fishery

Best hope at sustainable fisheries

harminka — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:13:48 -0500

Small scale fisheries produce as much annual catch for human consumption and use less than one-eighth the fuel as their industrial counterparts, but they are dealt a double-whammy by well-intentioned eco-labelling initiatives and ill-conceived fuel subsidies, according to a University of British Columbia study.

Does fishing endanger survival of tropical tuna?

harminka — Fri, 30 May 2008 05:08:33 -0500

Fishermen hold empirical knowledge that tuna aggregate under floating objects, such as lengths of old rope, pieces of wood, or even large marine mammals. There is still no full explanation for this aggregation behaviour, but the past 20 years have seen purse-seine fishery operators take advantage of the associated concentrations of fish.

Researchers challenge analyses on sustainability of Gulf fisheries

harminka — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:41:37 -0600

Louisiana’s coastal fisheries produce approximately 25 percent of the total catch by weight in the lower 48 states. With such a substantial portion of the nation’s economy dependant on the state of these waters – particularly the Gulf of Mexico region – it comes as no surprise that these fisheries are heavily monitored and scrutinized by researchers across the globe.

To save or savor? It's decision time for Atlantic bluefin tuna

harminka — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:57:11 -0600

Giant bluefin tuna are in trouble, primarily because the powerful muscles that propel their extensive ocean migrations come with an Achilles' heel: They're tasty.

Learning from cod collapse to save tuna

harminka — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:39:03 -0600

Continued mismanagement could force some tuna populations to quickly go the way of cod, a highly threatened fishery that once helped shape economies of whole nations, leading scientists said in the symposium “Last Best Chance for Tuna: Learning from the Cod Collapse” at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting in Boston on February 18.

Invoking future generations to save tuna populations from collapse

harminka — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:33:33 -0600

Balancing short- and long-term fisheries benefits could have prevented the collapse of the cod populations in Atlantic Canada, and is the last best chance for tuna, says University of British Columbia fisheries economist Rashid Sumaila.

New tool for resolving fisheries conflicts

harminka — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:04:28 -0600

Images of dolphins and turtles ensnared in tuna nets are a heart-wrenching reminder of the impact of fisheries on ocean bio-diversity. Known in fisheries science as ‘by-catch,’ this killing of non-target species is a complex problem that has resisted easy answers.

Scripps scientists peg wind as force behind fish booms and busts

harminka — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:53:21 -0600

The mid-20th century crash of the sardine fishery off California for decades has vexed marine ecologists searching for the root causes of large fluctuations in the sardine population. Before its collapse, the fishery was one of the world's most productive and formed the setting of John Steinbeck's "Cannery Row" in Monterey, Calif.

Critically endangered porpoise is focus of new research report

harminka — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:31:16 -0600

An international research team, including biologists from NOAA’s Fisheries Service, reported in the scientific journal Conservation Biology, that the estimated population of vaquita, a porpoise found in the Gulf of California, is likely two years away from reaching such low levels that their rate to extinction will increase and possibly be irreversible. Scientists believe only about 150 vaquita remain.

NOAA proposes federal regulations to protect black abalone

harminka — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:20:42 -0600

NOAA Fisheries Service published with the Federal Register today a proposed rule to list black abalone, a marine mollusk coveted by fishermen and gourmets alike, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Scientists map out potential for restoring California fisher populations

harminka — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:20:56 -0600

U.S. Forest Service and U.C. Santa Barbara scientists believe they have identified the habitat needs for Pacific fishers, a rare California mammal that is a candidate for reintroduction efforts and listing under the Endangered Species Act.

Fisheries should be regarded as part of maritime environment

harminka — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 07:37:50 -0600

Professional fishery is in many sea areas a serious ecological threat to the maritime environment. On the other hand, changes in the environment, e.g. the increase of fish-eating animals like seals and cormorants, may impact the fisheries.