Scientific Support Numerous scientific studies have repeatedly shown the fisheries benefits of no-take reserves. Prohibiting fishing in carefully selected areas will protect vulnerable habitats, rebuild depleted species, and increase their reproductive output. In addition, reserves typically increase fish catches near the reserve border, and may actually increase overall catches despite a loss of fishing grounds. Habitat Damage Prohibiting fishing in some areas also provides important benefits to species that are not the target of fishing operations. Direct mortality due to bycatch of non-target species is a worldwide problem that can be addressed by providing refuges where fishing is prohibited.
Reserves can also reduce the indirect mortality caused by habitat damage from fishing gear.
Both habitat damage and bycatch have been inadequately addressed by existing management practices. Ecosystem Benefits Protection of the structure and function of ocean ecosystems is another important benefit of no-take reserves. The value of such natural ecosystem attributes is often only appreciated after its elimination. No-take reserves provide relatively undisturbed areas for study of natural ecosystem processes, including the factors that limit the survival and reproduction of commercially valuable species. Such findings will greatly assist management of fisheries for long-term sustainability.