Bull Mar Sci. 93(1):173–198. 2016
https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2015.1083
173
Bulletin of Marine Science
© 2017 Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science of
the University of Miami
Impacts of TURFs and marine reserves on fsheries and
conservation goals: theory, empirical evidence, and modeling
Sarah E Lester
1 *
Gavin McDonald
2
Michaela Clemence
2
Dawn T Dougherty
3
Cody S Szuwalski
2
ABSTRACT.—Unsustainable fshing in marine systems
creates fsheries management and conservation challenges,
with implications for ecosystem health, livelihoods,
economies, and seafood supply. Tus there is a need for
management approaches that can support productive
fsheries and healthy ecosystems. Property rights, and
particularly spatial rights or territorial use rights in fsheries
(TURFs), are increasingly proposed as a solution. It has been
suggested that TURFs may align fshers’ incentives with
long-term stewardship, resulting in improved yields and
positive conservation outcomes. Here we examined this idea
by reviewing existing theoretical and empirical evidence
for TURF performance in achieving both fsheries and
conservation goals, and fnd equivocal evidence that TURFs
can consistently deliver on this promise. We then explored
the potential to improve outcomes by implementing no-
take marine reserves with TURFs (“TURF-reserves”). We
evaluated theoretical and empirical evidence in the literature
and develop a simulation model to examine tradeofs for
achieving conservation and fshery objectives. With our
model, we examined diferent management regimes (e.g.,
open access vs TURFs), harvest controls within the TURF
(e.g., selectivity and harvest rate restrictions), and varying
reserve sizes. We found that combining reserves with
TURFs does not eliminate the tradeof between fsheries
and conservation goals if the TURF already efectively
controls fshing pressure. However, given the results from
our literature review, many TURFs may not achieve efective
fsheries management. Tus, TURF-reserves may be better
able to balance fsheries and conservation goals relative to
TURF-only systems, but outcomes will depend on target
species mobility, TURF size, and fshing intensity outside the
TURF-reserve.
1
Department of Geography,
Florida State University,
Tallahassee, Florida 32306.
2
Marine Science Institute and
Bren School of Environmental
Science & Management,
University of California, Santa
Barbara, California 93106.
3
National Center for Ecological
Analysis and Synthesis,
University of California, Santa
Barbara, California 93101.
*
Corresponding author email:
<slester@fsu.edu>.
Date Submitted: 16 November, 2016.
Date Accepted: 12 April, 2016.
Available Online: 20 May, 2016.
Mote Symposium invited paper