── Research, Untangled

What does a study tell us about fish, fishing and marine sanctuaries? Start with the finding, read the summary and evaluation, or explore the original paper.

Choose how much detail to explore

3 Second Take: the main finding, with any essential qualification.
3 Sentence Summary: the question, study and main result.
3 Minute Evaluation: the strengths, limitations and relevance for fishers.

These are approximate reading formats. The full paper and a careful appraisal may take longer. Each entry links to its original source, which may require a subscription.

Try the 3-3-3 method

Use the quick guide to assess a study yourself, or run a 30-minute discussion with your fishing club. The download includes the guide, activity, participant worksheet and deeper appraisal checklist.

Download the 3-3-3 guide and club activity (PDF)

Explore the studies

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MPA coverage can conceal weak protection and incomplete implementation.

Assessments of expected MPA outcomes can inform and improve biodiversity conservation: Case studies using The MPA Guide
Sullivan-Stack 2024

Roman catch rates doubled near Goukamma MPA over a decade.

Marine protected area improves yield without disadvantaging fishers
Kerwath 2013

No-take reserves generally held more biomass and larger organisms.

Biological effects within no-take marine reserves: A global synthesis
Lester 2009

Sanctuary reefs held more targeted fish biomass as communities tropicalised.

Two decades of monitoring within a temperate marine park shows no-take zone and climate-change impacts on fish, invertebrates and coral cover
Davis 2026

Food-web effects emerged later than direct responses to marine protection.

Decadal trends in marine reserves reveal differential rates of change in direct and indirect effects
Babcock 2010

Adequately staffed marine parks showed stronger fish biomass benefits.

Capacity shortfalls hinder the performance of marine protected areas globally
Gill 2017

Larvae produced inside reserves replenished both protected and fished reefs.

Larval export from marine reserves and the recruitment benefit for fish and fisheries
Harrison 2012

Strong outcomes depend on protection, enforcement, time, space and ecological boundaries.

Global conservation outcomes depend on marine protected areas with five key features
Edgar 2014

Larger, older no-take zones were associated with more medium-to-large harvested fish.

Marine reserves: Size and age do matter
Claudet 2008

Partial protection can help; no-take areas held more biomass in the included comparisons.

Evaluating the relative conservation value of fully and partially protected marine areas
Sciberras 2015

Well-enforced reserves held more targeted fish.

Italian marine reserve effectiveness: Does enforcement matter?
Guidetti 2008

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