I'm not in this subgroup, but I found a website of case studies, ranging from Georges Bank to Florida from cod to swordfish.

http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/success.asp

Also see the "Findings so far" page posted by Danielle B Whited on the Group A1 wiki

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  1. Amy E Jacobi

    This article gives good support to our assigned topic because it states in several cases that fish are, "more plentiful and of larger size" in these reserved areas and that it helped increase the size of catches outside of the contained area.

    "For nearly five years, more than 6,500-square-miles of Georges Bank's sea floor were undisturbed. Sea scallops thrived once the dredging stopped, increasing to record sizes and densities. From 1994 to 1998, scallop biomass in the three Georges Bank closed areas increased by 15 to 20 times. Areas outside the closed areas benefited as well. In 2001, fishermen harvested a record high 20,000 metric tons of scallops from the region, 44 percent more than the previous record high in 2000. Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and haddock populations have resurged as well, and scientists have also identified increases in crabs, anemones, sea urchins and other invertebrates. "  

    While the above statement is awesome, it follows that with saying that the resurgence of cod is still in question and it may already be too far depleted to be saved.

    This article also has good proof of success in other, various environments around the country, where reserves have been deemed a successful effort.