Exploring the role of access regimes over an economically important intertidal kelp species

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dc.contributor.authorGonzalez-Roca, Fernando
dc.contributor.authorGelcich, Stefan
dc.contributor.authorPerez-Ruzafa, Angel
dc.contributor.authorAlonso Vega, J. M.
dc.contributor.authorVasquez, Julio A.
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-20T22:07:29Z
dc.date.available2025-01-20T22:07:29Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractAchieving sustainable use of kelps is key for small-scale fishers' livelihoods and biodiversity. During the last three decades, Chile has implemented different policy approaches to manage kelps. Unfortunately, assessments of the biological impacts of these management regimes have not received the attention they deserve. In this study, we explore biomass, density, size structure and holdfast diameter/stipe length relation of the kelp Lessonia spp., associated to a territorial user rights policy, which grant exclusive access to fishers, and a regional management plan policy which defines control rules in what were historically de facto open access areas. We compare these with marine protected areas where harvesting is banned, thus serving as a benchmark. The study was performed along the coast of two of the main kelp harvesting regions of Chile. The analyses, performed in two time periods, shows that biomass is greater inside areas managed through territorial user rights and in marine protected areas compared to areas where regional management plans have been implemented, which perform in a similar way to open access sites. Enforcement is a key driver of kelp response. Densities of recruits and juveniles are higher in areas where harvesting and gathering are allowed, whilst adult plants have higher density in marine protected areas. In all cases, kelps have become denser after eleven years. The holdfast diameter/stipe length relation provides an indicator of protection efficiency: stricter regulatory measures are related to larger holdfast diameters and shorter stipes. We conclude that, in general, territorial user rights policies and marine protected areas have contributed to the conservation of wild intertidal Lessonia populations. Results highlight the potential of the regional management plans policy to improve kelp management, but it will probably need important adjustments to enhance enforcement and compliance. In addition management innovations such as rotational harvest strategies could provide an important complement which should be further assessed.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105811
dc.identifier.eissn1873-524X
dc.identifier.issn0964-5691
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105811
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/94242
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:000703607300004
dc.language.isoen
dc.revistaOcean & coastal management
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectArtisanal fisheries
dc.subjectConservation policies
dc.subjectEnforcement
dc.subjectKelp harvesting
dc.subjectManagement
dc.subject.ods13 Climate Action
dc.subject.ods15 Life on Land
dc.subject.ods14 Life Below Water
dc.subject.odspa13 Acción por el clima
dc.subject.odspa15 Vida de ecosistemas terrestres
dc.subject.odspa14 Vida submarina
dc.titleExploring the role of access regimes over an economically important intertidal kelp species
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen212
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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