NOAA report reveals positive results thanks to "no take" protections in Florida's Tortugas Ecological Reserve

Published: 13-Feb-13 11:04:44
Author: Anna
Source: NOAA + Diver Wire
Related: 10-Apr-10 23:11:09

The Tortugas Ecological Reserve in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has benefited from "no take" protections, according to a research report released by NOAA. The marine reserve is a popular destination for scuba diving holidays and since the protection was put in place, fish numbers are on the increase and mutton snapper have returned to the waters after they were believed to have been wiped out.

A research report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has revealed that the no-take protections that were enforced upon Tortugas Ecological Reserve in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary have had a positive effect on fish populations.

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is a popular destination for scuba diving holidays but there have been concerns over dwindling numbers of fish populations.

The report, "An Integrated Biogeographic Assessment of Reef Fish Populations and Fisheries in Dry Tortugas: Effects of No-take Reserves," focused on the waters within the 151-square nautical mile reserve, which has been protected since 2001, so scientists could analyse reef fish number and species.

The results show that overfished species including black and red grouper, mutton snapper and yellowtail have increased in population and size; mutton snapper, thought to have been wiped out, have begun to reform once again; commercial catches of reef fish in the region increased; and recreational and commercial fishers in the region suffered no financial losses.

"The findings in this report are good news for NOAA management efforts to enhance fisheries and other natural resources in the Florida Keys," stated Holly Bamford, a Ph.D., assistant administrator for NOAA. "The results are equally important in other areas where NOAA science provides support to management decisions that are made to best utilise and protect our natural resources."

Florida is one of the America's leading scuba diving destinations and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary covers an area of 2,900-square-nautical-miles. While scuba diving in Florida, divers can explore colourful coral reefs, mangrove forests, and sea grass, while swimming alongside thousands of beautiful marine creatures including sea turtles, butterfly fish, sharks, dolphins, whales, rays, and eels.

The sanctuary is managed by NOAA and the state of Florida and every year, thousands of divers flock to the waters during scuba diving holidays to visit sunken shipwrecks and underwater delights.

The Tortugas Ecological Reserve is closed to all fishing and anchoring. Permitted marine researchers only have access to a small portion of it to carry out their studies.

"This research shows that marine reserves and economically viable fishing industries can coexist," commented the sanctuary superintendent, Sean Morton. "The health of our economy is tied to the health of our oceans. They are not mutually exclusive."

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