Through systematic Reef Life Survey censuses of rocky reef fishes, invertebrates and macroalgae at eight marine reserves across northern New Zealand and the Kermadec Islands, we investigated whether a system of no-take marine reserves generates consistent biodiversity outcomes. Ecological responses of reef assemblages to protection from fishing, including potential trophic cascades, were assess...

Synopsis: The paper ‘bridges the divide’ between the biological and economic literature on marine reserves. It provides a selected review of the traditional use of reserves, the early reserve literature, the potential benefits of reserves, spillovers from reserves to harvested areas and bioeconomic models of marine reserves. The bioeconomics literature is examined from the perspectives of deter...

Marine reserves (or No-Take Zones) are implemented to protect species and habitats, with the aim of restoring a balanced ecosystem. Although the benefits of marine reserves are commonly monitored, there is a lack of insight into the potential detriments of such highly protected waters. High population densities attained within reserves may induce negative impacts such as unfavourable trophic ca...

Citation: Foley JR and Takahashi M (2017) Shell Lip Thickness Is the Most Reliable Proxy to Sexual Maturity in Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) of Port Honduras Marine Reserve, Belize; Informing Management to Reduce the Risk of Growth Overfishing. Front. Mar. Sci. 4:179. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2017.00179 Shell Lip Thickness Is the Most Reliable Proxy to Sexual Maturity in Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) of ...

The creation of marine reserves is often controversial. For decisionmakers, trying to find compromises, an understanding of the timing, magnitude, and incidence of the costs of a reserve is critical. Understanding the costs, in turn, requires consideration of not just the direct financial costs but also the opportunity costs associated with reserves. We use a discrete choice model of commercial...

Distinguishing management effects from the inherent variability in a system is a key consideration in assessing reserve efficacy. Here, we demonstrate how seascape heterogeneity, defined as the spatial configuration and composition of coral reef habitats, can mask our ability to discern reserve effects. We then test the application of a landscape approach, utilizing advances in benthic habitat ...

Setting up a marine reserve involves access monitoring, with the goal of avoiding intrusions of not authorized boats – also considering that, typically, marine reserves are located in areas not easily accessible. Nowadays, intrusion detection in marine reserves is carried out by using radar systems or suitable cameras activated by movement sensors. In this paper, we present a multiagent system ...

Water samples were collected from several previously determined sampling sites at Mai Po Nature Reserve (22°29′N to 22°31′N and 113°59′E to 114°03′E) and Cape d’Aguilar Marine Reserve (22°12′N and 114°15′E) of Hong Kong. Fifty environmental isolates of Vibrio species were isolated from water samples of Mai Po Nature Reserve and the Cape d’Aguilar Marine Reserve in Hong Kong and they were screen...