The effect of marine reserves upon commercially exploited marine organisms is well documented. Increases in abundance and size have been attributed to the removal of mortality imposed by fishing. Such phenomena have been seen in the Lamlash Bay no-take zone on the Isle of Arran, the Firth of Clyde. The commercially important European lobster has responded to the presence of closed area, with increased population densities and individual sizes within its boundaries whilst spill-over has been outside.
The aim of this investigation is to assess whether this is still continuing and how the magnitude of the effects compares to previous years.
Conclusions drawn state that the Lamlash Bay NTZ is boosting lobster biomass within its boundaries and is extremely important in echoing the invaluable contribution of NTZs in restoring and enhancing commercially exploited invertebrate communities.
