A new study estimates that global inland fishery harvests may be as high as 12 million tons per year, far exceeding previous estimates. This could significantly contribute to global food security and economic stability, as well as provide valuable resources for recreation and tourism.
A new study found that nearly 10% of the world's total catch in the last decade was discarded due to poor fishing practices and inadequate management. The discarded fish could have been put to better use, highlighting the need for improved fisheries management and new technology to reduce waste.
The Republic of Indonesia has published Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data on Global Fishing Watch, revealing commercial fishing locations and activities. This step towards increased transparency aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and support more informed management decisions.
Marine reserves can help protect wildlife, support fisheries, and promote carbon storage to slow climate change impacts. The study evaluates existing research on the benefits of large, long-established marine protected areas in reducing the effects of ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and other climate change drivers.
A study by the University of British Columbia found that only 16% of global fisheries subsidies went to small-scale fishing, despite employing over 22 million people and supporting food security. Large-scale fisheries receive 60% of subsidies promoting overfishing due to fuel-efficient technology and port development subsidies.
A growing global demand for sea cucumbers is causing complex social and ecological impacts on coastal communities, leading to financial rewards that incentivize risky fishing practices and deplete local resources. The study highlights the need for rapid management of these impacts to sustainably manage fisheries with coastal communities.
A recent study from the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus has identified new genetic markers in sockeye salmon that can help improve management of fish populations. These markers allow researchers to distinguish between different variants of sockeye salmon, enabling precise identification and monitoring of population numbers.
Scientists have measured dispersal distances of two coral reef fish species, revealing that juvenile clownfish stay relatively close to home (10-15 km), while butterflyfish disperse further (43-64 km). The study informs optimal sizing and spacing of marine reserves, with implications for conservation and fisheries management.
The study found that about 95% of the study area contained noise exceeding preindustrial levels, with elevated noise levels in important whale feeding grounds. However, quieter areas were also identified within national marine sanctuaries, which may provide respite for whales in an increasingly noisy ocean.
A study by Duke University economists found that catch shares reduce the 'race to fish' that compresses fishing seasons. This allows fishers to time their catches with market demand, reducing occupational hazards and improving fish quality. While exceptions exist, benefits still outweigh negatives.
A new paper from the University of Washington identifies key attributes that contribute to ecological resilience, providing clarity for scientists, resource managers, and planners. The study groups attributes into five categories and lists their relevance to measuring resilience.
Researchers found that restoring predators and prey species together is faster and more efficient than pursuing restoration of one species at a time. This approach, also known as synchronous recovery, can lead to significant ecological and economic benefits.
A new study finds that all but one coastal shark species are increasing in abundance, following decades of declining numbers. The gains are attributed to the enactment of fishing regulations in the early 1990s.
Effective management reforms can lead to a nearly 90 percent increase in profits and a third more fish in the water, even with climate change. The research also shows that improved management can increase fish and prosperity for many fisheries.
Forage fish stocks, such as Pacific sardine and northern anchovy, have experienced boom-bust cycles for centuries, with fluctuations common in the past 500 years. The study found that these species were in collapsed condition 29-40% of the time from A.D. 1000 to 1500.
Researchers used computer models of blue whale habitat off California and the eastern Pacific to identify similar regions in the Northern Indian Ocean where whales are likely to be found. This information will help reduce ship strikes and inform conservation efforts for endangered blue whales.
A study found that 39 populations of sharks meet biological sustainability criteria, accounting for 9% of the global catch. The researchers offer five recommendations to achieve sustainable shark fisheries, including protection of low-productivity species and international cooperation.
A study highlights challenges and opportunities of fishery management in China, promoting institutional reform for sustainable marine resource management. The researchers recommend new institutions, secure fishing access, policy consistency, educational programs, and increased public access to scientific data.
A new study suggests that China's success in sustaining large catches is due to reducing predatory fish populations, allowing preyed-upon species to increase. This approach can lead to increased harvests, but may also have negative impacts on biodiversity.
Researchers investigate Tambora's effects on coastal fish and commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Maine, revealing parallels with current climate change phenomena. The study suggests that past extreme events can inform resilience strategies and that complex solutions require a multi-faceted approach.
A joint study by Chinese and international researchers recommends new institutions for science-based fisheries management, secure fishing access, and policy consistency across provinces. The authors believe that China's 13th Five-Year Plan provides a policy platform for the protection of marine ecosystems and restoration of fisheries.
A recent study found that coral reef food webs are altered when fishing impacts on valued species, leading to potential collapse of top-tier predators. Lightly fished reefs can support these valuable fish, while moderate fishing levels cause a decline in mid-tier predators, ultimately affecting the ecosystem.
Dungeness crabs and groundfish such as rockfish and sole are expected to decline due to ocean acidification, while coastal pelagic fish are only slightly affected. The study projects a $220 million annual value decline in Dungeness crab fisheries over the next 50 years.
Scientists found that top-level predator fish like Snapper and Grouper are easily overfished in heavily-fished areas, altering the food chain. In contrast, lightly fished coral reefs support a rapidly passing energy flow from bottom to top of the food web.
An international study argues that protecting 20-30% of fishing grounds can help sustain and rebuild unregulated fisheries, benefiting millions of people. Marine reserves can be an effective management tool in highly diverse and overfished areas.
Meeting the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target could significantly benefit fisheries, with potential fish catches increasing by more than three million tonnes per year for every degree Celsius decrease in global warming.
A new study published in Science suggests that meeting the Paris Agreement's global warming target of 1.5 degrees Celsius could lead to a significant increase in global fish catches, with potential gains ranging from three to six million metric tons per year. The researchers found that some oceans are more sensitive to changes in tempe...
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that successful fisheries management is critical to maintaining productive fish populations. The research found that science-based stock assessments, limits on fishing pressure, and adequate enforcement are key attributes of effective management systems.
Researchers have developed a new model to predict the survival of fish embryos in high temperatures, taking into account the relationship between egg size and water flow. The study found that larger eggs require more oxygen and can survive in slower-flowing waters, but this relationship is not always consistent with laboratory results.
Coastal Indigenous communities consume an average of 74 kilograms of seafood per capita, compared to the global average of 19 kilograms. The study emphasizes the importance of considering food sovereignty and cultural identity in fisheries policy and Indigenous human rights.
A recent study by WCS found over 1,000 juvenile hawksbill sea turtles at Glover's Reef, indicating a positive conservation effort. The protected waters provide a safe haven for the species to thrive, with a high survival rate and promising implications for the Caribbean region.
A new forecasting system called WhaleWatch has been developed to predict locations of blue whales off the West Coast. The system produces monthly maps of blue whale 'hotspots' to alert ships where there may be an increased risk of encountering these endangered whales.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that 90% of globally caught fish are from rivers with high environmental stress levels. Freshwater fish provide animal protein for 158 million people worldwide, particularly in countries like Cambodia and Bangladesh.
The annual global weight extracted is estimated at 120,000 tonnes of bait worms, with extraction having significant physical impacts on shore sediment and wading bird populations. The researchers encourage sustainable management to minimize environmental impacts.
Researchers found that in cases of constant misreporting, the impact on fishery status is less critical than trend analysis, suggesting more sustainable management possible despite missing catch data. Misreporting can happen frequently worldwide, but many fisheries can still be well-managed with trends in population changes considered.
A new study finds that global fisheries will lose an estimated $10 billion in annual revenue by 2050 if climate change continues unchecked. Developing countries, which rely heavily on fishing for food and income, will be the most vulnerable to these losses.
A new study suggests that sustainable management of the high seas can help compensate for expected losses in fish stocks due to climate change. Closing the high seas to fishing could increase catches in coastal waters by up to 10%, benefiting both productivity and reducing climate change impacts.
New research suggests that closing the high seas to fishing could increase fish catches in coastal waters by up to 10% and help reduce climate change impacts. This approach can benefit tropical countries with high dependence on fisheries for food and livelihood, particularly those affected by rising carbon dioxide levels.
Research reveals that brief exposures to low concentrations of crude oil can cause deadly deformities in developing haddock. The study found that haddock eggs are particularly vulnerable to oil compounds, leading to extreme craniofacial deformities and compromising their survival.
A recent study reveals that marine fisheries catches in the Turks and Caicos Islands are being under-reported by 86%, threatening the marine environment and local livelihoods. The research calls for urgent policy action to establish more accurate catch limits, taking into account both commercial and local consumption of seafood.
Scientists have identified a new species of beaked whale using DNA analysis, with eight known specimens found across the Pacific Ocean. The new species is darker and smaller than the more common Baird's beaked whale, and its genetic differences suggest it represents a distinct species.
A University of Washington professor argues that closing parts of the ocean to fishing is not enough to protect marine biodiversity and ecosystems. He suggests regulating fisheries over the entire economic zone as a more effective approach to conservation.
A new study found that El Niño climate patterns contributed to a record-breaking marine heatwave in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, lasting for multiple years and affecting marine ecosystems. The research revealed 'teleconnections' between tropical and temperate latitudes, strengthening ocean warming patterns.
Research finds The Blob had a stronger negative impact on marine productivity than El Niño off the West Coast, with ocean warming slowing nutrient flow and reducing ecosystem productivity. The study uses real-time data from autonomous gliders to assess the effects of major climate disruptions.
Climate change is altering inland fish reproduction, growth, and habitats, with both positive and negative impacts on recreational fishing. Studies reveal changes in species ranges, migration timing, and predator-prey dynamics, highlighting the need for conservation and research strategies to sustain resilient fish communities.
The Adélie penguin population in Antarctica is facing significant threats from climate change, with some colonies expected to decline by 30% by 2060 and 60% by 2099. Climate warming in certain regions has led to population declines, while cooling conditions have resulted in stable or increasing populations.
A new study by NOAA Fisheries and the University of California San Diego estimates that the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean provides 'ecosystem services' worth at least $17 billion. The services include commercial fishing ($2.7 billion/year), sport fishing ($1.6 billion/year), and carbon capture ($12.9 billion/year).
The NOAA-sponsored Gulf of Mexico hypoxia forecast predicts an average dead zone of 5,898 square miles, affecting nationally important commercial and recreational fisheries. The forecast uses multiple models to provide better information to communities and businesses, and aims to reduce the threat of hypoxic zones.
Regulation of localized sea turtle bycatch in the Hawaii longline swordfish fishery led to increased total sea turtle bycatch in the surrounding area. The study found that without such regulation, sea turtle bycatch would be 11% lower than actual counts.
A new study by NOAA Fisheries finds that ocean acidification may slow development and reduce survival of Dungeness crab larvae, which are key to the Northwest marine ecosystem. The research suggests that lower pH levels could extend vulnerable larval periods or jeopardize timing in relation to food sources.
Caribbean coral reefs face mounting pressure from global warming, local pollution, and over-fishing of herbivorous fish. A new study suggests that implementing size limits and catch limits can help maintain reef resilience. The research provides tools for fisheries managers to revise current practices and sustain fishers' livelihoods.
Researchers from UC Santa Barbara and the Environmental Defense Fund propose rights-based approaches that could increase fish populations, food production, and profits. By 2050, this approach could increase profits by 204% and provide a significant source of protein for an additional 500 million people.
A new study suggests that most of the world's fisheries can be recovered in just 10 years, leading to a doubling of global fish populations by 2050. This recovery would bring significant increases in seafood production and profit for fishermen, with an expected 204% increase in profits by 2050.
A genetic study on 'Burnt Hot Dog' sea cucumbers reveals low genetic diversity in polluted areas, highlighting the need for increased fisheries management and protections. The study also finds that these sea cucumbers play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems.
A study suggests that setting aside at least 30 percent of the ocean for protection could have numerous benefits for conservation, fisheries, and other stakeholders. The research found a surprising consensus among previous studies on an ambitious target for ocean protection.
Fish populations that gather and spawn in large groups face growing threats from overexploitation and inadequate management. Insufficient regulation allows a few active boats to deplete these vulnerable populations, while changing economic conditions may lead to rapid species declines.
Scientists have identified a new potential spawning ground for Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Slope Sea off the northeastern US coast. This finding challenges the long-held assumption of a single Gulf of Mexico spawning area, suggesting that western Atlantic bluefin may be less vulnerable to fishing and stressors.
A decade-long decline in high-calorie fish prey, such as sardines and anchovies, has led to a decrease in the weight of California sea lion pups. This is because nursing females struggle to support their pups' nutritional needs with lower-calorie alternatives like market squid.
A multi-disciplinary team from James Cook University has developed a roadmap for sustainable fishing tourism in Papua New Guinea. The project aims to benefit local communities while promoting conservation of the Papuan Black Bass, one of the world's toughest sportfish.
Jacquet aims to identify expected winners and losers of closing the high seas to fishing and explore feasibility of changing fisheries policies. Her research focuses on large-scale cooperation dilemmas like climate change and wildlife exploitation.