Success of Australian fishing ban: 25-06-2008
Australia's controversial move to ban fishing on the Great Barrier Reef seems to have paid off, with a resurgence in the number of coral trout in the reef, according to a study.
Scientists have found that coral trout – the collective name given to fish targeted by commercial and recreational fishers, including cod and grouper - numbers have increased dramatically in the four years since the no-take reserve was introduced.
James Cook University marine biologist Garry Russ said his team were pleasantly surprised by their findings.
"This represents a positive and unprecedented response to reserve protection," he said.
"Although preliminary, our results provide an encouraging message that bold political steps to protect biodiversity can produce rapid, positive results for exploited species at ecosystem scales."
The area covers more than 62,000 square miles, almost a third of the Great Barrier Reef.
It is hoped that fish from the protected zone will now migrate elsewhere, boosting reserves across many areas.
Although clearly a success, the idea is unlikely to be viable elsewhere as many countries accused of over fishing are reliant on the fishing industry for survival.
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