A study by Rutgers University suggests that pre-war fisheries management could boost ocean protein contributions during a global food emergency, but widespread overfishing would not offset land-based food losses after a nuclear war. Effective regulation could lead to significantly higher catches in the first year post-war.
A new study reveals that a nuclear war could lead to significant losses in wild-caught seafood, potentially rivaling the impacts of climate change on fisheries. The team estimates that a large-scale nuclear conflict could reduce seafood production by as much as 30%, with potential losses of tens of millions of tons per year.
A large-scale study found Congolese fishermen face declining fish stocks, poor safety conditions, and lack of enforcement, prompting calls for improved regulations and security measures. The researchers conducted 1018 interviews with stakeholders, revealing the need for adapted fisheries management to ensure sustainability.
A new analysis found that the critically endangered vaquita remains genetically healthy despite its low population numbers. The study suggests that the species' ability to survive at low numbers is not doomed to extinction and gives hope for conservation efforts.
A UBC study identified over 633 exploited transboundary fish species worldwide, with catches and revenues severely underestimated. The catch from these fisheries had been heavily skewed towards a few countries, including China, the USA, Russia, Peru, and Japan.
Researchers studied feeding habits of 17 fish species and found that most responded to changing prey abundance by switching to the most abundant prey. However, planktivores and benthivores were less likely to consume more food when invertebrate prey was abundant, suggesting disorientation or confusion may occur.
A NOAA study shows that elevated carbon dioxide concentrations slow down shellfish gill cilia, reducing feeding and filtration rates in blue mussels. This affects ecosystem services like energy and growth in marine ecosystems.
Researchers tracked changes in loggerhead sea turtle behavior before and after Hurricane Irene passed through the Mid-Atlantic Bight. The study found that turtles reacted to environmental changes, including cooler surface temperatures and disrupted thermocline layers, which influenced their movements and dive behavior.
A comprehensive study of four salmon species in Alaska found that they are returning to rivers smaller and younger than in the past. This decline affects both commercial and subsistence fisheries, as well as the nutrient delivery to inland areas, fertilizing forests and freshwater ecosystems.
A new study projects significant changes in fish stocks in the UK due to climate change, including increased abundance of warm-adapted species and declining populations of cold-adapted species. The findings highlight the need for flexible management approaches to adapt to these changes and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Tropical fisheries face significant threats from climate change, with global seafood trade and distant-water fishing linked to extratropical natural systems. This telecoupling effect generates cascades of impacts that affect not only local economies but also distant regions.
Marine heatwaves are displacing habitats for marine life by thousands of kilometers, a phenomenon known as thermal displacement. This metric measures the degree of change species may be responding to, highlighting potential ecosystem changes and management questions.
Research by UNSW Sydney and NSW DPI Fisheries found that artificial reefs in estuaries with limited natural reef can increase fish abundance significantly. The study revealed a 20-fold increase in fish populations in the reef areas compared to bare sand habitats, benefiting recreational fishing and environmental conservation.
Researchers used social media network models to analyze fish populations in the Mediterranean Sea, finding that warming seas have significant and widespread effects on biodiversity. The study suggests that winter warming may lead to changes in fish communities, potentially causing some species to disappear from certain areas.
Alaska's chinook salmon populations are declining due to climate-driven changes in their freshwater habitats. Productivity decreased when stream temperatures rose above 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and heavy rains led to lower spawn production.
A new study finds that sea otter recovery generates significant economic benefits, including increased tourism and carbon capture, which outweigh the losses to commercial fisheries by up to $46 million annually. However, the costs of recovery are not evenly distributed, with Indigenous communities experiencing disproportionate impacts.
A pilot study tested the effectiveness of drones in measuring Atlantic bluefin tuna, showing they can capture images of individual fish and schools with high accuracy. The use of drones may supplement traditional fishing methods and provide valuable data for fisheries management.
Researchers project that American lobster will move further offshore and sea scallops will shift north in the coming decades. The study's findings pose fishery management challenges as changing habitats can impact where species can be caught and who has access to them.
Researchers found that pingers significantly reduced harbour porpoise detection, with a 37% decrease near active devices, while having no impact on long-term use or feeding grounds. The study suggests an effective solution to reduce bycatch in gill-net fisheries.
A new study led by the University of Stirling will use satellite technology to monitor invasive aquatic weeds in neglected water bodies in India. The project aims to detect regrowth early and prevent damage to fisheries, drinking water sources, and agricultural irrigation.
Size-selective fisheries can impair reproductive success in fish populations by reducing the availability of reproductively superior large individuals. This, in turn, affects population growth and resilience, as sexual selection cannot operate effectively without a sufficient pool of optimal mates.
A University of Rhode Island researcher warns that climate change is causing increased conflicts between fishermen, fishing nations, and managers. Shifting fish populations and changing maritime boundaries are creating new challenges in global fisheries management.
CU Boulder researchers developed a method to predict ocean acidity up to five years in advance, providing crucial information for fisheries and communities. The new approach leverages historical climate model forecasts to improve prediction accuracy.
A recent study found that whole-lake experiments can reveal the causes of hyperstability in recreational fisheries. Habitat aggregation and effort sorting are identified as drivers of hyperstability collapse. Limiting angler effort through policy changes is proposed to protect vulnerable fish stocks.
Current regulatory standards for coastal waters have not kept pace with scientific understanding of hypoxia and acidification, putting important fisheries worldwide at risk. Aging policies fail to account for the combined effects of low dissolved oxygen and pH levels on marine life.
A new study predicts that future 'blobs' will exacerbate climate change impacts on fish stocks, causing biomass to decrease and distribution shifts. This could lead to significant declines in fisheries sectors along the west coast of Canada and USA.
A study of 166 Australian estuaries found they're warming at twice the rate of oceans and the atmosphere, threatening global aquaculture and wild fisheries worth $152 billion annually. This accelerated impact on estuaries could adversely affect economic activity and ecological biodiversity worldwide.
Researchers found that harvest slots can outperform classic minimum-length limits in maximizing kilogram yields while protecting large spawning fish and maintaining ecosystem diversity. This approach stabilizes population dynamics without causing loss in yields, increasing the average size of catch fish.
Research shows that West Coast Dungeness crab numbers are stable or increasing, with Central California catches averaging five times those of past decades. The fishery's success may be attributed to fishing regulations protecting reproductive potential and natural variability in ocean conditions.
A study estimates that women worldwide catch 3 million tonnes of marine fish and seafood per year, generating $5.6 billion in value or 12% of global small-scale fisheries catches. The economic impact is even higher at $26 billion when adjusted for purchasing power parity.
Research reveals over 8 million to 14 million tonnes of unreported fish catches are traded illicitly annually, costing the legitimate market $9-17 billion. The economic impact is felt heavily in Asia, Africa, and South America, affecting millions' nutritional food security and livelihoods.
A team of marine scientists has called on the UK government to overhaul its approach to marine conservation management, citing declining biodiversity and the need for more effective habitat repair and integration with fisheries management. The researchers recommend four key changes to increase ambition and support the UK's target of be...
Scientists propose that whales migrate to low latitudes to molt, shedding their skin in a process similar to birds and mammals. This drives their long-distance migrations, which can be thousands of miles round trip, with significant impact on local ecosystems.
A new analysis by New York University researchers found that policies regulating international fishing often fail to protect fisheries observers from life-threatening risks. The study revealed significant gaps in observer safety and rights, with only three RFMOs mandating full observer coverage on fishing vessels.
The updated atlas provides detailed profiles for 14 shark species, including bull and tiger sharks, and significantly extends their known ranges and movements. The data collected through the Cooperative Shark Tagging Program has filled in gaps in the geographic distributions and movements of most shark species.
A new study found that record-breaking whale entanglements in the Pacific Northwest were triggered by a unique marine heatwave, known as the 'Blob', which altered fish populations and habitats. The research has led to the development of online tools to help fishermen avoid entanglement risks.
A new study reveals that recreational catches of sharks and rays have grown to account for 54,000 tonnes of the total 900,000 tonnes caught every year. Many species are already threatened due to commercial fishing and illegal activities.
Tracking fishing vessels is challenging, especially in international waters. Researchers equipped 169 albatrosses with data loggers to monitor vessel locations and detect undeclared fisheries.
Researchers developed a method combining empirical knowledge of fishery stakeholders with scientific understanding to identify ecological cause-effect relationships in pike populations. The collective intelligence of nature users accurately captured complex human-environment relationships, exceeding scientific knowledge in some cases.
A global analysis by the University of Washington found that nearly half of the world's fish catch comes from sustainably managed stocks. Effective management is credited as the main reason for these sustainable levels or successful rebuilding.
A study reveals that effective fisheries management can increase fish stock abundance and reduce yield loss from overfishing. In regions with less developed management, high fishing pressure results in a three-fold greater harvest rate compared to well-managed areas.
Researchers used microscopic shells to reveal that California waters are acidifying twice as fast as the global ocean average, posing a threat to the state's economically valuable fisheries. The study found decade-long changes in acidity patterns, which match the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, a natural warming and cooling cycle.
A 16-year study in Papua New Guinea found that rotational fisheries closures increased fish biomass and improved catchability. Socially cohesive leadership and high levels of policy compliance were key factors in implementing the system.
A recent study highlights the alarming exploitation of shark populations in Pacific Panama, with many species caught immature and vulnerable to intensive fishing. The research recommends implementing seasonal fishing bans and monitoring programs to improve conservation strategies.
A new study found that LED lights along the top of floating gillnets in Peruvian waters can cut accidental bycatch of sea turtles by more than 70%, and small cetaceans (including dolphins) by over 66%. The research suggests that this simple, low-cost technique could help save wildlife while allowing fishers to fish more sustainably.
A study published in Nature Climate Change found that climate change is altering the mix of species in oceans, with warm-water species rapidly increasing and cold-water marine species decreasing. This shift can disrupt fisheries and ocean food chains.
The world's first 'Fisheries Index Insurance' scheme aims to protect Caribbean fishing communities from extreme weather events. However, policymakers must complement climate risk insurance with adaptations actions in coastal ecosystems to ensure its effectiveness.
New research suggests that fish size, not bypass system route, affects Snake River salmon returns. Larger fish survive at a higher rate in the ocean and as adults in rivers. The study found little evidence of delayed mortality once fish reach estuaries and oceans.
An interdisciplinary team developed a simple method to identify the most accurate experts in groups by analyzing decision similarity. The research tested it successfully in various fields, including radiology and geopolitics, and found that the method accurately predicted accuracy.
A University of Queensland-led study found that healthy mangroves can support coral reef fisheries by providing alternative nurseries for fish. This allows them to grow larger and head out to the reef as adults, increasing their chances of survival.
A new study highlights the need for more research on microplastics in North American waters, particularly among commercially important fish species. The team's findings emphasize the importance of understanding microplastic exposure and effects on populations and food webs to inform fisheries management decisions.
A study by Masumi Yamamuro and colleagues found that neonicotinoid pesticide use led to a 83% decrease in average springtime zooplankton biomass, causing the collapse of two commercial fisheries on Lake Shinji. The impact was felt throughout the aquatic food chain, with smelt harvests plummeting from 240 tons to 22 tons in just one year.
Scientists have identified a new subspecies of fin whale in the northern Pacific Ocean using genetic research, highlighting the diversity of marine mammals. The finding reveals that fin whales have been separated for hundreds of thousands of years and can be assigned to their ocean of origin using genetic data.
Timothy Young, a professor at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been named a Fellow by the International Academy of Wood Science. This international honor recognizes his significant contributions to wood science and research globally.
A UMass Amherst study explores 'name bias' in seafood choices by testing students' taste preferences for local whitefish alternatives. The research aims to promote sustainable seafood options and increase demand for locally sourced fish.
Researchers at NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center have identified suitable locations off the US northeast coast for offshore blue mussel farms. The study suggests that Long Island, north of Cape Ann in Massachusetts, and off New Hampshire are promising sites due to favorable temperature and food availability conditions.
A team of researchers created tools to incorporate social and cultural needs into fisheries management. The new models consider the trade-offs between economic, social, and ecological benefits. Spatial closures often resulted in wins, but areas marked for closure must be carefully considered.
A new tool has been developed to help manage the Nova Scotia lobster fishery in the face of climate change. The tool incorporates projected changes in ocean climate onto a geographic management area, enabling fishermen and resource managers to plan for future sustainability.
Researchers found that North Atlantic right whale mothers significantly reduce their vocalizations when communicating with their calves, using a quiet, short sound instead of the typical loud 'up call'. This behavior, called acoustic crypsis, helps avoid attracting orcas and sharks, key predators of young whales.
A new study using FAD tracking data, ocean models and simulation methods reveals the trajectories and potential impact of FADs on fisheries and island nations. The research found that over 2000 FADs wash up on beaches and coral reefs every year, with significant impacts on bycatch species and reef damage.