fisheries science
- Ecology
Background:
- Marine protected areas (MPAs) are often too small to benefit migratory species.
- The effectiveness of large MPAs for migratory species remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess spillover benefits from the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the world's largest fully protected MPA.
- To determine if this large MPA benefits migratory tuna populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized species-specific data from independent fishery observers.
- Analyzed changes in catch rates for vessels near and far from the MPA.
- Compared data before and after the MPA's 2016 expansion.
Main Results:
- Found evidence of fishery spillover benefits.
- Observed positive impacts for yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares).
- Observed positive impacts for bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus).
Conclusions:
- Large-scale MPAs can provide significant refuge and spillover benefits for migratory species.
- Papahānaumokuākea demonstrates the potential of extensive marine protected areas in fisheries management.
- Findings support the conservation value of large MPAs for commercially important tuna species.
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