The impacts of marine protected areas on fishing activity: a case study of Le Prêcheur, Martinique

The aim of the paper is to present the expected impacts of the creation of the marine reserve of “Le Prêcheur” in Martinique in 2014. Despite its official establishment, the reserve is still not operational in 2020. The method used refers to a feasibility study done in 2010 for its formulation and to a stakeholder engagement study done in 2012-2013. The main results are that the marine reserve will not fundamentally change the fish catches as mainly old fishermen were using the grounds for fishing, while young fishermen predominantly carry out fishing practices offshore or fish on fishing aggregating devices. The key recommendations are that the management of fishing activity in the marine reserve of le Prêcheur should first aim to limit the activities that are most destructive to the marine environment, and second to ensure that exploitation levels of sustainable activities are compatible with resource capacity. Further, management of the marine reserve should extend beyond the established boundary in order to maximise the benefits created. To establish the legitimacy of such a management plan, and to monitor its implementation, the key stakeholders e.g. fishermen, scientists, etc. should collaborate to develop a working protocol for the management plan. Engaging key stakeholders in this way should ensure that the management plan is supported by data and actions that are trusted by policy makers, scientists and the fishermen themselves.