Assessing efficacy in MPA design decisions using a bespoke and interactive fisheries management tool

Abstract

Large marine protected areas (LMPAs) represent one of the main strategic options for achieving international targets on mitigating biodiversity loss and ensuring habitat protection. Many LMPAs incorporate some multi-use elements within their design, such as provisions for managed fisheries. This adds complexity to MPA design, requiring prioritisation of spatial closures to ensure design efficacy. Using a subantarctic island case study, here we present a novel, bespoke and interactive ‘Risk Tool’. The tool utilises historic fisheries data to quantify the ecosystem impacts of current longline fishing and simulates the change in risk profile due to fishing displacement resulting from potential MPA redesigns on associated species and ecosystems.