A fine‐scale fish population model reveals how integration of spatial and temporal management can maximise conservation and fisheries benefits

Abstract Recreational fishing is a popular activity worldwide with significant socio‐economic contributions to society, but also presents environmental management challenges that are now increasingly being addressed through temporal closures (TCs). Spatial no‐take zones (NTZs) are also progressively being established for conservation purposes with debate remaining about their impact on fisheries management objectives. We developed a fine spatial and temporal scale simulation model, including both fish and fisher behaviours, to explore population and catch implications of temporal and spatial management options. We applied this model to spangled emperor ( Lethrinus nebulosus ) in the Ningaloo World Heritage Area (WHA), a popular destination for recreational fishing in Australia. Four management scenarios were compared including the current arrangement of NTZs and three hypothetical scenarios; no TCs or NTZs, TCs only and a scenario with TCs and NTZs combined. Simulation results suggest that despite initial declines in spawning biomass, NTZs increased population biomass over time due to protection of mature fish in closed areas. Likewise, results indicate TCs led to biomass increasing over the modelled time period. Predicted population trends for both temporal and spatial management scenarios were strongly influenced by assumptions relating to fishing effort, fish movement rates and home range size. Overall, the simulated results suggest that combining both TCs and NTZs, consistently leads to the best outcomes for fish populations, catch and catch per unit effort at spatial scales relevant to recreational fishers. Synthesis and applications : Our fine spatial and temporal scale model, accounting for important aspects of both fish and fisher behaviour, provides a valuable tool for investigating how spatial and temporal management options can be integrated to maximise conservation and recreational fisheries benefits.