232
R. De la Cruz Modino and J.J. Pascual-Fernández
a “ fi shermen’s issue” by all administrations with decision-making power during the
process, generally re fl ecting the thinking of the villagers and local residents
(De la Cruz Modino 2003, 2008 ) .
Inside the Marine Reserve of Punta de La Restinga-Mar de Las Calmas, all
traditional uses by artisanal fi shers from La Restinga have been maintained at varying levels of regulation. Recreational fi shing by boat is forbidden throughout the
MR, and angling from the shore is only allowed in some areas (see Table 12.2 ).
Scuba diving has also been restricted. Small scale fi shing boats wishing to access
the MR must be registered in a census. Two years of fi shing experience in the area
must be demonstrated in order to access the census. Consequently, fi shers from
other areas of El Hierro or from other islands are severely limited and only allowed
fi sh for tuna under special permits and conditions.
Discussion: MPAs Increasing Governability
Since the MR was created, it has often been labeled the best example of a wellfunctioning MPA in the Canary Islands and used as an exemplar for later initiatives
in mainland Spain. The natural environment, which is subject to annual scienti fi c
evaluation, has been improved since then. After some years, researchers from the
University of La Laguna have recognized that, despite its size, “La Restinga MR is
the best, maybe due to fi shers’ participation ”. The fi shers believe that they proved
decisive in the creation of the MR and consider it “ their own”. In 2004, a survey
revealed that fi shermen considered the surveillance service and the Cofradía as
responsible for governing the MR (De la Cruz Modino and Pascual-Fernández
2005b ) .
The challenges to governance faced by fi shers in La Restinga before the establishment of the MR were closely related to natural conditions. The multi-speci fi c
ecosystem, on a very small continental shelf, made the area extremely sensitive to
depletion, requiring a diversity of fi shing strategies as means of adaptation. The
ecosystem, is extremely complex and dynamic, with important relations between
individuals and populations. The MR may have helped to sustain high catches of
key species whilst ensuring sustainability, even in the case that the MR is relatively
small and isolated.
Although many new activities and enterprises in the services sector are carried
out by fi shing families, including fresh fi sh restaurants or tourist accommodation
management, fi sheries have remained the main economic activity in La Restinga for
decades. Local people are certainly interested in some degree of tourism development, but only in low numbers and in agreement with certain parameters that enable
them to continue being the main suppliers of tourism services. In the Sea of Calms,
fi shers have reduced and limited scuba-diving activity in the MR and created new
rules in the area affected by the MPA. Moreover, it must be said that almost all
scuba-diving center owners, managers and instructors in the area were born outside
the island, and that the ownership and staff of some of these centers change frequently.
R. De la Cruz Modino and J.J. Pascual-Fernández
a “ fi shermen’s issue” by all administrations with decision-making power during the
process, generally re fl ecting the thinking of the villagers and local residents
(De la Cruz Modino 2003, 2008 ) .
Inside the Marine Reserve of Punta de La Restinga-Mar de Las Calmas, all
traditional uses by artisanal fi shers from La Restinga have been maintained at varying levels of regulation. Recreational fi shing by boat is forbidden throughout the
MR, and angling from the shore is only allowed in some areas (see Table 12.2 ).
Scuba diving has also been restricted. Small scale fi shing boats wishing to access
the MR must be registered in a census. Two years of fi shing experience in the area
must be demonstrated in order to access the census. Consequently, fi shers from
other areas of El Hierro or from other islands are severely limited and only allowed
fi sh for tuna under special permits and conditions.
Discussion: MPAs Increasing Governability
Since the MR was created, it has often been labeled the best example of a wellfunctioning MPA in the Canary Islands and used as an exemplar for later initiatives
in mainland Spain. The natural environment, which is subject to annual scienti fi c
evaluation, has been improved since then. After some years, researchers from the
University of La Laguna have recognized that, despite its size, “La Restinga MR is
the best, maybe due to fi shers’ participation ”. The fi shers believe that they proved
decisive in the creation of the MR and consider it “ their own”. In 2004, a survey
revealed that fi shermen considered the surveillance service and the Cofradía as
responsible for governing the MR (De la Cruz Modino and Pascual-Fernández
2005b ) .
The challenges to governance faced by fi shers in La Restinga before the establishment of the MR were closely related to natural conditions. The multi-speci fi c
ecosystem, on a very small continental shelf, made the area extremely sensitive to
depletion, requiring a diversity of fi shing strategies as means of adaptation. The
ecosystem, is extremely complex and dynamic, with important relations between
individuals and populations. The MR may have helped to sustain high catches of
key species whilst ensuring sustainability, even in the case that the MR is relatively
small and isolated.
Although many new activities and enterprises in the services sector are carried
out by fi shing families, including fresh fi sh restaurants or tourist accommodation
management, fi sheries have remained the main economic activity in La Restinga for
decades. Local people are certainly interested in some degree of tourism development, but only in low numbers and in agreement with certain parameters that enable
them to continue being the main suppliers of tourism services. In the Sea of Calms,
fi shers have reduced and limited scuba-diving activity in the MR and created new
rules in the area affected by the MPA. Moreover, it must be said that almost all
scuba-diving center owners, managers and instructors in the area were born outside
the island, and that the ownership and staff of some of these centers change frequently.