MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAS) AS A FISHERIES MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR THE NASSAU GROUPER (EPINEPHELUS STRIATUS) IN BELIZE By Lisa S. Benedetti Honours Bachelor of Science, Laurentian University, Ontario, Canada, 1997 A thesis presented to Ryerson University In partial fulfillment of the requirements of Master of Applied Science In the program of Environmental Applied Science and Management Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2013 © Lisa S. Benedetti 2013 Author's Declaration for Electronic Submission of a Thesis I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I authorize Ryerson University to lend this thesis to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorize Ryerson University to reproduce this thesis by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as a Fisheries Management Tool for the Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus) in Belize Master of Applied Science 2013 Lisa S. Benedetti Environmental Applied Science and Management Ryerson University Abstract The Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus, was once an important commercial fish species in the Caribbean, but is now considered commercially extinct throughout its range. Protection measures have included protection of adults via seasonal closures and spawning aggregation site reserves (SASRs). Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a promising fisheries management tool being used increasingly worldwide but are not specifically directed at the conservation of Nassau grouper. This thesis uses Belize as a case study location to determine how the established MPA network may contribute towards its protection. It was found that the Belize MPA network as a system may not contribute greatly, however, on an individual basis some MPAs contribute more to protection than others. Those MPAs which have characteristics most suitable for this species are Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes, Sapodilla Cayes, Bacalar Chico, Glovers Reef, Hol Chan, and South Water Caye Marine Reserves. iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank everyone who supported me during this project. First, I would to thank my advisors, Dr. Michal Bardecki and Dr. Rachel Dodds, especially Dr. Bardecki who challenged and taught me to look at my thesis from different perspectives. Second, I would like to thank Sarah Dickin who served as my knowledgeable and wonderful GIS tutor. I appreciate the patience and support of Hanneke Van Lavieren. I would like to thank David Feary, who offered his time and assistance without my needing to ask. Thanks to Corinne Schuster-Wallace for providing valuable feedback. I would like to thank friends and family who encouraged me along the way. And last, I would like to thank Max for always understanding. iv Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Research Objective .................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Research Questions .................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Content of study ......................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Scope of Research ...................................................................................................... 7 2.0 Literature Review – Case Study Species and Region .......................................................... 8 2.1 Case Study Species – Nassau Grouper, Epinephelus striatus.................................... 8 2.1.1 General background ....................................................................................... 8 2.1.2 The Nassau grouper ..................................................................................... 10 2.1.3 Reproduction ................................................................................................ 12 2.1.4 Nassau grouper population status in Belize ................................................. 13 2.1.5 Threats.......................................................................................................... 14 2.1.6 Importance of protection .............................................................................. 15 2.1.7 Nassau grouper as the study species ............................................................ 17 2.2 Case Study Region – Belize ..................................................................................... 18 2.2.1 Belize as the case study region .................................................................... 18 2.2.2 Legislative framework ................................................................................. 21 2.2.3 Management authority ................................................................................. 24 2.2.4 Management tools ........................................................................................ 27 2.2.5 Summary ...................................................................................................... 33 3.0 Software and Data Source .................................................................................................. 34 3.1 Software ................................................................................................................... 34 3.2 Data source ............................................................................................................... 34 4.0 Habitat Assessment of the MPA/SASR System ................................................................ 37 4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 37 4.2 Methods.................................................................................................................... 40 4.2.1 Current state of knowledge – Nassau grouper essential habitat .................. 40 4.2.2 GIS analysis – distribution of marine ecosystems within current MPA/SASR set-up under three perspectives .................................................................... 47 4.3 Results ...................................................................................................................... 49 v 4.3.1 Marine ecosystem distribution within the Belize MPA network ................. 49 4.3.2 Overall marine ecosystem distribution within SASRs ................................. 50 4.3.3 Marine ecosystem distribution within individual MPAs/SASRs................. 51 5.0 Ecological Connectivity ..................................................................................................... 54 5.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 54 5.2 Methods.................................................................................................................... 56 5.2.1 Selection of approach ................................................................................... 56 5.2.2 Current state of knowledge – movement patterns of Nassau grouper at various stages of growth .............................................................................. 58 5.2.3 GIS analysis: assessment of ‘connectedness’ of Belize MPA network ....... 62 5.3 Results ...................................................................................................................... 64 6.0 Discussion .......................................................................................................................... 65 6.1 Habitat assessment of the Belize MPA/SASR network ........................................... 65 6.2 Ecological Connectivity ........................................................................................... 67 6.3 Summary .................................................................................................................. 69 6.4 Future Research ....................................................................................................... 74 7.0 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 78 8.0 Appendices ......................................................................................................................... 81 9.0 References .......................................................................................................................... 93 vi List of Tables Table 1. International and regional commitments relevant to MPAs/SASRs to which Belize is a signatory ............................................................................................................ 21 Table 2. Legislation relevant to Nassau grouper and MPAs/SASRs in Belize ...................... 23 Table 3. Primary reason(s) for establishment of the MPAs in Belize as stated in respective management plans. ................................................................................................... 29 Table 4. MPAs and SASRs of Belize. ................................................................................... 31 Table 5. Description of the primary marine ecosystems of Belize. ....................................... 38 Table 6. Published information on