Effects of reserve protection level on the vulnerable fish species Sciaena umbra and implications for fishing management and policy

Increased protection levels in marine reserves significantly boost the abundance, size, and biomass of the vulnerable brown meagre (Sciaena umbra), a key demersal fish species in Mediterranean coastal habitats. A study conducted in Scandola Reserve, Corsica, found that strict no-take zones (integral reserves) led to marked improvements in population metrics compared to partially protected buffer zones and unprotected areas where fishing was unrestricted. Visual surveys revealed that larger size classes of S. umbra were notably absent in unprotected zones, suggesting heavy fishing pressure, particularly from spearfishing, as a primary driver of its decline. Comparisons with data from 1983 further highlighted the positive impact of integral reserves on species recovery, while unprotected areas showed no change over time. These findings underscore the critical role of strong protective measures in conserving vulnerable fish populations and have already influenced French fishing policies, including bans on spearfishing and recreational hook-and-line fishing since 2014.

Harmelin-Vivien, M., Cottalorda, J.-M., Dominici, J.-M., Harmelin, J.-G., Le Diréach, L., & Ruitton, S. (2015). Effects of reserve protection level on the vulnerable fish species Sciaena umbra and implications for fishing management and policy. Global Ecology and Conservation, 3, 279–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2014.12.005