First evidence that marine protected areas can work for marine mammals

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02121.x
• Publication Date: 2012-03-29T13:44:36Z
• Authors: Andrew M. Gormley; Elisabeth Slooten; Steve Dawson; Richard J. Barker; Will Rayment; Sam du Fresne; Stefan Bräger
• Keywords: Marine mammal; Peninsula; Marine protected area; Vital rates; Mark and recapture; Marine reserve

Summary 1. Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been advocated for the protection of threatened marine mammals, but there is no empirical evidence that they are effective. In 1988, Banks Peninsula Mammal Sanctuary was established to reduce gillnet mortalities Hector’s dolphin Cephalorhynchus hectori , an endangered species endemic New Zealand. This study assesses effectiveness MPA in improving survival rate at Peninsula. 2. Over 21 years, we undertook photo‐identification surveys dolphins along standardized transects from small outboard‐powered boats. From 1986 2006, photographically captured 462 reliably marked individuals. We estimated mean annual during pre‐sanctuary and post‐sanctuary periods by applying a Bayesian random effects capture‐recapture model data. Population growth population simulations using stage‐structured matrix model. 3. estimate 90% probability has improved between periods, with estimates increasing 5·4% (from 0·863 0·917). improvement corresponds 6% increase 0·939 0·995). 4. Synthesis applications . Our demonstrates demographic parameter mammal following conservation action. results provide area‐based measures can be effective mammals. note estimating parameters mammals requires many years data achieve sufficient precision detect biologically meaningful change. MPAs should commitment long‐term monitoring.