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This study explored the transformative journey of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in the Bay Islands National Marine Park, Honduras, revealing the interplay of cooperation, funding, and communication in fostering successful conservation initiatives. Using a mixed-method approach, we investigated the historical and legislative process and enabling conditions that led to the transition to CBNRM, based on Gruber's 12 key principles. In regards to the present CBNRM system, we looked at its strengths, its challenges, and whether its functioning is seen as satisfying by local resource-users. Findings showed that key CBNRM principles—including an enabling environment, conflict resolution, research-based decision-making, public trust, and monitoring—fostered the transition. Furthermore, satisfaction with reef management and perceived patrol effectiveness, which are pivotal aspects in CBNRM, exceeded 70% in Roatan. Challenges such as strengthening local institutions and enhancing compliance were identified. Nonetheless, co-managers are actively working to resolve these challenges by focusing on enforcement, diverse funding acquisition mechanisms and community participation. The study underscores the pivotal role of local NGOs and collaborative committees in facilitating successful CBNRM. By providing evidence-based insights, we highlight the efficacy of multilevel, co-management models in resource management and emphasize the value of adaptable strategies. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of CBNRM dynamics in Latin America and the Caribbean, which may ultimately foster successful conservation initiatives in the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Ecological state shifts that alter the structure and function of entire ecosystems are a concerning consequence of human impact. Yet, when, where and why discrete ecological states emerge remains difficult to predict and monitor, especially in high‐diversity systems. We sought to quantify state shifts and their drivers through space and time in the most ecologically complex marine ecosystem: tropical coral reefs. Location: Worldwide. Time Period: 1987–2019. Major Taxa Studied: Coral reef communities. Methods: Using a global dataset of 3375 coral reef surveys, along with 13 time series datasets ranging between 1987 and 2019, we applied a novel double‐dichotomy approach to classify coral reefs into four simplified and discrete states based on the relative contributions of corals versus algae to benthic cover and small‐bodied versus large‐bodied fishes to fish standing stock. We then examined state shifts considering a range of spatial predictors and tested whether states have shifted directionally over time, and the nature of the most common transitions. Results: We show that geographic, environmental and anthropogenic context fundamentally shapes coral reef states at the local scale, which explains disparities among case studies, and stakes out critical baseline expectations for regional management efforts. We also reveal clear multi‐decadal state shifts on coral reefs: over time, systems dominated by reef‐building corals and small‐bodied, planktivorous fishes tend to have been replaced with reefs characterised by algae and larger‐bodied fishes. Main Conclusions: Our results suggest a previously unrecognised transition from systems that harness external subsidies through small‐bodied consumers associated with structurally complex live corals, to herbivore‐dominated systems with stronger bottom‐up dynamics. Overall, the partitioning of complex reef ecosystems into a small suite of discrete ecological states suggests that spatial context‐dependency, shifting baselines and changes in reef functioning are crucial considerations for coral reef management in the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow Sea ecoregion (YSE) is internationally recognized as a global conservation priority due to its abundant natural resources. However, habitat destruction and loss severely threaten its biodiversity, resulting in its classification as an IUCN endangered ecosystem. The spotted seal (Phoca largha), a charismatic flagship species of the YSE, has received increasing conservation investment. There is an urgent need to understand the umbrella effect of spotted seal conservation to clarify future actions for the conservation of biodiversity inhabiting the YSE. In this study, we identified the top 5%, 10% and 30% conservation priority areas (CPA) for spotted seals. We examined their spatial overlap with 108 IUCN threatened species and coastal wetlands while also analyzing if the layout of existing protected areas is effective in conserving spotted seals. The results showed that the threatened species in the YSE were primarily fish, with a total of 88 species. The top 5% CPA encompassed approximately 80% of threatened species and 17% of coastal wetlands within the YSE. Expanding protection to include these areas would result in umbrella protection covering up to 97% of threatened species and 71% of coastal wetlands when reaching a 30% threshold. The spatial coverage of existing marine protected areas (MPAs) for threatened biodiversity fell below that of the top 5% CPA. However, the MPAs only covered approximately 34% of the top 5% CPA despite accounting for merely 9.46% of the total area within the YSE. Aquatic germplasm reserves (AGRs) exhibited superior performance among the various types of MPAs assessed, with overlap proportions ranging 58–75% with CPA. Therefore, future efforts should prioritize following the conservation priorities outlined for spotted seals during the progress toward achieving the "30 by 30" Kunming-Montreal Global Target by year 2030 within the YSE with an emphasis on recognizing and preserving the AGRs' role in in situ conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, decision‐makers are seeking management levers that can mitigate the negative effects of climate change on ecosystems that have already been transformed from their natural state by the effects of fishing. An important question is whether marine reserves can provide buffering (i.e., population‐level resilience) against climate disturbances to fished populations. Here, we examine one aspect of this question, by asking whether marine reserves can reduce the variability in either overall biomass or in fishery yield, in the face of environmental variability. This could happen because greater reproduction of longer‐lived, larger fish inside reserves could supplement recruitment to the fished portion of the population. We addressed this question using age‐structured population models, assuming a system where some proportion of the coastline is protected in marine reserves (0%–30%), and the remainder is fished (at a range of possible harvest rates). We modeled populations with sedentary adults and dispersal via a larval pool. Since recent extreme climate events (e.g., marine heatwaves) have reduced juvenile survival for some fish species, we assumed that environmental variability affected the survival of the first age class in our model. We viewed population variability as a question of buffering, measured as the proportion of time a simulated population spent below a target reference point, with the idea that marine reserves could prevent the population from reaching low levels in the face of fishing and environmental variability. We found that fisheries with more area in marine reserves always had less variability in biomass. However, adding marine reserves only reduced variability in fisheries yield when the fished part of the population was being harvested at a rate exceeding the maximum sustainable yield. This new result on reducing variability is in line with previous findings that the "spillover" effects of marine reserve benefits to fishery yields only accrue when the fishery outside reserve boundaries is being overharvested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four midwater-trawl surveys were conducted during the summers of 2007–2009 and the spring of 2010 to document the meso- and bathypelagic biodiversity of the Gully canyon. These surveys collected 3871 cephalopods of at least 38 species in 22 families. The numerically dominant 13 species and one genus together comprised 90% of the total taken in standard survey sets. Each of those taxa uses the Gully in a different way, including within-family differences for the two cranchids and two mastigoteuthids. Oegopsids of note include Brachioteuthis beanii, which was the most abundant species in summer but entirely absent in March. The cirrate octopod Stauroteuthis syrtensis was collected in large numbers (n = 142) and a wide range of sizes (9–185 mm) suggesting it may complete its life cycle within the canyon. These results expand understanding of the trophic structure in the Gully and establish a baseline for future monitoring of ecosystem change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed analysis of the richness and abundance of invertebrates associated with three common sea fan species at Burdwood Bank is provided. Samples were acquired during a research cruise on board the RV Puerto Deseado (Argentina) in 2017. Thouarella sp., Dasystenella acanthina, and Bayergorgia vermidoma were frequently encountered octocoral species and found to provide habitat to at least 65 associated taxa. The majority of the recorded associate fauna consisted of filter or suspension feeders. Polychaetes and ophiuroids were the most frequently observed associated organisms, followed by bryozoans, bivalves, and brachiopods. We also report the presence of acariids on B. vermidoma and foraminifers on both Thouarella sp. and B. vermidoma. Dasystenella acanthina and Thouarella sp. have a complex three-dimensional structure. This increases the available substrate area for other organisms, thereby increasing the seafloor heterogeneity, which is demonstrated by the high richness and abundance registered here. In this sense, they act as habitat and niche multipliers, which led them to contribute structurally and functionally to the studied marine animal forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Tropical seagrass ecosystems are globally imperiled due to overfishing and anthropogenic disturbances. Sustaining the services they provide will require managing resilience, particularly with increased volatility from climate change. Portfolio theory is touted as a mechanism to increase resilience in ecosystems because it takes advantage of temporal volatility in local production dynamics to increase stability at larger spatial scales. Using an individual‐based model of a network of artificial reefs across multiple seagrass ecosystems that is parameterized with 15 years of field data, we demonstrate that (1) the large fish populations and the low enrichment synergistically increase portfolio effects; (2) the mechanism was via reduced local and increased meta‐ecosystem stability in primary production; and (3) stability was greatest under intermediate production because nutrient enrichment reduces and fish, which have less influence on the amount of production, promote stability. Integrating common‐sense management with portfolio theory can stabilize the services provided by seagrass ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Coral reef ecosystems support high fish biodiversity through ecological interactions with structural complexity across multiple spatial scales including coral colony architecture and the surrounding seascape structure. In an era where the complexity of coral reef ecosystems is being diminished, understanding the importance of structural characteristics beyond single focal patches has the potential to better inform actions for protecting, restoring or creating habitat for reef‐associated species. A seascape ecology approach was applied to explore the associations between multiple scales of seascape structure and fish assemblage response variables within a small (49.6 km2) offshore no‐take MPA, Sir Bu Nair Island Protected Area, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Fish–seascape associations were modelled with single regression trees. Both in situ and remote sensing–derived variables produced the best models with highest contributions from coral cover, amount of hard‐bottom habitat type and structural complexity of the seafloor terrain. Fish species richness was significantly higher where coral cover exceeded 35%. The hard‐bottom areas with coral supported diverse assemblages dominated by carnivorous and omnivorous fishes. The Sir Bu Nair Island Protected Area provides a critical refuge for threatened and regionally overexploited species including those with low resilience to fishing. The ecological success of this protected area is key to safeguarding regional marine biodiversity and recovering fish populations to enhance food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global marine biodiversity declines require bold and ambitious plans to safeguard ecosystem services. Overfishing, habitat loss and projected climate impacts have yielded deleterious effects on marine predators, in particular, driving increasing threat of extinction for many shark species with implications for ecosystem health. Identifying and protecting critical habitat areas for sharks is fundamental to their protection, and may allow for species recovery. Here we use baited remote underwater video stations to investigate spatial and temporal patterns of habitat use by sharks in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) that is centrally important to the regional blue economy in the UK, the Cardigan Bay SAC. Our results show heterogeneous spatial habitat use and temporal trends in habitat sharing between smallspotted catsharks Scyliorhinus canicula and nursehounds S. stellaris. Nearshore reef habitats are substantially more important than non-reef habitats for both species. The relative abundance of each species, however, is roughly inversely seasonally proportional, with S. canicula and S. stellaris relative abundance highest in March and September, respectively. Temporal niche partitioning may be an important mechanism in marine systems, but has not been widely investigated in sympatric shark communities. These findings are directly relevant for ongoing development of the Welsh Marine Evidence Strategy (2019-2025) and the Welsh National Marine Plan, particularly to inform spatial planning to strengthen the role of SAC management design in protecting important shark areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding patterns of biodiversity change is essential as coral reefs experience recurrent cycles of disturbance and recovery. Shifts in the total cover and species composition of habitat‐forming corals can have far‐reaching consequences, including shifts in coral functional traits and impacts on local fish assemblages. We surveyed coral and fish assemblages along the southern coast of Hainan Island near Sanya, China, in 2006, 2010, and 2018, during a period with repeated mass bleaching events. We showed that coral biodiversity in this region is in a state of flux, with losses and gains in coral cover and an increase in species richness over time. Despite increasing species diversity, the region suffered a loss of coral trait diversity by 2010, with an incomplete recovery by 2018, owing to declines in species with key habitat‐forming traits (e.g., high surface areas and fractal structure) such as corymbose corals. Concurrently, there was an increase in functional redundancy due to the proliferation of the dominant encrusting and massive corals. Coral cover was positively associated with the abundance of reef fish, indicating that the changes observed in coral abundance can impact reef‐associated species. These results demonstrate that the slow recovery of coral biodiversity in southern Hainan Island has been hampered by the loss of specific coral traits and highlight the importance of protecting vulnerable coral traits in conservation and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine turtles are a group of imperiled marine megafauna particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors. Most long‐term studies of marine turtles are based on nesting surveys which focus on numbers of eggs, hatchlings, and nesting females. However, we know less about long‐term abundance trends of immature and adult turtles in the marine environment. To address this data gap, we examined records from 35,000 underwater visual census (UVC) dives (1993–2019) and short‐term in‐water turtle survey data (2009–2014) at Cocos Island, Costa Rica. During UVCs, trained divemasters from UnderSea Hunter recorded observations of two species of marine turtles—green Chelonia mydas and hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata. Our short‐term in‐water surveys revealed that most turtles at Cocos are greens, but both immature and mature greens occur at Cocos. We analyzed long‐term UVC data using a hierarchical modeling approach and we modeled a 26% decrease in the relative abundance of turtles observed on dives each year. Our model also revealed potential interactions between tiger sharks and turtles, finding that for each additional tiger shark present during a dive, the predicted relative abundance of turtles decreased by 43%. Lastly, our model suggested the influence of environmental variation on marine turtle relative abundance; a 1°C increase in sea surface temperature (SST) decreased the predicted relative abundance of turtles by 7%. Our results suggest that marine turtles are sensitive to long‐term environmental and oceanographic changes, and potentially avoid certain areas to reduce exposure to tiger sharks. Given our study area is already protected, there needs to be more focus on protecting adult turtles during their movements across the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Our work also highlights the importance of long‐term underwater surveys to monitor adult turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gilbert Bay marine protected area (MPA) was established in Labrador, Canada to protect a resident population of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and associated habitat. However, fisheries removals outside MPA boundaries have contributed to population decline and increases in potentially competing species may hinder recovery. Using acoustic telemetry and network analyses, we compared movements of Gilbert Bay cod (n = 23), conspecifics from offshore environments (offshore Atlantic cod, n = 19), and Greenland cod (Gadus ogac, n = 14) within and outside MPA boundaries from August 2014 to June 2017. Similar summer space use resulted in species overlap at seaward MPA boundaries and outside the MPA. In winter, Gilbert Bay cod and Greenland cod distributions overlapped within some MPA areas, and offshore Atlantic cod were absent. Some Gilbert Bay cod remained within the MPA year-round. Summer vulnerability to fisheries harvest outside MPA boundaries and winter overlap with competing Greenland cod within the MPA, may collectively challenge Gilbert Bay cod population recovery. Our study demonstrates the utility of acoustic telemetry and network analyses in evaluating animal movements for MPA management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of chemical pollutants, including total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), anionic surfactants, and total organic carbon (TOC), in the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) waters in the northern Persian Gulf. Water samples were collected from five MPAs during the winter and summer of 2022. The study identified significant seasonal variations, with higher pollutant levels recorded in winter compared to summer. Concentrations of ∑19PCBs (ng/L), anionic surfactants (µg/L), TPHs (mg/L), and TOC (mg/L) ranged from 0.72 to 4.66, 10 to 79, ND to 134.63, and 0.5 to 114.58 in winter, and from 2.49 to 5.05, 11 to 30, ND to 20.26, and 0.15 to 5.27 in summer, respectively. The pollution patterns revealed the Mond protected area as a major pollution hotspot, compromising its ecological health. The results highlight the critical need for targeted pollution control and enhanced conservation measures in the region's MPAs to protect biodiversity and marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snappers (family Lutjanidae) are main fishery target species and some fish species in this family form spawning aggregations on coral reefs. This study aimed to clarify the ecological characteristics of fish aggregation of Lutjanus fulvus: (1) lunar-phase periodicity of aggregation formation, (2) seasonal consistency of the aggregation site, (3) differences in fish density between inside and outside the aggregation site, (4) gonad development of fish individuals inside the aggregation site, (5) frequency distribution of size and age of fish individuals at the aggregation site, and (6) to determine if the aggregation is a spawning aggregation. Time-lapse still photography and data plotted with a correlogram revealed that fish aggregations were observed only around the 20th day of the moon. Underwater observations revealed greater fish density (42–2042 individuals per 600 m × 5 m) between April and September. Plotting fine-scale fish spatial distributions revealed consistent spatial patterns from May to September. The fish density inside the aggregation site was about 7960.5-fold greater than that outside the aggregation site. Most females inside the aggregation site had hydrated eggs. The average fork length and age of fish individuals inside the aggregation site were 241.8 mm and 12.2 years for males and 247.8 mm and 13.4 years for females, respectively. This study revealed that the aggregation of L. fulvus on an Okinawan coral reef could be regarded as spawning aggregation. The results can provide insights into the precise setting position of marine protected area to effectively protect the spawning ground of L. fulvus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the history of scientific research developed in the Portofino Promontory, located in the centre of the Ligurian Sea. The chronicles span over two centuries, from the late 18th century to the present day. Portofino is now recognised as one of the best-known areas in the world regarding marine biological communities and their temporal dynamics, particularly in relation to current climate changes. In addition, since 1999, with the establishment of the Marine Protected Area, significant research related to marine environment conservation has developed in Portofino. The role of the University of Genoa, the Natural History Museum, other important institutions, and the researchers involved in the Portofino area has been outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at assessing the reserve effect on fish assemblage in a small urban fully protected and highly enforced Marine Protected Area (MPA), Larvotto MPA (Monaco, Mediterranean Sea). The data about fish density, size, and biomass was collected by underwater visual census in the MPA and unprotected areas in two habitats, artificial rocky substrates and Posidonia oceanica meadows. On artificial rocky substrates, we recorded significantly higher fish biomass within the MPA compared to unprotected areas, while no significant difference was detected on Posidonia , with this suggesting the habitat-specific responses of fish assemblages to protection. Here we highlight the potential effectiveness of highly enforced small-sized urban MPAs, such as the Larvotto MPA, in generating ecological benefits, and speculate about their potential role in supporting networks of MPAs. This study supports increased attention to urban MPAs in conservation efforts, emphasizing the need for efficient management strategies in the face of ongoing coastal expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptively managing marine protected areas (MPAs) requires accurately assessing whether established MPAs are achieving their goals of protecting and conserving biomass, especially for harvested populations. Ecological MPA assessments commonly compare inside of the MPA to a reference point outside of and/or before implementation (i.e., calculating "response ratios"). Yet, MPAs are not simple ecological experiments; by design, protected populations interact with those outside, and population dynamic responses can be nonlinear. This complicates assessment interpretations. Here, we used a two‐patch population model to explore how MPA response ratios (outside–inside, before–after, and before–after‐control‐impact [BACI]) for fished populations behave under different conditions, like whether the population is receiving a sustainable larval supply or if it is declining despite protection from harvest. We then conducted a Bayesian evaluation of MPA effects on fish and invertebrate populations based on data collected from 82 published studies on 264 no‐take MPAs worldwide, using the results of an earlier global meta‐analysis as priors. We considered the effects of calculating different summary metrics on these results, drawing on the theoretical insights from our population model as a comparative framework. We demonstrate that not all response ratio comparison types provide the same information: For example, outside–inside and BACI comparisons can fail to detect population decline within MPAs, whereas before–after comparisons likely detect that pattern. Considering these limitations, we nonetheless found that MPAs globally are producing positive outcomes, with on average greater biomass, density, and organism size within their boundaries than reference sites. However, only a small portion of studies (18 of 82) provided the temporal data necessary to determine that protection, on average, has led to increased abundance of populations within MPAs over time. These findings demonstrate the importance of considering the underlying system dynamics when assessing MPA effects. Assuming that large outside–inside or BACI response ratios always reflect large and net positive conservation effects may lead to misleading conclusions, we recommend that: (1) when assessing specific MPA effects, empirical findings be considered alongside theoretical knowledge relevant to that MPA system, and (2) management should respond to the local conditions and outcomes, rather than a blanket expectation for positive MPA effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pervasive presence of marine litter represents a significant threat to Mediterranean biogenic reefs, leading to habitat degradation and a negative impact on associated structuring organisms, such as sponges and gorgonians. This communication highlights one of the detrimental effects caused by abandoned or lost fishing gear on colonies of Paramuricea clavata (Risso, 1827) from MPA Asinara Island (Mediterranean Sea). The study is part of the Strong Sea Life project (Survey and Treatment ON Ghost Nets SEA LIFE), aimed at mitigating the effects of abandoned fishing gear and enhance the conservation status of priority habitats of Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) Delile, 1813 and coralligenous reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of chemical pollutants, including total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), anionic surfactants, and total organic carbon (TOC), in the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) waters in the northern Persian Gulf. Water samples were collected from five MPAs during the winter and summer of 2022. The study identified significant seasonal variations, with higher pollutant levels recorded in winter compared to summer. Concentrations of ∑19PCBs (ng/L), anionic surfactants (µg/L), TPHs (mg/L), and TOC (mg/L) ranged from 0.72 to 4.66, 10 to 79, ND to 134.63, and 0.5 to 114.58 in winter, and from 2.49 to 5.05, 11 to 30, ND to 20.26, and 0.15 to 5.27 in summer, respectively. The pollution patterns revealed the Mond protected area as a major pollution hotspot, compromising its ecological health. The results highlight the critical need for targeted pollution control and enhanced conservation measures in the region’s MPAs to protect biodiversity and marine ecosystems.

Marine protected areas contribute to mitigating the effects of human activities on marine ecosystems. The waters of Southampton Island, Nunavut, Canada are under consideration to become a marine protected area, but baseline information of marine mammal presence and habitat use is lacking. This study represents the first passive acoustic monitoring of marine mammals in this area, with data collected in 2018 and 2019. Bioacoustics analyses and generalized linear models were used to investigate species seasonal and temporal vocalization trends; infer behavior and habitat use from vocal cues; and explore vocal activity correlation with sea ice. Over a diel period, bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus (Erxleben, 1777)) and walruses (Odobenus rosmarus (Linnaeus, 1758)) were found to increase their vocal activity at night, whereas belugas (Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)) mainly vocalized during daytime. Seasonally, bearded seals were recorded only during their breeding season at sea ice break-up, while walruses vocalized consistently throughout the open-water period outside their breeding season. Beluga vocal trends suggest their use of the area as a migratory corridor during sea ice break-up and freeze-up. Finally, bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus Linnaeus, 1758) were recorded later than expected, concurrently with the onset of their mating vocal displays during the fall migration at sea ice freeze-up.

What is blue colonialism? As a concept, it is an avatar of the privatization of the seas, emblematic of the post-new Law of the Sea; it’s a phenomenon justified in the name of the blue economy, insofar as the context of the Anthropocene implies the economicization of the sea, and facilitated by the functional spatialization of maritime areas, through the development of marine spatial planning and marine protected areas. But, in practice, blue colonialism appears a geopolitically differentiated strategy, initially developed in the Indo-Pacific, in the maritime areas under national jurisdiction of Small Island Developing States, as a model to be replicated, according to a logic of compensation and in order to secure access to the mineral resources needed for the ecological transition; implemented, via the private environmental governance of NGOs and trusts, and the associated financialization of conservation, in the form of a renunciation of sovereignty in favor of a transnational dynamic, blue colonialism is a new legal paradigm at the service of the dominant economic model, but also a blue injustice intending to transfer the burden of the sacrifices onto those who are not responsible for the triple planetary crisis, to continue the growth process. ¿QUÉ ES EL COLONIALISMO AZUL? ¿Qué es el colonialismo azul? Como concepto, es un avatar de la privatización de los mares, emblemático del derecho del mar post-nuevo; se trata de un fenómeno justificado en nombre de la economía azul, en la medida en que el contexto del Antropoceno implica la economicización del mar, y facilitado por la espacialización funcional de las áreas marítimas, a través del desarrollo de la planificación espacial marina y de las áreas marinas protegidas. Pero, en la práctica, el colonialismo azul parece una estrategia geopolíticamente diferenciada, desarrollada inicialmente en el Indo-Pacífico, en las zonas marítimas bajo jurisdicción nacional de pequeños Estados insulares en desarrollo, como un modelo a replicar, según una lógica de compensación y con el fin de garantizar el acceso a los recursos minerales necesarios para la transición ecológica; implementado, a través de la gobernanza medioambiental privada de las ONG y los trusts, y la financiarización asociada de la conservación, en forma de una renuncia de soberanía en favor de una dinámica transnacional, el colonialismo azul es un nuevo paradigma jurídico al servicio del modelo económico dominante, pero también una injusticia azul que pretende transferir la carga de los sacrificios a quienes no son responsables de la triple crisis planetaria, para continuar el proceso de crecimiento. QU’EST-CE QUE LE COLONIALISME BLEU? Qu’est-ce que le colonialisme bleu? En tant que concept, c’est un avatar de la privatisation des mers, emblématique du droit de la mer post-nouveau; il s’agit d’un phénomène justifié au nom de l’économie bleue, dans la mesure où le contexte de l’Anthropocène implique l’économicisation de la mer, et facilité par la spatialisation fonctionnelle des espaces maritimes, à travers le développement de la planification spatiale marine et des aires marines protégées. Mais, en pratique, le colonialisme bleu apparaît une stratégie géopolitiquement différenciée, initialement développée dans l’Indo-Pacifique, dans les espaces maritimes sous juridiction nationale de petits États insulaires en développement, comme un modèle à répliquer, selon une logique de compensation et afin de sécuriser l’accès aux ressources minérales nécessaires à la transition écologique ; mis en œuvre, via la gouvernance environnementale privée des ONG et des trusts, et la financiarisation associée de la conservation, sous la forme d’un renoncement de souveraineté au profit d’une dynamique transnationale, le colonialisme bleu est un nouveau paradigme juridique au service du modèle économique dominant, mais aussi une injustice bleue visant à transférer la charge des sacrifices sur ceux qui ne sont pas responsables de la triple crise planétaire, afin de poursuivre le processus de croissance.

Abstract Potentialities and Criticalities of the Isole Ciclopi Marine Protected Area The paper analyses the Isole Ciclopi Marine Protected Area facing the hamlet of Aci Trezza within the municipality of Aci Castello in the Province of Catania, Italy. It aims to describe emerging potential and critical issues, posing the question of which actors are involved in the governance. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research revealed that the main problem is the non-implementation of the so-called command-and-control method. After establishing rules and prohibitions, resources for control and imposition of sanctions are lacking. A positive note is the increase in youth volunteer activities of cleaning the sea from plastics, showing a sound interest in the environmental education proposed by cultural and environmental associations.

To fulfill their conservation potential and provide safeguards for biodiversity, marine protected areas (MPAs) need coordinated research and monitoring for informed management through effective evaluation of ecosystem dynamics. However, coordination is challenging, often due to knowledge gaps caused by inadequate access to data and resources, compounded by insufficient communication between scientists and managers. We propose to use the world's largest MPA in the Ross Sea, Antarctica as a model system to create a comprehensive framework for an interdisciplinary network supporting research and monitoring that could be implemented in other remote large‐scale international MPAs. Our proposed framework has three key components: (i) policy engagement, including delineation of policy needs and ecosystem metrics to assess MPA effectiveness; (ii) community partner engagement to elevate diverse voices, build trust, and share resources; and (iii) integrated science comprising three themes. These themes are: advancement of data science and cyberinfrastructure to facilitate data synthesis and sharing; biophysical modeling towards understanding ecosystem changes and uncertainties; and execution of observational and process studies to address uncertainties and evaluate ecosystem metrics. This proposed framework can improve MPA implementation by generating policy‐relevant science through this coordinated network, which can in turn improve MPA effectiveness in the Ross Sea and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the urgency to reduce carbon emission increases, seagrass ecosystems have recently received attention due to their capacity to take up and store high amounts of carbon. Protection of this ecosystem is key to increase resilience to climate change. However, in some of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), seagrass ecosystems are still under threat. This study aims to investigate the current condition of seagrass ecosystems and compare it to the previous study before MPA was established in the Berau coastal water. SeagrassWatch method was used to measure seagrass community structure. Other proxies were also used to explain factors affecting seagrass condition such as total suspended solid (TSS) and sedimentary stable isotopes to identify the source of organic carbon. The percentage cover of seagrass in this study were categorized as not healthy (<29-59.9%), which was statistically related to TSS. The higher TSS resulted in the lower seagrass cover, as observed in the Rabu Rabu island located adjacent to mainland. Changes in seagrass composition were observed, including the emergence of larger species of E. acoroides and T. hemprichii in the islands located adjacent to mainland. The spatial and temporal changes of seagrass ecosystems observed in Berau MPA should be taken into consideration that conservation on seagrass ecosystems needs to be prioritized by improving the MPA function to avoid further loss of carbon from seagrass ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, coral reef ecosystems are undergoing significant change related to climate change and anthropogenic activities. Yet, the Cuban archipelago of Jardines de la Reina (JR) has experienced fewer stressors due to its geographical remoteness and high level of conservation. This study examines the surface and benthic reef water microbial communities associated with 32 reef sites along the JR archipelago and explores the relationship between the community composition of reef microorganisms examined using bacterial and archaeal small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA gene) sequencing compared to geographic, conservation/protection level, environmental, physicochemical, and reef benthic and pelagic community features. Reef nutrient concentrations were low and microbial communities dominated by picocyanobacteria and SAR11 and SAR86 clade bacteria, characteristic of an oligotrophic system. Reef water microbial community alpha and beta diversity both varied throughout the archipelago and were strongly related to geography. Three sites in the western archipelago showed unique microbial communities, which may be related to the hydrogeography and influences of the channels linking the Ana Maria gulf with the Caribbean Sea. Overall, this work provides the first extensive description of the reef microbial ecology of the Caribbean's 'Crown Jewel' reef system and a framework to evaluate the influence of ongoing stressors on the reef microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in understanding environmental attitudes and behaviors after traumatic events has been widely studied, but research specific to the COVID-19 pandemic has yielded inconclusive results. This study addresses a gap by exploring the relationship between COVID-19 and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) in marine protected areas (MPAs), which are vital for preserving marine ecosystems and biodiversity. We focus on scuba divers' environmental attitudes and behaviors within an MPA, using a mixed methodology that combines surveys based on the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale with covert participant observation. Our findings indicate a moderate increase in pro-environmental concerns post-pandemic, particularly regarding nature's fragility. However, a gap remains between expressed attitudes and actual behaviors, with notable differences in pro-ecological behavior during leisure activities compared to behavior at home. Additionally, risk perception related to COVID-19 has gained prominence, often overshadowing environmental concerns. This study contributes to a better understanding of environmental attitudes and behaviors in the context of MPAs during the ongoing social changes post-COVID-19. These insights can guide more sustainable management of MPAs and inform future research, which should further explore these trends in similar contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A collection of swallowers (Chiasmodontidae) was examined in exploration of a contested specific distinction between Chiasmodon niger and C. harteli. The specimens had been taken during four midwater-trawl surveys in The Gully, a submarine canyon and Marine Protected Area ('MPA') off the coast of Nova Scotia. Vertebral counts, the principal feature proposed for distinguishing the species, were derived from skeletal images prepared from computed tomography scans. All specimens available for study resembled the description of C. harteli but their morphology was more varied than previously supposed. In addition, the species' distribution within The Gully was described and the chiasmodontid component of the MPA's biodiversity established, including the presence of Kali indica – a new record for Canada's Atlantic waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Albatrosses are renowned for their high philopatry, which has been proposed as a major barrier to their dispersal and hybridization with other albatross species. Except for shy-type albatross species from New Zealand, examples of colonization of new breeding sites and interbreeding with closely related species are rare. During the austral summer of 2022, while conducting land-based monitoring of resident Black-browed (Thalassarche melanophris) and Grey-headed (T. chrysostoma) albatross populations on the Diego Ramírez Islands, Chile (56 S), we documented the first (and southernmost) breeding record of a nesting pair of White-capped Albatross (T. steadi), a species endemic to the Auckland Islands, New Zealand (~ 7000 km away). The species identity was confirmed through molecular analysis. This discovery underscores the importance of Diego Ramírez and its surrounding waters as a hotspot for global albatross conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral reef ecosystems are facing severe degradation due to anthropogenic activities at both local and global scales. In response, extensive restoration efforts are underway, aiming to bolster coral cover and enhance reef fish communities to foster facilitation between fish and corals. This reciprocal relationship is anticipated to improve overall restoration efficacy and enhance coral reef resilience in the face of global warming. Here, we investigate the impact of coral restoration using out-planted Acropora cervicornis colonies attached to raised domes on the associated fish community on the isolated, well-protected reef of Little Cayman Island in the Central Caribbean. Surveys were conducted immediately preceding out-planting, five days later, and 85 days later to capture temporal changes in the fish community. After 85 days of out-planting, there were no changes in fish biomass, abundance, or species richness for the entire fish community. This pattern was consistent for selected fish functional groups. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in the fish community before outplanting, five days after out-planting, or 85 days after out-planting of restoration domes. Our results underscore the limited impact of coral restoration for influencing fish communities in the isolated and highly protected reef of Little Cayman over an 85-day period. Consequently, our findings have implications for using coral restoration as a mechanism to enhance fish populations, particularly in marginally disturbed regions where structural complexity has not been lost. Future restoration programs should therefore incorporate local knowledge of environmental history and restoration needs along with an increased data-driven understanding of the intricate interaction between fish and coral populations to be successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation planning is the process of locating, implementing, and maintaining areas that are managed to promote the persistence of biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human use. In this review, we analyze the ways in which social processes have been integrated into Marxan, a spatially explicit conservation planning tool used as one step in a broader process to select the location and size of protected areas. Drawing on 89 peer-reviewed articles published between 2005 and 2020, we analyzed the ways in which human activity, values, and processes are spatialized in the environment, something we call socialscape ecology. A socialscape ecology approach to conservation planning considers not only the spatial configuration of human activity in a land or seascape but also the underlying drivers of these activities, how resource use rights and access operate in an area, and how resource users contribute to data collection and decision making. Our results show that there has been a small but statistically significant increase in the total number of cost variables into Marxan analysis over time, with uneven performance across seven of the nine categories assessed. One notable area of improvement has been the increase over time in number of studies integrating socio-environmental change (e.g., climate change) in their analysis. Including accurate, context-specific, and detailed accounts of social features and processes within land and seascapes is essential for developing conservation plans that are cost-effective, ecologically sound, socially desirable, and just. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation and spatial management of marine species with limited adult mobility, such as queen conch, is dictated by larval connectivity. Effectively placed reserves provide larval spillover to harvested areas while replenishing their own population. In past studies proximate to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP), surveys and probabilistic larval transport modeling demonstrated a spillover effect from the ECLSP to surrounding fished areas, while suggesting that incoming larval sources are lacking. Previous work was expanded in both upstream and downstream directions, enabling the statistical examination of (1) how queen conch abundance was linked to predicted larval transport from breeding populations in the ECLSP and (2) how age and size changed throughout the island chain as divided by management and connectivity. Biophysical modeling predictions of larval transport from breeding within the ECLSP were significantly associated with the relative abundance of juvenile conch observed across a nearly 200‐km span. Further, the abundance and shell lip thickness (relative age) of adults and the size of juveniles were significantly larger in ECLSP than unprotected areas. This empirical support for an effective, well‐enforced marine reserve and for using biophysical larval transport modeling as a spatial planning tool should be strongly considered in conch conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The East Asian finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri) distributes in coastal waters across the western Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Taiwan Strait to northern China, Korea and Japan. Limited baseline data are available for this threatened species, including the coastal region of Qingdao, China, hindering the implementation of conservation management.The Oceanographic characteristics were derived from on‐board measurements and satellite remote sensing, including depth, slope, sea surface temperature (SST), salinity and chlorophyll a (Chla) concentration. Kernel density estimation (KDE) was utilized to determine the extent of occurrence and core distribution of East Asian finless porpoises.The surveys covered an area of 4532 km2, encompassing 7314 km of transect lines. The 95% KDE and 50% KDE for East Asian finless porpoises within the study site included 1987 and 297 km2, respectively. The 50% KDE revealed Laoshan Bay as the core distribution zone. Significant relationships were identified between distribution probability and three oceanographic variables: salinity, Chla concentration and distance to shore.In this study, the Aoshan Bay Marine Park, which was designed with no prior knowledge of East Asian finless porpoise, shows partial overlap with the core distribution for this species. This demonstrates that MPAs (marine protected areas) that are not explicitly designated for marine mammals may not comprehensively address all their specific requirements, but the existence and conservation endeavours associated with the MPAs can still yield substantial positive outcomes for these species. 5. This study provides the inaugural comprehensive baseline data on the population distribution and habitat characteristics of the East Asian finless porpoise. It underscores the necessity for a robust data collection protocol spanning China, Japan and Korea to address the critical shortfall in baseline data and enhance conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Global climate change presents substantial threats to marine ecosystems, with particularly profound impacts on widely distributed migratory species. The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), the second-largest fish species, faces significant conservation challenges due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change, necessitating urgent research to address knowledge gaps in its spatial distribution and interactions with changing marine environments. This study employs various environmental variables and distribution data to construct a global species distribution model for basking sharks, predicting their distribution patterns under current and future climate scenarios. The results indicate that chlorophyll, sea surface temperature, silicate and mixed layer depth are the primary factors determining habitat suitability for basking sharks. Under high-emission scenarios (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway, SSP5–8.5), our model predicts a shift toward the higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere in basking shark habitats, including temperate and sub-Arctic waters. Ecological corridor analysis identifies critical migratory pathways and pinch points, emphasizing the importance of incorporating the effects of climate change and human activities in the formulation of conservation strategies. The finding underscores the importance of integrated conservation strategies, highlighting how positive human interventions can aid in accurately identifying critical ecological corridors to ensure the long-term survival of the basking shark. Adaptive, science-based conservation measures are crucial to mitigating the effects of climate change and human activities, supporting the resilience of marine ecosystems.

ABSTRACT Understanding patterns of biodiversity change is essential as coral reefs experience recurrent cycles of disturbance and recovery. Shifts in the total cover and species composition of habitat‐forming corals can have far‐reaching consequences, including shifts in coral functional traits and impacts on local fish assemblages. We surveyed coral and fish assemblages along the southern coast of Hainan Island near Sanya, China, in 2006, 2010, and 2018, during a period with repeated mass bleaching events. We showed that coral biodiversity in this region is in a state of flux, with losses and gains in coral cover and an increase in species richness over time. Despite increasing species diversity, the region suffered a loss of coral trait diversity by 2010, with an incomplete recovery by 2018, owing to declines in species with key habitat‐forming traits (e.g., high surface areas and fractal structure) such as corymbose corals. Concurrently, there was an increase in functional redundancy due to the proliferation of the dominant encrusting and massive corals. Coral cover was positively associated with the abundance of reef fish, indicating that the changes observed in coral abundance can impact reef‐associated species. These results demonstrate that the slow recovery of coral biodiversity in southern Hainan Island has been hampered by the loss of specific coral traits and highlight the importance of protecting vulnerable coral traits in conservation and management strategies.

Abstract Marine turtles are a group of imperiled marine megafauna particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors. Most long‐term studies of marine turtles are based on nesting surveys which focus on numbers of eggs, hatchlings, and nesting females. However, we know less about long‐term abundance trends of immature and adult turtles in the marine environment. To address this data gap, we examined records from 35,000 underwater visual census (UVC) dives (1993–2019) and short‐term in‐water turtle survey data (2009–2014) at Cocos Island, Costa Rica. During UVCs, trained divemasters from UnderSea Hunter recorded observations of two species of marine turtles—green Chelonia mydas and hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata. Our short‐term in‐water surveys revealed that most turtles at Cocos are greens, but both immature and mature greens occur at Cocos. We analyzed long‐term UVC data using a hierarchical modeling approach and we modeled a 26% decrease in the relative abundance of turtles observed on dives each year. Our model also revealed potential interactions between tiger sharks and turtles, finding that for each additional tiger shark present during a dive, the predicted relative abundance of turtles decreased by 43%. Lastly, our model suggested the influence of environmental variation on marine turtle relative abundance; a 1°C increase in sea surface temperature (SST) decreased the predicted relative abundance of turtles by 7%. Our results suggest that marine turtles are sensitive to long‐term environmental and oceanographic changes, and potentially avoid certain areas to reduce exposure to tiger sharks. Given our study area is already protected, there needs to be more focus on protecting adult turtles during their movements across the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Our work also highlights the importance of long‐term underwater surveys to monitor adult turtles.

Fisheries governance in Senegal has undergone a resurgence following international injunctions promoting Marine Protected Areas for sustainable fishing practices. Historically, artisanal fishing practices were not sufficiently regulated, leading to a loss of biodiversity and a reduction in resources. The new context is one of governance favouring the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs). The adoption of sustainable fishing practices by local populations depends on perceptions, but also on local issues and the socio-economic constraints associated with the new norm. A mixed and comparative methodology was used to gather empirical data from a survey conducted in 2014-2015 among 375 stakeholders in Saint-Louis, Kayar and Lompoul,. The study revealed that the adoption of sustainable fishing practices is influenced by local traditions of regulating fisheries resources. Localities not exposed to regulation are more inclined to promote marine protected areas. The implementation of an MPA does not guarantee the desired change in fishing practices towards sustainability. Change must be driven by the responsibility of those involved in the sector and by the application of and compliance with established standards. This perspective takes into account the principle of responsibility and the need to implement inclusive governance, in which common standards should be developed and respected by all.

This article examines the evolution of postures and discourses around the creation of a protected natural area located in a coastal zone, a territory physically delimited and occupied by a historical diversity of stakeholders/users, and more specifically at what is at stake in the participatory episodes of a consultation process initiated as part of a development project, the extension of a marine reserve. It proposes a cross-analysis between linguistics and geography, in line with the interdisciplinary perspective prevailing in environmental sciences (Hicks et al., 2010). Our first approach, based on discourse analysis, is based on a textometric study to identify shared vocabulary and lexical specificities. The results lead us to mobilize the linguistics of enunciation to characterize the enunciative positioning of stakeholder groups, and to describe the different postures adopted during the consultation process.

Global marine biodiversity declines require bold and ambitious plans to safeguard ecosystem services. Overfishing, habitat loss and projected climate impacts have yielded deleterious effects on marine predators, in particular, driving increasing threat of extinction for many shark species with implications for ecosystem health. Identifying and protecting critical habitat areas for sharks is fundamental to their protection, and may allow for species recovery. Here we use baited remote underwater video stations to investigate spatial and temporal patterns of habitat use by sharks in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) that is centrally important to the regional blue economy in the UK, the Cardigan Bay SAC. Our results show heterogeneous spatial habitat use and temporal trends in habitat sharing between smallspotted catsharks Scyliorhinus canicula and nursehounds S. stellaris. Nearshore reef habitats are substantially more important than non-reef habitats for both species. The relative abundance of each species, however, is roughly inversely seasonally proportional, with S. canicula and S. stellaris relative abundance highest in March and September, respectively. Temporal niche partitioning may be an important mechanism in marine systems, but has not been widely investigated in sympatric shark communities. These findings are directly relevant for ongoing development of the Welsh Marine Evidence Strategy (2019-2025) and the Welsh National Marine Plan, particularly to inform spatial planning to strengthen the role of SAC management design in protecting important shark areas.

Orcas (Orcinus orca) have a worldwide distribution and as apex predators feed on a wide variety of prey, including marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, cephalopods, teleost fish and elasmobranchs. Historically, there have been few observations of orca predation on large elasmobranch species nor are they commonly identified in the stomach contents of deceased orcas. In recent years there has been an increase in observational records of orca predation, such as on white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in South Africa, which could indicate that elasmobranchs serve a greater importance in their diet than previously considered. These events are often documented by members of the public due to the development and affordability of innovative cameras, including the use of the drones (unoccupied aerial vehicles). Here we describe new predator-prey interactions between orcas and large shark species in Cabo Pulmo National Park (CPNP), a small no-take marine protected area located in the Gulf of California. In this paper, we were able to successfully identify individuals from the described orca pods in the region; specifically, the same individuals hunting sharks over a period of nearly two years. We discuss the potential implications of these new ecological interactions, given the importance of tourism to sustain the management of CPNP, as cascading impacts have been documented elsewhere in light of orca predations on sharks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal areas host a major part of marine biodiversity but are seriously threatened by ever‐increasing human pressures. Transforming natural coastlines into urban seascapes through habitat artificialization may result in loss of biodiversity and key ecosystem functions. Yet, the extent to which seaports differ from nearby natural habitats and marine reserves across the whole Tree of Life is still unknown. This study aimed to assess the level of α and β‐diversity between seaports and reserves, and whether these biodiversity patterns are conserved across taxa and evolutionary lineages. For that, we used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to survey six seaports on the French Mediterranean coast and four strictly no‐take marine reserves nearby. By targeting four different groups—prokaryotes, eukaryotes, metazoans and fish—with appropriate markers, we provide a holistic view of biodiversity on contrasted habitats. In the absence of comprehensive reference databases, we used bioinformatic pipelines to gather similar sequences into molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs). In contrast to our expectations, we obtained no difference in MOTU richness (α‐diversity) between habitats except for prokaryotes and threatened fishes with higher diversity in reserves than in seaports. However, we observed a marked dissimilarity (β‐diversity) between seaports and reserves for all taxa. Surprisingly, this biodiversity signature of seaports was preserved across the Tree of Life, up to the order. This result reveals that seaports and nearby marine reserves share few taxa and evolutionary lineages along urbanized coasts and suggests major differences in terms of ecosystem functioning between both habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a cornerstone for conserving marine ecosystems. Legal instruments and directives have been put in place to foster conservation of species and habitats; among all, the development and implementation of a coherent network of effective MPAs. Spatial information on management measures and on regulated, forbidden or allowed activities are fundamental to understand the actual role of MPAs and to support/guide policy decisions. The shortage of standardized geospatial information on MPA management, governance features, and human uses hinders policy makers' ability to make informed decisions regarding the designation, implementation and evaluation of marine associated policies. This policy brief aims to stimulate international actions to enable researchers and decision-makers accessing data for policy development, marine/maritime spatial planning and decisionmaking processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of fish eggs and larvae (ichthyoplankton) reflects spawning and nursery areas as well as dispersal routes. This study's goal is to demonstrate how the identification of ichthyoplankton species and stages and their spatial distribution among natural reefs (NRs) and artificial reefs (ARs) may serve as decision-making tools in conservation and fishery management. Natural reefs exhibited an eight-times higher abundance of eggs, as well as the highest abundance of larvae in the yolk-sac and preflexion phases. In contrast, ARs had the highest abundance of larvae in the flexion and postflexion phases. Natural reefs may serve as breeding grounds for Scaridae, Labridae, and Mugilidae; whereas, ARs may serve as breeding sites for Lutjanidae, Synodontidae, Carangidae, Fistularidae, and Haemulidae. Our study revealed differences between ARs and NRs, which demonstrate the potential of artificial reefs to expand the supply and settlement options of reef fishes and consequently can lead to increased fish production with potential benefits to adjacent fishing areas through connectivity. Thus, ARs as no-take sites can be effective tools for both fishery management and biodiversity conservation. The findings highlight the potential use of ichthyoplankton tools and the importance of considering both types of reefs in marine conservation and management efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Areas of importance to Southern Ocean skates are poorly defined. Here, we identify a deepwater skate egg case nursery in a discrete location at ~460 m depth off Cape Adare in the Southern Ocean. This is the first confirmed observation of a skate nursery area in the Ross Sea and only the second observation for the Southern Ocean. The morphology and size of the egg cases were consistent with the genus Bathyraja and most likely belong to the Bathyraja sp. (cf. eatonii). The nursery occurs within the "no take" General Protection Zone of the Ross Sea region marine protected area, where commercial fishing is prohibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent encounters with sicklefin (Mobula tarapacana) and bentfin (Mobula thurstoni) devil rays in the Chagos Archipelago provide the first confirmed observations of live specimens of these species in this region. Examination of illegal fishing photo archives collected during enforcement revealed these endangered species, and spinetail devil rays (Mobula mobular), are being caught within the archipelago's vast no‐take marine protected area. Future cooperation between authorities and mobulid ray experts is crucial to improve the availability and accuracy of enforcement data and improve management of illegal fishing and mobulid ray conservation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-based co-management strategy has been implemented in coastal and marine protected areas to reconcile resource use with biodiversity conservation, and to foster governance through the participation of multiple actors like governments, social civil organizations, and traditional resource users. How actors engage in collaboration will determine specific network structures that can facilitate or hinder different processes. The analysis of network structures can evidence the presence of social capital and leadership, both necessary to achieve collective action and contribute to build resilience and increase adaptability. Through the statement of collective action problems related to (1) biodiversity, (2) governance, and (3) socioeconomic issues we study the potential for collaboration between institutions in the Deliberative Council of Canavieiras Extractive Reserve. We identify network structures that can promote the presence of social capital and leadership necessary to address the collective action problems that may arise. The federal environmental agency was the most sought institution for solving almost all problems. This central institution can act as a coordinator and fosters collective action. Regardless, the high dependency on this federal environmental agency can affect the system's resilience because of its complex and bureaucratic structure, which can delay and hinder the collective action process. Traditional communities and their leadership institution have high social capital for collective action. Several institutions seem to share the bridging position in the networks, revealing the decentralization of this role that may provide resilience to changes in the governance of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first projection of marine circulation and biogeochemistry for the Ascension Island Marine Protected Area (AIMPA). Marine Protected Areas are a key management tool used to safeguard biodiversity, but their efficacy is increasingly threatened by climate change. To assess an MPA's vulnerability to climate change and predict biological responses, we must first project how the local marine environment will change. We present the projections of an ensemble from the Sixth Coupled Model Intercomparision Project. Relative to the recent past (2000–2010), the multi‐model means of the mid‐century (2040–2050) project that the AIMPA will become warmer (+0.9 to +1.2°C), more saline (+0.01 to +0.10), with a shallower mixed layer depth (−1.3 to −0.8 m), a weaker Atlantic Equatorial Undercurrent (AEU) (−1.5 to −0.4 Sv), more acidic (−0.10 to −0.07), with lower surface nutrient concentrations (−0.023 to −0.0141 mmol N m−3 and −0.013 to −0.009 mmol P m−3), less chlorophyll (−6 to −3 µg m−3) and less primary production (−0.31 to −0.20 mol m−2 yr−1). These changes are often more extreme in the scenarios with higher greenhouse gases emissions and more significant climate change. Using the multi‐model mean for two scenarios in the years 2090–2100, we assessed how five key ecosystem services in both the shallow subtidal and the pelagic zone were likely to be impacted by climate change. Both low and high emission scenarios project significant changes to the AIMPA, and it is likely that the provision of several ecosystem services will be negatively impacted. Plain Language Summary: Ascension Island is a small remote volcanic island in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. The seas around Ascension Island have been protected from commercial fishing since 2019. We used the marine component of computer simulations of the Earth's climate to try to understand the future of the Ascension Island Marine Protected Area (AIMPA). Over the next century, the AIMPA region will become warmer, more saline, more acidic, less productive, and with lower nutrient and chlorophyll concentrations in the surface waters. The most important current of the region, the Atlantic Equatorial Current, is also projected to weaken in all scenarios. These changes are likely to negatively impact the ability of the AIMPA to provide ecosystem services such as healthy ecosystems, fish stocks, the removal of carbon dioxide from the air, and attract tourism. This work is important because it is the first projection of the climate around the AIMPA since it was created, and it has allowed local policymakers to understand how the changing climate is likely to affect their environment and ecosystem services. Key Points: We present the first projection of the future marine circulation and biogeochemistry of the Ascension Island Marine Protected Area (AIMPA)The AIMPA will become warmer, more saline, more acidic, with less surface nutrients, primary production and chlorophyllThe AIMPA's capacity to provide ecosystem services will be significantly negatively impacted under a high emission scenario [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the importance of public engagement and citizen science in marine conservation efforts, specifically focusing on maerl, a type of coralline algae habitat found in Scotland. The article highlights various citizen science initiatives in the UK, such as Project Seagrass and Seasearch, which have contributed valuable data to inform conservation and management initiatives. It also discusses the establishment of protected areas, known as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), to safeguard maerl habitats. The article emphasizes the role of community engagement and citizen science in increasing knowledge, monitoring habitats, reporting illegal activities, and promoting public awareness and engagement in maerl conservation. [Extracted from the article]