A national study found that healthy streams can filter out 40-60% of added nitrogen within 500 meters, while denitrification accounts for about 19%. Maintaining healthy riparian areas and complex stream channels is essential to prevent eutrophication.
Researchers propose alternative explanation for increase in skates and dogfish populations, suggesting migration from connected waters. This hypothesis challenges current management approach, emphasizing ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Tuna populations are at risk of collapse due to overfishing and habitat destruction. UBC economist Rashid Sumaila proposes a solution by establishing cooperative management agreements between developed and developing countries.
Researchers from LSU and University of Washington dispute claims that the Gulf's ecosystem is collapsing due to overexploitation. They found little change in fish populations over 40 years, despite the region's unique environment influenced by the Mississippi River.
Scientists are using integrated ecosystem assessments to prioritize strategies for restoring Puget Sound's ecosystem. Increasing salmon production can have negative impacts on wild Chinook salmon populations, highlighting the need for balanced management approaches.
A recent global assessment by the World Conservation Union has found that many large shark species have declined by more than half due to increased demand for shark fins and meat, as well as recreational and commercial fisheries. The scalloped hammerhead shark is among those listed as globally endangered on the IUCN Red List.
The sea otter's reintroduction is expected to reduce commercially valuable shellfish populations, including sea urchins and geoducks. However, this loss could be mitigated by the creation of alternative fisheries for species such as lingcod, rockfish, and herring.
A new digital mapping approach is being used to visualize and analyze vulnerable marine habitats, helping authorities make management decisions that balance competing interests. The method, developed by Dr. Suzana Dragicevic, uses mathematical optimization to find common ground between commercial fisheries and conservation communities.
A team of scientists from NOAA and Oregon State University have discovered widespread areas of low-oxygen water off the northwest coast, which may be causing deaths of marine animals that cannot escape. The study suggests that these conditions are associated with coastal upwelling and plankton production.
NOAA is investigating how underwater sound affects marine mammals, which may cause them to strand. The agency is also studying the rapid rate of Arctic ice melt due to factors like aerosols and ozone in the lower atmosphere. Additionally, NOAA researchers are using radiocarbon traces to determine fish ages, which helps with fisheries m...
Researchers are exploring ways to manage fisheries in Southern California, with a focus on sustainability and community involvement. The collaboration aims to develop lower-cost, effective management strategies that involve all stakeholders.
Dr. Constable will create an ecosystem-based management plan to safeguard baleen whales and other marine life in the Southern Ocean's rapidly-growing krill fisheries. His project aims to promote environmentally sustainable growth of the industry and address concerns over climate change and overfishing.
Dr. Sumaila will create comprehensive databases on the cost and ecological impact of commercial fishing globally, providing evidence for smarter policymaking concerning fisheries management worldwide. He aims to gather extensive information on social and economic drivers of overfishing and its impact on marine conservation.
Hydroelectricity dams are decreasing Lake Victoria's level by at least two meters, threatening food security and fisheries in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The dams' overuse has led to papyrus wetland collapse, eutrophication, and algal blooms, with far-reaching consequences for the lake's ecosystem and local populations.
Researchers from Université de Montréal and Cary Institute found that commercial fishing plays a declining role in removing man-made nitrogen from coastal waters. Nitrogen-rich fertilizer run-off has increased nitrogen levels in coastal ecosystems, causing excessive plant growth, lack of oxygen, and reduced fish populations.
Commercial fisheries play a crucial role in removing terrestrial nitrogen from coastal waters, but their contribution has decreased significantly over time. As a result, the global nitrogen balance is becoming increasingly skewed, leading to eutrophication and other environmental problems.
Researchers reveal a climate-driven phenomenon that reverses overexploitation of deep-sea resources, enhancing recruitment and total landings of the shrimp Aristeus antennatus. This finding has significant socio-economic impact and highlights the importance of considering global cascading effects on biological processes.
The vaquita population is projected to decline rapidly due to entanglement in fishing nets, with only about 150 individuals remaining. The species is critically endangered and shares parallels with the extinct baiji dolphin, highlighting the need for effective conservation efforts.
The Center for Ocean Solutions will bring together international experts in marine science and policy to find innovative ways to protect and restore the world's oceans. Recent studies warn that climate change and overfishing will collapse most of the world's commercial fisheries within 50 years.
The new ecosystems approach to fishery regulation requires consideration of various uses of maritime resources and interactions between different sectors. The study highlights the need for interactive decision-making processes to promote versatile use of information about the maritime environment.
A study reveals that fish farms are causing a severe decline in wild salmon populations by infecting them with sea lice, which can lead to a 99% collapse of the population within four years. This has serious implications for the entire ecosystem, as salmon play a crucial role in supporting various industries and wildlife.
Scientists studying ancient fish bones in Scandinavia have discovered that warm-water species like anchovies and black sea bream are returning to Danish waters as temperatures rise. This finding suggests that sustainable cod populations can be maintained in the North Sea even during climate change, but with reduced fishing pressure.
A MSU Ph.D. candidate is tracking up to four wild pandas in the Sichuan Province of China using advanced global positioning systems to map their habitat preferences, providing crucial data for conservation efforts.
A ground-breaking study finds that allowing fish numbers to rise leads to higher profits, contradicting the assumption that maximizing fishing profits will lead to stock depletion. The study's results suggest a win-win scenario for fisheries and the global marine environment.
Researchers have identified 20 major European carp breeding hot spots in Australia's Murray Darling Basin, which could be targeted for control measures to reduce carp numbers in regional waterways. The study found that heavy rain and floods enable the carp to disperse their larvae, supporting the larval drift theory.
A small-scale Mexican fishery has been found to kill as many critically endangered loggerhead sea turtles as all of the industrial fishing fleets in the North Pacific Ocean. The research led by University of California, Santa Cruz Ph.D. candidate Hoyt Peckham resulted in a voluntary turnaround in the fleet's fishing practices and the d...
A six-week survey of the Yangtze River found no Yangtze River dolphins, a species considered one of the world's most endangered. The baiji's decline is attributed to fishing nets and habitat degradation, raising concerns about human-caused extinctions of marine mammals worldwide.
The report outlines practical approaches toward ecosystem-based fishery management, citing the success of Alaska and North Pacific fisheries. The Marine Conservation Alliance recommends 13 best practices to ensure sustainable fishing practices while preserving ecosystem health.
A study by CSIRO Australia suggests that removing invasive predators from island breeding colonies could offset 'bycatch' losses, saving more seabirds at a lower cost. This approach could be an effective means of conservation, particularly for species affected by fishing and invasive species.
Researchers suggest assessing levies for by-catch to fund conservation measures. This approach would give fishermen financial incentives to avoid catching noncommercial species while providing funds to address more hazardous threats to seabirds and turtles.
Researchers have developed protocols to maximize post-release survival of commonly caught species, including luderick and Murray cod. Key recommendations include cutting lines on fish that swallow hooks, resulting in improved mortality rates for some species.
Research from Arizona State University highlights how global warming will drastically alter the world's fisheries, threatening human nutrition and species health. The study finds that changes in ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions will affect fish stocks and habitats, leading to potential extinction of certain species.
The Oregon State University salmon tracking program is expanding to northern California waters to gather data on the distribution of salmon in the ocean. The goal is to support informed fisheries management decisions that balance the harvest of healthy stocks with the protection of weakened runs.
A study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that light sticks used in longline fisheries attract turtles, which can lead to entanglement and death. The researchers suggest that adjusting the lighting or using colors undetectable to turtles could reduce turtle deaths.
Researchers found humpback whales migrating up to 8,300 kilometers to warmer waters during winter, with the longest distance recorded at 5,100 miles from Central America to Antarctica. The study validates a long-held assumption about humpback whale migration patterns.
A study found that overfishing large sharks leads to an explosion of their ray and skate prey species, which in turn devastates scallop populations. The decline of great sharks has triggered cascading effects throughout coastal food webs, impacting local communities that depend on healthy fisheries.
A new report highlights Alaska's successful ocean conservation efforts and calls for continued vigilance to address climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. The 'Alaska Model' has been cited as a leading example of science-based management, with catch limits set below recommended harvest levels.
A study by Oregon State University scientists found that iron-rich winter runoff from Pacific Northwest streams and rivers fertilizes the nearshore Pacific Ocean, leading to robust phytoplankton production and fisheries. The researchers discovered that the iron is trapped on the continental shelf in the winter, but released during summ...
A team of scientists has confirmed the existence of an enigmatic billfish species, the roundscale spearfish, which overlaps with the distribution of the white marlin. The discovery raises concerns about the true numbers of threatened white marlin populations and suggests that recent population assessments may have been overestimated.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist advocates for collecting more and better data in fisheries management. This focus on data quality can lead to more accurate assessments of fish populations, ultimately improving the sustainability of fisheries and reducing environmental harm.
Researchers propose a holistic approach to fisheries management, emphasizing the need to consider entire ecosystems and monitor catch characteristics. The 'Ten Commandments' outline specific action items to improve sustainability and efficiency in marine management.
Deep-sea fishing has been linked to habitat destruction and population declines of long-lived fish species. Eliminating government fuel subsidies could render fleets economically unviable and relieve pressure on vulnerable ecosystems.
The US should implement a national drought policy to ensure sustainable water supplies for drinking, agriculture, and fisheries. Climate change models predict warmer and wetter weather, but regions like the southwestern US may experience increased drought risk.
Researchers studying sedimentary records of dinoflagellates in the San Francisco area and along the western coast of North America predict an increase in toxic blooms. This change is linked to rising water temperatures, which will impact marine life and fisheries.
A new study by Oregon State University and the EPA found that over 600 rivers in the western US have widespread mercury contamination in fish. Piscivorous fish like bass and walleye show significantly higher levels of mercury than non-piscivore species like trout.
New satellite data show that ocean warming is reducing phytoplankton growth, imperiling ocean fisheries and marine life. Phytoplankton are responsible for about the same amount of photosynthesis as all plants on land combined, making their decline a significant threat to the food chain.
A groundbreaking study shows that fishing can promote fluctuations in targeted fish populations, increasing uncertainty and risk of collapse. The study analyzed CalCOFI data to find that fishing selectively culls larger individuals, leaving a stock of near-juveniles less able to cope with environmental pulses.
A new study by Wake Forest University biologists reveals that fishermen caught and killed an estimated 1 percent of the world's waved albatrosses in a year. The research highlights the unintentional killing of birds in fishing nets and intentional harvesting for human consumption.
The University of Victoria-led NEPTUNE Canada observatory will receive a significant boost in funding, allowing for expansion of its scope and scientific impact. The additional $20 million will enable more comprehensive studies on ocean-climate interactions, fisheries, gas hydrate deposits, and seafloor ecology.
The invasive Didemnum species continues to thrive on Georges Bank, with colonies found in two areas where they were also detected in previous years. Scientists are concerned about the impact on local fisheries and shellfish aquaculture industries.
The University of Miami Rosenstiel School has received a total of $1 million in NOAA grants to improve hatchery and offshore aquaculture technology. The program aims to develop ecologically sustainable aquaculture practices with minimal environmental impact.
New research suggests that international fishing trade can benefit developing African countries by generating foreign exchange revenue and improving local food security. The trade in high-value fish species, such as tuna and squid, helps underpin domestic fisheries and supports the livelihoods of thousands of people.
A Purdue University study found the Wabash River population of shovelnose sturgeon to be stable, but with concerns over low young fish numbers and potential for population decline. The research informs size and catch limits on the fish set to begin next summer.
A recent study by researchers at the National Marine Fisheries Service has found significant amounts of Exxon Valdez oil buried in sand and silt in tidal feeding grounds of sea otters, ducks, and other wildlife. This discovery highlights the potential long-term impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems.
The Large Pelagics Research Center has awarded $1 million in grants to researchers studying highly migratory species. The grants will support projects on bluefin tuna, porbeagle sharks, leatherback turtles, and ocean sunfish.
A new three-year project is investigating the earliest development of sea fisheries in Northern Europe, with a focus on the critical period between 950AD and 1050AD. Researchers are analyzing fish bones from archaeological sites across the region to understand the impact of intensive sea fishing on medieval trading patterns.
Dr. Pauly's research reveals that the world passed its peak fish in the late 1980s and has been gradually sinking since then. To prevent a collapse, he advocates for reducing excess fishing capacity, creating no-take zones, and enforcing sustainable fishing levels.
Researchers found that in two-thirds of world's largest marine ecosystems, fishermen chose to target additional kinds of fish, leading to changes in catch composition. Landings of more valuable fish remained the same or increased, highlighting the need for effective management strategies to ensure sustainability.
Scientists develop a new sonar method to detect squid egg clusters, allowing for efficient mapping and estimation of squid populations. This technique has immediate potential to provide resource managers with sound scientific information to sustain the fishery and protect the species' genetic diversity.
Research highlights rapidly declining fish numbers in inland waters globally, with total catch quadrupling since 1950 and biodiversity at risk. Inland water fishing pressure shifts from species to species, leading to ecosystem collapse if left unmanaged.