MEDIA ADVISORY
For immediate release
October 29, 2007

Marine Reserves and Ugly Fish:
Two recent studies in Ecological Applications

Poaching, Enforcement, and the Efficacy of Marine Reserves

Marine reserves, which place a portion of the fish population off-limits to harvesting, have received much attention over recent years. They are promoted as an effective way to help restore exploited fish stocks. Authors James Byers (University of New Hampshire) and Erik Noonburg (Florida Atlantic University) used economic game theory to examine the effectiveness of marine reserves.

Byers and Noonburg argue that most models fail to include the reality of poaching, as some fishermen attempt to maximize their economic payoffs. The authors quantify the effect of poaching on fishery yield and the level of enforcement needed to motivate various levels of compliance. They suggest that to maximize fisheries benefits, the influence of poaching and the cost of enforcement must be included in quantitative assessments of management with reserves.

Underappreciated Species in Ecology: “Ugly Fish” in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean

Populations of popular fish such as cod, haddock, and flounder stocks continue to shrink. Meanwhile, fish such as skates, goosefish, and sculpin have historically had a lack of appeal, both commercially and visually. In his study, Jason Link (National Marine Fisheries Service, Woods Hole, MA) examined the biomass of several “ugly fish” species to determine whether their abundance and ecological role has changed over the last four decades.

Link's results indicate that some of these fish species are now the dominant scavengers, predators, and bottom-dwelling fish in the Northwest Atlantic . Some species have maintained their populations throughout the decades, while others have increased.

“Ignoring these species is no longer prudent,” says Link.

Understanding the “ugly fish” and their role in ecosystems continues to be increasingly valuable. As these fish take over niches occupied by the more popular and well-known fish, the “ugly fish” may themselves become vulnerable to increased fishing.