Current Status of Accomplishment or Milestone: These Proceedings are complete and currently receiving outside review for publication as a NOAA Technical
Memorandum.
Background: This workshop, sponsored by NMFS F/PR, was convened specifically to i) assess the current and future needs and benefits of harvest refugia, and ii) develop recommendations for establishing and monitoring refugia to protect and manage rockfish populations on the west coast . Participants included 37 biologists, ecologists, social scientists, economists, and resource managers. Refugia design, requirements of relevant stakeholders, and costs/benefits/risks were among the topics considered.
Purpose of Activity/Goal of Project: Our objective was to disseminate current information on the status of rockfish populations, specific fishery concerns, and recommendations of this workshop on the use of harvest refugia to a wide audience of managers, conservationists, policy makers, and scientists.
Description of Accomplishment and Significant Results: These Proceedings include 17 original scientific papers on the status of Pacific coast rockfishes, experimental management, refugia design criteria and enforcement considerations, and economic, conservation and global perspectives of no-take areas. Several case histories describe recent experiences in refugia implementation around the country. Reports of the three working groups (management, design and socio-economic considerations) and a list of research recommendations also are
included.
Workshop participants concluded that marine harvest refugia exemplify a precautionary approach to management and conservation of rockfish resources. While there are limits to our scientific knowledge of rockfish ecology, we have sufficient understanding to proceed with the process of implementing refugia as a supplemental management tool and for research on refugia effectiveness. Harvest refugia are one of the few constructive ways to protect and conserve essential fish habitat, and offer the opportunity for habitat to recover from disturbances such as impacts from fishing gear. Refugia may allow us to separate environmental variability from fishery effects, and to collect the needed baseline data for more accurate stock
assessments.
Significance of Accomplishment (e.g., to the Center, to Management, and to NMFS Strategic plan Goals): Fishery management councils, conservation organizations, and scientists throughout the country are debating the use of no-take zones as a supplemental management tool. Our information already is serving to direct future research and managerial decisions regarding protection and conservation of rockfish resources. While focused on west coast resources, the workshop conclusions and recommendations have worldwide application.
Problems: None.
Key Contact: Mary Yoklavich (831-648-9036, myoklavich@pfeg.noaa.gov).