A study reveals that designating 10% of territorial waters as protected areas would have minimal consequences on the fishing industry while preserving marine biodiversity.
The establishment of highly protected marine zones covering 10% of France’s maritime territory would not cause major disruptions for the fishing sector, according to a joint analysis by scientific experts and an environmental organization. Current data shows that only 4% of marine protected areas (MPAs) currently benefit from strict conservation status, with total or partial exploitation bans on resources.
Researchers developed several models considering both sensitive ecosystems and the most active fishing zones. Their projections show that, even in the most ambitious scenario, the impact on fishing activities would remain contained between 10% and 13% of the total catch effort. Some regions, like the Mediterranean, would experience disruptions of less than 1%, making the measure almost economically neutral for local professionals.
The study also highlights the ecological and fisheries benefits of such a policy. Integral reserves indeed promote species regeneration, with positive effects demonstrated on surrounding populations. This « spill-over » effect could eventually compensate for areas temporarily lost to industrial fishing. The authors stress the need for a coordinated approach, incorporating scientific knowledge and socio-economic realities, to achieve sustainable ocean management.
Source: lesinguliersete
