Mainstreaming connectivity science in community-based fisheries management

Abstract

Functionally connected marine conservation areas are widely recognized as a cornerstone for successful biodiversity conservation outcomes and small-scale fisheries livelihoods. Incorporating fish species movement into fisheries community-based managed areas can catalyse greater conservation and socioeconomic benefits. However, significant gaps exist in aligning small-scale fisheries management with fish connectivity or movement patterns, which can optimize benefits along coral reef systems and associated coastal small-scale fisheries. Here we describe a translational framework that integrates evidence-based connectivity conservation into small-scale fisheries in community-based managed area settings while considering cumulative benefits over time and space to ensure long-term socioeconomic and environmental benefits across such systems. Reef fish species associated with small-scale coastal fisheries often have life histories that involve dispersal and migration. This Perspective provides a framework to incorporate such fish movement patterns or connectivity into sustainable fisheries management and conservation of coral reefs.