@article{fdi:010062630,
  title = {{E}cological field experiment of short-term effects of fishing ban on fish assemblages in a tropical estuarine {MPA}},
  author = {{E}coutin, {J}ean-{M}arc and {S}imier, {M}onique and {A}lbaret, {J}. {J}. and {L}a{\¨e}, {R}aymond and {R}affray, {J}ean and {S}adio, {O}. and {T}ito de {M}orais, {L}uis},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{M}arine {P}rotected {A}reas ({MPA}s), in addition to their important role in the conservation of critical habitats and vulnerable species, are now also used in a context of ecosystem-based fisheries management. {T}he aim of this study was to assess the observed changes in the fish population structure in the years following a fishing ban. {T}he experiment took place in the {B}amboung bolong, a small bay in the {S}ine {S}aloum estuary in {S}enegal, {W}est {A}frica. {T}he protection of this zone was undertaken with local fishermen support, and a formal {MPA} was created in 2004. {T}he survey of the fish assemblages was initiated in 2003, the year before the fishing ban, and went on until 2007, with 12 sampling sites being monitored three times per year. {I}n this paper, we describe and analyze the evolution of the fish assemblage during this five years' experimental period. {S}ome changes have been highlighted on which the effect of the fishing ban was shown. {A}fter the fishing ban, an increase of total biomass and of maximal fish length has been registered. {I}n the same time, the number of species has increased and the percentage of large and/or iconic species targeted by fishing has also increased. {T}he community structure has been modified, with more small fish, more big fish (new large species and more large individuals in the original species) and fewer medium sized fish. {T}he contribution of marine affinity species has increased in depend of the estuarine part of the assemblage. {F}inally, the trophic structure has been modified with an overall increase of the mean trophic level, resulting from an increase of the percentage of generalist or piscivorous predators and a sharp decrease of herbivorous and detritivorous low trophic level species. {M}arine predators which numbers and size were reduced by fisheries are again important components of the system. {W}e argue that despite the intrinsic variability of the tropical estuarine environments, the introduction of a total ban on fishing in such estuarine zones can substantially improve the health status of the fish assemblage.},
  keywords = {{SENEGAL}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{O}cean and {C}oastal {M}anagement},
  volume = {100},
  numero = {},
  pages = {74--85},
  ISSN = {0964-5691},
  year = {2014},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2014.08.009},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010062630},
}