Title: Evaluation of management strategies in Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia

Authors: Olivier Thébaud; L. Richard Little; Elizabeth Fulton

Addresses: CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, GPO Box 2583 Brisbane, Qld 4001 Australia ' CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, GPO Box 1538 Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia ' CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, GPO Box 1538 Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia

Abstract: The spatial, multi-species nature of coral reef fisheries makes them notoriously difficult to manage. We have developed a simulation modelling approach to examine the effect of management options on the recreational fishery of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, that targets Spangled Emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) model. Results show the effects of historical fishing mortality on the depletion of Spangled Emperor and the potential biological and social effects of changes in the sanctuary zones under a range of scenarios. The inherent trade-offs between the ecological and social objectives identified by the stakeholders are characterised. Some management strategies clearly perform better than others with respect to the social objectives pursued in the fishery, although none manages to improve its ecological status.

Keywords: marine protected areas; marine reserves; marine parks; reef line fishery; recreational fishing; management strategy evaluation; Ningaloo Marine Park; Australia; coral reef fisheries; simulation; modelling; environmental protection; ecosystems; trade-offs; ecological objectives; social objectives.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2014.057892

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2014 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.102 - 119

Published online: 25 Oct 2014 *

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