Fisheries Development Research Articles

Spatiotemporal dynamic assessment and obstacle analysis of economic resilience in China's marine fisheries.

With global climate change and increased overfishing, the sustainable development of marine fisheries economies faces many challenges. This study evaluates the resilience of the marine fishery system in China's coastal areas in a systematic, scientific, and comprehensive manner by establishing the ANP-EWM-TOPSIS comprehensive evaluation system, analyzing the temporal and spatial changes in the economic resilience of marine fisheries, and exploring the main obstacles affecting resilience. The results show that the fishery system in Chinese marine regions demonstrates significant resilience both temporally and spatially. From the analysis of temporal and spatial variations, the economic resilience of marine fisheries in Fujian and Shandong provinces is relatively high and shows a clear upward trend, while the changes in economic resilience of marine fisheries in Tianjin and Shanghai are not significant. Regarding obstacle factors, the dimensions of resistance and innovation exhibit relatively high levels of obstacles. The findings of this study are of great significance for enhancing the economic resilience of marine fisheries in coastal regions worldwide.

Evolution of support policies for the development of distant-water fishing bases in China: Review, performance, challenges and prospects

Distant-water fishing bases are an important carrier and development platform for the development of distant-water fishing. It is necessary to analyze the evolution of the policies supporting offshore fishing bases in order to promote the standardized and orderly development of distant-water fisheries. Based on 302 policy documents, this paper adopts the content analysis method to analyze the policies since 1993 using ROSTCM6 software. These policies can be divided into three phases: the start-up period (1993–2010), the rapid development period (2011–2015) and the steady development period (2016–2023). The study found that the interrelationship and complementarity between fishing base-focused and related policies have increased, with continuous improvements in the policy framework, a shift toward developing a green and healthy industry chain, and an expanded scope of policy support. However, there are still some limitations in the evolution of support policies for the development of distant-water fishing bases, including an imperfect industrial support system, insufficient talent reserves and inadequate management policies. Finally, the paper emphasizes the need to improve the policy system, promote the development of the whole industry chain of distant-water fisheries, build a talent training system, strengthen scope and capacity of international cooperation in distant-water fisheries, promote the sustainable development of fisheries and enhancing international compliance capacity.

Indigenous Inland Fisheries Development and Management in India

This paper provides a comprehensive review and analysis of indigenous inland fisheries development and management practices in India. Drawing on extensive literature review and case studies, it examines traditional ecological knowledge, community-based management systems, and the integration of indigenous practices with modern scientific approaches. The research highlights the diversity of inland fisheries across India's varied ecosystems and the critical role of indigenous communities in sustainable resource management. Key challenges including overfishing, habitat degradation, and socioeconomic pressures are analyzed. The paper proposes policy recommendations to support and scale indigenous management practices while addressing conservation needs. Findings underscore the importance of participatory, culturally-appropriate approaches that leverage local knowledge for inland fisheries development in India.

Analysis of Current Challenges Affecting Business Operations of Two State Enterprises

study sought to establish challenges affecting the effective business operations of two Zimbabwe parastatals under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development namely, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). The study was prompted by negative media reports and complaints from key stakeholders about the operations of these institutions. The main theory underpinning the study was the Resource-Based Entrepreneurship theory (RBET) by Hussain et al. (2019) complimented by the organisation theory (Oyibo and Gabriel, 2020). The pragmatism philosophy was applied to ensure that both quantitative and qualitative aspects of study were accommodated. The study used the mixed methods paradigm and the explanatory sequential design. The target population was made up of 97 managers from the GMB and the ZINWA, as well as government officials. A sample of 46 respondents was used to obtain quantitative data responses. Purposive sampling the online sample calculator were used to determine the two sample sizes made of those who provided qualitative data and those for quantitative data through use of a self -administered structured questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide. .The major findings were that the two parastatals did not have management succession plans and suffered from political interference, lacked financial resources to carry out their operations and deliver quality products and/ or services. The major recommendations were; the need to promote autonomy and reduce bureaucracy in their operations, mobilising more resources particularly finances to ensure that daily operational expenses are met, implementing sound corporate governance systems that address corruption and having a coherent and effective performance management system.

Analysis of Current Management Strategies on Business Operations of Two State Enterprises

The study sought to establish how effective were the business management strategies currently being used by two state enterprises in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development namely, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). The study was prompted by the negative media reports and the complaints from key stakeholders about the operations of these institutions. The main theory underpinning the study was the Resource-Based Entrepreneurship theory (RBET) by Hussain et al. (2019) complimented by the organisation theory (Oyibo and Gabriel, 2020). The pragmatism philosophy was applied to ensure that both quantitative and qualitative aspects of study were accommodated. The study used the mixed methods paradigm and the explanatory sequential design. The target population was made up of 97 managers from both the GMB and the ZINWA, as well as government officials from the parent ministry from which a sample of 46 respondents was used to obtain quantitative data responses. A self -administered structured questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were used. The major findings were that the two parastatals had several strategies which if fully utilised could improve their operations such as outsourcing some non-key services, holding of regular meetings to get updates on the economic activities which might impact on the entities and working with reputable partners to build business growth. The major recommended strategies are that both parastatals should conduct research to facilitate innovation and development, creating and enforcing prudent and transparent financial management systems, adoption of sound corporate governance framework (practices), as well as carrying out organisational restructuring, nurturing appropriate organisational culture and having effective performance management systems.

Sustainability of Small-Scale Capture Fisheries Based on Coastal Vulnerability in Pangpang Bay, Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia

Graphical Abstract Highlight Research Climate change impacts on coastal vulnerability. Low coastal vulnerability in Pangpang Bay, Banyuwangi Regency. Sustainability of small-scale capture fisheries based on vulnerability. Sustainable small-scale fisheries management. Abstract Teluk Pangpang is one of the water areas that has considerable capture fisheries potential in Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia. On the other hand, climate change impacts the vulnerability of coastal areas and coastal communities, especially small-scale fishers. This study aims to analyse the coastal vulnerability of Pangpang Bay and formulate a sustainable development of small-scale capture fisheries in Pangpang Bay. The research method used a descriptive method with a quantitative approach. Data collection techniques used geographic information systems and focus group discussions (FGDs). The data analysis used was Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) analysis with spatial approach and Participatory Prospective Analysis (PPA). From the CVI analysis, through the assessment of geomorphological parameters, erosion/accretion, coastal slope, distance of plants from the beach, wave height, and average tide range, the level of coastal vulnerability of Teluk Pangpang is included in the low category. Meanwhile, the PPA analysis resulted in seven variables that most influence the sustainability of small-scale capture fisheries, namely climate change, coastal vulnerability, coral reef area and density, number of small-scale fishers, catches, human resources of small-scale fishers, and management of small-scale fisheries resources. Furthermore, for the formulation of the sustainability scenario of small-scale capture fisheries in Pangpang Bay, is to minimise the impact of climate change and conduct disaster mitigation, improve the human resources of small-scale fishers, and equalise perceptions as outlined in the commitment between all interested parties and small-scale fishing communities.

Blue Economics in Islamic Economics Perspective: Fiqh Bi’ah Approach

This research explores the implementation of the blue economy in various Islamic countries, focusing on marine resource production and environmental conservation efforts. Conceptually, the blue economy aligns with the principles of fiqh bi'ah, which emphasize preserving natural resources while ensuring their sustainable use. The study employs an exploratory qualitative approach, using a comprehensive literature review of sources from predominantly Muslim countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, and the Maldives. Sources were selected based on their relevance to blue economy practices, Islamic environmental ethics, and sustainable development in fisheries and aquaculture. The findings indicate that the fisheries sector significantly contributes to economic growth but needs to be balanced with marine ecosystem conservation. Both capture fisheries and aquaculture production have the potential to enhance economic growth, while improvements in international fisheries trade are also crucial. By applying the principles of fiqh bi'ah, these countries can balance economic growth while ensuring marine environmental sustainability and compliance with Islamic values. The study concludes that integrating Islamic environmental principles into blue economy strategies can support long-term sustainability while fostering economic resilience.

Development Potential of Fisheries as a Maritime Activity in Supporting Area Planning

This paper aimed to identify and discuss the gains on the development of fishery, maritime tourism and community engagement towards the regional planning of Belakang Padang District in Indonesia. Based on both exploratory and explanatory qualitative and quantitative data collected for the study, the study establishes and examines the economic, cultural, and environment opportunities and barriers to region development in the district. The studies show that fisheries are the largest and most important economy sector that influences the planning of regions; at the same time, the challenges are observed in terms of outdated technique and restricted access to markets. Maritime tourism has a lot of prospects and long-term influences for countries but it is restricted by the lack of sufficient infrastructure and capital. The study also highlights a major research agenda concerning the lack of citizenship in planning where most of the local actors are rarely involved in planning processes. Environmental sustainability as an additional challenge was discovered with pollution together with the inadequate disposal of wastes contributing to the harm of the district’s development. Therefore, the study recommends an integrated regional development plan, focusing on the modernization of fisheries, tourism development, participation of community and conservation of the environment as key factors for sustainable development of Belakang Padang. Hence the research is useful in the existing literature on sustainable coastal development and charles district future planning activities.

Global Biodiversity: Extinct Arctic Mammoth Tusks as Substitute Resource to Save Live Elephants

Objective: The aim of this article is to justify an approach to natural resource substitution using fossilised mammoth bones from the Arctic to conserve live elephants. Theoretical Framework - The theoretical idea and basis of the article is the replacement of ivory with the tusks of extinct mammoths against the background of melting permafrost in the Arctic. This approach is considered within the framework of a kind of 'mammoth pipeline' - the journey of extinct fossil mammoth tusks and their transformation into eternal values in the form of exclusive products, as well as their ultimate contribution to the conservation of living elephant populations. The theoretical basis of the study is the concept of sustainable development, the theory of natural resource substitution, biodiversity conservation, the concept of benefit sharing paradigm in Arctic mining. Method - The study is based on an interdisciplinary approach using methods from economics and management, ethnology and palaeontology, social research and monitoring. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the ivory to mammoth tusk substitution scheme is considered in terms of the benefits to global biodiversity conservation, including the maintenance of wild elephant populations and the development of traditional fisheries by indigenous peoples of the North. Results and Discussion - This article assesses the world resource of mammoth bone remains, concentrated in the Russian Arctic, and shows the possibilities of their use as a substitute natural resource for elephant conservation and socio-economic development of areas inhabited by indigenous peoples of the North. The influence of ongoing climate change on the increase in the extraction of fossil mammoth tusks is shown. The stages and links of the 'mammoth pipeline' under consideration, including the extraction of mammoth bones, the export and trade of tusks, and the substitution of mammoth tusks for ivory, are substantiated. The factors influencing the formation of the world demand for mammoth tusks are identified and the directions of their use for elephant conservation and socio-economic development of the local population in the Arctic territories in the areas of their extraction are shown. Research Implications - The results of the study can be used to conserve global biodiversity, develop a green economy, substitute mammoth tusks for ivory and conserve elephant populations. The authors estimate that supplying the world market with an average of 10 kilograms of mammoth ivory can save one elephant; exporting even half of the mammoth tusks extracted in Yakutia can save 60,000 elephants. At the same time, issues of social and economic support for the traditional trades and livelihoods of the indigenous peoples of the North are being addressed. Originality/ Value - The originality of the research and its value lie in the new scientific formulation of the solution to the scientific problem of global biodiversity conservation through the substitution of natural resources, the use of own empirical data obtained in the Arctic territories, as well as the possibility of practical application of the results obtained in the field of green economy.

Recent developments in building sustainable marine fisheries in China: Reflections on the 2023 Revision of the Marine Environmental Protection Law

As the ocean provides an environmental carrier for fisheries development, sustainable marine fisheries and marine environmental protection are highly synergistic and consistent. Facing traditional and emerging crises such as marine pollution, overfishing and climate change, China revised the Marine Environmental Protection Law in 2023. This article aims to evaluate whether the newly revised Marine Environmental Protection Law effectively responds to crises of sustainable development in marine fisheries and how it contributes to sustainable marine fisheries. The study has found that the 2023 revision enriches and improves China’s legal regimes on marine fisheries from multiple aspects, covering marine environmental supervision, marine ecological protection and the prevention and control of land-based pollution, engineering construction projects pollution, waste dumping pollution, vessel pollution and legal responsibility. The newly revised Marine Environmental Protection Law not only refines the institutional norms and intensifies the legal responsibilities of violations but also improves the systemic nature of the legislation, thus providing stronger legal guarantees for sustainable marine fisheries. However, there are also legislative shortcomings such as unclear connotations of the newly established legal regimes and insufficient response to overfishing and climate change. Nevertheless, China’s newly revised Marine Environmental Protection Law applies the methodology of integrated ecosystem management and comprehensively utilized regulatory measures such as command-and-control tools, honor encouragement and economic incentives to enhance its regulatory effect, also providing implications and insights for addressing the challenges of sustainable marine fisheries on a global scale.

A new modeling strategy for the predictive model of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) central fishing grounds in the Northwest Pacific Ocean based on machine learning and operational characteristics of the light fishing vessels

The chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) is one of the most influential small pelagic fish in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, and accurate modeling approaches and model selection are critical points in predicting the Scomber japonicus fishing grounds. This study investigated the changes in catches and fishing days on no moonlight and bright moonlight days (2014-2022) and compared the differences in predictive performance between the LightGBM and RF models on three datasets under the two modeling approaches [those based on the light fishing vessels operational characteristics (Approach one) and those not (Approach Two)]. The results were as follows: 1) Stronger moonlight intensity (e.g., full moon) can limit the fishing efficiency of light fishing vessels, with most years showing a trend of a higher percentage of fishing days on bright moonlight days than catches percentage, i.e., no moonlight days resulted in higher catches with lower fishing days; 2) Compared to Modeling Approach Two, under Modeling Approach one, RF model achieved better predictive performance on dataset B, while the LightGBM model achieved better predictive performance on both datasets A and B; 3) Overall, the Approach One achieved more satisfactory prediction performance, with the optimal prediction performance on the complete dataset C improved from 65.02% (F1-score of the RF model, Approach Two) to 66.52% (F1-score of the LightGBM model, Approach Two); 4) Under the optimal modeling approach (Approach One) and the optimal model (LightGBM model), the differences in the importance of the variables on dataset A (no moonlight days) and dataset B (bright moonlight days) were mainly centered on the environmental variables, with CV, SLA, and SSS being the most important in dataset A, and CV, DO, and SLA being the most important in dataset B. This study provides a more scientific and reasonable modeling undertaking for the research of light purse seine fishing vessels, which is conducive to guiding fishermen to select the operating area and operating time of the Scomber japonicus fishery more accurately and comprehensively and realizing the balanced development of fisheries in terms of ecology and economy.

Bibliometric Computational Mapping Analysis of Publications of Marine and Fisheries Education using VOSviewer

This study investigates the research development in marine and fisheries engineering education employing a bibliometric approach with VOSviewer analysis. The article data was obtained from the Google Scholar database using the Publish or Perish Reference Manager application. The search method is guided by the title and abstract of the publication, which refer to the terms "Mechanical Marine and Fisheries in Education". A total of 800 relevant papers, indexed by Google Scholar, were discovered throughout a 10-year period from 2012 to 2022. The results show that marine and fishery engineering research in the field of education is categorized into eight clusters. The first cluster, focused on marine engineering education, has a total link strength of 748 terms. The second cluster, centred around management marine fishing, has a total link strength of 872 terms. The third cluster, related to mechanical damage, has a total link strength of 81 terms. The fourth cluster, concerning mechanical properties, has a total link strength of 275 terms. The fifth cluster, dedicated to marine ecosystems, has a total link strength of 711 terms. The sixth cluster, focused on fishing grounds, has a total link strength of 444 terms. The seventh cluster, centred around national marine fisheries, has a total link strength of 195 terms. Lastly, the eighth cluster, related to fishing resources, has a total link strength of 200 terms. The number of publications from 2012 to 2016 exhibited an upward trend, with the values being 46, 55, 58, 75, and 77, respectively. In 2017 the number of publications decreased to 66. From 2018 to 2021, it increased again (67, 87, 97, 100). By mid-2022, there were 59 publications. We conducted an extensive analysis of numerous published articles on marine and fisheries engineering in education, focusing specifically on issue areas, using VOSviewer. This research serves as a foundation for future investigations.

Per-recruit analysis and proposed sustainable harvest strategy for rednose labeo Labeo rosae and Mosambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus in Flag Boshielo Dam, Olifants River, South Africa

Inland fisheries development in South Africa has been proposed to improve rural livelihoods and food security. However, inland fisheries are susceptible to collapse through overfishing. Therefore, establishing biological reference points for these fisheries is essential for long-term sustainability. Here, spawner-biomass-per-recruit (SBR) analysis was used to set biological reference points for a gillnet fishery targeting the rednose labeo Labeo rosae and Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus at Flag Boshielo Dam on the Oliphants River in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Both species are currently exploited at the impoundment by subsistence fishers that keep their entire catch. The current yields are estimated at 59 and 172 g yr−1 for L. rosae and O. mossambicus, respectively. The per-recruit analysis showed that age-at-first-capture for both species should be 4 years, at minimum lengths of 280 mm TL and 250 mm TL for L. rosae and O. mossambicus, respectively, with fishers using a minimum mesh size of 100 mm to reduce the risk of stock collapse. To maintain a SBR value greater than 25% of a pristine population, the L. rosae yield could be increased to 98 g yr−1, while the O. mossambicus yield could be increased to 176 g yr−1, following implementation of the recommended mesh size and size limits. A per-recruit analysis for O. mossambicus that includes recruitment variability and error to accurately calculate the biological reference points is recommended.

Tracking the Development of Lit Fisheries by Using DMSP/OLS Data in the Open South China Sea

Nightly images offer a special data source for monitoring fishing activities. This study used images from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)/Operational Linescan System (OLS) to analyze the early development of lit fisheries in the open South China Sea (SCS), which mainly occurred around the Zhong Sha and Xi Sha Islands. Based on peak detection and a fixed threshold, lit fishing positions were extracted well from filtered, high-quality DMSP/OLS images. The results indicated that fisheries experienced an apparent rise and fall from 2005 to 2012, with the numbers of lit fishing boats rising to a maximum of ~60 from 2005 to 2008, almost disappearing in 2009, peaking at ~130 from 2010 to 2011, and starting to decline in 2012. The fish price of major fishing targets declined by ~60% in 2009, which obviously impacted the year’s fishing operations. The reason for declined fishing operations in 2012 was that most of the lit fishing operations shifted farther south to fishing grounds around the Nan Sha Islands. We also explored factors shaping the distribution patterns of lit fisheries by using MaxEnt models to relate fishing positions to environmental variables. Major environmental factors influencing the distribution of lit fishing boats varied with years, of which water depth was the most important factor across years, with an optimal depth range of 1000–2000 m. In addition to depth, the distribution of lit fisheries was also influenced by SST, especially for the years 2005–2008, and a suitable SST was found between 26 and 28 °C. This study fills the knowledge gaps of the inception of lit fisheries and their dynamic changes in the SCS.

Effects of Climate Change on the Distribution of Scomber japonicus and Konosirus punctatus in China’s Coastal and Adjacent Waters

Climate change has increasingly impacted the marine environment, with various marine environmental factors interacting to influence fish distribution. Assessing the impact of climate change on the future distribution of fish depends on understanding how biological responses interact with environmental conditions. Enhancing our understanding of the potential impacts of climate change is crucial for the sustainable development of marine fisheries. In this study, we analyzed the habitat suitability of Scomber japonicus and Konosirus punctatus in the coastal waters of China (17°–41° N, 107°–130° E) using marine environmental data, including, as follows: sea surface temperature (SST); sea surface salinity (SSS); pH; and biological occurrence data from 2000 to 2010. A maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model was employed to predict the future distribution of these two species based on the shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios for 2040–2050 and 2090–2100. The results indicate that climate change will significantly affect the future habitat distribution of S. japonicus and K. punctatus, leading to a decrease in suitable habitat areas offshore China and a gradual shift northeastward in the center of these habitats. These findings are essential for understanding the impacts of climate change on the distribution of S. japonicus and K. punctatus, with significant implications for fisheries resource assessment and management.

Estimating the Purse Seine Net Geometry during a Hauling Operation Using a Data Assimilation Method

The dynamics of fishing nets can be estimated by modeling and numerically computing the forces acting on them. However, the dynamic models of fishing nets are highly nonlinear owing to the significant influence of hydrodynamic forces acting on the net. Therefore, if there are unknown parameters that define the state of motion in the model, it is often difficult to achieve high accuracy in the numerical simulations of fishing gear and evaluate its dynamics. To address this issue, a method is proposed for estimating these unknown parameters by integrating a nonlinear Kalman filter into a fishing net dynamics model. This study aimed to estimate the hauling velocity of large- and medium-sized purse seine fishing nets, which can be a challenging parameter to measure. The calculations are based on the data obtained from a research operation conducted by the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center in 2019 using the purse seine fishing vessel “Taikei Maru No. 1”. The time series of the hauling-net velocity was estimated based on the results of the estimation experiment. These results allowed the estimation of the hauling velocity and calculation of the net dynamics during the hauling process. This shows that net dynamics simulation is possible even with unknown parameters.

The current state of industrial fishing in the Central Federal District of Russia and prospects for its development

The article considers a brief history of fishing and its current state in the reservoirs of the Central Federal District. For reservoirs and lakes of the Upper Volga and Oka basins, the dynamics of fish catch on average over the decades from the 60s of the twentieth century to 2023 are presented, and the dynamics of the species composition of industrial catches in these reservoirs is analyzed. The reasons that led to a decrease in the intensity of fishing or its closure in modern market conditions are considered. The description of the features of industrial fishing is presented by groups of reservoirs, depending on the area and volume of fish caught. The first group includes the large Upper Volga reservoirs (Rybinsk, Gorkovskoye), the average annual total catch in each of which exceeds 500 tons. The second group considers the reservoirs of the Upper Volga basin, in which 200–500 tons per year were caught during the Soviet period, and currently the volume of catch has decreased by an order of magnitude or fishing has stopped altogether. The third group of reservoirs includes small reservoirs of the Vazuz hydrotechnical system and cooling reservoirs of energy facilities, in which the volume of catch is currently less than 20 tons, but during their fishery development in the 70–80-ies of the twentieth century in the mode of «pasture fish farming» annual catches reached 100 tons. It has been established that the volume of industrial catch in most of the water bodies of the region has decreased over the two decades of the 21st century. The decline of industrial fishing in the Central Federal District is explained by a complex of socio-economic factors, the main of which is its unprofitability in market conditions, due to the low liquidity of most fishing facilities that form the basis of catch, the lack of the necessary number of catch processing enterprises and the cessation of subsidizing fish harvesters. The forecast of the further state of industrial fishing in the reservoirs of Central Russia is given.

Spatial-temporal evolution and drivers of ecological sustainability of coastal fisheries in China

Marine fisheries are an important source for the survival and economic livelihood of the world's population. With coastal economic development, rapid population growth, and advances in fishing technology, oceans and coastal areas have been placed under greater environmental pressure. Therefore, the sustainability of coastal fisheries must be revisited. This study used the 3D ecological footprint (EF) model and partial least squares (PLS) to analyze the spatial-temporal evolution of the ecological sustainability of coastal fisheries in China, and discuss the direct and indirect impacts of drivers from economic, social, and technological perspectives. Results showed that the gap between per capita EF and per capita biocapacity (BC) of coastal fisheries narrowed until it stabilized from 2010 to 2020. Footprint depth and size wholly showed a fluctuating upward trend. In terms of spatial distribution, footprint depth was high in the north and low in the south, and footprint size was a relatively scattered. Consumption pull had the largest effect on the ecological sustainability of coastal fisheries in China, followed by the economy push, but the effect of technology suppression was not significant. Some policy recommendations for sustainable fisheries governance were proposed in terms of consumption structure transformation, fisheries industry upgrading, and ecosystem-based management. This study indicated that the current development of coastal fisheries in China is sustainable from an ecological supply and demand perspective. The findings provide information on effective coastal fisheries governance and broad coastal and ocean management, and have the potential to provide references for sustainable fisheries governance in other coastal countries with similar contexts.

Effects of Alkalinity Stress on Amino Acid Metabolism Profiles and Oxidative-Stress-Mediated Apoptosis/Ferroptosis in Hybrid Sturgeon (Huso dauricus ♀ × Acipenser schrenckii ♂) Livers

Alkaline water is toxic to cultured aquatic animals that frequently live in pH-neutral freshwater. Overfishing and habitat destruction have contributed to the decline in the wild sturgeon population; consequently, the domestic hybrid sturgeon has become an increasingly important commercial species in China. Hybrid sturgeons are widely cultured in alkaline water, but little is known about the effects of alkalinity stress on hybrid sturgeon liver tissues. We exposed hybrid sturgeons to four alkaline concentrations (3.14 ± 0.02 mmol/L, 7.57 ± 0.08 mmol/L, 11.78 ± 0.24 mmol/L and 15.46 ± 0.48 mmol/L). Histopathology, biochemical index assessment, gene expression level detection and metabolomics analysis were used to investigate the negative effects on liver functions following exposure to NaHCO3. Livers exposed to alkaline stress exhibited severe tissue injury and clear apoptotic characteristics. With increased exposure concentrations, the hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase activities significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. NaHCO3 exposure up-regulated the transcriptional levels of apoptosis/ferroptosis-related genes in livers. Similarly, the expression trends of interleukin-1β and heat shock protein genes also increased in high-alkalinity environments. However, the expression levels of complement protein 3 significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Hepatic untargeted metabolomics revealed the alteration conditions of various metabolites associated with the antioxidant response, the ferroptosis process and amino acid metabolism (such as beta-alanine metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; and glycine, serine and threonine metabolism). These data provided evidence that NaHCO3 impaired immune functions and the integrity of hybrid sturgeon liver tissues by mediating oxidative-stress-mediated apoptosis and ferroptosis. Our results shed light on the breeding welfare of domestic hybrid sturgeons and promote the economic development of fisheries in China.

Fisheries management for food security in the Maldives

Purpose. The goal of the study was to assess trends in providing food security with a special emphasis on efficiency of the local fisheries and offer evidence-based improvements, which can improve resource management and protect disadvantaged population in the Maldives from nutrition insecurity aggravated by strong import dependency. Methodology / approach. The methodological basis of this study was a set of modern qualitative economic and quantitative mathematical methods including factor analyses, econometric and optimisation modelling. This approach ensured holistic research and reasonable recommendations on providing food security and maintaining efficient fisheries management compared to international experience and intrinsic aspects that determine a fish catch and consumption in the Maldives. Results. The conclusions of the paper relate to the further development of fisheries to combat the identified negative trends in domestic fish consumption and an unstable fish catch by atoll in the Maldives. The conducted factor analysis detected relationships between a fish catch, fishing trips, engaged vessels, fish species, and fishing methods. The study findings proved the optimal locations where it is advisable to establish additional fish storages and ice plants taking into account indicators of a poverty rate, a share of children, and a population density. The research conclusions allow the authors to state that the outlined scientific proposals can essentially improve food security in the Maldives, which is threatened by land shortage and overpopulation. Originality / scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of the work is in presenting a clarified picture of challenges that Maldivian fishermen face nowadays. The scientific novelty lies in the identification of weaknesses in fisheries management and the proposals of areas of potential growth that are crucial for ensuring food security not only on poor islands but for the whole country. Practical value / implications. The main practical value of the research results is the development of recommendations for increasing fish catch and organising post-harvest processing, which are vital for the Maldivian fishery, as it is the country's main export sector. In addition, the study contributes to food security in the Maldives through proposed interventions aimed at supporting the most disadvantaged populations in the scattered atolls.