Sustainability in an Aquarium Fishery within a network of MPAs in Hawaii

Few MPA studies have shown direct connections between MPA effectiveness and fishery benefits. In 2000 an MPA network was established along the Kona-Kohala coast of the Island of Hawai`i to address conflict among stakeholders and promote sustainability of a live-caught aquarium fishery. Through a series of studies we examined MPA metrics including replenishment, spillover and larval seeding combined with measures of fishery productivity, fleet dynamics, and spatial variation in catch. MPA studies has demonstrated successful replenishment of fishes within MPAs, seeding via larval connectivity between local populations, and adult spillover into fished areas. Fishery studies have shown an increase in fishery productivity subsequent to MPA establishment, although most of the increase may be attributed to changes in fleet dynamics rather than spillover and replenishment. Our findings further indicate that MPAs in Hawaii negatively impact aquarium fishing operations, but fishers adjust to spatial management by expanding their operating range, leading to increased profits that maintain, or slightly improves their socioeconomic well-being. Additional studies indicate that conflict among stakeholders has been slightly reduced over time and that divers felt that MPAs were more effective at enhancing fish populations than fishers. Our work demonstrates the difficulty of linking MPA effectiveness to fishery productivity and underlines the importance of examine both ecological and socio-economic parameters to fully understand the interplay between MPA and fishery dynamics.