Hidden benefits and risks of partial protection for coral reef fisheries

Partially protected areas are now the dominant global form of spatial management aimed at preserving ecosystem integrity and managing human use. However, most evaluations their efficacy use only a narrow set conservation indicators that reflect fraction ways in which protection can succeed or fail. In this paper, we examine three case studies partially coral reef fishery systems to evaluate benefits risks as tool. We data from community-based arrangements Pacific Island countries demonstrate vignettes how partial boost fisheries production, enhance ease with fishers catch prey, alter composition yields. These changes productivity, catchability, vulnerability under carry substantial for fishers. they also significant ecosystems livelihoods unless adaptively managed so confer short medium term resource performance without risking longer sustainability.