Reef Fisheries Get a Scorecard

Each year, WCS scientists author or co-author nearly 300 peer-reviewed studies and papers. “WCS 3 Sentence Science” is a regular tip-sheet – in bite sized helpings – of some of this published work.

1. Researchers used ten “ecosystem approach indicators” to assess the status of the management of five commercially important coral reef fish species living in a marine protected area – Karimunjawa National Park (KNP) Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia. 
2. The results indicated seven of the ten indicators were at a moderate level, but tactical decisions are necessary to push indicators to achieve a better level. 
3. Three indicators still received a poor status: fish abundance, fishing gear modification, and fishing capacity. 
WCS Media Contact:  Stephen Sautner, 7182203682, [email protected]

Study and Journal:  “Using ecosystem approach indicators for assessing the ecological status of reef fisheries management in a marine protected area”   from  Biodiversitas 
WCS Co-Author(s):  Shinta Pardede , Science coordinator, WCS Indonesia