No effect of marine protected areas on managed reef fish species in the southeastern United States Atlantic Ocean

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been recommended as an essential conservation tool for ecosystems and fisheries, with MPA coverage increasing four-fold globally since 2000. Despite the increased usage of MPAs, empirical results scientists are divided on effectiveness MPAs to reach their management goals. In 2009, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council established eight deep-water partially-protected off southeast United States (SEUS) coast goal protecting long-lived, deep-water, reef-associated fishery species. Data collected during fish trapping from 2000 2018 part a fisheries-independent survey were used evaluate impacts protection subset species in three these MPAs. There was modest positive shift larger observed two older one species, Pagrus pagrus (Linnaeus, 1758), relative adjacent fished areas; however, there either no change or decrease managed reef abundance each areas. Based metrics, it does not appear that SEUS yet effective at Given low enforcement, future assessments should examine compliance within determine if lack success is due illegal fishing, examined, design before making final determination strategy fisheries managers SEUS.