Relative abundance and diversity of sharks and predatory fishes across Marine Protected Areas of the Tropical Eastern Pacific

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) play a pivotal role as critical refuges for sharks and large predatory fishes, with oceanic island MPAs supporting some of the highest relative abundances reported globally. This study, using stereo-Baited Remote Underwater Video systems (stereo-BRUVs), found that oceanic island MPAs exhibit significantly greater species richness and fish abundances compared to coastal MPAs, which show signs of depletion due to fishing pressure. The research highlights the importance of MPA remoteness and protection in sustaining marine biodiversity but also underscores the need for improved conservation measures, such as stronger enforcement, to mitigate ongoing threats like 'fishing down the food web' observed in coastal regions.

McKinley, S. J., Hansen, S. F., Fierro-Arcos, D., Cundy, M. E., Mossbrucker, M., Vianna, G. M. S., Suarez-Moncada, J., Hoyos-Padilla, M., Bessudo-Lion, S., Sala, E., & Salinas-de-León, P. (2025). Relative abundance and diversity of sharks and predatory fishes across Marine Protected Areas of the Tropical Eastern Pacific. PLOS One, 20(11), e0334164. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334164