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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Ecology and Evolution

Optimising Connectivity in Deep‐Sea MPA Networks for Nephrops norvegicus Recovery in NW Mediterranean Sea

  • Morane Clavel‐Henry1,2
  • Nixon Bahamon1
  • Miguel López1
  • Jacopo Aguzzi1
  • Joan Navarro1
  • Joan B. Company1,3
  1. 1ICM‐CSIC Barcelona Spain
  2. 2GEOMAR Kiel Germany
  3. 3ICATMAR Barcelona Spain
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Abstract

Marine Protected Areas are essential tools for enhancing population persistence and supporting fisheries through larval dispersal. In the NW Mediterranean, where the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758) is both ecologically and economically important, we assessed the larval connectivity of the existing network of Fishery No‐Take Zones using a 12‐year Lagrangian simulation informed by species‐specific habitat models. Results showed that the current MPA network protects only a small fraction of larval settlement, with connectivity being weak and highly variable across years. Two out of 10 MPAs overlapping with the species habitat emerged as key larval recipients and potential sources, suggesting localised benefits but limited network coherence. To explore improvement strategies, we applied Eigen Perturbation Theory to identify new MPA network configurations based on dispersal dynamics. Both a redesigned and an expanded network significantly enhanced larval settlement and connection persistence, while improving potential recruitment by 8.1% and 4.5% to fishing grounds, respectively. Furthermore, warming trends in the region shortened pelagic larval duration, underscoring the need to integrate climate resilience into MPA design. Our findings highlight the utility of connectivity analyses to guide adaptive spatial planning and highlight the potential to optimise MPA networks for conservation, fisheries management, and climate adaptation.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{clavelhenry2026optimising,
  title = {{Optimising Connectivity in Deep‐Sea MPA Networks for Nephrops norvegicus Recovery in NW Mediterranean Sea}},
  author = {Morane Clavel‐Henry and Nixon Bahamon and Miguel López and Jacopo Aguzzi and Joan Navarro and Joan B. Company},
  journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1002/ece3.74447},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.74447},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Optimising Connectivity in Deep‐Sea MPA Networks for Nephrops norvegicus Recovery in NW Mediterranean Sea
AU  - Morane Clavel‐Henry
AU  - Nixon Bahamon
AU  - Miguel López
AU  - Jacopo Aguzzi
AU  - Joan Navarro
AU  - Joan B. Company
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/07
JO  - Ecology and Evolution
DO  - 10.1002/ece3.74447
UR  - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.74447
AB  - Marine Protected Areas are essential tools for enhancing population persistence and supporting fisheries through larval dispersal. In the NW Mediterranean, where the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758) is both ecologically and economically important, we assessed the larval connectivity of the existing network of Fishery No‐Take Zones using a 12‐year Lagrangian simulation informed by species‐specific habitat models. Results showed that the current MPA network protects only a small fraction of larval settlement, with connectivity being weak and highly variable across years. Two out of 10 MPAs overlapping with the species habitat emerged as key larval recipients and potential sources, suggesting localised benefits but limited network coherence. To explore improvement strategies, we applied Eigen Perturbation Theory to identify new MPA network configurations based on dispersal dynamics. Both a redesigned and an expanded network significantly enhanced larval settlement and connection persistence, while improving potential recruitment by 8.1% and 4.5% to fishing grounds, respectively. Furthermore, warming trends in the region shortened pelagic larval duration, underscoring the need to integrate climate resilience into MPA design. Our findings highlight the utility of connectivity analyses to guide adaptive spatial planning and highlight the potential to optimise MPA networks for conservation, fisheries management, and climate adaptation.
SN  - 2045-7758
SN  - 2045-7758
ER  -