A 'floating scarecrow' developed by UK scientists and a repurposed bird-scaring kite can help reduce seabird bycatch in gillnet fisheries by around two thirds. The device, known as the Looming Eye Buoy, uses an animated eye effect to scare birds away from diving into nets.
Researchers found a chimera mutant in a hybrid red swamp crayfish, showing irregular distribution of multiple genotypes within the same individual. The study provides valuable insights into the formation and maintenance of chimeras, which may also contribute to understanding biological mechanisms in organ transplantation.
Mississippi State University is being recognized as a leading expert in antimicrobial resistance and aquaculture biosecurity by the Food and Agriculture Organization. The university's work in this area will continue to support global efforts to promote responsible antimicrobial use and strengthen aquatic food systems.
The TRAP Program has recovered over 14,000 derelict fishing traps, supported 135 jobs, and documented 36,000 animals caught in
SUNY Cortland students are participating in research internships at fisheries across New York, led by USGS grants and partnerships with other institutions. The internships provide hands-on experience, skills in field and lab techniques, and opportunities to network with professionals and graduate students.
A recent study by King Abdullah University of Science & Technology found that aquatic invertebrates like oysters and mussels are a significant source of essential nutrients. The research reveals that current global production of these invertebrates can meet the nutritional needs of over five billion people, providing a crucial contribu...
Researchers have developed a new method to collect and study salmon lice secretions, allowing for the examination of individual lice and reducing faecal contamination. The study found 148 secretory proteins, 64 of which were detected in each tested condition, potentially representing targets for vaccine development.
A Murdoch University study found that 56% of cooked shark products sold in Western Australian fish and chip shops are labelled ambiguously or incorrectly. DNA testing identified 16 different species, including 11 shark species, highlighting the need for stronger seafood labelling requirements.
Researchers analyzed lobster forecasts from 1970s to 2020s, revealing the importance of considering historical and sociocultural contexts in forecasting the ocean's future. The study highlights the need for communication strategies that account for the social context of forecasts, particularly in fisheries management decisions.
Researchers at the University of Maine discovered that planktonic baby lobsters preferentially feed on Calanus finmarchicus, a tiny, calorie-rich zooplankton species, during one of the most vulnerable stages of their lives. This finding is crucial to understanding fluctuations in the abundance of lobster larvae and future adult lobsters.
Researchers developed a system using a 3D time-of-flight camera to measure frozen skipjack tuna, capturing dense 3D point-cloud data for accurate body size and weight estimation. The combination of 3D imaging and machine learning analysis yielded accurate noncontact estimates of fish body weight.
A new synthesis paper examines how ecological structures and processes help ecosystems withstand disturbances while providing benefits. The study highlights the importance of 'portfolio effects' in maintaining ecosystem resilience.
Researchers combined fishing regulations and trade data to explore the complex global market for shark products. Despite significant regulatory efforts, no statistically significant effect on global trade was found.
Pastoral communities in Tiaty, Kenya, are adapting to climate variability by changing livestock patterns, farming practices, and settlement arrangements. These adaptations suggest a selective conversion of land from dense shrubland to mixed areas, with a focus on drought-tolerant crops and climate-resilient livestock species.
Researchers found that hatchery-raised fall Chinook salmon exposed to noise were less likely to complete the journey to the ocean and back. However, when raised in a quiet environment, they were more likely to return than those raised with ambient or continuous white noise.
The FAU Queen Conch Mobile Lab has successfully hatched its first queen conch egg masses and juveniles, marking a significant milestone in the conservation of this iconic Caribbean species. The lab, designed to grow up to 2,000 juvenile queen conchs annually, will support restoration efforts throughout the region.
Researchers at Okayama University of Science have successfully cultivated juvenile chum salmon in a land-based aquaculture system using third water. The project aims to establish fully closed-cycle aquaculture, which could fundamentally change the future of salmon production and contribute to long-term sustainability.
The University of Miami Rosenstiel School is part of a national effort to strengthen America's seafood supply through aquaculture research and technology development. Researchers will contribute expertise in ocean science, environmental forecasting, and aquaculture innovation to develop science-based solutions for responsible growth.
The University of New Hampshire will lead a national effort to grow and strengthen America's seafood supply through aquaculture research, with a focus on sustainability and environmental friendliness. The $13.5 million initiative aims to expand domestic seafood production and improve food security.
Thawing permafrost is causing Arctic rivers to turn toxic with orange iron particles, suffocating insects and smothering fish. The process also involves acid rock drainage, where pyrite breaks down into sulfuric acid and sulfate, creating rust-like particles.
A recent study revealed that the bacterial pathogen Flavobacterium columnare remodels its epigenetic landscape during prolonged starvation, rather than altering its DNA sequence. This finding suggests a novel survival strategy for the bacterium and could have direct implications for aquaculture disease control.
Researchers in Brazil's Cerrado biome found that reducing stream sampling from 11 to 6 transects maintained reliable classification of streams as least-disturbed, moderately disturbed, or severely disturbed. The study suggests a streamlined approach can reduce field time and processing costs while preserving ecological indicators.
Researchers tracked black sea bream using ultrasonic biotelemetry to observe their reproductive behavior during spawning seasons. Males made frequent upward and downward movements, while females remained near specific oyster rafts, suggesting different strategies for reproduction and energy conservation. This study provides new insight...
A new study found that lobster eggs host surprisingly diverse microbiomes that change as the embryos develop but remain stable under conditions simulating future environmental conditions. The findings challenge decades of assumptions about disease risks in the American lobster fishery.
A study has mapped changes in the distributions of two phytoplankton groups, Pseudo-nitzschia and Dinophysis, which produce toxins that can harm human health and marine ecosystems. The research reveals significant shifts over six decades, with changes aligned more closely with climate-driven ocean physical shifts.
Research suggests that jellyfish bycatch can provide high-quality collagen without compromising quality. This circular bioeconomy solution offers new economic opportunities for small-scale fisheries while reducing waste. The collaboration with fishers revealed a willingness to participate in recycling jellyfish bycatch, but also highli...
In an experiment, yellow trout grew larger than the wild strain, with averages of 300 grams at 270 days compared to 237-gram range for wild-type ones. The study suggests potential for aquaculture and sport fishing, with color variation leading to different products.
Researchers found that cultivating seaweed species alongside marine finfish can significantly reduce key waste products from fish farming. The study provides guidance for aquaculture producers to incorporate seaweed into existing and prospective integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems.
Researchers have developed a new method to reduce intermuscular bones in hybrid fish through hybridization, resulting in offspring with fewer IBs and improved processing efficiency. The study provides molecular biological insights into phenotypic changes in hybrid lineages and their derivatives.
A new UBC study found that global aquaculture production is increasingly relying on less beneficial species for food security, climate mitigation, and biodiversity. The industry's shift towards finfish has lower sustainability potential, while earlier systems like seaweed and shellfish had higher sustainability.
A new zebrafish study sheds light on why haploid fish embryos often fail to survive normal development. Researchers identified 13 key genes associated with abnormal development, highlighting disruptions in FGF and Wnt signaling pathways, mitochondrial translation, ion transport, and cell-cycle regulation.
Hundreds of migratory fish species are facing accelerating declines due to dam construction, habitat fragmentation, pollution, overfishing, and climate-driven ecosystem changes. The Global Assessment of Migratory Freshwater Fishes identifies 325 species needing coordinated international conservation efforts.
A 37-year study by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center found that cannibalism is the primary killer of juvenile blue crabs in mid-salinity waters. However, young crabs can escape predation by migrating to shallow waters, where they are safer from adult crabs and other predators.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has developed a scalable aquaculture platform that automates early-life stages, minimizing pathogen exposure and animal stress. The system uses light and flow-guided systems to improve survival rates and reduce labor input.
The interim update to the State of the World's Migratory Species report warns that 49% of migratory species populations are declining, with 24% facing extinction, due to habitat loss and overexploitation. The report highlights the need for coordinated international action to address these threats and protect migratory species.
A USF study reveals gag grouper populations in the Gulf are overfished, with shortened seasons to aid recovery. The research team developed a statistical model to improve harvest predictions and provide explicit estimates of quota exceedance.
A new study from Timor-Leste shows that increasing fish supply alone is not enough to tackle malnutrition; targeted nutrition messaging and public awareness are also necessary. The study found that households exposed to both increased fish availability and nutrition campaign were nearly twice as likely to purchase fish.
Researchers successfully farmed Atlantic surfclams offshore in the open ocean, finding faster growth and higher survival rates than those farmed near shore. The study opens new doors for offshore aquaculture in New Jersey, promising a sustainable way to grow more seafood while supporting local jobs.
A new study suggests that releasing pollack closer to their natural catch depths can significantly improve their chances of survival. The research found that releasing fish at these depths can increase survival rates from 56% to over 80%. This could have a positive impact on the long-term sustainability of recreational pollack fisheries.
The English listening section of the Common Test for University Admissions featured land-based aquaculture using 'the new type of water', a mixture of seawater and freshwater minerals. This innovative method enhances fish growth rates, disease resistance, and reduces salt content, addressing global food shortages.
A new Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution study suggests that large-scale deep-sea fishing could undermine valuable tuna fisheries by reducing the food available to bigeye tuna. The research highlights the importance of ecosystem-based management and considering cross-fishery trade-offs before expanding new fisheries.
Governance arrangements in small-scale fisheries have been shown to impact sustainability. Research led by Mateja Nenadović found that each governance model, whether cooperative or patron-based, is better suited to specific environmental conditions. These findings provide initial building blocks for a theory of governance fit, essentia...
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a patent-pending shark deterrent that can be used to reduce bycatch in fisheries. The device produces an electric field that repels sharks from bait without affecting target fish, and has been shown to reduce catches of coastal sharks by 62-70%.
Research led by University of Miami researchers shows that effective fisheries management can coexist with predator recovery, contradicting previous assumptions. The study found that fishing effort, not predator recovery, drives fishery yields in the North Sea.
Researchers found a neuroendocrine mechanism linking ovarian status to brain signals controlling sexual receptivity in female teleosts. Progesterone analogs restored sexual behavior but not ovulation, suggesting a direct neural pathway for hormone reception.
A UK study found that over 40% of consumers are willing to try new fish species, including sardines and anchovies. The research highlights the potential for improving national health and local economies by embracing home-caught seafood. It also reveals a generational divide in seafood consumption habits.
A study found that Japanese eels thrive in rivers with higher summer water temperatures, particularly those with farmland and urban land uses. Volcanic geology also plays a role, as younger formations result in cooler rivers and may limit the species' expansion.
Benizake salmon farming is expanding in Namie Town, Fukushima, with the help of Japan's Subsidy for Business Location program. The project aims to revitalize commercial activity and create employment opportunities for affected residents after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
A £1.4 million funding has been secured by the University of Stirling to explore tissue remodelling processes in salmon, with a focus on reducing mortality linked to gill and skin health issues. The research will deliver practical tools for fish health and productivity while enhancing sustainability in the Scottish aquaculture industry.
Researchers at UMass Amherst found that reducing air exposure, fight times, water temperatures, and increasing angler education are crucial for a sustainable fishery. The team's study revealed that longer fights and higher water temps increase recovery time and stress on striped bass.
Researchers at the University of Washington successfully tracked salmon populations using airborne eDNA, finding that the airborne DNA concentration fluctuated with visual counts reported by the hatchery. The technique links air, water, and fish, providing a valuable tool for population health monitoring and management.
A new study finds that floating solar panel systems can have varying effects on aquatic ecosystems depending on the reservoir's depth, circulation dynamics, and fish species. The cooling effect of the water can boost panel efficiency, but increased variability in habitat suitability for aquatic species is also observed.
A new study finds that deep-sea mining waste can disrupt marine life in the midwater 'twilight zone', where vast communities of zooplankton support the ocean's food system. The waste, released during a 2022 mining trial, has lower concentrations of amino acids, threatening the delicate balance of the food web.
The National TRAP Program has awarded $1.8M to 13 projects focused on removing derelict fishing gear from US coastal waters, resulting in the removal of over 7,000 traps and 300,000 pounds of debris. The program aims to improve derelict trap prevention and mitigation through data analysis and policy recommendations.
The FAU Queen Conch Lab has developed mobile lab hatcheries to restore threatened Caribbean queen conch populations and promote sustainable seafood production. These self-contained units bring advanced aquaculture capabilities to coastal communities, supporting education, employment, and food security.
Researchers find that farmed totoaba could alleviate poaching pressures by establishing a regulated trade. The study suggests that a market-based solution may be more effective than a regulatory approach in curbing poaching. A $6 million subsidy program could make farming cheaper and prevent further decline of the wild population.
Research suggests that American lobsters are more resilient to ocean acidification than previously thought, but they are highly sensitive to heat stress. The study found that warmer water led to faster embryo development, but smaller larvae with decreased survival prospects in the wild.
A new study reveals that dried fish is an overlooked yet vital source of nutrition for millions of people across Africa, particularly for young children and women. The research found that even small portions of dried fish contribute significantly to recommended nutrient intakes for essential minerals like iron and zinc.
Researchers found that commercial fisheries benefit from natural fluctuations in the ecosystem, but these benefits are mediated by management and human behavior. Diversifying catches across species can provide stability and protect watermen from boom-and-bust cycles.
Research reveals community management effectively protects vast areas of Amazonian forest, safeguarding biodiversity and supporting local communities. Community-led conservation efforts are crucial for long-term sustainability, but require recognition and financial support.