A new study by Oregon State University researchers found that removing any one species from a marine food web can have devastating effects, leading to population collapse and regional extinction. The study's findings highlight the importance of preserving biodiversity in marine ecosystems.
Researchers from NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program explore the impact of selective fishing on fish populations and develop acoustic sensing methods to improve hurricane predictions. Tsunami forecasting also receives attention with a model specifically designed for Hawaii's unique terrain.
Researchers found that selective fishing practices can lead to dramatic changes in fish size, affecting growth rates and productivity. They propose rethinking minimum size restrictions and establishing no-take reserves to manage fisheries sustainably.
A genetic model found that hatchery salmon can develop 'captive traits' and introduce them to wild populations, decreasing their survival rate. Conservation efforts, such as conserving or restoring habitats, may be effective in preventing this shift.
A recent review article reveals that horseshoe crabs have an impressive survival rate of 7.5% after undergoing biomedical bleeding, suggesting their 350 million-year-long survival is remarkable. The research also provides new information on the habitat, migration patterns, and nursery grounds of horseshoe crabs.
A study published in Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science found that restored salt marshes provide similar energy resources to undisturbed sites. The research team compared the diets of mummichog fish in both habitats and found no significant differences.
The book examines California's commercial and recreational fisheries, discussing natural history and ecological health. With over 125 leading scientists contributing to the report, it provides valuable insight into the relationship between marine resources and economic prosperity.
A new study reveals that the catch of food fish species in the North Atlantic has decreased by more than half over the last fifty years, despite a tripling in fishing effort. This decline is attributed to the increasing pressure on marine ecosystems, leading to reduced productivity and mass extinctions among large predatory fish.
Researchers in Alaska are studying a shift in shark populations due to climate change, with salmon sharks and Pacific sleeper sharks increasing in numbers. The declining number of sea lions, seals, and other pinnipeds suggests that top predators have shifted from orcas and pinnipeds to orcas, sharks, and decreasing numbers of the latter.
Researchers found that the catch of key food species has decreased by over half, despite increased fishing effort. The impact has undermined the ocean's ability to sustain further catches, with invertebrates replacing large predatory fishes at the top of marine food webs.
Researchers propose a 30% set-aside rule to ensure long-term profitability and prevent extinction of marine resources. This model, developed by Stanford Professor Joan Roughgarden, computes the best strategy for small-scale sustainable fisheries to optimize profit and social welfare.
A recent study by Tsou and Collie found that predation is a dominant source of mortality in the Georges Bank fish community. The most important predators are cod, silver hake, sharks, and rays, which have replaced groundfish as the dominant fish eaters in more recent years.
Scientists have found that fully protected marine reserves can replenish nearby fisheries, increasing catches and producing bigger fish. In Florida, recreational fishers are catching record-breaking sizes of black drum, red drum, and spotted sea trout in waters adjacent to the US's oldest marine reserve.
A study published in Nature reveals that global fisheries catch has been declining steadily since the late 1980s, with vast over-reporting by China contributing to a false picture of ocean health. The study's authors warn that flawed data has led to complacency and unwise investment decisions.
Researcher David Tilman's study found that mixing multiple plant species leads to higher productivity, as each species brings unique traits for resource utilization. This principle can benefit various ecosystems, including forests and fisheries, by promoting a more diverse range of organisms.
The HCRC combines faculty members, students, facilities, and expertise from several Virginia institutions to develop effective management strategies for horseshoe crabs. Researchers are conducting studies on population changes, biomedical industry impact, and shorebird interactions to inform conservation efforts.
The study found that both fisheries harvest squid at the same stage of life, with two main spawning periods. The data suggest that conservation efforts need to be jointly pursued for both fisheries to maintain the spawning cycle.
Researchers at PNNL and the US Army Corps of Engineers used an acoustic camera to study fish behavior near a dam, capturing images of individual fish at distances of up to 30 feet. The camera provided detailed information on fish size and shape estimates, expanding understanding of how fish react to structures added to dams.
The NY & CT Sea Grant programs are awarding $3.5 million in federal and state funds to researchers studying the causes of mortality and shell disease syndrome in Long Island Sound lobsters. The project aims to provide evidence for potential causes of the 1999-2000 lobster mortalities.
The world's growing demand for seafood may be met through aquaculture, but it will need significant advancements in biotechnology. Biotech is already improving aquaculture productivity, efficiency, and profitability, but more work is needed to bring fish production on par with other livestock.
The Spotted Jellyfish, native to Australian coastal waters, have invaded the northern Gulf of Mexico causing concern over their potential threat to the region's ecosystems and commercial fisheries. The jellies' feeding habits and survival capabilities in the Gulf waters are being investigated by researchers.
Two conferences will be held to present scientific findings on ocean issues, including fisheries, pollution, health, and gas hydrates. The events aim to develop a policy agenda for the US and internationally, with keynote speakers like Robert Ballard and Jean-Michel Cousteau.
A new study by Stanford University researchers finds that global aquaculture production has more than doubled in the past 15 years, but it also adds to the world's supply of fish. However, the growing demand for carnivorous species like salmon and shrimp threatens the sustainability of ocean fisheries.
The study found that aquaculture is contributing to the depletion of fish populations worldwide through inefficient practices and habitat destruction. The authors recommend promoting ecologically sound management and sustainable production methods to reduce the pressure on wild fisheries.
The National Sea Grant College Program has released a 70-page guide to salmon issues in the Pacific Northwest, providing basic resources for news media covering the salmon management debate. The guide lists Sea Grant-funded researchers, contact information for agencies and organizations, and web-based resources.
John J. Ney received the 1999 Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Fisheries Society for his long-term research on reservoir fish communities and their trophic relationships. His work has significantly impacted fisheries productivity, particularly in manmade waterbodies.
A groundbreaking study published in Nature reveals that many coral reef fish spend their life cycle close to home, rather than drifting in the open ocean. This finding has significant implications for marine conservation and fisheries management, as it challenges the prevailing view of larval dispersal.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill marine scientist has warned of potentially devastating effects of Hurricane Floyd on the nation's largest lagoonal estuary, Pamlico Sound. The storm could lead to catastrophic flooding, runoff, and low oxygen conditions, harming commercial and recreational fisheries.
A new DNA vaccine has been developed to protect North American salmon and trout farms from a major disease, with successful trials showing 90% reduction in mortality. The vaccine works by introducing DNA containing the gene for one of the viral proteins, which is then taken up by cells and produces the protein to prime the immune system.
Jim Estes, a marine biologist with the USGS Western Ecological Research Center, will pursue research on restoring the Bering Sea and North Pacific ecosystem. He aims to provide information on how human effects manifest in the oceans, leading to drastic ecosystem changes.
Research suggests that estuaries are vital habitats for juvenile fish in the Southeastern US, providing better sanctuaries and food supplies than offshore waters. Degradation of estuarine habitats due to human activities, such as overfishing and nutrient pollution, threatens the productivity of fisheries.
Dr. Gerardo Vasta will discuss diseases in the ocean, including parasitic diseases affecting shellfish and fish species, which can harm human health and the environment. He will also highlight the importance of developing accurate probes for detection and monitoring of pathogens.
Elementary students at Christiansburg Elementary School are participating in a wildlife mapping program, recording animal sightings and sending data to the state. The project uses GPS technology and bird specimens from Virginia Tech's Museum of Natural History to teach students about conservation and habitat patterns.
A new report reveals that shrimp and salmon aquaculture may be depleting fisheries, disrupting coastal ecosystems, and polluting the ocean due to unsustainable practices. Improved practices, such as reducing fish feed requirements and minimizing pollution, are needed to make these industries more sustainable.
Salmon returns have fallen short of expectations in Alaska, with declines attributed to natural ocean cycles and potential regime shifts. Scientists attribute the changes to shifts in phytoplankton species composition and plankton abundance.
A team of marine scientists has discovered a massive influx of hydroids, tiny predators that eat most daily production of small crustaceans relied on by fish larvae. The hydroids' presence threatens the survival of already vulnerable cod and haddock populations.
Scientists from over 20 nations will gather to discuss the processes and interactions that determine fish population production. The symposium explores topics such as overfishing, environmental factors, and recruitment dynamics to better understand the global fisheries crisis.
A new net design reduces bycatch of juvenile pollock in the US fishery by up to 75%. Researchers have found that modifying mid-water trawls to use single top-panels of mesh allows small pollock to escape, while retaining market-sized fish. This simple and effective technique could greatly enhance the survival and health of the resource.
The Electric Power Research Institute is developing new opportunities in aquaculture, including recirculating systems that use waste heat and advanced technologies like ozonation for water disinfection. These innovative solutions aim to increase U.S. seafood production and meet growing global demand.
A Cornell University team found no overt response from humpback whales to the Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate (ATOC) simulation sounds in Hawaiian waters. The whales swam normally near the underwater speakers, with some even singing close to the speaker.