Sustainability Of Global Fisheries Research Articles

Application of sea surface temperature remote sensing data in environmental assessment of fishing grounds

This article provides a comprehensive discussion of the application and importance of sea surface temperature (SST) remote sensing data in environmental assessment of fisheries. By analysing the collection, processing and practical application of SST data, the article demonstrates how this technology can help scientists and fisheries managers to better understand the impacts of ocean temperature changes on fisheries resources and its role in ensuring the sustainability of global fisheries. The article begins by describing the importance of the marine environment to fishery resources and explains the development of SST remote sensing technology and its application to fishery location and environmental monitoring. The article then discusses in detail the application of SST data in practical fisheries management, in particular how it can help predict fish migration, optimise fishing activities, and assess the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. In addition, the article explores the main challenges faced when applying SST data, such as technical limitations, complexity of data interpretation, and unequal access on a global scale. Overall, this article highlights the indispensable role of SST remote sensing data in modern fisheries management, while also pointing out the limitations of its application and future directions. With the continuous advancement of remote sensing technology and the ongoing impact of global climate change, SST data are expected to play an increasingly important role in future fisheries environmental assessment and resource management.

Long-term trends in functional diversity of exploited marine fish in the Azores’ archipelago: past and present

IntroductionEffective fisheries management requires monitoring and quantifying changes in exploited fish communities. Concerns about global fisheries sustainability have led to innovative approaches. Functional diversity, rooted in ecological theory, offers valuable insights into fishery activities and ecosystem processes. A trait-based approach was used to investigate the functional diversity of landed fish species in the Azores archipelago from 1980 to 2021.MethodsLandings data of exploited Actinopterygii and Elasmobranchii were provided by the Azores Fisheries Auction Services (LOTAÇOR/OKEANOS-UAc Fisheries Database). A trait matrix was built, incorporating 12 functional traits assigned to each species, capturing their importance in marine ecological processes. The Quickhull algorithm for convex hull was employed to calculate the volume occupied by the species in the four-dimensional functional space. Functional diversity (FD) was measured using three indices: functional richness (FRic), functional evenness (FEve), and functional divergence (FDiv). Trends in FD indices over the past 42 years were visualized using Generalized Additive Models (GAM) with interaction terms.Results and discussionGAM analysis revealed significant variations in the functional space and FD metrics over time. FRic exhibited peaks in the 1980s and 2010s, declining in the 1990s and from the 2010s onwards, indicating diversification in target species. The recent decrease in FRic can be attributed to the absence of catches of species with unique traits. The distribution of landings and trait combinations showed higher regularity in the functional space during the 1980s and 1990s (high FEve). Actinopterygii species targeted in the 1980s and 1990s had lower trait divergence (low FDiv) compared to those targeted from the 2000s onwards (high FDiv). Variability in FD can be linked to changes in fishing practices, species availability, market demand, environmental factors, and local regulations. This study underscores the importance of considering FD metrics alongside species richness and abundance when assessing the potential effects of fisheries on marine ecosystems and sustainable use of fishery resources.

Resilient rivers and connected marine systems: a review of mutual sustainability opportunities

Non-technical summaryRivers are crucial to the water cycle, linking the landscape to the sea. Human activities, including effluent discharge, water use and fisheries, have transformed the resilience of many rivers around the globe. Sustainable development goal (SDG) 14 prioritizes addressing many of the same issues in marine ecosystems. This review illustrates how rivers contribute directly and indirectly to SDG 14 outcomes, and also provides ways to potentially address them through a river to sea view on policy, management and research.Technical summaryThe United Nations initiated the SDGs to produce ‘a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future’. Established in 2015, progress of SDGs directed at the aquatic environment is slow despite an encroaching 2030 deadline. The modification of flow regimes combined with other anthropogenic pressures underpin ecological impacts across aquatic ecosystems. Current SDG 14 targets (life below water) do not incorporate the interrelationships of rivers and marine systems systematically, nor do they provide recommendations on how to improve existing management and policy in a comprehensive manner. Therefore, this review aims to illustrate the linkages between rivers and marine ecosystems concerning the SDG 14 targets and to illustrate land to sea-based strategies to reach sustainability goals. We provide an applied case study to show how opportunities can be explored. We review three major areas where mutual opportunities are present: (1) rivers contribute to marine and estuary ecosystem resilience (targets 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.5); (2) resilient rivers are part of the global fisheries sustainability concerns (targets 14.4, 14.6, 14.7, 14.B) and (3) enhancing marine policy and research from a river and environmental flows perspective (targets 14.A, 14.C).Social media summaryRestoring resilience to rivers and their environmental flows helps fulfil SDG 14.

Emerging economy subsidies undermining sustainability of global fisheries

Emerging economy subsidies undermining sustainability of global fisheries

Rethinking sustainability: From seafood consumption to seafood commons

The sustainability of global fisheries has emerged as a major concern for the future of marine biodiversity. In the spheres of seafood production and consumption, strict regulation of fisheries and more recently, ethical certifications of seafood products, are favoured as a means to ensure thriving fish stocks and healthy oceans. However, research has shown that such restrictions and market-driven certifications have had mixed results, with socio-ecological impacts detrimental to the long-term sustainability of tropical fisheries in the Global South. We approach this issue of fisheries sustainability in the Global South from the perspective of common pool resources by considering the practices of seafood producers, retailers and consumers, and their inter-connectedness with marine fishing commons. We build on critical literature on commoning using data on consumption preferences of 531 seafood consumers and seafood availability in 400 seafood restaurants across 4 metros in India, and examine the extent to which seafood consumption patterns and availability can facilitate or unsettle marine fishing commons. We identify patterns of selective seafood consumption and dependence on niche markets that are translated across seafood supply chains and disrupt initiatives by fishers to sustainably manage local fisheries. We then discuss efforts to increase consumer awareness and recommend building community-supported fisheries through initiatives like InSeason Fish. In conclusion, we argue that discourse in fisheries sustainability should be theoretically recast through a ‘seafood commons’ that integrates practices of diverse resource users.

Retail Seafood Waste Prevention: Reducing Retail and Consumer Fresh-Fish Waste by Cooking Directly from Frozen

More than 30% of fish caught from the world’s oceans are never eaten by consumers adding a significant but unnecessary strain to the sustainability of global fisheries. Although a lot of this loss occurs at sea, in developed countries, a significant amount happens at retail stores and in households. People can help with this problem if they find and use new ways to interact with their retailers and with the way they store and cook seafood at home. Consumers can primarily purchase seafood that has never been frozen, was previously frozen, or is still frozen. Nearly all retail waste occurs when consumers do not buy seafood within a few days after it is in the unfrozen, display cases, forcing the stores to dispose of the fish in landfills or sewage plants. An estimated 220 million 4-ounce meal portions of the most popular seafood in the United States including shrimp, salmon, and cod meet this fate. This number can be reduced to the direct extent consumers can be persuaded to buy and cook from frozen. Retailers are motivated to sell more frozen seafood because profit margins are reported to be higher and labor and disposal costs are lower. Many stores also benefit from their brand’s sustainability image, and contributions to corporate, national, and international waste reduction goals. Their challenge has been to educate and encourage consumers to choose frozen before fresh. Taste-testing evidence gathered in this study demonstrated that consumers could adopt easy, new culinary skills to cook seafood from frozen that tastes just as good as what they are used to. Our studies also highlighted other consumer benefits, including: less fish handling required, simple preparation, easier meal planning, water savings, and higher levels of food safety. Based on these results it will be beneficial for stores to commit resources to consumer education and promote more frozen seafood sales in other ways that satisfy their management goals. Increasing consumer adoption can drive changes at the store level that will provide measurable contributions to seafood waste reduction.

Understanding Social-Ecological Challenges of a Small-Scale Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) Fishery in Bangladesh.

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) have been playing a crucial role in meeting the basic needs of millions of people around the world. Despite this, the sustainability of global fisheries is a growing concern, and the factors enabling or constraining the sustainable management of small-scale fisheries remain poorly understood. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) is the single most valuable species harvested in Bangladesh waters, serves nutrition, income, and employment to the large population. This study analyzed the state and challenges of hilsa fishery in the Gangetic River systems (Padma and Meghna Rivers) by using two frameworks, namely the social-ecological systems (SES) and drivers-pressure-state-impact-responses (DPSIR) frameworks. Primary data for this analysis were collected by in-depth interviews (n = 130) and focus group discussions (n = 8) with various stakeholders in the hilsa fisheries. The perspectives explored here have been both critical and constructive, including the identification of problems and suggestions for improving the management of this particular social-ecological system. Hilsa fisheries, however, have come under severe threat since 2003 because of population growth, overfishing, pollution, climate change, the disruption of migration routes due to siltation, etc. All these have caused reduced catches and less stable incomes for fishers. This, in turn, has led to poverty, malnutrition, social tensions, stakeholder conflicts, and debt cycles amongst more impoverished fishing communities. These problems have been compounded by improved fishing technology amongst larger-scale ventures, the use of illegal fishing gears, and the non-compliance of government fishery management programs. Recommendations include the promotion of community-supported fisheries, the enhancement of stakeholder’s social resilience, the introduction of co-management approach, an increase in incentives and formal financial supports, and possible community-managed sustainable ecotourism including hilsa fishing-based tourism.

Evolution of global marine fishing fleets and the response of fished resources

Previous reconstructions of marine fishing fleets have aggregated data without regard to the artisanal and industrial sectors. Engine power has often been estimated from subsets of the developed world, leading to inflated results. We disaggregated data into three sectors, artisanal (unpowered/powered) and industrial, and reconstructed the evolution of the fleet and its fishing effort. We found that the global fishing fleet doubled between 1950 and 2015-from 1.7 to 3.7 million vessels. This has been driven by substantial expansion of the motorized fleet, particularly, of the powered-artisanal fleet. By 2015, 68% of the global fishing fleet was motorized. Although the global fleet is dominated by small powered vessels under 50 kW, they contribute only 27% of the global engine power, which has increased from 25 to 145 GW (combined powered-artisanal and industrial fleets). Alongside an expansion of the fleets, the effective catch per unit of effort (CPUE) has consistently decreased since 1950, showing the increasing pressure of fisheries on ocean resources. The effective CPUE of most countries in 2015 was a fifth of its 1950s value, which was compared with a global decline in abundance. There are signs, however, of stabilization and more effective management in recent years, with a reduction in fleet sizes in developed countries. Based on historical patterns and allowing for the slowing rate of expansion, 1 million more motorized vessels could join the global fleet by midcentury as developing countries continue to transition away from subsistence fisheries, challenging sustainable use of fisheries' resources.

Marine microalgae commercial production improves sustainability of global fisheries and aquaculture

A method is described for saving 30% of the world fish catch by producing fishmeal and fish oil replacement products from marine microalgae, the natural source of proteins and oils in the marine food web. To examine the commercial aspects of such a method, we adapt a model based on results of microalgae production in Hawaii and apply it to Thailand, the world’s fourth largest producer of fishmeal. A model facility of 111 ha would produce 2,750 tonnes yr−1 of protein and 2,330 tonnes yr−1 of algal oil, at a capital cost of $29.3 M. Such a facility would generate $5.5 M in average annual net income over its 30-year lifetime. Deployment of 100 such facilities in Thailand would replace all domestic production of fishmeal, 10% of world production, on ~1.5% of the land now used to cultivate oil palm. Such a global industry would generate ~$6.5 billion in annual net income.

Three pillars of sustainability in fisheries

Sustainability of global fisheries is a growing concern. The United Nations has identified three pillars of sustainability: economic development, social development, and environmental protection. The fisheries literature suggests that there are two key trade-offs among these pillars of sustainability. First, poor ecological health of a fishery reduces economic profits for fishers, and second, economic profitability of individual fishers undermines the social objectives of fishing communities. Although recent research has shown that management can reconcile ecological and economic objectives, there are lingering concerns about achieving positive social outcomes. We examined trade-offs among the three pillars of sustainability by analyzing the Fishery Performance Indicators, a unique dataset that scores 121 distinct fishery systems worldwide on 68 metrics categorized by social, economic, or ecological outcomes. For each of the 121 fishery systems, we averaged the outcome measures to create overall scores for economic, ecological, and social performance. We analyzed the scores and found that they were positively associated in the full sample. We divided the data into subsamples that correspond to fisheries management systems with three categories of access-open access, access rights, and harvest rights-and performed a similar analysis. Our results show that economic, social, and ecological objectives are at worst independent and are mutually reinforcing in both types of managed fisheries. The implication is that rights-based management systems should not be rejected on the basis of potentially negative social outcomes; instead, social considerations should be addressed in the design of these systems.

Predictors of no-reflow in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

This article presents the first bottom-up analysis of the proportion of global marine fisheries subsidies to small-scale fisheries (SSF). Using existing data, the reported national subsidy amounts are split into the fraction that goes to small- and large-scale fishing sectors. Results reveal a major imbalance in subsidy distribution, with SSF receiving only about 16% of the total global fisheries subsidy amount of $35 billion in 2009. To bring this into perspective, a person engaged in large-scale fishing received around 4 times the amount of subsidies received by their SSF counterparts. Furthermore, almost 90% of capacity-enhancing subsidies, which are known to exacerbate overfishing go to large-scale fisheries, thus increasing the unfair competitive advantage that large-scale fisheries already have. The developmental, economic and social consequences of this inequity are huge and impair the economic viability of the already vulnerable small-scale fishing sector. Conclusions indicate that taxpayers' money should be used to support sustainable fishing practices and in turn ocean conservation, and not to foster the degradation of marine ecosystems, often a result of capacity-enhancing subsidies. Reducing capacity-enhancing subsidies will have minimal negative effects on SSF communities since they receive very little of these subsidies to begin with. Instead, it will help correct the existing inequality, enhance SSF economic viability, and promote global fisheries sustainability.

How subsidies affect the economic viability of small-scale fisheries

This article presents the first bottom-up analysis of the proportion of global marine fisheries subsidies to small-scale fisheries (SSF). Using existing data, the reported national subsidy amounts are split into the fraction that goes to small- and large-scale fishing sectors. Results reveal a major imbalance in subsidy distribution, with SSF receiving only about 16% of the total global fisheries subsidy amount of $35 billion in 2009. To bring this into perspective, a person engaged in large-scale fishing received around 4 times the amount of subsidies received by their SSF counterparts. Furthermore, almost 90% of capacity-enhancing subsidies, which are known to exacerbate overfishing go to large-scale fisheries, thus increasing the unfair competitive advantage that large-scale fisheries already have. The developmental, economic and social consequences of this inequity are huge and impair the economic viability of the already vulnerable small-scale fishing sector. Conclusions indicate that taxpayers' money should be used to support sustainable fishing practices and in turn ocean conservation, and not to foster the degradation of marine ecosystems, often a result of capacity-enhancing subsidies. Reducing capacity-enhancing subsidies will have minimal negative effects on SSF communities since they receive very little of these subsidies to begin with. Instead, it will help correct the existing inequality, enhance SSF economic viability, and promote global fisheries sustainability.

Effects of economics and demographics on global fisheries sustainability.

A good understanding of social factors that lead to marine ecological change is important to developing sustainable global fisheries. We used balanced panel models and conducted cross-national time-series analyses (1970-2010) of 122 nations to examine how economic prosperity and population growth affected the sustainability of marine ecosystems. We used catches in economic exclusive zone (EEZ); mean trophic level of fishery landings (MTL); primary production required to sustain catches (expressed as percentage of local primary production [%PPR]); and an index of ecosystem overfishing (i.e., the loss in secondary production index [L index]) as indicators of ecological change in marine ecosystems. The EEZ catch, %PPR, and L index declined gradually after gross domestic product (GDP) per capita reached $15,000, $14,000, and $19,000, respectively, and MTL increased steadily once GDP per capita exceeded $20,000. These relationships suggest that economic growth and biodiversity conservation are compatible goals. However, increasing human populations would degrade marine ecosystems. Specifically, a doubling of human population caused an increase in the %PPR of 17.1% and in the L index of 0.0254 and a decline in the MTL of 0.176. A 1% increase in human population resulted in a 0.744% increase in EEZ catch. These results highlight the importance of considering social and economic factors in developing sustainable fisheries management policy.

Boarfish protein recovery using the pH-shift process and generation of protein hydrolysates with ACE-I and antihypertensive bioactivities in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Boarfish ( Capros aper Linnaeus) are frequently in European waters. In this work, the generation and identification of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE-I; EC 3.4.15.1) inhibitory and antihypertensive peptides from Boarfish proteins are reported for the first time. Boarfish proteins were recovered using the pH shift process and hydrolysates were generated using the commercially available proteolytic enzyme alcalase CLEA, papain and protease AP. Molecular weight cut off (MWCO) filtration methods were used to enrich for peptides less than 10- and 3-kDa in size. The angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE-I; EC 3.4.15.1) inhibitory activity of the generated hydrolysates and MWCO fractions was assessed in vitro . The 3-kDa Boarfish protein hydrolysate (BPH) generated using protease AP inhibited ACE-I by 85.8% (± 1.81) when assayed at a concentration of 1 mg/mL compared to the positive control captopril. Mass spectrometry was used to characterize the peptides within the BPH generated using protease AP. Moreover, the antihypertensive activity of this BPH was assessed in vivo using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) over a 24 hour period. Results obtained suggest that BPH generated using protease AP is a source of ACE-I-inhibitory peptides with antihypertensive effects in vivo . This hydrolysate has the potential for use as a functional food ingredient for the maintenance of normal blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. Industrial relevance • This paper provides a potential alternative for marine processors for utilisation of their total catch in the generation of functional foods. • Discarded fish represents an obstacle to the sustainability of global fisheries. Due to the fact that the reformed European Common Fisheries Policy promotes landing of all species under the Total Allowable Catch (TACs) policy in Europe, it will be necessary for processors to utilise all species caught to prevent disposal costs. • Boarfish are caught presently as a co-product with other fish. In light of the new regulation and costs for disposal at landfill it will therefore be necessary to convert Boarfish into value added products. • Industry in Ireland and Denmark are particularly interested in this topic as have the largest quota for Boarfish within the EU. This paper describes a methodology for generation of protein hydrolysates from Boarfish with added health benefits. • This area is of increasing, commercial interest to marine processors and food product developers as fish are a known source of bioactive peptides. Boarfish ( Capros aper Linn) are frequently discarded in European waters. In this work, the generation and identification of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE-I; EC 3.4.15.1) inhibitory and antihypertensive peptides from Boarfish proteins is reported for the first time. Boarfish proteins were recovered using the pH shift process and hydrolysates were generated using the commercially available proteolytic enzymes alcalase CLEA, papain and protease AP. Molecular weight cut off (MWCO) filtration methods were used to enrich for peptides less than 10- and 3-kDa in size.

Consumption of fish and Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has been described as "one of the most disabling and burdensome health conditions worldwide" and is responsible for approximately 70% of dementia in the elderly. Based on the current prevalence of AD, an aging world population and the associated projected health care requirements, it is estimated that by 2050, the prevalence of AD will reach 104 million with around 43% requiring ongoing health care. If the onset of AD can be reduced by as little as one year, the prevalence could be reduced by 10%. There is substantial commonality in research findings to date around the positive influence of seafood consumption in reducing the risk of dementia and AD. Emerging concern about the sustainability of global fisheries supports the recommendation of selective consumption of sustainable wild caught and increased emphasis on production of farmed fish supplies to meet consumption needs.

Economic Incentives and Global Fisheries Sustainability

Widespread global collapses of fisheries corroborate decades-old predictions by economists, made long before large-scale industrialization of the world's fisheries, that open access would have deleterious ecological and economic effects on fishery resources. Incentive-based alternatives (collectively called catch shares) have been shown to generate pecuniary benefits, but little empirical evidence exists for, or against, a link to global fisheries sustainability. We report and expand on an analysis of >11,000 fisheries worldwide, in which we investigated the causes of fisheries collapse from 1950 to 2003. Using a program evaluation design, we found that catch shares prevent and, in some specifications, reverse fisheries collapse. Subsequent scientific studies reinforce and challenge these findings, suggesting fruitful avenues for future research linking incentive-based resource management to sustainability.