Cabo Pulmo National Park is the most robust marine reserve in the world, thanks to fishing ban

[X_Digger]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/cabo-pulmo-national-park-is-the-most-robust-marine-reserve-in-the-world-thanks-to-fishing-ban

A ten-year study by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography concludes that the Cabo Pulmo National Park is the most robust marine reserve in the world. Overfishing had wiped out most of the fish in this region, but thanks to a no-fishing zone, the park is now the healthiest marine reserve according to Scripps researchers.
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If the National Park Service needs any more proof that a no-fishing zone is a smart idea for the Biscayne National Park, they needn't look further than Cabo Pulmo, Mexico. A team of Scripps researchers have just concluded a ten year study where they conclude Cabo Pulmo National Park is now the most robust marine reserve in the world because of a fishing ban imposed in 1995. Most of Cabo Pulmo's big game fish (groupers, jacks, snappers, parrotfish, etc.) were decimated by overfishing in the 80s and 90s. After ten years of a strictly enforced no-fishing zone, fish populations have increased an astounding 460%!

Local communities once opposed to the no-fishing zone now support it. Eco-tourism has become big business at the southern most tip of Baja California, and locals now understand that a thriving reef ecosystem means a thriving economy.

Amazing video embedded at the bottom of the page.

[jwirr]

1. They are planning to never allow limited fishing in this area once it

is recovered?

[X_Digger]

2. Correct.

It acts as a nursery for the surrounding, non-restricted areas.

[jwirr]

3. Okay that answers what I was wondering about. How they were going

to control over breeding. All states should do that with some of their lakes.

[X_Digger]

4. Fish fry rarely stay in the area where they were spawned.

Many fish are open water spawners. The fertilized eggs hatch and the fry drift with the currents, eating plankton and other small crustaceans. This protected habitat leads to larger fish, which means more and healthier fry.

Additionally, it's much easier for fish to find new territory if overcrowding exists.