INCOFISH WP5

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INCOFISH WP5 MPAs on Continental
Shelves Fisheries and Ecosystem Management
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Objectives Review the nature of three selected
ecosystems and the role and effectiveness and
operation of selected existing MPAs within these
ecosystems. Examine the need and potential role
of further MPAs within these ecosystems. Run
simulations of MPA effectiveness with Ecopath
models developed in conjunction with WP4 for the
selected ecosystems. Examine effects of size and
placement on the effectiveness of MPAs for
selected ecosystems. Develop supporting models to
supplement and aid interpretation of the Ecopath
output, or to examine situations that can not be
explicitly tested with the Ecopath
models. Develop conceptual model for the
development of MPA networks on the basis of
results from the above
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Project Partners Prof Nick Polunin Newcastle
Uni, UK Dr Will Le Quesne Dr John Pinnegar
CEFAS, UK Dr Steve Mackinson Prof Francisco
Arreguín-Sánchez CICIMAR, Mexico Manuel
Zetina-Rejón, Co-workers Prof Haigen Xu NIES,
China Co-workers
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Case Studies
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Case Studies

• Define offshore and onshore boundaries for
  models. As much as possible model self-contained
  ecosystems. How shallow are we taking landward
  boundaries? especially intertidal marshes and
  estuarine areas.
• What is known of fisheries data, biology and
  life history of species, benthic habitats, and at
  what spatial resolution.
• Keep a vague eye on allowing direct
  comparability between models of different areas,
  i.e. similar approach to dealing with land and
  sea boundaries, cell size, approach to defining
  habitats, etc.

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Case Studies - North Sea
Approximate boundary of ICES area IV - North Sea
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Case Studies - North Sea
In the North Sea there are a number of areas
closed fishing. None of these exclude all
fishing activities. Boxes were established for
very different purposes (e.g. to allow particular
species to recover, to prevent accidental
bycatch, to protect juveniles, to protect
seabirds). Boxes have had varying success
some have worked, some have completely failed!
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Case Studies - Gulf of Mexico
Proposed study area
Protected area
Proposed protected areas
Main seasonal movements
Main inputs of production
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Case Studies - Yellow Sea
Bohai Sea
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Objectives Review Review the nature of three
selected ecosystems and the role and
effectiveness and operation of selected existing
MPAs within these ecosystems. Examine the need
and potential role of further MPAs within these
ecosystems. Deliverable 5.1 review report
required month 16. Main report to be compiled by
Will at Newcastle, with input on specific areas
from CICIMAR and NIES (and CEFAS?). Input from
CICIMAR and NIES to be complete by month 13.
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Objectives Review Review to cover general
description of physical chemical and biological
characteristics of each ecosystem. List 10-20
main species of interest (commercial and/or
ecological significance), with overview of life
history, habitat preferences, extent of
movements, susceptibility to different types of
fishing gear. Overview of fishery operations in
the region, main target species and gears used.
Brief overview of present fisheries management in
the area. Plus other significant impacts (e.g.
pollution) Examine the aims, operation, costs,
stakeholder involvement and effectiveness of one
or more existing MPAs in the ecosystem. Identify
potential role and location of additional MPAs
for the region. Put forward ideas for the sort of
MPA we might consider in the simulations.
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Objectives Simulations Run simulations of MPA
effectiveness with Ecopath models developed in
conjunction with WP4 for the selected ecosystems.
Examine effects of size and placement on the
effectiveness of MPAs for selected
ecosystems. Deliverable 5.2 analysis of size and
placement of selected MPAs using models from WP4.
Report required month 28, but according to Annex
I, full spatial ecosystem models from WP4 at
month 25! Will to compile main report with input
from CEFAS, CICIMAR and NIES. All Yellow Sea
modelling to be done in WP5. Deadline for
internal inputs for report ?
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Objectives Simulations Modelling of roles of
existing and proposed MPAs Spatial considerations
critical to understanding MPAs. Incorporate
bycatch/discards Consider ecosystem effects of
different gear types Include protection of
critical habitats. Consider interaction of
management within and outside MPAs. Compare MPA
based and traditional management Examine first
what is ecologically desirable (e.g. very large
areas) Then consider what is politically/socially
feasible Consider that MPAs do not need to be
total closures (e.g. boxes)
How do WP4 and WP5 interact?
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Objectives Supporting Models Develop
supporting models to supplement and aid
interpretation of the Ecopath output, or to
examine situations that can not be explicitly
tested with the Ecopath models. Not a specific
work package deliverable. Possibility to examine
some of the key underlying theory of application
of MPAs to mobile stocks / multi-species
fisheries in a simplified environment. Draw out
simplified scenarios of critical interactions, or
consistent themes identified from across several
regions. Along the lines of approaches carried
out by Guénette Pitcher 1999 (Fish. Res.
39295-303), and Quinn et al. 1993 (Am Zool. 33
537-550).
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Objectives Conceptual Model Develop conceptual
model for the development of MPA networks on the
basis of results from the above
investigations. Deliverable 5.3 Conceptual model
of MPA planning in offshore continental waters.
Report and step by step tool required by month
31. Will require input from all project partners,
Will to compile final report? Look for consistent
themes as to the size, and placement of MPAs from
across the three case studies. Look for
consistent themes as to the use of MPAs for
protecting specific habitats, types of stocks,
aggregations etc. from within and across the case
studies. Try and develop objective criteria for
development of MPAs. Consider relationship
between MPAs and other management.
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Deliverable 5.4 Report on outcomes of WP5 by
month 34. Input from all partners. Report to be
compiled by Will?? Deliverable 5.5 At least 5
papers related to WP5 to be submitted by end of
project.
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WorkshopsFirst workshop Select MPAs and
distribute tasks. Month 5. Here, now?Second
workshop analyse selected case studies. WP
members, representatives of WP4 and 9. Month
19.Third workshop review analysis and develop
conceptual framework. WP members,
representative(s) WP4. Month 25.
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Do we know and understand project
objectives? division of work amongst WP
partners? what is required by each and
when? financial and administrative aspects of
WP5? Any further questions?