Successful artificial reefs depend on getting the context right due to complex socio-bio-economic interactions

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 16698 - 11
• Main Authors: Brochier, Timothée, Brehmer, Patrice, Mbaye, Adama, Diop, Mamadou, Watanuki, Naohiko, Terashima, Hiroaki, Kaplan, David, Auger, Pierre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 17.08.2021; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 704/158/1144; 704/844/1759; 704/844/2787; 704/844/685; 704/844/843; Artificial reefs; Catchability; Coastal fisheries; Developing countries; Earth Sciences; Ecological effects; Economics; Ecosystem conservation; Environment and Society; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Sciences; Fisheries; Fishing; Humanities and Social Sciences; Illegal fishing; LDCs; Marine ecosystems; multidisciplinary; Oceanography; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sciences of the Universe; Psychology and behaviour; Ecological modelling; Environmental economics; Socioeconomic scenarios; Sustainability
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95454-0

Artificial reefs (ARs) are one of the most popular means of supporting marine ecosystem conservation and coastal fisheries, particularly in developing countries. However, ARs generate complex socio-bio-economic interactions that require careful evaluation. This is particularly the case for ARs outside no-take zones, where fish might be subject to enhanced exploitation due to easier catchability. Here, we conducted an interdisciplinary study on how ARs impact fish and fishing yields, combining mathematical and sociological approaches. Both approaches converge to confirm that fishery yields decline when ARs are exploited as if they were open access areas. This situation typically occurs in areas with weak governance and/or high levels of illegal fishing activity, both of which are common in many developing countries. To avoid these adverse effects and their associated ecological consequences, we recommend prioritizing the onset of a long-term surveillance system against illegal fishing activities, and adapting design and location of the ARs based on both and local and academic knowledge, before the deployment of ARs.