A comprehensive review of global marine turtle fisheries reveals that over 42,000 turtles are caught annually through legal means. This number is largely driven by the green turtle species, with the majority coming from the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific regions.
A survey of Malagasy fishing villages found that most fishers support gear restrictions but are less supportive of protected areas and species restrictions. The study suggests an implementation approach prioritizing widely accepted restrictions to increase compliance with current and future fisheries regulations.
The Baltic Sea's unique stratification affects the fate of fish stocks, with different species occupying distinct salinity layers. This research highlights the importance of considering regional conditions in fisheries management, as individual stocks do not necessarily benefit from each other.
Researchers develop microbattery that packs twice the energy of current microbatteries used in acoustic fish tags. The new battery is small enough to be injected into an organism and holds more energy than similar-sized batteries.
A new study utilizing archaeological reports of over half a million fish bones from Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington State found that long-ago herring populations were consistently abundant and widespread for thousands of years. This contrasts with today's dwindling and erratic herring numbers.
Researchers from NOAA Fisheries and Stanford University found that some petroleum compounds disrupt normal cardiac function in young tuna by blocking ion channels. This discovery provides new insights into the impact of oil pollution on fish hearts, with potential applications for assessing environmental damage.
Researchers decoded the flatfish genome, providing insights into ZW sex chromosome evolution and benthic adaptation. The study also uncovered epigenetic mechanisms underlying temperature-dependent sexual reversal and trans-generational inheritance of such phenomena.
A team of Canadian biologists developed a framework to protect fish and ecosystems, highlighting the importance of connecting waterways, protecting habitats, and adopting adaptive management strategies. The 9 guiding principles aim to promote sustainable fisheries and conserve biodiversity.
A new study uses GPS traffic maps to identify high-risk areas for leatherback turtles caught in industrial longlines, guiding fisheries towards more sustainable management practices. The research highlights the need for international cooperation and technology-driven solutions to mitigate bycatch risks.
A new study suggests that adult white sharks in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean may live for up to 70 years or longer. Researchers used radiocarbon dating to determine age estimates and found that growth rates slow down as sharks age, leading to underestimated ages.
Researchers analyzed vertebrae from four females and four males in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, determining ages of up to 40 years for females and 73 years for males. The study used radiocarbon analysis to pinpoint age in the vertebra layers, providing irrefutable evidence of white shark longevity.
A new NOAA report suggests that specific types of fish farming can be done without harming the coastal ocean environment as long as proper planning and safeguards are in place. The study found minimal to no effects on the environment in cases where farms are responsibly managed.
A new study reveals that favorable climate conditions in the year prior to nesting and the number of returning female turtles significantly impact loggerhead sea turtle nesting activity. The research suggests that protecting older juveniles and sub-adults is crucial for population recovery, and may be more important than protecting hat...
A new study provides guidance for conserving endangered marine species in a changing climate. The research outlines the most likely future scenarios for aquatic animals, helping decision makers and biologists assess impacts and incorporate that information into conservation decisions. Trends such as increased ocean acidification and wa...
Researchers found EU governments pay 75% of annual access fees, which account for just 1.5% of revenue generated from selling catch. The industry benefits more than developing countries, perpetuating overfishing and contradicting the EU's development goals.
Researchers used Google Earth satellite imagery to estimate 1,900 fishing weirs along the Persian Gulf coast in 2005, catching approximately 31,000 tonnes of fish. The official reported catch was significantly lower at 5,260 tonnes.
A study by Canadian and Peruvian researchers found that the bulk of Peruvian landings' value comes from producing seafood for human consumption. The Peruvian anchovy generates up to one-third of the world's fishmeal supply but only accounts for 31% of sector revenue.
A new EU fishing ban faces criticism from researchers who say it may not be enough to ensure sustainable fisheries. The study, published in the journal Fisheries Research, highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to reducing fishing mortality and increasing selective fishing practices.
The changes to Canada's fisheries legislation have removed habitat protection for most fish species, according to a study by University of Calgary and Dalhousie University fisheries biologists. The removal of habitat protection is inconsistent with ecosystem-based management and has been described as politically motivated.
A new study predicts a sixfold increase in the number of potential invaders in Arctic waters by 2100 due to warmer climate and increased shipping. The researchers expect an increasing pressure on marine ecosystems, threatening traditional fisheries in Norway and Greenland.
A species of cold water plankton in the North Atlantic is declining as oceans warm, putting pressure on fisheries that rely on it. The study found no evidence of adaptation to warmer temperatures over 50 years, suggesting its range will continue to contract and eventually disappear.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has improved African basket traps with escape gaps, reducing bycatch and increasing fish size. The new design caught larger fish while allowing undersized and non-target species to escape.
A decade-long study reveals that Costa Rica's longline fishery catches more olive ridley sea turtles than commercial fish species, threatening their survival. The research also shows a decline in shark populations, with smaller sharks becoming increasingly common.
Researchers at UCSB created an Eventual Threat Index (ETI) that quantifies biological and socioeconomic conditions leading to unsustainable harvest rates. The study predicts overfishing threats for eight Pacific tuna species, including yellowfin tuna, using data from the 1990s to present.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed an early-warning system to predict fishery collapse decades in advance, enabling conservation measures to be taken. The 'Eventual Threat Index' uses minimal data to identify conditions that would eventually cause a species to be overharvested.
A new study suggests that local climatic conditions, rather than biological differences among species, explain observed shifts in marine species distribution. Researchers analyzed four decades of data from NOAA and Canadian fisheries surveys and found that 74% of species shifted latitude in the same direction as climate velocity.
Researchers have developed a new tool that can predict fish habitat conditions six months in advance. The JISAO Seasonal Coastal Ocean Prediction of the Ecosystem (J-SCOPE) uses global climate models and regional coastal ocean simulations to forecast ocean temperatures, oxygen levels, and phytoplankton blooms.
Researchers at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science have successfully developed a completely vegetarian diet that supports fast-growing marine carnivores like cobia and gilthead sea bream. This breakthrough could significantly ease aquaculture's reliance on wild-caught fish, making the industry more sustainable.
A study using Hawaiian restaurant menus from the mid-20th century found a significant decline in reef fish populations and a rise in large pelagic species. The analysis suggests that this shift paralleled drops in wild abundance, pointing to changes in public tastes and supply-side information as contributing factors.
Scientists have found evidence that North Atlantic right whales mate in the Gulf of Maine, with a high proportion of potential mates aggregating there between November and January. The study used aerial surveys and genetics data to identify individuals and determine mating grounds, shedding light on the species' life history.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that winter flounder populations in Long Island's bays are experiencing severe inbreeding due to low effective numbers of breeders. This has significant implications for fisheries management and the long-term survival of these marine fish.
A new study shows that fisheries-induced evolution can lead to faster growth and earlier maturation in fish, potentially harming or helping fisheries. Optimally harvesting Northeast Arctic cod stocks could increase sustainable yields over 30% greater than today by allowing evolution to aid the economic interests of fishers
A new study suggests that increased atmospheric CO2 levels are altering the types of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in the ocean, with implications for ocean productivity and fisheries. The research found that certain strains of these bacteria thrive in high CO2 environments, while others may struggle to survive.
Researchers have successfully implemented a genetic-based fish tagging method, called parentage-based tagging (PBT), in the Snake River Basin. This non-invasive approach allows for the collection of detailed information about hatchery-reared fish, enabling more effective fisheries management and conservation efforts.
Researchers found that zooplankton species critical for Atlantic cod larvae have declined in abundance, affecting their survival and recovery after overfishing. The study highlights the impact of changing ocean temperatures on the food chain, with significant biological consequences.
Researchers found reduced populations of small, bottom-dwelling fishes like darters and increased sedimentation rates due to dredging alter habitats, leading to regime shifts in fish species. This study highlights the complex effects of human activities on aquatic ecosystems in large rivers.
Researchers analyzed North Pacific killer-whale strandings, finding 88% fatal and 12% surviving, providing clues on species' overall life history, genetics, and health. The standardized necropsy system increased data collection from 2% to 33%, shedding light on the causes of death and human impact on orca populations.
A new study shows that shark ecotourism generates over $314 million annually and is expected to more than double to $780 million in the next 20 years. The landed value of global shark fisheries has been declining for the past decade, with an estimated 38 million sharks killed per year to feed the fin trade.
A recent study found that traditional fisheries targeting large predators like cod have declined, while shellfish such as prawns and scallops have increased in value. However, this shift is at risk due to disease, species invasions, and climate change, which threaten the long-term sustainability of these ecosystems.
Researchers used fish temperature preferences as a 'thermometer' to assess climate change's impact on the world's oceans between 1970 and 2006. They found that warm-water species dominated global fisheries catches, while tropical regions experienced reduced marine species and catches.
A new study published in PLOS ONE tracks the movements of individual humpback whales to their singing patterns on a Northwest Atlantic feeding ground. The researchers used passive acoustic tracking to localize whale songs and relate them to specific behaviors, providing valuable insights for marine mammal conservation and management.
Sea surface temperatures in the Northeast Shelf reached a record high of 14 degrees Celsius in 2012, with significant impacts on marine life and ecosystems. The warming conditions affected fish and shellfish distributions, plankton blooms, and ocean stratification.
Researchers found that remains of dovekies were recovered from the stomachs of 14 goosefish caught during winters between 2007 and 2010. The study suggests that timing is key in bringing these deep-water fish and shallow-feeding birds together in offshore waters.
A study by New York University researchers found that the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) seafood certification process is too lenient and discretionary. The study examined 19 formal objections to MSC certifications and found that many fisheries did not meet the organization's sustainability principles.
A University of Leeds-led study found significant genetic changes in soil mites after just 15 generations, leading to doubling of age at adulthood and large population size changes. This research demonstrates the interconnectedness of ecology and evolution, with major implications for conservation and fisheries management.
Researchers at UBC estimate China's foreign catch is 4.6 million tonnes per year, taken from the waters of at least 90 countries, including 3.1 million tonnes from African waters.
A new study published in Conservation Biology analyzed data on marine mammal and ecosystem research surveys in the Southern California Bight to identify areas with high whale densities. The researchers found that certain shipping routes pose a higher risk to fin whales, while others may be safer for humpback whales.
Researchers used acoustic monitoring to record cod grunts in the wild for the first time, finding that male cod produce low-frequency sounds during spawning season. The study provides insights into cod behavior and distribution, informing conservation efforts.
Scientists warn that a discard ban may negatively affect seabirds that have come to rely on fish waste from fishing vessels. A study found that 42% of northern gannets targeted fishing vessels for food, highlighting the need for sufficient forage fish to meet their needs.
A study by Washington State University researchers found that fishers in Hawaii's nearshore fisheries travel longer distances to catch fish due to the placement of marine protected areas. Despite this, their social and economic status remain unchanged.
Researchers warn of catastrophic loss as nesting sites show 78% decline over 27 years. Conservation efforts face challenges due to feral pig predation and climate change.
Researchers found that ship noise increases crab metabolic rate, indicating elevated stress, and larger crabs are affected most strongly. This study highlights the importance of reducing noise in busy shipping areas to protect commercially important crustacean species.
Using ocean WiFi hotspots, Stanford professor Barbara Block is tracking animal movements in real-time, enabling new insights into marine ecosystems and fisheries management. Her 'Wired Ocean' project aims to establish a global network of instruments to study the biosphere under unprecedented human impact.
Researchers Heather Leslie and Leila Sievanen explore human-environment interactions in coastal regions, identifying linkages between people and the environment. They find that local and national fisheries institutions may create barriers to adaptation strategies, with urban fishermen better equipped to cope with climate variability.
A study found that salmon use the geomagnetic field as a navigational aid, with changes in intensity correlating with their migration route. The results suggest that the fish imprint the magnetic field during their juvenile stage and use it as a proxy for geographic location when returning as adults.
The NOAA report reveals that 'no-take' protections in the Tortugas Ecological Reserve have boosted fish populations and fisheries, including a resurgence of spawning mutton snapper. Commercial catches of reef fish have increased without financial losses for regional fishers.
A new study aims to develop fishing management guidelines for Atlantic menhaden, a crucial food source for larger fish and marine mammals. The research will help ensure the species' survival and maintain ecosystem balance.
A $243,000 NSF grant will help understand and quantify interactions between human conflict and natural systems in the Lake Victoria region. The project aims to improve regional fisheries management and sustain aquatic resources critical for local inhabitants.
A recent analysis of Japan fisheries data reveals that most fish caught off the northeast coast remain below seafood consumption limits, despite tightened regulations. However, highly contaminated demersal fish consistently show high levels of cesium contamination from the damaged nuclear power plant.
Dr. Ellen K. Pikitch cautions against traditional fisheries management, citing current studies that show fish populations are below recommended levels and most species are declining. A more precautionary approach is needed to protect marine ecosystems.