Australia: Study finds vulnerability in pelagic ecosystems

Published Mar 1, 2024

Tridge summary

A study by The University of Western Australia has discovered that open ocean fish and sharks, such as tuna, silky sharks, and sardines, are more vulnerable to human pressures compared to seabed species. The study, which analyzed nearly a million fish and shark size measurements over 14 years, suggests that seabed dwellers are more protected due to their habitat offering more refuge. The researchers recommend establishing more highly protected marine areas in remote locations, including international waters, to help reverse the declining trend in pelagic fish populations.

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Original content

Fish and sharks living in the open ocean are impacted more by human pressure than their seabed-dwelling counterparts, according to a new study from The University of Western Australia.The study, published in Science, was led by Dr. Tom B. Letessier, from the Zoological Society of London and UWA's School of Biological Science, and co-authored by Wen Family Chair in Conservation Professor Jessica Meeuwig and Dr. Chris Thompson, from UWA's School of Biological Science and Oceans Institute.Researchers combined size measurements of almost 1 million fish and sharks taken from 14 years of baited camera surveys across the globe to investigate the effectiveness of marine protected areas for fish either living in midwater (pelagic) or seabed (benthic) ecosystems."In both ecosystems individuals were larger if they were found in highly protected areas and remote from cities and seafood markets," Dr. Letessier said."But pelagic fish such as tuna, silky sharks and sardines found near markets ...

Source: Phys