Population dynamics of the European native oyster in a Marine Conservation Zone exposed to unregulated harvesting
The implementation of closed zones as fishery management tools have been shown to be successful in the augmentation of habitat restricted species. A concerted restoration effort is currently being focused on the European native oyster throughout its natural range. This has been accompanied by an inc...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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EDP Sciences
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Aquatic Living Resources |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.alr-journal.org/articles/alr/full_html/2023/01/alr220043/alr220043.html |
| _version_ | 1827831814660554752 |
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| author | Smyth David Millar Rachel Clements Annika McIvenny Heidi Hayden-Hughes Maria |
| author_facet | Smyth David Millar Rachel Clements Annika McIvenny Heidi Hayden-Hughes Maria |
| author_sort | Smyth David |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The implementation of closed zones as fishery management tools have been shown to be successful in the augmentation of habitat restricted species. A concerted restoration effort is currently being focused on the European native oyster throughout its natural range. This has been accompanied by an increase in oyster prices. In 2018 a native oyster for restoration purposes cost 80 pence sterling by 2021 the price had increased to £3.50. It is likely that these price increases have led to harvesting pressure on established wild populations. A number of recovering Ostrea edulis assemblages in Strangford Lough Northern Ireland are located within a closed zone which has been in operation since 2008. This research investigated the effectiveness of this restricted area in regards to protecting O. edulis assemblages. The study revealed that within policed regions of the restricted area the population increased from an estimated 1000 oysters in 2004 to >88,000 in 2021. Furthermore, the age structure and population dynamics differed considerably from non-policed areas which still experienced harvesting. The research supports the use of closed zone legislation as a conservation tool with developing O. edulis populations. As newly restored populations become established, rising market prices will place these under increased harvesting pressure. The use of closed zones may offer a means of protecting these emergent populations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T05:00:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6b857fd0788a4d02bf0ac4db5c3dc9bb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1765-2952 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T05:00:54Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | EDP Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aquatic Living Resources |
| spelling | doaj.art-6b857fd0788a4d02bf0ac4db5c3dc9bb2023-09-03T09:12:10ZengEDP SciencesAquatic Living Resources1765-29522023-01-0136310.1051/alr/2022023alr220043Population dynamics of the European native oyster in a Marine Conservation Zone exposed to unregulated harvestingSmyth David0Millar Rachel1Clements Annika2McIvenny Heidi3Hayden-Hughes Maria4School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai BridgeUlster Wildlife, McClelland House, 10 Heron RoadUlster Wildlife, McClelland House, 10 Heron RoadUlster Wildlife, McClelland House, 10 Heron RoadSchool of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai BridgeThe implementation of closed zones as fishery management tools have been shown to be successful in the augmentation of habitat restricted species. A concerted restoration effort is currently being focused on the European native oyster throughout its natural range. This has been accompanied by an increase in oyster prices. In 2018 a native oyster for restoration purposes cost 80 pence sterling by 2021 the price had increased to £3.50. It is likely that these price increases have led to harvesting pressure on established wild populations. A number of recovering Ostrea edulis assemblages in Strangford Lough Northern Ireland are located within a closed zone which has been in operation since 2008. This research investigated the effectiveness of this restricted area in regards to protecting O. edulis assemblages. The study revealed that within policed regions of the restricted area the population increased from an estimated 1000 oysters in 2004 to >88,000 in 2021. Furthermore, the age structure and population dynamics differed considerably from non-policed areas which still experienced harvesting. The research supports the use of closed zone legislation as a conservation tool with developing O. edulis populations. As newly restored populations become established, rising market prices will place these under increased harvesting pressure. The use of closed zones may offer a means of protecting these emergent populations.https://www.alr-journal.org/articles/alr/full_html/2023/01/alr220043/alr220043.htmleuropean oysternative oysterostrea edulisstrangford loughpopulation dynamics |
| spellingShingle | Smyth David Millar Rachel Clements Annika McIvenny Heidi Hayden-Hughes Maria Population dynamics of the European native oyster in a Marine Conservation Zone exposed to unregulated harvesting Aquatic Living Resources european oyster native oyster ostrea edulis strangford lough population dynamics |
| title | Population dynamics of the European native oyster in a Marine Conservation Zone exposed to unregulated harvesting |
| title_full | Population dynamics of the European native oyster in a Marine Conservation Zone exposed to unregulated harvesting |
| title_fullStr | Population dynamics of the European native oyster in a Marine Conservation Zone exposed to unregulated harvesting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Population dynamics of the European native oyster in a Marine Conservation Zone exposed to unregulated harvesting |
| title_short | Population dynamics of the European native oyster in a Marine Conservation Zone exposed to unregulated harvesting |
| title_sort | population dynamics of the european native oyster in a marine conservation zone exposed to unregulated harvesting |
| topic | european oyster native oyster ostrea edulis strangford lough population dynamics |
| url | https://www.alr-journal.org/articles/alr/full_html/2023/01/alr220043/alr220043.html |
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