Community structure of reef fishes in shallow waters of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago: effects of different levels of environmental protection

A study comparing shallow reef-area fish communities in Fernando de Noronha archipelago, Brazil, found that no-take marine protected areas (MPAs) significantly enhance fish diversity, richness, density of larger species, and biomass—nearly double that of regular MPAs. The research analyzed 140 visual censuses across seven sites with varying protection levels, recording 50 species from 27 families. Differences in ichthyofauna were primarily attributed to protection intensity rather than habitat structure, suggesting the National Marine Park of Fernando de Noronha effectively sustains healthy and diverse fish communities. This underscores the critical role of stringent MPA management in conserving marine biodiversity.

Ilarri, M. I., Souza, A. T., & Rosa, R. S. (2016). Community structure of reef fishes in shallow waters of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago: effects of different levels of environmental protection. Marine and Freshwater Research, 68(7), 1303–1316. https://doi.org/10.1071/mf16071