Sustainable Fisheries Management in Coral Reef Ecosystems

Sustainable fisheries management in coral reef ecosystems seeks to balance human livelihoods with the long-term health of reef communities. Coral reefs support high biodiversity and provide fisheries that sustain millions of people, particularly in tropical coastal regions. However, overfishing, destructive gear use, habitat degradation and climate-driven stressors have eroded reef resilience and undermined food security. Contemporary management emphasises integrated socio-ecological approaches that combine ecological monitoring, local and indigenous knowledge, spatial planning and adaptive governance. Key strategies include establishing no-take marine protected areas and periodic closures to allow biomass recovery, setting precautionary catch limits and gear restrictions, and implementing participatory co-management frameworks that empower coastal communities. Tools such as catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) monitoring and bioeconomic modelling inform harvest quotas, while social indicators measure community dependence and equity. Market-based incentives, value-chain analyses and certification schemes further engage stakeholders by linking sustainable practices to economic rewards. As climate change exacerbates reef decline, adaptive management that integrates real-time environmental data, coral restoration and resilient design will be critical. Globally, effective management has practical applications ranging from artisanal fisheries in the Pacific Islands to reef-based tourism enterprises, demonstrating a pathway to conserve biodiversity, support livelihoods and enhance ecosystem services.

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Sustainable Fisheries Management in Coral Reef Ecosystems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in sustainable fisheries management in coral reef ecosystems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE): A metric of fish abundance calculated as the quantity of catch divided by the effort expended (for example, hours fished or gear deployed).

Marine Protected Area (MPA): A designated ocean region where human activities, particularly fishing, are regulated or prohibited to conserve marine biodiversity and habitats.

Socio-ecological system: An integrated framework recognising the interdependence of human societies and ecological processes within a shared environment.

Value chain: The sequence of activities and actors involved in producing, processing and distributing fishery products from harvest to consumption.

References

1. Follow that fish: Uncovering the hidden blue economy in coral reef fisheries. PLOS ONE (2017).
2. From Reef to Table: Social and Ecological Factors Affecting Coral Reef Fisheries, Artisanal Seafood Supply Chains, and Seafood Security. PLOS ONE (2015).