3.5. An alternative MPA map
To generate a final map representing the design of an alter- native MPA considering the socio-economic activities performed in the area, it was taken into account (1) data from the general interviews performed in 11 villages addressing the most impor- tant fishing spots, (2) data from interviews with experts per- formed in three villages about the most relevant fishing spots for the target species, (3) data from mapping and group interviews involving nursing sites, and (4) the most relevant fish landing spots for all of the fish species and for the five target species previously decided upon.
Based on this information, a table was generated including spots that could be subjected to management changes to benefit both the local fishery and conservation. As an exercise to generate an alternative MPA design, values were attributed to spots considering their relevance as follows: one point was given if a spot currently under some sort of management was cited in the first round of interviews by at least 5% of the fishers from a given village, or two points if a spot was cited by 5% of the fishers from five or more villages; one point if a spot was identified by the expert fishers as relevant to two or more target species; and one point if a spot accounted for 5% of the biomass landed. Based on this evaluation, the following suggestions were made for spots that received points and are currently under management mea- sures: 1 point-they should become less restrictive, allowing, for example, anchoring, the use of hook and line fishing and con- trolled use of gillnets; 2 points-they should be excluded from
any management measures. Furthermore, it was suggested that
nursing sites, identified by fishers, should be protected (Table 2). The information from this table was used to generate a final map representing an alternative MPA design that takes into account fishers’ knowledge and opinions and fisheries relevance (possible
historical and current relevance).