Articles tagged with Fishing
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.
Researchers found that Brown-headed cowbirds can affect the sex of host offspring, while commercial fishing led to changes in open-ocean fish communities. Additionally, a study on plant defense theory revealed that outbred plants are more resistant to certain insect herbivores.
Research estimates cod biomass on the Scotian Shelf was 1.26 million metric tons in 1852, compared to less than 50,000 metric tons today. The decline is consistent with earlier research and suggests that commercially important species biomass is only a small fraction of what existed before industrialized exploitation.
Researchers question current fisheries management practices, highlighting the importance of older fish in maintaining productive populations. The study reveals that eliminating older generations drastically reduces a population's ability to replenish itself, leading to collapse of West Coast fisheries.
New technologies such as multi-beam sonar enable detailed mapping of the ocean floor, revealing undersea mountains, new species and improving safety for shipping. This advancement allows for better management of marine resources, including fisheries and conservation efforts.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that tuna stocks are at risk of extinction due to unsustainable fishing and farming practices. The organization is calling for stricter regulations, including real-time monitoring of catches and the implementation of a new quota system.
Fishermen in North Sea face severe economic consequences from discarding unwanted fish and marine life back into the ocean. The study proposes restricting access to certain areas and adapting fishing gear to reduce discards, with allocated incentives for compliant fishermen.
The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico has broken up, with hypoxia moving further offshore and marine life returning to previously low-oxygen areas. Strong coastal currents and eddies are thought to be key factors in this change.
A new stable phase in the Gulf of Maine marine ecosystem has emerged, marked by expansive kelp beds and the dominance of crabs and lobsters. This change is attributed to a drastic reduction in top predators like cod, leading to trophic-level dysfunction.
Commercial fishing methods are causing significant damage to Fijian coral reefs. The study highlights the importance of sustainable fishing practices to protect these critical ecosystems.
A new study found that subsistence fishing has disastrous consequences for coral reefs, causing healthy corals to die and being rapidly replaced by algae. Even low levels of fishing can bring about profound ecosystem changes, including the growth of crown-of-thorns starfish populations.
The Madison/Swanson and Steamboat Lumps marine reserves in the Gulf of Mexico have been given a new life after a two-year extension. Larger fish with greater egg-producing potential were found within the protected sites than outside them, indicating the reserves are working as designed.
Young female chimpanzees learned to fish for termites at 31 months, while young males began playing and swinging around at 58 months. Females also copied their mothers' fishing techniques more closely, reflecting their adult sex roles.
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.
The Pacific leatherback turtle's population has declined by 97% since 1982, with fewer than 3,000 females remaining. A two-pronged approach is needed to save the species, including stronger protections for nesting beaches and safer fishing practices.
Deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems are being destroyed by commercial fishing, especially bottom trawling. Scientists call for governments to protect these newly discovered ecosystems, which provide habitat for marine wildlife and contain chemicals that could become medicines.
Researchers found that bottom gears like dredges and trawls inflict the most harm on habitats and marine vertebrates. The team suggests banning or limiting these gears in sensitive areas.
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.
A physiologist's research has led to the development of improved catch-and-release procedures in fishing tournaments, resulting in better physiological condition and higher energy stores for fish. The new methods prioritize water immersion during weigh-ins to minimize stress and improve survival rates for species like bass and walleye.
A study revealed 253 Caribbean marine species are endemic, with many having tiny ranges making them susceptible to extinction. Destructive fishing practices and development threaten these micro-endemic species.
A recent study found that non-destructive fishing methods on the Banggai cardinalfish population reduced group size by half. This threat is alarming, given the species has been commercially fished for only six years and its range expands widely. To mitigate this, researchers encourage local people to raise Banggai cardinalfish in aquar...
The Bristol Bay sockeye stock is a biocomplex system comprising hundreds of discrete populations, each with local adaptations that stabilize the system. Management strategies focus on networks of habitat rather than just protecting today's strongest runs.
Charismatic Antarctic creatures are under threat from illegal fishing, with seabirds, fur seals, and penguins facing increased competition for food or being killed by fishing gear. Scientific research has led to a dramatic reduction in the number of Antarctic seabirds killed from longline fisheries over the last five years.
Destructive fishing practices, such as bottom trawls, result in massive bycatch and habitat destruction, threatening the survival of fisheries. Experts agree that there are solutions, but change requires political will and action.
The study found a 92% decline in risk of future Exxon Valdez-like spills after implementing risk management measures. The Prince William Sound team estimated the probability of accidents involving oil tankers and identified key risks, such as tanker collisions with fishing vessels.
The Pacific Ocean's sardine and anchovy regimes alternate every 25 years, affecting the marine food web and climate. These cycles are similar to El Niño events but take place over longer time periods.
Researchers created a DNA fin test that accurately identifies six shark species commonly caught in North Atlantic waters. The test uses polymerase chain reaction and has implications for shark fisheries and trade monitoring, facilitating better recordkeeping and conservation efforts.
Trawler fishermen face unique occupational and weather-related hazards, while economic pressures often hinder safety measures. New technology can improve vessel buoyancy and provide access to reliable weather predictions.
Researchers found a decline in genetic diversity in Tasman Bay's New Zealand snapper population, starting from the 1950s when it began to be commercially fished. The 'virgin' population showed a significant decline in six of seven microsatellite loci, raising concerns about the sustainability of commercial fishing industries.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison study warns that industrial fishing poses significant risks to sharks, dolphins, and billfishes. The large, slow-growing animals are vulnerable to declines in populations due to increased fishing pressure.
Researchers found that selective fishing practices can lead to dramatic changes in fish size, affecting growth rates and productivity. They propose rethinking minimum size restrictions and establishing no-take reserves to manage fisheries sustainably.
Researchers found that Rockhoppers, the smallest species, swim up to 180 miles or more from their home territory on New Island, putting them at risk of collisions with fishing nets and oil spills. This expansion highlights the need for conservation strategies to reduce conflicts between humans and organisms in the open ocean.
The application of military technologies and increased fishing effort have led to the depletion of marine species, with new technologies revealing previously inaccessible areas. To avoid extinction, experts emphasize the need for establishing networks of marine reserves to provide safe havens and protect habitats.
A new study reveals that the catch of food fish species in the North Atlantic has decreased by more than half over the last fifty years, despite a tripling in fishing effort. This decline is attributed to the increasing pressure on marine ecosystems, leading to reduced productivity and mass extinctions among large predatory fish.
Researchers in Alaska are studying a shift in shark populations due to climate change, with salmon sharks and Pacific sleeper sharks increasing in numbers. The declining number of sea lions, seals, and other pinnipeds suggests that top predators have shifted from orcas and pinnipeds to orcas, sharks, and decreasing numbers of the latter.
Researchers found that the catch of key food species has decreased by over half, despite increased fishing effort. The impact has undermined the ocean's ability to sustain further catches, with invertebrates replacing large predatory fishes at the top of marine food webs.
A study by Dr. Keith Berend found that fly fishermen experience lower back pain, hand and wrist pain, shoulder and knee pain, and elbow pain due to repetitive arm motions and standing for long periods. Improper casting techniques and carrying heavy gear can exacerbate these issues.