Contribution of a large no-take zone to the management of vulnerable reef fishes in the South-West Indian Ocean

► Fisheries management in the South-West Indian Ocean. ► We evaluated the contribution of a marine protected area to fisheries management. ► We compared a large no-take zone with an adjacent exploited zone. ► Relative abundance and length frequencies were used to compare fish populations. ► Four vulnerable reef fishes are benefitting from spatial protection.