Articles tagged with Fisheries
The NOAA survey found high numbers of juvenile sea scallops and ocean quahogs on Georges Bank, while recruitment in the Mid-Atlantic was weaker than expected. Biomass remained high, but declined in certain areas, such as the Elephant Trunk rotational area.
A 16-nation research project is surveying the Mid-Atlantic Ridge for biodiversity, discovering potential new species and shedding light on deep-sea communities. The NOAA-led expedition aims to understand the ecosystem's structure and how it interacts with human activities.
A new form of unregulated whaling is emerging along Japan and South Korea's coastlines, threatening minke whale stocks. DNA analysis reveals that up to 300 whales may be killed annually through bycatch whaling, equivalent to Japan's scientific whaling program.
The Alaska Region Research Vessel (ARRV) will support scientific research in high-latitude waters, collecting sediment samples and hosting remotely operated vehicles. The vessel will enable scientists to study global issues like sea-level rise and climate change affecting Alaska's fisheries and ecosystems.
Scientists at the University of Iceland and Marine Research Institute report a significant difference in Darwinian fitness between shallow-water and deep-water adapted cod. The study found that intense habitat-specific fishing pressure led to rapid elimination of shallow-water fish, drastic effects on populations and fisheries.
A study by Florida State University researcher Chris Stallings reveals a 'sobering' decline of large predatory fishes in the Caribbean, mainly caused by overfishing. The research documents patterns across a greater geographic scale than previous studies, highlighting the impact on marine food webs and coral reefs.
The University of Washington's DEIMOS acoustic package has joined the Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) ocean observatory to monitor movements of fish and zooplankton in Monterey Bay. The system uses an echo sounder to reveal what's in a narrow cone of water above the instrument, providing insights into ocean life dynamics.
A new study suggests that over-dramatized fish health benefits put pressure on wild fish stocks, threatening food security in developing nations. The research highlights the need for sustainable seafood consumption and warns against 'triaging' food sources without verifying their impact.
A long-term study reveals that the average weight of red knots has declined significantly since their primary food source, horseshoe crab eggs, was reduced. The population size of red knots has declined by over 75 percent due to increased harvest of horseshoe crabs.
Climate change is expected to drastically impact world fisheries, with US Atlantic cod populations projected to decline by 50% by 2050. The study, led by William Cheung, simulates changes in ocean temperature and current patterns caused by various climate scenarios.
A 'hot spot' for toxic harmful algal blooms has been discovered off the Washington coast, where microorganisms can trigger harmful blooms that force shellfish bed closures.
The Nile Delta fishery has grown significantly due to the influx of nutrients from fertilizers and sewage discharges, with 60-100% of production supported by these sources. This unexpected expansion raises questions about the value of anthropogenic nutrient inputs to ecosystems.
A study published in Science estimates the total biomass of fish in the world's oceans at 2 billion tonnes. Fish play a significant role in mitigating climate change by maintaining the ocean's pH balance, with their calcium excretion process affecting ocean acidification.
Researchers found that key ecological threats can be detected in advance, allowing for swift policy change. Monitoring and analysis of ecosystem data are crucial to preventing regime shifts and averting ecological harm. The study's findings offer a new approach to predicting environmental disaster and informing conservation efforts.
Over 8,000 scientists support creating marine protected areas for endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtles and hammerhead sharks. The International Union for Conservation of Nature's resolution aims to safeguard the critically endangered species from industrial fisheries by identifying and protecting their migratory routes.
A study has found nearly 3,000 sea turtles dead along a 27-mile stretch of coast in Baja California, highlighting the impact of bycatch on loggerhead sea turtle populations. Conservation efforts, including awareness-raising and sustainable fishing practices, are being implemented to mitigate this threat.
Researchers used otolith chemistry to identify individuals from different nurseries and found that over half of juvenile bluefin tuna in North American waters were of Mediterranean origin. The study also shows that over 95% of adult bluefin tuna return to their place of origin to spawn, with critical implications for fisheries management.
Small-scale fisheries, which employ over 12 million people worldwide, are being disproportionately harmed by eco-labelling initiatives and fuel subsidies. As a result, many small-scale fishers are unable to compete in the market and struggle to survive due to unfair advantages given to large-scale industrial fleets.
The Marine Conservation Alliance will document its work on halibut and salmon excluder devices for trawl nets, as well as its marine debris cleanup efforts, at the American Fisheries Society Meeting in Ottawa. The MCA Foundation's cleanup work removed over 175 metric tons of plastic debris from Alaska shorelines last year.
UBC researchers suggest redirecting fuel subsidies from fishing fleets to re-training fishers to address the economic and environmental impact of rising fuel costs. The study found that governments spend $6.4 billion annually on fuel subsidies, which could be better spent supporting sustainable fisheries.
A study tracking leatherback turtles in the eastern Pacific Ocean has revealed a narrow corridor they consistently follow, potentially leading to fishing suspension and improved management. The turtles' movements are correlated with environmental features and fishing activity, providing new opportunities for conservation efforts.
A new analysis suggests that compensatory mitigation of fisheries bycatch could do more harm than good, and is unlikely to succeed in reducing impacts on threatened species. The researchers found that bycatch affects a wide range of nontarget species, making it difficult to implement effective mitigation strategies.
Fishing on drifting fish aggregation devices (FADs) poses a significant threat to the survival of tropical tuna, especially juveniles. Studies have shown that FAD-associated tuna feed less well and have lower plumpness than those caught from free schools.
Research found that fishing on FADs resulted in tuna with empty stomachs, lower plumpness, and altered migration patterns. The practice may lead to ecological traps for young fish, which could impact the entire life cycle of these species.
Researchers from LSU and University of Washington dispute claims that the Gulf's ecosystem is collapsing due to overexploitation. They found little change in fish populations over 40 years, despite the region's unique environment influenced by the Mississippi River.
A recent global assessment by the World Conservation Union has found that many large shark species have declined by more than half due to increased demand for shark fins and meat, as well as recreational and commercial fisheries. The scalloped hammerhead shark is among those listed as globally endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Researchers reveal a climate-driven phenomenon that reverses overexploitation of deep-sea resources, enhancing recruitment and total landings of the shrimp Aristeus antennatus. This finding has significant socio-economic impact and highlights the importance of considering global cascading effects on biological processes.
A new international study will determine whether American eel population decline is caused by chemical pollution in Lake Ontario. The research aims to identify the impact of toxic chemicals on eel populations, habitats, and human consumers.
A study reveals that fish farms are causing a severe decline in wild salmon populations by infecting them with sea lice, which can lead to a 99% collapse of the population within four years. This has serious implications for the entire ecosystem, as salmon play a crucial role in supporting various industries and wildlife.
Researchers analyzed high-resolution data from loggers on wandering albatrosses' legs, showing they land on the water at simpler random intervals. This challenges previous findings about Lévy flight behavior in animals like deer and bumblebees.
A small-scale Mexican fishery has been found to kill as many critically endangered loggerhead sea turtles as all of the industrial fishing fleets in the North Pacific Ocean. The research led by University of California, Santa Cruz Ph.D. candidate Hoyt Peckham resulted in a voluntary turnaround in the fleet's fishing practices and the d...
The quality of giant bluefin tuna caught in the Gulf of Maine has declined significantly since the early 1990s, with potential changes in food sources and reproductive patterns. Researchers found that the condition of those fish caught is of much lower quality, with reduced fat content and a leaner appearance.
Australian jellyfish, Phyllorhiza punctata, have reappeared in the Gulf of Mexico, with sightings reported as far north as North Carolina. The species can outcompete commercially important fish for food and consume their larvae.
Large Humboldt squid have invaded the sea off Central California, where they are feeding on commercially important fishery species like hake and anchovy. This shift may be linked to a decrease in large tuna and billfish populations in the Equatorial Pacific, allowing the squid to expand their range.
A study by CSIRO Australia suggests that removing invasive predators from island breeding colonies could offset 'bycatch' losses, saving more seabirds at a lower cost. This approach could be an effective means of conservation, particularly for species affected by fishing and invasive species.
Researchers suggest assessing levies for by-catch to fund conservation measures. This approach would give fishermen financial incentives to avoid catching noncommercial species while providing funds to address more hazardous threats to seabirds and turtles.
A team of scientists from Conservation International and World Wildlife Fund discovered a rare nesting ground for the endangered Cantor's giant softshell turtle in Cambodia's Mekong River. The survey revealed an abundance of the species, allowing for the release of hatchlings into the wild.
A study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that light sticks used in longline fisheries attract turtles, which can lead to entanglement and death. The researchers suggest that adjusting the lighting or using colors undetectable to turtles could reduce turtle deaths.
The World Wildlife Fund report reveals a significant growth in farmed salmon, leading to decreased wild salmon supply and economic impacts on fishermen. The study recommends harmonizing regulatory food safety standards and providing accurate information about salmon issues.
Research reveals that sustainable aquaculture is essential to meet growing demand for healthy seafood, with advancements in feed efficiency and marine environments crucial to its growth. The industry has enormous potential to increase production and provide affordable and healthy seafood options.
A new study estimates that up to 73 million sharks are killed annually for their valuable fins, exceeding UN reports by three times. The shark fin trade's high demand and lack of regulation threaten slow-to-produce shark populations.
A new study by Wake Forest University biologists reveals that fishermen caught and killed an estimated 1 percent of the world's waved albatrosses in a year. The research highlights the unintentional killing of birds in fishing nets and intentional harvesting for human consumption.
The invasive Didemnum species continues to thrive on Georges Bank, with colonies found in two areas where they were also detected in previous years. Scientists are concerned about the impact on local fisheries and shellfish aquaculture industries.
The University of Miami Rosenstiel School has received a total of $1 million in NOAA grants to improve hatchery and offshore aquaculture technology. The program aims to develop ecologically sustainable aquaculture practices with minimal environmental impact.
A new three-year project is investigating the earliest development of sea fisheries in Northern Europe, with a focus on the critical period between 950AD and 1050AD. Researchers are analyzing fish bones from archaeological sites across the region to understand the impact of intensive sea fishing on medieval trading patterns.
The Aldo Leopold Leadership Program provides mid-career academic scientists with critical skills to communicate effectively with decision makers and the media. The fellowship program, founded in 1998, aims to improve policymaking through sound information conveyed clearly and accurately.
A University of Washington researcher found that salmon spawning can alter stream beds, releasing silt, minerals, and nutrients that impact nearby rivers and lakes. This
University of Miami researchers are tracking black and red grouper in the Dry Tortugas National Park using acoustic telemetry technology. The study aims to improve our understanding of species movement and habitat requirements, enabling more efficient design and assessment of future marine-protected areas.
Dr. Pauly's research reveals that the world passed its peak fish in the late 1980s and has been gradually sinking since then. To prevent a collapse, he advocates for reducing excess fishing capacity, creating no-take zones, and enforcing sustainable fishing levels.
The WorldFish Center has been awarded the Accenture Economic Development Award for its genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) technology. This innovation has increased growth rates and productivity of Nile Tilapia in poor water conditions, helping to reduce poverty and hunger in developing countries.
Researchers from Virginia Tech's Freshwater Mussel Conservation Center have released several thousand cultivated mussels into the Clinch River as part of a replenishing project. The release aims to restore water quality and support aquatic life after a toxic spill in 1998 killed most aquatic life on that stretch of the river.
A new generation of smart gear has been developed to minimize the accidental deaths of hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and juvenile fish. The innovations include weighted, deep-set lines that reduce encounters with sea turtles while increasing tuna catch, as well as avoidable, detectable gear for marine mammals.
Scientists at British Antarctic Survey tracked albatross migration patterns using tiny logging devices, revealing that over half of birds made round-the-world journeys in just 46 days. The study provides crucial information for governments and fisheries commissions to implement measures reducing bird deaths by up to 95%.
The center, established at Virginia Tech, aims to study and propagate endangered mussels. Researchers produce nearly 50,000 juvenile mussels annually and work on projects like surveying bivalves for stress indicators and studying pearl production.
Researchers have identified three new Geophagus fish species in South America, shedding light on the region's biodiversity and ecosystem importance. The discoveries add to ongoing efforts to catalog the approximately 4,475 freshwater fish species found in the region.
A global assessment of sea turtle bycatch in longline fisheries revealed four primary hotspots in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic, and Mediterranean Sea. The study estimates that 1.4 billion hooks were set globally in 2000, catching at least 200,000 loggerheads and 50,000 leatherbacks.
A study quantifying incidental catch of loggerheads and leatherbacks in the global pelagic longline fishery reveals alarming bycatch rates. The authors estimate that thousands of hooked turtles die from longline takes each year, posing a significant threat to Pacific turtle populations.
The study found that oil's negative effects last far longer than expected, with some species suffering long-term losses due to chronic exposure. The findings highlight the importance of controlling stormwater runoff and revising water quality standards to mitigate pollution.
A team from Stanford University is retracing the 1940s journey of John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts to document changes in the Sea of Cortez. The expedition aims to raise awareness about the impact of tourism on the region, with a focus on conservation and sustainability.
The study finds that salmon farms have increased by fivefold since the late 1980s, while wild-caught salmon production has declined, threatening native communities' economic livelihoods. The report highlights ecological risks from farm escapees contaminating wild stocks and releasing untreated pollutants into the marine ecosystem.