Articles tagged with Fishing
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that two-thirds of monitored World Heritage sites face threats from illegal fishing, logging, and poaching. IUCN calls for strengthened international cooperation to protect these unique ecosystems and species at risk.
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.
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.
As ocean waters warm at a rate two to three times faster than the global average, commercially important species will continue to shift their distribution. This shift is expected to impact local fishing communities, as species now landed at those ports move out of range and new species move in.
A new study reveals that fishing can lead to massive gene expression changes in an exploited fish population, affecting their ability to adapt. Removing the largest individuals from a population induces differences in thousands of genes, which persist even after recovery.
A world-first study found that pregnant rays are traumatized by capture, impacting their reproductive potential and offspring health. The study, led by Leonardo Guida, examined the southern fiddler ray and found that trawl capture can affect fetal development, leading to smaller, lighter offspring with compromised immune systems.
Researchers found that fish biomass is 62% higher in Sudanese reefs compared to Saudi Arabian reefs, highlighting the effect of fishing on local ecosystems. The study suggests that careful management and protection could restore Saudi's reefs to their former state, making them suitable for eco-tourism
Researchers recommend banning transshipment at-sea to curb illegal fishing and human trafficking. The practice allows ships to evade monitoring and enforcement, enabling the laundering of illicit fish into the seafood market.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that human illness leads to more destructive fishing methods and environmental harm at Lake Victoria. Healthy individuals tend to prioritize sustainable fishing practices, whereas chronically ill people focus on short-term gains, resulting in unsustainable methods.
Researchers developed a handheld device to detect cyanide fishing, which can harm coral reefs and fish. The device uses porphyrins to bind thiocyanate, a metabolite secreted by fish exposed to cyanide.
A new study has provided critical information on the Great Hammerhead shark's migration patterns, enabling marine management and conservation officials to develop effective protection strategies. The research found that the sharks return to specific areas after migrations, making them vulnerable to fisheries, and revealed complex movem...
A new study identified six 'hot spots of marine biodiversity' severely impacted by climate change and fishing pressures, including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Industrial fishing has reduced global fish stocks, with harvest pressure expected to further exacerbate decline in these areas.
New research finds that effective fishing reforms can significantly increase the world's fish population and profits despite climate change impacts. The study identifies potential losses of fish species due to warming, primarily affecting developing regions heavily reliant on seafood for nutrition.
A UCSB scholar examines the evolution of wooden halibut hooks carved by native people of the Northwest Coast, tracing their design and dimensions over time. The study reveals that the hooks' transformation from utilitarian tool to expression of cultural heritage has driven changes in materials, dimension, and meaning.
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.
Researchers at Stanford University found that large MPAs in the U.S. Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge effectively protected grey reef sharks, with more sharks inside the reserve and fewer fishing vessels outside. The study suggests that expanded MPAs can have a significant impact on shark populations and ecosystem health.
Researchers found that well-diversified fishing communities in Alaska experienced little change in revenue despite fluctuations in fish abundance and market prices. Communities with high diversity were able to shift to different fisheries, increasing their revenue streams.
A team of researchers observed Hawaiian false killer whales removing fish from longline fishing gear for the first time, gaining insight into a behavior that has led to unsustainable entanglements. The study provides new information on the animals' behavior and may lead to the development of 'smart hooks' to reduce bycatch.
Glowworms' adhesive threads feature water-absorbent droplets containing minerals possibly from primary urine, extracting atmospheric water to avoid desiccation. The lines' composition is unique, containing mainly water, hygroscopic salts, and biomolecules.
A new study using acoustic networks has documented a 34% per year decline in Mexico's critically endangered vaquita porpoise. The decline is attributed to resumption of illegal gillnet fishing for totoaba, despite conservation efforts.
A new study calls for a shift in conservation approaches that consider humans' livelihoods, cultural traditions, and dependence on natural resources. This can lead to successful conservation projects when both natural and social scientists work together with local communities.
Researchers created a simple rule of thumb to help predators weigh the pros and cons of sharing information about prey locations. The model suggests that cooperation is beneficial when it takes longer to find and consume prey, such as large buffalo or rich fishing grounds.
A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that male dark fishing spiders' self-sacrifice after mating benefits their offspring, producing nearly twice as many spiderlings and those growing up to 20% larger. The females who consumed their mates survived about 50% longer than those without this behavior.
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.
The endangered North Atlantic right whale population is facing a dual threat, with lethal and debilitating entanglements on the rise and a dramatic decline in birth rates. The species' recovery success is now in jeopardy due to a lack of management intervention.
A recent study found that coral reefs with fewer large, predator fish have nearly half of their key nutrients absent. Fish play a crucial role in recycling nutrients in the reef's tight nutrient cycle. The researchers suggest that curbing fishing practices targeting large predator fish could help reefs recover.
A citizen science project, SOS, uses high-resolution satellite images to help researchers count Weddell seals in the Ross Sea. By contributing to this effort, the public will aid in understanding how fishing affects seal populations and the entire ecosystem.
A new University of British Columbia study finds that ships flagged for illegal fishing can obtain insurance; researchers propose using vessel list checks to block such vessels from securing coverage. This approach is cheaper and more effective than traditional methods to combat illegal fishing.
A study by ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies found that fishers who communicate with their competitors can reduce shark catches and adopt more sustainable fishing methods. By sharing information about avoiding sharks, nearly 46,000 sharks could have been saved annually in the Pacific Ocean.
Scientists found that selectively fishing for lingcod in closed areas can help avoid harming other fish species, including rockfish listed as overfished. The approach aims to balance the needs of fishermen with conservation efforts, potentially benefiting both groups.
A recent study highlights the need for sustainable shark conservation in Indonesia, where fin harvesting contributes to over 3 million shark deaths annually. Implementing no-fishing zones and providing alternative livelihood options can help protect shark populations and support local communities.
Researchers tracked female turtles by satellite from Cyprus, finding that they are dying in fishing nets used by small-scale operations. The study highlights an 11% mortality rate per year, a higher rate than expected for this long-lived species.
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 UCSB biologist and colleagues used satellite data on fishing to help protect ocean biodiversity. They analyzed billions of vessel data points to assess the effectiveness of new marine parks in stopping illegal fishing. The researchers also created a global map of human use of high seas, paving the way for more effective management of...
A study found that catch shares management reduced risky behavior in fishing by 79% during stormy weather. This shift in behavior corresponds to a 87% reduction in safety incidents and is expected to lead to fewer injuries, vessel losses, and deaths.
Shark researchers support most available conservation policies, with a majority favoring sustainable fishing regulations. Many also prioritize environmental non-profit advocacy and believe there is no single policy to solve all shark conservation problems.
New research reveals biodegradable netting can outperform conventional nylon nets with similar catch rates while degrading over time. This sustainable alternative could help mitigate the impact of ghost fishing on marine ecosystems.
Examination of fishing hooks and baits reveals conflicting impacts on sharks and rays, with some methods potentially increasing catch and injury while others help sea turtles and other species.
A new study published in Nature Communications estimates that 32 million metric tons of fish are caught unreported every year, obscuring a decline in the total catch. The study, led by researchers at the University of British Columbia, attributes the discrepancy to inadequate data collection on artisanal and subsistence fishing.
A new study from Oregon State University found that Dungeness crab fishermen experience a high rate of non-fatal injuries, with the majority occurring during vessel disasters. The researchers also discovered that many of these injuries go unreported, highlighting the need for improved safety measures and reporting systems in the industry.
Three new species of fishing snakes were identified in the Andean cloud forests of Amazonian Ecuador and Peru, with differences found in scale features, male sexual organs, and DNA. The discovery expands the Synophis genus to eight members and highlights the biodiversity hotspot in western South America.
Researchers quantify the amount of drag on entangled whales created by towing fishing gear, revealing significant effects on energy costs and survival. The study provides crucial data for evaluating risks and benefits of whale disentanglements and reinforces current efforts to minimize entangling gear.
A new study reveals that fluctuating food supplies and competition can alter survival of adult fish and cause populations to fluctuate in abundance. The research found strong interactions between the amount of food and the survival rate as well as the number of fish, with more fish leading to less survival due to competing for limited ...
A new study found that recreational anglers who received education on shark conservation were more supportive of management and conservation efforts. The researchers surveyed 158 anglers in South Florida, revealing that many catch-and-release anglers recognized the post-release mortality risks for sharks.
A new study reveals differences in seal species' behavior, influencing effective measures to mitigate seal-fishery conflict. The study suggests that developing fishing gear and practices can provide more effective mitigation measures than removing individual seals away from fishing gear.
Seals are having no significant impact on commercial fish populations off the south and west coasts of Ireland, according to a new study. The researchers found that seals primarily eat smaller fish, which are abundant in numbers, thereby not competing with fishermen for the valuable stocks.
A team of researchers argues that certain countries are misinterpreting the term 'rational use' as a license for unrestricted fishing. The study's authors claim this interpretation is not supported by international accords, and argue that sustainable fishing practices should be prioritized instead.
Researchers used cadaver arms in experiments supporting the idea that human hands evolved for both manual dexterity and fistfighting. They found humans can safely strike with 55% more force with a fully buttressed fist than with an unbuttressed fist.
Researchers at University of Alaska Fairbanks discovered 11,500-year-old chum salmon bones indicating Ice Age humans in North America used salmon as a food source. The findings suggest ancient Beringian diets were broader and human colonization of North America may have been influenced by salmon fishing.
The NOAA Marine Debris Program has funded 13 new community-based removal projects, distributing nearly $1.4 million to remove large debris such as derelict vessels and abandoned fishing gear from shorelines and coastal waters. The projects also focus on prevention initiatives and raise local awareness about marine debris.
After 10 years of monitoring, a UCSB analysis reveals that MPAs in the Channel Islands network are enhancing ecological communities. Fish species targeted by fishermen have greater density and biomass inside MPAs, while unprotected areas show increases in fished species.
New research reveals that the Mary Rose's cod provisions were sourced from distant waters, including the northern North Sea and Icelandic fisheries. The findings suggest a globalized fish trade played a significant role in the growth of the English navy during the Tudor period.
Researchers found a clear transition in catches at depths of 600 to 800 meters, with significant increases in biodiversity and discarded biomass. The study suggests that a depth limit at around 600 meters could have specific conservation benefits.
A University of Washington biologist has spotted a rare nautilus species, Allonautilus scrobiculatus, for the first time in three decades. The sighting highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect this ancient lineage from illegal fishing practices and potential extinction.
A three-year fishery closure around Robben Island increased African penguin chick survival rates by 18%, a significant improvement for the endangered species. The study highlights the importance of small no-take zones in improving demographic parameters of mobile species like the African penguin.
A new study found that catch-and-release practices in recreational fishing may influence the evolutionary path of species, favoring fish with lower metabolisms. Researchers compared largemouth bass populations from fished and unfished lakes, showing a significant difference in metabolic rates.
The Irukandji box jellyfish uses its nematocyst clusters like experienced fishermen use their lures. The tiny but deadly jellyfish actively targets and catches complex fish that are often larger than itself, displaying a surprising complex prey capture strategy.
Researchers found that no-take marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef significantly reduced coral disease levels, four times lower inside reserves compared to outside. The study highlights the benefits of marine reserves for enhancing coral health and managing fishing-related damage.
A new study by University of Massachusetts Amherst fisheries biologist Andy J. Danylchuk is assessing the impact of catch-and-release fishing on the golden dorado fish in South America. The study aims to develop conservation strategies and sustainable fishing practices for this iconic species, which is crucial to the regional ecotouris...
Research led at the University of Strathclyde suggests that predatory seals are a major obstacle to cod stock recovery in Scottish waters. The study found that grey seal predation has increased to compensate for declining fishing efforts, leading to losses of over 40% of the total stock.