Bahamas Case – Exuma Cays

The Exuma Cays marine reserve was decreed in 1985; it has an area of 400 km2 of coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves, and sand flats. Recently, it has been documented that the biomass of some exploited species has increased within the reserve compared to fished areas. Such is the case of the Nassau grouper, whose biomass is seven times greater within the reserve. These positive effects are not restricted to the boundaries of the reserve; it is known that there is a spillover effect of groupers into fished areas since animals tagged inside the reserve have been recaptured up to 220 km away from the site.