Current Marine Protected Areas Conserve Fish Spawning Aggregations Under Climate Change due to Habitat Refugia.

ABSTRACT: In addition to overfishing threats, tropical reef fishes that form spawning aggregations are threatened by climate change, which can reduce management effectiveness. While management strategies such as marine protected areas (MPAs), seasonal sales bans, and seasonal fishing closures may be effective at reducing the impacts of fishing pressure, they may not be as effective in the future as climate change reduces suitable fish habitat. By examining oceanographic conditions at known spawning sites of critically endangered Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), along with future climate conditions under multiple emissions scenarios (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5), projections were made of suitable spawning habitat throughout the species' range. Spawning habitat in no-take MPAs and protected under seasonal

SUBMITTER: Bartlett BS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12359296 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature