The excellent communications staff at the organization that employs me helped me talk to a reporter at Seafood Source about the recent UN Biodiversity report and how it ties to a scientific paper on highly migratory species and spatial protections. This interview was done via email, and the reporter only used one of my answers, so I figured I'd post all of my answers for my two readers (Hi, Mom).
-What is the key to strategically placing marine protected areas and other spatial protections so that they actually benefit highly migratory species?
"This paper highlighted the importance of identifying and protecting the habitats that are used by highly migratory species, including spawning and nursing aggregations, but also the importance of well managed, sustainable fisheries to protecting these species."
-Would MPAs need to cover multiple national jurisdictions to be effective for these highly migratory species? Are there examples of this type of cooperation between jurisdictions occurring?
"The International Union for Conservation of Nature recommends protecting 30% of every ocean habitat, but doesn't provide guidance on implementing this across political boundaries. Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands have collaborated on shark conservation, and have zero retention quotas for all shark species across their jurisdictions. They have collaborated on enforcement and training."
-Should fishermen be opposed to spatial protections for highly migratory species? Why or why not?
"This study shows that well designed and enforced protected areas and sustainable fisheries management can benefit highly migratory fish populations. I've never met a fisherman who is opposed to having more fish in the ocean."
-In your opinion, what policies/measures other than spatial protections need to be implemented to ensure the health of these highly migratory fish populations?
"If we're going to follow the IUCN advice and protect 30% of every ocean habitat, we're also going to need to ensure that our fisheries are sustainable and well managed. Fisheries management provides many options to achieve this, from gear restrictions, catch limits, trip limits, size restrictions, and all the other tools available to fisheries managers."
-The UN Biodiversity report came out in the last couple weeks, and was a fresh wakeup call that biodiversity is threatened. But this isn't really new news, is it?
"The ocean faces many threats, and climate change and plastic pollution get most of the attention in the media. The UN Biodiversity report reminded us, and I quote, "direct exploitation of organisms, mainly from fishing, has had the largest relative negative impact on nature since 1970."
-What do you see as the key ways to protect or even increase biodiversity?
"There is a mature body of science which shows the greatest benefits to biodiversity come from fully protected ocean sanctuaries."
-What are the benefits of more diverse oceans for fishermen?
"Simple, more fish for them to catch."