Researchers from James Cook University have reported big increases in fish stocks in the no-fish marine reserves created about five years ago in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with some target fish species doubling in population. Some shark species were reported to be 30 times more numerous inside no-fish zones as outside them.
They also report that "preliminary economic analysis points to considerable net benefits, both to the environment and to tourism, fishing and related enterprises." This makes perfect sense of course - once the populations within the reserves reach territorial or resource availability saturation points, individuals will spread further afield.
They have also found that the reef is more resilient to threats such as outbreaks of the Crown of Thorns Starfish.
Makes all the naysaying about creation of reserves around the NSW South Coast look a bit weak doesn't it?
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