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Checklist of Marine Fishes in the Beibu Gulf: Implications for Resource Protection and Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas,The Beibu Gulf,Fish Diversity,Biodiversity Conservation,Sustainable Fisheries

Session 48 - Ecological and Socio-Economic Benefits of Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are globally recognized for their ecological and socio-economic benefits, particularly in biodiversity conservation, habitat protection, and sustainable fisheries. In response to the global initiative to designate 30% of the world’s ocean area as MPAs by 2030, this study explores fish diversity, fisheries resource protection, and fisheries management strategies in the Beibu Gulf. Based on comprehensive fisheries resource surveys conducted from 2006 to 2022, combined with previous research findings, a total of 1,059 marine fish species were recorded in the Beibu Gulf, belonging to 40 orders, 166 families, and 503 genera. Among them, 81 new records were discovered, indicating that the region's biodiversity is underestimated. This study emphasizes the critical role of MPAs in protecting the germplasm resources of fish species, such as spawning and nursery grounds for threadfin porgy (Evynnis cardinalis). The study also analyzed the spillover effects of MPAs on surrounding fisheries, demonstrating their support for ecosystem resilience. However, improvements are still needed in fisheries resource management, especially regarding cryptic diversity, taxonomic changes, and the negative impacts of invasive species. The study calls for more comprehensive MPA management approaches, such as strengthening cross-border cooperation between China and Vietnam, jointly discussing strategies for establishing MPAs, enhancing ecological connectivity, and ensuring the sustainable development of fisheries resources in the Beibu Gulf.