Effects of protection on large-bodied reef fishes in the western Indian Ocean.

ABSTRACT: Predatory and large-bodied coral reef fishes have fundamental roles in the functioning and biodiversity of coral reef ecosystems, but their populations are declining, largely due to overexploitation in fisheries. These fishes include sharks, groupers, Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and Green Humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum). In the western Indian Ocean, this situation is exacerbated by limited population data on these fishes, including from conventional visual census methods, which limit the surface area surveyed. We developed a rapid timed scuba swim survey approach for application over large areas for estimation of the abundance of large-bodied reef fishes and assessment of the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) in maintaining these species' populations. U

SUBMITTER: Samoilys M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12309643 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature