An ecopath model for fisheries management in the Mogador marine protected area (Moroccan, Atlantic)

The high exploitation of marine fisheries resources for their economic value along with climate change in recent decades is threatening the regeneration of these resources. Available data on the state of fish stocks and the trophic organization and functioning of these aquatic environments are currently in insufficient. Considering this situation, we aim in this study to improve the knowledge and information available on the functioning of Mogador marine protected area (MPA), one of the marine ecosystems in the Moroccan Atlantic coasts which was established to support the conservation of the local fisheries. An Ecopath model is applied for this Mogador MPA which is represented by 27 functional groups including 18 fishes, which are grouped based on many criteria mainly their size and commercial importance in the fisheries of the study region. A series of indicator for the food web are identified through model statistics and web analysis. The results obtained show relatively high ecotrophic efficiency with a transfer efficiency close to10%, indicating a good degree of stability. Analysis of mixed trophic impact shows significant top-down control of the food web in this system. This study highlights the potential benefits of using an ecotrophic model to assess the effects of fishing on stocks.