Articles tagged with Fisheries Management
A global study by Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology demonstrates the benefit of marine protected areas to recreational fisheries, producing more 'trophy-size' fish just outside fully protected areas. The effect is growing stronger over time, with tangible benefits materializing in decades.
A new study predicts that expanding marine protected areas will decrease both inside and outside the reserves, challenging common assumptions about ocean conservation. The research model used historical fishing data and machine learning to forecast the impact of large-scale closures on global fishing effort.
New research reveals oyster sanctuaries contain more abundant populations of oysters and other animal life, despite the presence of parasites. The study found that these areas support higher oyster densities and habitat quality than nearby harvest sites.
Researchers used drones to map loko iʻa at the community level, providing insights into flooding and future sea level rise impacts. Drones accurately estimated observed flooding during extreme high tide events, while LiDAR models overestimated flooding by two to five times.
A new Oregon State University study found that young Pacific cod in near shore safe havens were severely affected by recent marine heat waves in the Gulf of Alaska. The researchers estimated that only the largest 15-25% of the island's cod population survived, leading to significant changes in abundance, growth rates and diet.
A global study reveals progress in marine ecosystem-based management (EBM) initiatives, but acknowledges remaining impediments such as governance, stakeholder engagement, and technology. Experts emphasize the need for political will, persistence, and strategic marketing to overcome these challenges and accelerate EBM adoption.
A study from the University of California, Davis, estimates that U.S. reservoirs contain approximately 7.7 billion pounds of fish, with southern reservoirs holding over 4 billion pounds. Proper management could play a major role in food security and fisheries conservation.
A study by University of Hawaii researchers suggests that revitalizing Indigenous aquaculture systems, known as loko iʻa fishponds, can increase locally available seafood production. This revival has the potential to boost local food production and provide a sustainable solution to Hawaiʻi's seafood supply.
Researchers found that first-generation, wild-born descendants of hatchery-origin Chinook salmon produced more adult offspring than hatchery-origin salmon, improving reproductive success. This study offers hope for recovering endangered populations using hatchery-origin salmon.
A study analyzing canned salmon from 1979 to 2021 found stable anisakid worm levels in coho and sockeye salmon, while pink and chum salmon showed a rise. This suggests that the marine food web has adapted to changing conditions, with rising parasite levels indicating potential ecosystem shifts.
This study used a community-based participatory approach to assess the stock dynamics of glass eels in West Java, Indonesia. The project improved data collection and contributed to sustainable glass eel fisheries, opening up possibilities for global improvement.
A recent study found humpback whale entanglements in BC fish farms are extremely rare, with only eight instances over 13 years. Young whales' curiosity may be a contributing factor, according to researchers.
A new study by University of Tokyo researchers found that fish weight in the western North Pacific Ocean decreased in the 2010s due to warmer waters limiting food supplies. Climate change is exacerbating competition for resources among fish species, with implications for fisheries and policymakers.
A new study reveals that walleye are struggling to survive in warming waters of the Midwestern United States and Canada. Climate change is disrupting the historical pairing of ice-off and walleye spawning, which threatens the persistence of walleye populations across the Upper Midwest.
Researchers found that households with high seafood consumption rely on home production, bartering, and social networks to acquire seafood. Market access is key, but promoting social networks through cooperatives or fisher groups could reinforce healthy seafood diets.
A study published in Marine Policy found that spatial restrictions after Brexit led to a doubling of greenhouse gas emissions from Norway's mackerel fishing fleet. The change resulted in a significant increase in fuel usage and carbon footprint, equivalent to half a million CO2 emissions per year.
Research finds invasive trout compete with native white-spotted charr for aquatic prey. Brown trout also influence ecosystems by preying on terrestrial organisms, further harming native populations.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that marine heat waves trigger earlier reproduction and high mortality in early life stages of Pacific cod. The study found these changes persisted in subsequent years, potentially impacting the future of Gulf of Alaska's Pacific cod population.
The study observed that invasive Bluegill in Lake Nojiri, Japan, displayed unique colony spawning behaviors, with males constructing nests in close proximity to each other. Removal of guarding males revealed four brood predator species, with conspecific Bluegill constituting over 90% of all predators.
A University of California, Davis study has documented two new potential species of lamprey fish in California waters, revealing more diversity than previously thought. This discovery could impact management practices and protect the populations, as well as support ecosystems and the food web.
A new study reveals that climate change is silently eroding the ocean's ability to provide fish by reducing plankton levels, leading to significant drops in fish stocks. The research found that even small declines in phytoplankton can result in much bigger drops in fish populations due to an amplifying mechanism within the food web.
A global study reveals that shark fishing mortality is increasing globally, with over 100 million sharks killed annually, despite widespread regulations aimed at reducing finning. The study found that coastal fisheries account for 95% of total shark fishing mortality, with no decrease in catches between 2012 and 2019.
A H2020-funded project reviewed 'local ecological knowledge' for Greenland and interviewed fishers in West, South and East Greenland. The recommendations are available in English, Danish, and Kalaallisut for informing Greenlandic fisheries policy.
A new AI-powered method has been shown to be more accurate than traditional models in predicting the sustainable catch of fish populations. The CMSY++ model, which uses an artificial neural network, allows for more efficient assessment of fish stocks with limited data inputs.
A new AI-powered tool, Salmon Vision, enables real-time monitoring of salmon populations in British Columbia and beyond, addressing data-poor fisheries and climate-smart management. The technology has shown promising accuracy in identifying salmon species and yields mean average precision rates of up to 90% for key fish species.
Researchers found that reducing the amount of gear in the water is more effective than dynamic approaches in minimizing whale entanglements and disruptions to the fishing season. A 30% reduction in gear emerged as the optimal course of action, addressing the problem directly and not relying on surveys or monitoring efforts.
Researchers developed a framework for climate-resilient fisheries, analyzing 18 diverse fisheries across ecological, social and governance dimensions. The framework identifies five archetypes of resilient fisheries with unique pathways to achieve sustainability and benefits to society.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 72% of US-managed cetacean and pinniped stocks are highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change. The researchers used a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment framework to evaluate the impacts on marine mammals.
A new study forecasts the impact of marine heatwaves on top ocean predators, revealing varied effects and potential redistributions across international boundaries. The researchers developed models to provide real-time predictions of how species shift during heatwaves, informing proactive climate-ready management strategies.
Research found that warmer ocean temperatures and marine heatwaves lead to increased overlap between Chinook salmon and Pacific hake, raising the risk of salmon bycatch. The study used 20 years of data and modeled behavioral changes to show how salmon move lower into the water column during higher temperatures.
A new study examines the impact of marine heatwaves on fisheries and ecosystems, providing insights for managing these disruptions. The research highlights both winners and losers in the face of warming waters, emphasizing the need for adaptable management strategies to mitigate losses and capitalize on unexpected gains.
Researchers have developed an AI algorithm that accurately estimates coastal fish stocks, providing critical data for sustainable management. The tool has the potential to save millions of dollars in annual research costs and bridge the global data and sustainability divide.
Researchers recorded and identified mating and feeding sounds of 21 ocean species, including those influenced by the moon. The study's findings will contribute to the development of the Global Library of Underwater Biological Sounds (GLUBS), an open-access online platform for monitoring changes in marine environments.
A study found that more than 70% of Chinook populations have declined over the last 50 years, but some populations are recovering due to their diverse migration and spawning strategies. Cold water and marine habitats play a key role in their success, particularly for fall and summer stocks.
Researchers identified fluctuations in climate and ocean conditions as the main drivers of entanglement risk to whales in Dungeness crab fishing gear. The study provides new tools for managing fisheries while minimizing impact on whale populations.
A new study shows that reversing evolutionary changes in fish stocks like cod can be profitable and help conserve natural genetic diversity. With century-long planning horizons, evolutionary decline can be reversed without significantly reducing profits.
A new study reveals that northern and southern resident orcas differ in their hunting behaviors, with males catching more salmon per hour than females. Southern resident males outperform females by 152%, highlighting a distinct pattern of foraging that may contribute to the population decline.
A new international study reveals that global squid fisheries are operating largely in unregulated areas, with 86% of fishing efforts recorded between 2017-2020. This expansion poses significant challenges to fisheries sustainability and resource equity.
Researchers have studied sailfish hunting behavior for the first time, revealing a unique hunting strategy. The study estimates that sailfish need roughly half of a tuna per day to meet their energetic demands, shedding light on their basic biology.
A new study by SFU researchers found that shark and ray populations in the northwest Atlantic are recovering after implementation of a U.S. fishery management plan in 1993. The study shows that declines have been halted in three species and six species are clearly rebuilding, thanks to regulation, enforcement, and monitoring.
A new study by Nord University and ICM-CSIC confirms that high temperatures in the Arctic are promoting settlement of species from warmer areas. The study found an increase of 66% in fish species caught in Norwegian and Barents Seas between 1994 and 2020.
Research from Virginia Tech reveals that shark populations are recovering in northern Atlantic waters where regulations have been put in place. This is a promising conservation success story for vulnerable species.
A new study finds that seafood farming's growth rate has already peaked in 1996 and is now declining, requiring rebuilding of wild fish stocks to meet future demand. Without this approach, relying solely on aquaculture could lead to a global seafood shortage by 2030.
Researchers developed a global indicator to measure marine biodiversity based on extinct fish populations, revealing worsening extinction risk since the 1950s. Implementing management measures can reduce fishing mortality and recover tunas and billfishes, but sharks continue to face threats due to overfishing.
Despite declining coral, fish, seagrass, and manatees in the Florida Keys, sea urchin populations have remained relatively stable since the 1960s. These marine animals are essential for maintaining healthy environments by cleaning, ventilating, and enriching sediment.
Researchers at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research found an upward trend in skate populations in the North Sea, with a significant increase off Scotland's north coast. The study also revealed that skates mainly eat shrimp, providing ecological potential for more fish to thrive.
A new dataset shows that over 55,000 suspected intentional disabling events of Automatic Identification System devices occurred between 2017 and 2019, obscuring nearly 5 million hours of fishing vessel activity. The majority of these events were concentrated in areas with overlapping EEZ claims or high transshipment activity.
A new study found that offshore mussel farms can increase species abundance, including Atlantic horse mackerel and European lobster, on degraded seabed habitats. The research suggests that this practice could have wider environmental benefits, supporting the national and international Blue Growth agenda.
Research found that native predatory fish like jacks and barracuda feed on Australian mullet, an invasive species introduced to Oahu waters. This shift in diet helps control the invasive mullet population, which competes with native fish for resources.
Researchers developed the first model for the western Baltic Sea, which includes top predators, fish species, and their interactions. Ecosystem-based management increases catches of cod and herring while improving food web resilience to climate change, and potential carbon sequestration is more than three times greater.
A University of Kansas paleontologist is using a 3-million-year-old fossil record to predict the future of Western Atlantic mollusk species. By analyzing the fossil record, the researcher hopes to identify biological and behavioral traits that gave some species evolutionary success and others extinction.
A new study suggests that global fish stocks will not be able to recover to sustainable levels without strong actions to mitigate climate change and overfishing. Climate change has reduced fish stocks in 103 of 226 marine regions studied, including Canada, from their historical levels.
Researchers assembled a large biologging dataset to understand how sharks, rays, and skates use the ocean depths. They found that many species migrate vertically in response to food resources, with some diving to extreme depths.
A new study reveals that shark depredation is increasing in the Maldives shark sanctuary, resulting in significant catch and income losses. Fishers who experience greater losses due to depredation show reduced support for conservation efforts, highlighting the need for more inclusive approaches to manage conflicts.
A new study by the University of British Columbia suggests that BC's ocean contributed around $4.9 billion to provincial GDP in 2015, with marine transport sector making the highest contribution. However, this estimate is likely an underestimate due to excluded ecosystem services and cultural value.
A long-term marine conservation effort in the US Virgin Islands has helped recover a key fish species, the red hind, with average fish size increasing by over 35% and population reaching sustainability. The recovery is attributed to management decisions and adherence to fishing closures.
Researchers found 61 out of 86 species threatened with extinction, with coastal sharks facing greatest conservation concern. Increased protections and international trade regulations are crucial to prevent extinctions among these species.
A University of Washington study found that Pacific salmon in larger groups have lower predation risk, but may trade safety for food. The researchers analyzed historical data on fish catches and predator wounds to estimate group size and predation risk, revealing the benefits and costs of schooling in marine fish.
A new sorting technology at Chalmers University of Technology reduces fish waste by up to 50%, creating five nutritious cuts from the whole fish. The innovation is being implemented in a Swedish herring processing plant, which aims to produce healthier and more sustainable food products.
Two Rutgers studies project that offshore wind farms will reduce Atlantic surfclam catches by 3-15%, with losses reaching 25% in New Jersey. A spatially-explicit model, SEFES, predicts impacts on fishing behavior and revenue.