A long-term survey of Posidonia oceanica fish assemblages in a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area: emphasis on stability and no-take area effectiveness

A complete fishing ban within the Scandola Marine Reserve (Corsica, Northwestern Mediterranean) effectively restores target fish stocks and enhances the stability of fish assemblages in Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds. Unlike partial restrictions, this approach positively impacts species richness and density while maintaining higher temporal stability, contrasting with findings from rocky reefs where wandering predators may disrupt seagrass fish communities. The study employed annual underwater visual censuses over a long-term series to assess these effects, revealing that no-take zones are crucial for both biodiversity conservation and ecological stability in Mediterranean marine protected areas.

Seytre, C., & Francour, P. (2013). A long-term survey of Posidonia oceanica fish assemblages in a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area: emphasis on stability and no-take area effectiveness. Marine and Freshwater Research, 65(3), 244–254. https://doi.org/10.1071/mf13080