In addition to regulating sex, size, and season of harvest, resource managers can implement spatial fishery closures as a management tool to protect Dungeness crab populations. Yet, we have little understanding of the role that spatial closures play in conserving crab populations, especially in fisheries management zones that are subject to intensive harvest. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the biological effectiveness of a crab closure area adjacent to an intensive fishery, by examining relative abundance, population demographics, and seasonal movement patterns within and outside of a closure area. Relative abundance and population demographics were assessed weekly from August to October, using standardized trap lines distributed at four locations, stratified by treatment (inside versus outside of closure area) and water depth. To obtain individual male crab movement data within and outside of the closure area, mobile acoustic tracking surveys were conducted one to three times per week in the autumn and winter. Male crabs were larger and in greater abundance inside the closure area than outside. The overall trend in male crab movement was southwest towards deeper water during autumn and winter. Our research supports the hypothesis that fisheries decrease the abundance and size of an exploited species, but closure areas may reduce these effects. Based on the observed seasonal movement patterns of crabs, it appeared that the closure area provided a temporary refuge from harvest. Resource managers should consider seasonal movement patterns, habitat use, and quality of available habitat when selecting closure area boundaries.

中文翻译：

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空间收割禁区对加拿大不列颠哥伦比亚省罗伯茨银行沿岸的大密度蟹（巨蟹座巨蟹）密集捕捞种群的数量，运动和人口统计的影响

除了调节性别，大小和收获季节之外，资源管理者还可以实施空间禁渔，作为保护Dungeness螃蟹种群的一种管理工具。但是，我们对空间封闭在保护螃蟹种群，特别是在需要大量捕捞的渔业管理区中发挥的作用方面了解甚少。这项研究的主要目的是通过检查封闭区域内外的相对丰度，人口统计数据和季节性活动模式，来评估密集捕捞附近的螃蟹封闭区域的生物有效性。从8月到10月每周评估相对丰度和人口统计数据，使用分布在四个位置的标准化捕集线，并按处理方法（封闭区域内外）和水深进行分层。为了获得封闭区域内外的单个雄蟹运动数据，秋季和冬季每周进行一到三次移动声跟踪调查。封闭区域内部的雄性蟹比外部更大且数量更多。在秋季和冬季，雄蟹运动的总体趋势是西南向更深的水域发展。我们的研究支持以下假设：渔业减少了被开发物种的丰度和大小，但禁渔区可能会减少这些影响。根据观察到的螃蟹的季节性运动模式，似乎禁渔区提供了一个暂时的避难所。在选择封闭区域边界时，资源经理应考虑季节性移动方式，栖息地使用情况和可用栖息地的质量。