CalOceans News

Kenyan Marine Reserves Put Money in Fishermen’s Pockets

Yet another scientific study has been published showing the benefits of marine protected areas – both for fish and for fishers. The study, published in the journal Conservation Biology, showed that fishermen pulled more and bigger fish from waters near MPAs.

"Resistance to closures and to gear restrictions from fishermen and the fishing industry is based largely on the perception that these options are a threat to profits," said Tim McClanahan, a senior conservationist at the US-based Wildlife Conservation Society , which conducted the study. "These findings challenge those perceptions."

Policymakers—seeing how Kenya's marine protected areas are breathing life into depleted fisheries—are considering adopting similar policies in countries neighboring Kenya.

This study joins the list now longer than a full-grown giant sea bass showing that carefully selected marine protected zones can pay major dividends– strengthening our resolve as we forge ahead with California’s great experiment in community-driven ocean protection, the Marine Life Protection Act.

• Tags:
• marine reserves
• Marine Protected Areas
• economic benefits
• ocean protection
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