Genetic proof for marine reserves

Marine reserve networks can help increas fish numbers outside reserves

source: New Scientist vol 214 no 2867, June 2nd 2012 p18

Garry Russ and team from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Queensland, Australia, have found that marine reserve networks can help to increase fish numbers outside reserves. They examined the DNA from stripey snapper and coral trout in and outside reserves in the Great Barrier Reef. The reserves account for 28% of the total area. The juvenile fish of these species had doubled in number outside the reserves. The team plans to examine the catches of local fisheries, to assess the impact of reserves on commercial fishing.
FI,LW