Posted by Eagle Ray on December 05, 2002 at 14:57:31:
In Reply to: CA Marine reserves. Think on this one. posted by seahunt on December 05, 2002 at 11:40:04:
Nature has done just fine on its own before divers and fisherman came along to help control the population Seahunt.
I wound't worry about problems in the short-term. In the long run an abudance of certain species may help bring other species back to previous population levels. If the number of lobsters increase in an area it may slowly help bring back more octopus, and then more moray eels. We have all seen a decline in their numbers as well over the last 20 years. They could use some help as well. An increase in sea urchins may gradually help the reintroduction of sea otters, just as the increase in sea lions as helps the Great White population over the last 10-20 years. Things take time, years, decades. Nature will find a way and the system will not break down just because you can't stuff your belly with lobster each week.