CalOceans News

More evidence that marine reserves work

Over the past decade or so we’ve seen an immense body of science come out supporting the idea that discrete areas, set off limits to extractive use, will benefit sea life. This conclusions is as near to iron-clad scientific fact as you can get, at least in terms of non-migratory species like sheepshead. There is still some debate, however, over how well marine protected areas help migratory species.

Which brings us to today’s post. A fascinating study on the effects of World War II (what could be classified, in this context, as a “temporary, accidental fishing closure”) on the cod, haddock and whiting of the North Sea. Reports reveal that fishing activity in the area dropped from 300,000 hours a year in 1938 to practically zero after the war started in 1939.

These three species, which had been in decline leading up to the war, began to rebound immediately. At the cessation of hostilities, when fishing began again, their decline continued. Here’s a great Economist article summarizing the findings.

Here in California, we have a wealth of both migratory and non-migratory sea life, and it’s great to see that the Marine Life Protection Act will benefit them all.

• Tags:
• Marine Protected Areas
• fishing closures
• marine reserves
• fishery science