Movement patterns of temperate wrasses (Labridae) within a small marine protected area

The movement patterns of three commercially important wrasse (Labridae) species inside a small marine protected area (similar to 0.15 km(2)) on the west coast of Norway were analysed over a period of 21 months. The mean distance between capture and recapture locations varied between 10 and 187 m, and was species and season specific. The extent of movement was not related to body size or sex. These results imply that a network of small strategically located marine protected areas can be used as management tools to protect wrasses from size- and sex-selective fishing mortality.

Automated summary

The movement patterns of three wrasse species in a small marine protected area on the west coast of Norway were analyzed over 21 months. The distance between capture and recapture locations varied between 10 and 187 meters, with no relation to body size or sex. This suggests that strategically located marine protected areas can be effective in protecting wrasses from selective fishing mortality based on size and sex.