Sustainable Harvesting Research Articles

Solar FPC performance enrichment with Al2O3 / SiO2 nanofluids and hybrid nanofluid

Sustainable energy harvesting plays a crucial role in advancing the goals outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Solar flat plate collectors (FPC) are integral to sustainable energy harvesting, aligning closely with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly goals 7, 8, 9, 13 and 17. The heat transfer fluid is one of the most important inputs in the solar flat plate collector system. The improvement in the properties of heat transfer fluid significantly improves the collector efficiency. Though Nanofluid is one of the solutions, this investigation is motivated by the use of Al2O3 and SiO2 along Syltherm 800 in the form of nanofluids and hybrid nanofluid to improve the efficiency of FPC. The Syltherm 800 fluid (BF), Syltherm 800/Al2O3 nanofluid (ANF), Syltherm 800/SiO2 nanofluid (SNF), and Syltherm 800/Al2O3/SiO2 hybrid nanofluid (HNF) were tested and analysed to improve FPC performance. The results exemplified that using HNF improved the outlet temperature to the high of 126.9 °C, the average heat absorption of 4734.5 W, and the heat transfer coefficient (HTCO) of 166.3 W/m2K. The maximum average thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency of about 76.3%, and 49.8% respectively. Based on the experimental outcomes of the Syltherm 800/Al2O3/SiO2 hybrid nanofluid is recommended to improve the FPC thermal performances.

Enhancing the performance of parabolic trough solar collectors: Cost-effective innovative designs for sustainable energy harvesting

This study aims to improve the performance and stability of parabolic trough solar collectors (PTSC), especially those with heat storage capacity. Three different receiver tube designs have been meticulously developed to achieve this goal. As a result of the research, the Black surface (BS) -PTSC and PTSC- Paraffin wax (PW) systems achieved 26.5% and 56.8% more thermal energy flow, respectively, compared to the conventional PTSC. In addition, while the average thermal efficiencies of the PTSC, BS-PTSC, and PTSC-PW systems were found to be 11.2%, 14.1%, and 16.9%, respectively, the average exergy efficiencies of the PTSC, BS-PTSC, and PTSC-PW were 1.4%, 1.9%, and 2.3%. Painting the black copper pipe and filling the receiver tube with paraffin wax PCM increased thermal and exergy efficiency. Besides, comparing the temperature differences based on the PTSC system, it was found that BS-PTSC and PTSC-PW systems have 12.3% and 16.4% higher tank temperatures, respectively. The findings of this research have demonstrated the potential of parabolic trough solar collectors equipped with heat storage. It has also increased the sustainability index in terms of sustainability and reduced CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Furthermore, it has been shown that these simple and inexpensive designs, without significant modifications to the system, can achieve high thermal performance without unnecessary expensive components.

Harnessing Fe3O4 nanoparticles for sustainable harvesting of astaxanthin-producing microalgae: Advancing industrial-scale biorefinery

Microalgae are esteemed for their potential as sustainable sources of bioactive compounds, notably astaxanthin, a valuable antioxidant with diverse health applications. This study investigates Fe3O4 nanoparticle efficacy in harvesting astaxanthin-producing microalgae for sustainable applications. Parameters such as nanoparticle concentration, exposure time, and magnetic field strength were optimized for Haematococcus pluvialis and Chlorella zofingiensis biomass harvesting. Fe3O4 nanoparticles achieved >99% harvesting efficiency in H. pluvialis at 200 mg L-1 across all pH ranges, while C. zofingiensis showed peak efficiency at 800 mg L-1 and pH 4. The zeta analyzer revealed a maximum potential gap at pH 4, facilitating stable binding of microalgae with nanoparticles. This research underscores Fe3O4 nanoparticles’ sustainable harvesting potential, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals SDGs such as Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12). It offers a promising pathway for industrial-scale microalgae production and astaxanthin exploitation, with implications for biorefinery development, and commercialization in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics industries.

Biomass production and nutritional efficiency in short rotation eucalypt clone plantations for energy in north-east Brazil

Selecting adapted hybrids with greater efficiency in the use and return of nutrients is essential to ensure the success of forestry activities. Although topics on the nutritional sustainability of eucalypt biomass harvesting have frequently been discussed, few studies have focused on short rotation eucalypt clonal plantations (aimed at energy production), especially in conditions of nutrient scarcity and water limitations in Brazil. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the nutritional efficiency and sustainability (for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)) of six eucalypt clones in short rotation cultivation in the north-east of Brazil, considering different harvesting scenarios and using the Eucalyptus urophylla species as a reference, which is traditionally planted in the study region. Direct quantification of the biomass of 21 trees of each clone was carried out at 5 years of age. The clones did not affect the accumulation of total biomass (on average, 199.9 Mg ha−1). The 1296 and 1355 clones provided lower biomass export and greater nutritional efficiency, favouring an increase in the potential number of rotations (PNR) for P and a reduction in the N removal rate (RR). However, the VM58 clone showed higher biomass export and lower PNR. Thus, clones 1296 and 1355 are more favourable, while clone VM58 is less favourable to nutritional sustainability under the studied conditions. Nitrogen and K may cause productivity limitations in future rotations in whole-tree harvesting systems. Adopting more conservationist harvesting systems with removing only the stemwood or stemwood with bark can optimise the potential of clones, minimise the need to add fertilisers and ensure maintenance of the site’s productivity.

Inducing Polar Phase in Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) with a Molecular Ferroelectric Copper(II) Complex for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting

AbstractPiezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs), the current pathway to sustainable energy harvesting, are mostly comprised of bulk oxide ceramics which are toxic, rigid, and costly to synthesize. A suitable alternative to them is flexible polar polymers like polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), but stabilizing its polar phase is also a daunting task. all these aforementioned issues by employing a biocompatible have been solved, above‐room‐temperature (Tc > 390 K) ferroelectric discrete molecular complex [Cu(L‐His)(bpy)]ClO4.1.5H2O (Cu‐FE) which is not only suitable for piezoelectric energy harvesting due to its large values of piezoelectric co‐efficient (d33 = 17 pm V−1) but also is capable of imparting polar β‐phase in PVDF via hydrogen bonding interactions under mild condition (60 °C). Among the PENG devices prepared with the composite films of PVDF and various weight % (w/V) compositions of Cu‐FE, the highest output voltage of 8 V (peak to peak) has been obtained, a power density of 4 µW cm−2, and an output current of 3 µA from the 1 wt.% composite film. The fabricated PENG device also exhibits swift capacitor charging in 40 s, and acts as an excellent pressure sensor, with exceptional sensitivity to low pressures (7 kPa), giving an output of 0.4 V.

Enhanced Atmospheric Water Harvesting Performance by Three-Dimensional Carbon Fiber Felt Structure.

Freshwater shortages and the uneven distribution of water resources are critical issues for economic development and human life, and collecting water vapor in the air is one of the important ways to alleviate these issues. In recent years, adsorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) techniques have received much attention, and the core difficulty in establishing an efficient system is to develop a highly efficient functional material for AWH. In this work, an AWH material was prepared consisting of carbon fiber felt as a three-dimensional skeleton and loaded with poly(vinyl alcohol) immobilized LiCl and graphite, as a water capture and release functional material. A 24 h water capture-3 h water release test was carried out at room temperature, showing excellent water collection ability of 0.907 g·g-1 of water at 30% relative humidity (RH) and 2.429 g·g-1 of water at 80% RH. Using a 2 h capture-2 h release cycling test, the sample demonstrated a stable water capture-release performance. An outdoor field test was conducted, showing water collection efficiencies of up to 60%. We believe that the carbon fiber felt can provide good mechanical properties and achieve a high mass loading of the functional materials, and the composite material has a simple manufacturing process and realizes energy saving and sustainable water harvesting.

Detection and Quantification of Arnica montana L. Inflorescences in Grassland Ecosystems Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Drone-Based Remote Sensing

Arnica montana L. is a medicinal plant with significant conservation importance. It is crucial to monitor this species, ensuring its sustainable harvesting and management. The aim of this study is to develop a practical system that can effectively detect A. montana inflorescences utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with RGB sensors (red–green–blue, visible light) to improve the monitoring of A. montana habitats during the harvest season. From a methodological point of view, a model was developed based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) ResNet101 architecture. The trained model offers quantitative and qualitative assessments of A. montana inflorescences detected in semi-natural grasslands using low-resolution imagery, with a correctable error rate. The developed prototype is applicable in monitoring a larger area in a short time by flying at a higher altitude, implicitly capturing lower-resolution images. Despite the challenges posed by shadow effects, fluctuating ground sampling distance (GSD), and overlapping vegetation, this approach revealed encouraging outcomes, particularly when the GSD value was less than 0.45 cm. This research highlights the importance of low-resolution image clarity, on the training data by the phenophase, and of the need for training across different photoperiods to enhance model flexibility. This innovative approach provides guidelines for mission planning in support of reaching sustainable management goals. The robustness of the model can be attributed to the fact that it has been trained with real-world imagery of semi-natural grassland, making it practical for fieldwork with accessible portable devices. This study confirms the potential of ResNet CNN models to transfer learning to new plant communities, contributing to the broader effort of using high-resolution RGB sensors, UAVs, and machine-learning technologies for sustainable management and biodiversity conservation.

Wolverine population density and home range size in Arctic Alaska

AbstractUnderstanding the spatial requirements of exploited wildlife species, including population density and home range size, is important for wildlife management and conservation. Wolverines (Gulo gulo) are hunted and trapped across the Arctic, and are vulnerable to numerous, often interrelated, threats resulting from anthropogenic changes in their environment. Previous population density estimates for wolverines in the Arctic range tenfold, from the lowest to highest available for the species, limiting their utility outside the specific areas and times they were derived. The most recent density estimate in Arctic Alaska, USA, was produced 4 decades ago and was derived from a relatively small study area. We evaluated wolverine population density and home range size across the North Slope of Alaska during 2017–2022 using global positioning system (GPS)‐based collar data and spatial capture‐recapture models. Population density estimates were 2.0 individuals/1,000 km2 (95% credible interval = 1.3–3.5) in 2018 and 2.8 individuals/1,000 km2 (95% credible interval = 1.7–3.5) in 2021. Median home range sizes modeled with autocorrelated kernel density estimators and Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck foraging movement processes were 699 km2 (range = 158–2,895 km2) among 12 females and 2,332 km2 (range = 797–4,699 km2) among 10 males. These population density estimates are nearly 10 times lower than the previous estimate for Arctic Alaska. We recommend incorporating this information into management strategies to ensure sustainable harvest, particularly as the region's remote areas are more efficiently accessed by hunters and are being considered for transportation corridors supporting new industrial development.

Risks of regionalized stock assessments for widely distributed species like the panmictic European eel

Abstract In fisheries management, accurate stock assessment is pivotal to determine sustainable harvest levels or the scope of conservation measures. When assessment is decentralized and methods differ regionally, adopted approaches must be subjected to rigorous quality-checking, as biased assessments may mislead management decisions. To enable recovery of the critically endangered European eel, EU countries must fulfill a biomass target of potential spawner (“silver eel”) escapement, while local eel stock assessment approaches vary widely. We summarize local approaches and results of ground-truthing studies based on direct silver eel monitoring, to evaluate the accuracy of eel stock assessments in retrospect and identify bias sources. A substantial fraction of eel habitat is currently unassessed or assessed by unvalidated approaches. Across assessment models for which validation exists, demographic models frequently overestimated actual escapement, while misestimations of extrapolation (“spatial”) models were more balanced, slightly underestimating escapement. Stock size overestimation may lead to overexploitation or insufficient conservation measures, increasing the risk of stock collapse or slow recovery in coordinated frameworks. Underestimations may imply inefficient allocation of conservation efforts or negatively affect socioeconomy. Our work highlights the risks of regionalizing assessment responsibilities along with management decisions, calling for a common assessment toolbox and centralized quality-checking routines for eel.

Gate-to-grave assessment of plastic from recycling to manufacturing of TENG: a comparison between India and Singapore

This study assesses the viability of recycled plastic-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for sustainable energy harvesting in India and Singapore, concurrently examining plastic waste management. Using material flow analysis and life cycle assessment, the findings revealed that in Singapore, waste-to-energy incineration has a lower environmental impact than landfilling and mechanical recycling, attributed to natural gas usage. In India, recycling offsets impacts from incineration and landfilling, contributing to a lower net environmental impact. Economic performance of a TENG module from PET recyclates showed a 20% carbon footprint reduction when scaling up from lab to industrial “freeze-drying” processes. Key challenges in TENG manufacturing processes are also assessed for future development. This research highlights the potential of recycled plastic-based TENGs in sustainable energy and waste management.

Cellulose hydrogels with high response sensitivity and mechanical adaptability for flexible strain sensor and triboelectric nanogenerator

Cellulose hydrogels are widely regarded as green and environmentally friendly flexible electronic materials. Herein, a novel multiple cross-linked cellulose hydrogel (MCC/SA20/MCC-g-P(AA-co-AM-AMPS)) with high sensitivity (gauge factor = 440, 670 %, 60 ms) and good mechanical adaptability was designed and prepared. The prepolymer (MCC-g-P(AA-co-AM-AMPS)) was introduced into the microcrystalline cellulose/sodium alginate (MCC/SA) hydrogel network to form a multiple cross-linked network structure, which effectively enhanced the tension and elasticity of the cross-linked network, and improved the mechanical adaptability and sensitivity of the hydrogel. Additionally, it was assembled as a strain sensor that can accurately identify and monitor various motion states of the human body. It was also assembled as a friction nanogenerator (TENG) that continuously generates a stable open circuit voltage (7.2 V) for self-powering small electronic devices. This study provides an effective and feasible strategy for cellulose hydrogels in flexible sensors for sports health monitoring, sustainable green energy harvesting, and self-powering applications for small electronic devices.

Nature’s values in marine resource governance: an ethnographic case study of rockweed in Norway

This article addresses the shortcomings in the governance of the Norwegian macroscopic brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum (rockweed) that appeared when approaching rockweed as a socio-ecologic object in the Vega archipelago on the Norwegian Helgeland coast. A common seaweed along the Norwegian coast, rockweed constitutes an important species in Norway’s ‘blue forests’. Historically, rockweed harvesting was an important source of income for the local coastal population in Norway. Although not comparable to the newer and expanding kelp industry, rockweed harvesting is still profitable along the coast. Despite revived attention from the seaweed industry, state management of rockweed in 2024 is conspicuously absent. Combined with the lack of scientific knowledge of the consequences of rockweed harvesting on the local coastal ecosystems, the responsibility for ensuring sustainable harvesting of rockweed lies with the industry itself. On Vega, however, where rockweed is a highly valued and contested coastal species with a high economic, ecologic, and cultural significance, rockweed harvesting was a conflicted issue. In approaching rockweed as a socio-ecologic object from ‘below’, the article identifies hegemonic structures and discourses in Norwegian marine governance, suggesting how a narrow definition of ‘value’ comes to matter—not only for rockweed—but for sustainable governance of all marine and coastal ecosystems. This article is also an important contribution to the burgeoning interdisciplinary research on nature’s values, power, and knowledge in environmental management.

Triboelectric power generation performance of polyvinyl alcohol using ZnO–CuO–AgO trimetallic nanoparticles

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), a new technology for gathering sustainable energy, have attracted much scientific interest. In this study, we describe a unique method for modifying the triboelectric power generation performance of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) by adding ZnO–CuO–AgO (ZCA) trimetallic nanoparticles to improve the performance of TENGs and answer the requirement for ecologically benign and biodegradable materials. Hydrothermal synthesis adopted to create ZnO–CuO–AgO trimetallic nanoparticles ensures a distinctive structure with a large surface area, essential for enhancing triboelectric power generation. From the AFM results, it is evident that 1% PVA/ZCA showed the highest output voltage of 0.27V. Despite following the general trend, at higher concentrations of ZCA nanofiller in the PVA matrix, the enhancement of output voltage is not observed, which can be attributed to the non-uniform distribution. The effect of spin-coated film thickness and nanoparticle concentration on the triboelectric performance of the PVA nanogenerator is studied by monitoring the open-circuit voltage in response to various mechanical stimuli. Finally, the developed biodegradable nanogenerators in this study can be used for sustainable energy harvesting applications such as wearable electronics, self-powered sensors, and environmental monitoring systems.

Assessment of Ecofriendly Zeotropic Working Fluids in Organic Rankine Cycle for Renewable Energy Harvesting

The shift toward renewable energy has drawn significant attention to zeotropic mixtures in the organic Rankine cycle (ORC). However, synthetic zeotropic mixtures are detrimental to the environment due to high global warming potential. In this context, this study explores the potential of natural zeotropic binary mixtures as an alternative to synthetic zeotropic mixtures in a transcritical ORC system. The performance of two natural zeotropic mixtures and three synthetic zeotropic mixtures (hydrofluorocarbons, hydrofluoroolefins) are analyzed and compared using turbine inlet pressure and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration as objective functions. The comprehensive thermodynamic analysis focuses on energy (first‐law) and exergy (second‐law) efficiencies, heat transfer, environmental performance, and economic aspects. The thermal and exergy efficiencies of the natural zeotropic mixture consistently outperform other mixtures by a maximum of 8% and 18%, respectively, for the conditions studied. The net power‐to‐environmental impact ratio of natural zeotropic mixture outweighs other zeotropic mixtures by more than 50%. The heat transfer analysis also favors natural zeotropic mixture at CO2 concentrations below 60% while maintaining cost parity with synthetic zeotropic mixtures. The results emphasize a holistic approach involving performance, heat transfer, environmental impact, and cost as parameters while choosing zeotropic mixtures for sustainable energy harvesting.

A First Look at Genetic Diversity of Metapenaeus ensis Populations in Tam Giang – Cau Hai Lagoon, Vietnam

This study investigates the genetic diversity and population structure of the greasyback shrimp, Metapenaeus ensis (De Haan, 1844), within the Tam Giang – Cau Hai lagoon, Vietnam, by analyzing mtCOI genes from 91 individuals collected across four populations in nine sampling locations. High genetic diversity was found, with 34 unique haplotypes and 38 genetic variations identified. Most genetic variation occurred within populations (AMOVA), suggesting high gene flow. Low and non-significant Fst values and close genetic distances confirmed minimal differentiation among populations. These findings provide the first insights into M. ensis population genetics in this lagoon, informing conservation and management efforts. Understanding genetic diversity is crucial for sustainable management and conservation of marine species. This research aids in understanding population resilience, potential impacts of overfishing, and may assist in developing sustainable harvest strategies of this economically important shrimp species.

Superstrong Ionogel Enabled by Coacervation-Induced Nanofibril Assembly for Sustainable Moisture Energy Harvesting.

Ionogels have grabbed significant interest in various applications, from sensors and actuators to wearable electronics and energy storage devices. However, current ionogels suffer from low strength and poor ionic conductivity, limiting their performance in practical applications. Here, inspired by the mechanical reinforcement of natural biomacromolecules through noncovalent aggregates, a strategy is proposed to construct nanofibril-based ionogels through complex coacervation-induced assembly. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) can bundle together with poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) to form a superstrong nanofibrous network, in which the ionic liquid (IL) can be retained to form ionogels with high liquid inclusion and ionic conductivity. The strength of the CNF-PIL-IL ionogels can be tuned by the IL content over a wide range of up to 78 MPa. The optical transparency, high strength, and hygroscopicity enabled them to be promising candidates in moist-electricity generation and applications such as energy harvesting windows and wearable power generators. In addition, the ionogels are degradable and the ionogel-based generators can be recycled through dehydration. Our strategy suggests perspectives for the fabrication of high-strength and multifunctional ionogels for sustainable applications.

Northeast Atlantic fish stock productivity hindcasts and forecasts from a Bayesian framework reveal pronounced climate‐induced dynamics

AbstractClimate change continues to exert pressure on ocean ecosystems. The fisheries‐related responses, such as altered body growth, recruitment and spatial distribution of the targeted stock(s), have generally been reasonably well investigated. Nevertheless, there are still important knowledge gaps in how biophysical drivers impact stock productivity and thereby sustainable harvest levels. Considering this, we investigated 26 fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, a region characterized by accelerated climate change effects and a diverse set of fisheries. A novel, stepwise, Bayesian framework to quantify stock productivity was established to identify shared trends and project future patterns, aiming at determining essential baselines for adaptive fishery management in the face of climate change. Despite variation among large marine ecosystems and stocks, an overall declining trend in productivity over the past four decades was observed, especially in high‐latitude areas. These hindcast results were mainly attributed to higher temperatures posing negative effects on productivity, which was dependent on the stock's thermal preference. Contrastingly, the proxy for food availability – gross secondary production – exhibited less consistent impacts. In the forecast, the applied Shared Socio‐economic Pathways (SSPs) indicated that most stocks are likely to encounter adverse effects, with the worst cases expected to occur under SSP2‐4.5 in the 2050s, and under SSP5‐8.5 in the 2090s. Thus, this study generally not only supports earlier climate vulnerability assessments (‘scorings’) of experts but also provides evidence for revised directional effects under climate change, underlining the complexity of processes affecting stock productivity.

Puzzling parrotfishes: Radiocarbon age validation and updated longevity estimates for western Atlantic species in support of sustainable fisheries management

For management efforts to succeed in Caribbean fisheries, local fishers must support and be willing to comply with fishing regulations. This is more likely when fishers are included in a stock assessment process that utilizes robust scientific evidence, collected in collaboration with fishers, to evaluate the health of fish stocks. Caribbean parrotfishes are important contributors to coral reef ecosystem health while also contributing to local fisheries. Scientifically robust stock assessments require regional species-specific information on age-based key life history parameters, derived from fish age estimates. Evaluation of the accuracy of age estimation methods for fish species is a critical initial step in managing species for long-term sustainable harvest. The current study resulted from a collaborative research program between fish biologists and local fishers investigating age, growth, and reproductive biology of the seven parrotfish species landed in U.S. Caribbean fisheries; specifically, we validated age estimation for stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma viride and queen parrotfish Scarus vetula. This is the first study to directly validate age estimation for any parrotfish species through analysis of Δ14C from eye lens cores. Our age estimation validation results show that enumeration of opaque zones from thin sections of sagittal otoliths for a Sparisoma and a Scarus species provides accurate age estimates. The oldest stoplight parrotfish and queen parrotfish in the Δ14C age estimation validation series were 14 y and 16 y; while the oldest stoplight parrotfish and queen parrotfish we aged to-date using the Δ14C validated age estimation method were 20 y and 21 y, respectively. Fish longevity (maximum age attained/life span) is a key life history parameter used for estimation of natural mortality, survivorship, and lifetime reproductive output. Past reviews on parrotfishes from the Pacific and Atlantic concluded that most Caribbean/western Atlantic parrotfish species are relatively short-lived with estimated maximum ages ranging from 3–9 y. However, information from our collaborative research in the U.S. Caribbean combined with recently published age estimates for Brazilian parrotfish species indicate that many western Atlantic parrotfishes are relatively long-lived with several species attaining maximum ages in excess of 20 y.

Population viability analysis predicts long‐term impacts of commercial Sooty Tern egg harvesting to a large breeding colony on a small oceanic island

The over‐exploitation of wild birds and the products derived from them can be a key threat driving changes in bird species richness and abundance. However, inadequate information on harvest levels combined with irregular population monitoring often means that the role of harvesting in population decline is difficult to quantify. Historically, the pan‐tropical Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus has been subjected to extensive egg harvesting, yet the role of sustained harvesting in population change and future population viability remains unclear. In this study, we used published and new estimates of key demographic rates for a large, harvested Sooty Tern population in Seychelles, western Indian Ocean, to run a series of population viability analyses. We retrospectively assess the impact of historical levels of egg harvesting, and also predict how this population may respond under different future harvesting regimes, assuming no additional environmental change. We provide evidence that egg harvesting has played a substantial role in driving the population decline of Sooty Terns to date and demonstrate that continued harvesting will probably lead to further, possibly dramatic, declines in population size. These results indicate that recent levels of egg harvesting in Seychelles are not sustainable. We also show that the life‐history strategy of Sooty Terns, including a delayed age of first breeding, means the current 2‐year local moratorium on egg harvesting is unlikely to generate an observable population‐level response in Seychelles. Instead, we recommend that the current moratorium is extended at least beyond the age of first breeding (i.e. 5 years) to support appropriate evaluation. We additionally show that harvesting Sooty Tern eggs at much lower levels, i.e. 10% of the population size, is unlikely to reverse population decline. Therefore, long‐term egg harvesting strategies require careful evaluation to maintain a balance between the social, commercial, cultural and biodiversity significance of Sooty Terns in Seychelles.

High levels of mislabelling of shark flesh in Australian fish markets and seafood shops

High levels of mislabelling of shark flesh in Australian fish markets and seafood shops