Visual ROV Assessment of Rockfish Conservation Areas: Are They Working?

Between 2002 and 2007, Fisheries and Oceans Canada designated 164 Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) to conserve overfished populations of inshore rockfishes in British Columbia (BC).  Thirty-five RCAs and adjacent unprotected areas in southern BC were surveyed using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to investigate the “reserve” effect on densities of rockfishes, kelp greenling and lingcod.  Habitat–based fish densities were calculated and a  log reserve ratio (RR) of the density inside to outside of RCAs was used to determine whether the geographic region, amount of fishing outside the RCA, fishing history, RCA age, size or the perimeter to area ratio has influenced population recovery. Few positive reserve effects were apparent for any species/group. Habitat features influenced fish density while reserve status did not.  Most RCAs sampled were less than 5 years old at the time of sampling, and no clear patterns of RR with age were found. The intensity of fishing, size, and perimeter to area ratio failed to explain RR.  There were also no differences in length of fish between RCAs and unprotected areas.  The results give no indication that demersal fish populations have recovered inside the RCA system, however, continued monitoring may reveal influential factors in the future.