Document: IRE-3-62-1

Do southern California harvest refugia enhance target fish populations?

BEERS, I.T.*

UCLA, Los Angeles, CA USA ¹

Abstract:
During summer and fall of 1997 and 1998, we censused adult and juvenile fishes at three island and two mainland sites, which represent the majority of rocky-bottom no-take marine reserves in southern California. This study is unusually robust because five reserves were sampled in a single biogeographical area. Results demonstrate the first significant finding of increased density of harvested species (Paralabrax clathratus, kelp bass and P. nebulifer, barred sand bass) inside California marine reserves. Harvested species were also larger inside the reserves. There were significant differences in fish populations among sites. In contrast, non-harvested species did not show significant increases in density or size according to protection status. Habitat characteristics of the reserve and control areas were not significantly different. This study demonstrates that southern California no-take areas lead to increased numbers and sizes of harvested fish species.

Keywords: Marine reserves, harvest refugia, temperate rocky reef fish populations

This abstract is being presented at: 10:15 AM in session:
Oral Session #57: Ocean-Going Fish and Mammals.