Abstract

Many studies have examined the performance of locally managed marine reserves in the Philippines but the effectiveness of nationally managed marine reserves under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act is poorly understood. This study assessed the biomass and trophic structure of reef fishes inside and outside marine reserves from seven NIPAS seascapes. These were compared to other protected seascapes being proposed for inclusion under the NIPAS. Total fish biomass was higher inside marine reserves than outside; however, the effect of protection was not evident when total biomass of commercially valued families was compared. Furthermore, the total biomass of commercially important fishes was lower in NIPAS reefs and fell below threshold values for sustaining fisheries. No difference in trophic structure was found between inside and outside marine reserves in both NIPAS and non-NIPAS reefs. In addition, the relative biomass of predatory fishes (trophic levels ≥ 4) was smaller in reefs with low fish biomass (<25 mt km⁻²; which describes many NIPAS reefs), than those with higher total fish biomass. The overfished state and depauperate predator biomass of NIPAS reefs may be attributed to poor enforcement of no-take regulations and lack of stakeholder engagement, suggesting the need for improved management.

摘要

许多研究检查了菲律宾当地管理的海洋保护区的性能，但是人们对《国家综合保护区系统法》（NIPAS）下的国家管理的海洋保护区的有效性了解甚少。这项研究评估了来自七个NIPAS海景海洋保护区内外的礁鱼的生物量和营养结构。将这些与提议纳入NIPAS的其他受保护海景进行了比较。海洋保护区内部鱼类总生物量高于外部；然而，当比较具有商业价值的家庭的总生物量时，保护的作用并不明显。此外，在NIPAS礁中，具有商业意义的鱼类的总生物量较低，并低于维持渔业的阈值。在NIPAS和非NIPAS珊瑚礁内和外海洋保护区的营养结构没有发现差异。此外，在鱼类生物量较低（<25 mt km）的珊瑚礁中，掠食性鱼类的相对生物量（营养水平≥4）较小。⁻² ; 其中描述了许多NIPAS珊瑚礁），而不是鱼类总生物量较高的珊瑚礁。NIPAS珊瑚礁的捕捞过度和捕食生物量减少，可能归因于禁止捕捞法规执行不力和缺乏利益相关者的参与，这表明需要改善管理。