An evaluation of the social and economic impact of a Marine Protected Area on commercial fisheries

Abstract This study is an insight into the spatial use and economic performance of a fishery and linked fisher wellbeing across economic, social and health domains over a 12-year timescale pre- and post-Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation. Since the MPA designation, there has been an increase in vessels using static gear inside and outside the MPA, with a significant positive trend for vessels using static gear inside the MPA. Over time, static gear landings have decreased by 110 kg per vessel per month, although there has been a significant positive trend over time in value (landings of £1,452 per vessel per month), linked to catches of high value species such as lobster, which are associated with the reef ecosystem. Fishing activity providing high volume (weight) and value landings from vessels using mobile demersal gears within the MPA ceased in July 2008. Mobile demersal gear fishing effort has since increased significantly outside the MPA. The value of mobile demersal gear landings in 2017 are comparable to fishing activity prior to the MPA designation, but has not reached the peak landings values of 2008 when the MPA was designated. Fishers predominantly using mobile demersal gear report lower subjective wellbeing and material losses. Static gear fishers report higher levels of subjective wellbeing over time compared to their mobile demersal gear counterparts. Positive subjective wellbeing is pronounced when the fishers are involved with an independent working group. Sustainability across ecological, social and economic systems requires an integrated rather than sequential approach to fisheries management and marine conservation.