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Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the Baltic Sea commonly attempt to steal fish captured in net fisheries. Seal depredation reduces economic yields for small-scale net fishers in a region already highly impacted by the collapse of important fish stocks. Visible damages in looted nets consist of injured fish with bite marks, or holes in the gear, but additional losses from seals eating entire fish without leaving a trace can often remain unnoticed. In this study, we estimated the daily rates of injured and of stolen fish in a commercial gillnet fishery operating off coast of Bornholm in the Central Baltic Sea in 2021–2022. Our results show that the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is generally preferred over other target species [here, European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), European flounder (Platichthys flesus), and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)]. Although the observed ratio of 5.65 cods disappearing for each cod retrieved with seal bite marks is similar to a study from the 2000's, we show that average daily cod disappearance rates are linked to the duration a gear is left soaking in the same location. • About 45 % of cod (Gadus morhua) and 6 % of flatfish gillnet catches are stolen daily by grey seal in the Central Baltic Sea. • Grey Seal depredation amounts to 5.65 entire cods disappearing without a trace for each injured cod recovered in the net. • Daily depredation rate of cods increases the longer the gear is left soaking in the same location, while it is relatively stable over time for flatfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharks are fascinating groups of elasmobranchs that are consistently threatened by commercial tuna fishing operations, as they share a common habitat with most scombrids. This raises ecological concerns to explore the vulnerability of the species in its prevailing ecosystem. The length-weight relationship of three known species of thresher sharks viz, the common thresher (Alopias vulpinus), bigeye thresher (A. superciliosus), and pelagic thresher (A. pelagicus) were estimated based on 771 specimens landed as bycatches from the commercial tuna gillnetter and multi-gear utilizing boats (MGUB) off Bay of Bengal between June 2022 and November 2023. The fork length (FL) ranged from a minimum of 51 cm to a maximum of 288 cm. The dominant fork length class for A. vulpinus , A. superciliosus , and A. pelagicus were 101–120, 101–140 cm, and 61–80 cm respectively. The estimated slope (b) values in the range between 2.48 and 2.66 reveal negative allometry for all three species. The coefficient of determination was highly significant with r2 values of 0.98–0.99. The male-to-female ratio for A. vulpinus (1.03:1) and A. superciliosus (1.07:1), were male-biased except for A. pelagicus , (1:1). We also present data on the foraging components of the bigeye thresher shark that typically comprised teleosts and cephalopods, with occasional crustacean prey. Biological data collection and constant surveillance would help better understand the population structure of this iconic marine species and preserve them from overexploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trammel nets are one of the least selective fishing gears and are known to catch a variety of species, many of which are discarded, including important invertebrates that are considered habitat-forming species. Although there are few studies focusing on this type of by-catch, these habitat-forming species include corals and sponges that are vulnerable to disturbances from fishing activities using bottom contact gear. Experimental fishing was conducted off the port of Portimão (southern Portugal) from November 2021 to April 2022 using standard and modified trammel nets rigged to be lifted off the bottom with the objective of reducing invertebrate by-catch and impacts on the bottom habitat. The modified lifted net caught 36% less by-catch of invertebrates in numbers than the standard net, with no significant decrease of biomass and value of target species. The results obtained with the two net types are discussed, as well as the necessity for good video recording equipment that can improve sampling accuracy, and the usefulness of interviewing the fishers on net performance after experimental fishing was conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alaska fisheries are characterized by a large leakage of revenues and value-added generated in the fisheries due to heavy reliance on imported inputs. A large portion of the multiplier effects from Alaska fisheries flow to other states, reducing benefits accruing to Alaska households. In this case, various policymakers (national and regional economic development policymakers as well as fisheries managers) may want to know how much of the total economic impact from a fisheries management action remains in Alaska and how much flows elsewhere. To help address this question, this study uses a 10-region multi-regional social accounting matrix (10MRSAM) model for Southwest Alaska (SWAK) fisheries to examine how economic impacts are distributed across regions for each of the major species caught and landed in each of the six SWAK boroughs and census areas (BCAs). We find, among other things, that 60–80% of total US household income generated from the SWAK fisheries is earned by non-Alaska households, depending on the species caught and the region where the fish is landed. The information on the spatial distribution of impacts resulting from fisheries management actions as described by the components of the relevant regional multipliers will be a useful tool for policymakers making decisions regarding Alaska fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to develop for the blue crab fishery a synthetic bait that is effective, economically viable, and made from sustainable products. Our approach was to formulate mixtures of commercially available chemicals that are proven to be feeding stimulants for crustaceans. We tested several artificial mixtures: a 32-component mixture that mimics menhaden (= Menhaden Artificial Mixture), the bait used by crab fishers; and three other artificial mixtures based on shrimp muscle that are demonstrated chemostimulants for other crustacean species. We added these artificial mixtures to a matrix to create synthetic baits that release chemicals at the same rate and duration as does menhaden bait. Laboratory behavioral studies showed that these artificial mixtures, especially Menhaden Artificial Mixture, and extracts of synthetic baits containing the artificial mixtures stimulate alerting and grabbing behaviors by crabs, though less than extracts from menhaden itself. Synthetic baits were also ingested by crabs thus demonstrating that they are palatable. However, when synthetic baits containing these artificial mixtures were tested in trapping studies in the Ogeechee and Altamaha Rivers of Georgia, they caught fewer crabs than menhaden-baited traps and no more than no-bait traps. We offer several hypotheses as to why our synthetic traps with artificial mixtures that stimulate feeding behavior in the laboratory are less effective in the field than in the laboratory. • Aim: Develop a synthetic, sustainable, cost-effective bait for the blue crab fishery. • Approach: Use simple chemical mixtures embedded in a matrix as mimics of natural baits and test in lab and field trials. • Results: Synthetic baits are highly effective in lab assays but did not catch crabs in the field. • Conclusion: Synthetic baits lack key molecules necessary to evoke full sequence of behaviors under field conditions. • Future: A guide for developing more effective synthetic baits for blue crab and other crustacean fisheries is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing implementation of a management policy for Antarctic krill fishery has faced challenges due to the diverse and variable management strategies. Understanding the fishing behavior of krill fishery is crucial for developing sustainable policies. In this study, krill fishery data collected on the Antarctic Peninsula, where is the key fishing ground, was used to model krill fishing behavior using generative adversarial networks (GANs). The GANs successfully captured fishing behavior, particularly important features such as temporal characteristics and the Lévy flight, and the performance was better than the previous approaches. Overall, this modeling approach shows promise as a tool for monitoring fishing behavior and management of krill fishery in the Southern Ocean. • Generative adversarial network-based model was applied to simulate fishing behavior in the Antarctic krill fishery. • Lévy flight property of krill fishing behavior was detected • Fishing behavior has not changed after the introduction of voluntary restriction zone. • Regularization model was deemed superior to baseline model for producing high-quality spatiotemporal data. • This study provides valuable insights into fishing behavior in the Antarctic krill fishery and can contribute to the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) caught in recreational fisheries are harvested, a substantial number of salmon are released after capture. Mortality rates of coho salmon released from recreational fisheries are largely unknown in the marine environment. This two-year study investigated factors associated with post-release mortality and travel rate of coho salmon in a marine recreational fishery in British Columbia, Canada. Adult coho salmon were recreationally angled in the marine environment, affixed with acoustic tags, and tracked during their return migration to natal spawning streams using a network of acoustic receivers. We found post-release mortality to the first point of detection (∼50 km from release) was 31.5% (95% CI: 26.1 – 37.4%; n = 279). Scale loss, eye damage, bleeding, and smaller body size of coho salmon were associated with increased odds of mortality. Scale loss and smaller body size were also associated with slower migration rate post-release. Air exposure up to five minutes was not found to be a driving factor in mortality or travel rate. These fishing-related injuries can cause immediate physiological and behavioural disturbances, increase vulnerability to predation, infection, and disease, and delay migration as the fish recovers. Smaller coho salmon may also be less capable of overcoming capture stress. Our study highlights the importance of quantifying mortality of wild fish in their natural environment, and we suggest that small changes to fishing practices (e.g., smaller hook sizes, less handling, etc.) could make large differences in release survival thus encouraging a more sustainable recreational fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mortality of caught and released fish is a sustainability concern for many recreational fisheries worldwide. Factors associated with fishing increase mortality rates of released fish, including barotrauma, extended exposure to air and hooking injuries. Alongside traditional management tools (i.e., catch and effort controls), strategies to decrease the mortality of released fish are endorsed within fisheries in an attempt to lower total mortality. However, the uptake of these techniques by fishers and their subsequent role in fisheries sustainability is understudied. In this study, recreational fishers within Western Australia's West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery were surveyed to investigate the awareness and adoption rates of six release strategies employed to minimise post-release mortality (i.e., release weights, venting, circular hooks, slow retrieval, minimising time fish are onboard, and supportive handling practices). We found that a high proportion of fishers attempt to minimise post-release mortality by adopting one or more strategies (82%), but variable awareness and adoption rates are apparent across release strategies. High awareness did not translate to high adoption rates for some strategies (e.g., awareness and adoption rates of the release weight were 94% vs 32%, respectively, and for supportive handling practices 41% vs 84% respectively). We found that perceived strategy effectiveness, ease of use, fisher age and geographical region influenced strategy uptake by fishers. This information is useful for fisheries managers who can direct messaging for the use of strategies that may decrease the mortality of released fish, especially where post-release mortality is a major fishery concern. • Most fishers adopted at least one strategy to help mitigate post-release mortality. • High awareness of mitigation strategies did not translate into high adoption. • Adoption was affected by perceived effectiveness and ease of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American lobster, Homarus americanus, supports the most valuable single-species fishery in North America; however to-date, a reliable and robust method to determine age does not exist, and thus some of the more traditional catch-at-age stock assessment methods cannot be used to determine status. In lieu of this, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's American Lobster Stock Assessment Model uses a probabilistic growth transition matrix to determine how lobsters of different sizes will grow and recruit into the fishery. Developing and updating the growth transition matrix to reflect current growth dynamics requires estimates of molt increment and interval. Tagging studies are an inexpensive method to collect this type of information, but relying on fishing industry reported recapture data and buy-in can be challenging, resulting in varied return rates and uncertainty in measurement accuracy. Here, we report on a subset of recaptured lobsters released in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regions between 2015 and 2020, where in addition to recapture locations, harvesters were encouraged to submit images of recaptured lobsters alongside a standard lobster gauge as a scale to estimate carapace length. Some fishermen were able to provide both direct measurements and images. Images were analyzed in ImageJ to estimate individual lobster carapace length (CL); and each image was assigned a quality score. For all groups, image-derived lengths were correlated with measured observations, regardless of the overall image quality, with only a slight underestimation at the maximum end of CL. This image-based method for length estimation provides high-quality length predictions regardless of image quality and can significantly increase the likelihood of harvesters contributing data with broad potential to engage commercial fisherman in collaborative science. Using this method we were able to expand the dataset of length records from this project by 251 or 33 %, providing additional data at a rate similar to tagging an additional 6000 lobsters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex lifecycle of spiny lobsters makes the species particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In south-eastern Australia, a regime shift in productivity was experienced during the late 1990s with evidence indicating that increased water temperatures had impacted on female size-of-maturity. Within the Southern Zone fishery of South Australia, this translated into low levels of egg production and sub-optimal fishery performance. In 2018, the harvest strategy for the fishery was reviewed with the primary focus of achieving a target percentage of unexploited egg production (%UEP) within an agreed timeframe. The proposed harvest strategy was based on a tabular harvest control rule, where catch per unit effort (CPUE) from the preceding season, as an indicator of lobster abundance, specified the following year's total allowable commercial catch (TACC). To account for climate change impacts, the harvest strategy was assessed using a projection model where recruitment was sampled from post-regime shift years, thereby adopting a conservative approach to stock rebuilding. Results were assessed against projected trends in catch, CPUE and %UEP. In 2020, this harvest control rule was formally adopted and is now used in annual TACC setting. Observed values for key indicators have been closely aligned with projected estimates, with %UEP estimates approaching the target reference point. Specifically, %UEP has improved from 10% to 15% with the target projected to be achieved by the late 2020 s. Projections are sensitive to recruitment however, with a 21% lower recruitment scenario failing to reach target levels, thereby reinforcing the need to account for climate change impacts in harvest strategy testing. • A productivity regime shift has occurred across Southern Rock Lobster fisheries. • Harvest strategy testing was adapted to account for recruitment effects. • Indicator projections used recruitment from post regime shift period only. • Observed values for indicators reflect projected estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal small-scale fisheries remain largely unassessed and unregulated worldwide, which leads to a high risk of overfishing. Availability and quality of data are major barriers to performing model-based assessments, particularly in low and middle-income countries. In that context, alternative assessment methods are key to defining priorities, as well as prompting and guiding management actions. In this study, we assessed the vulnerability to overfishing of 10 extremely data-poor species of coastal groundfish in Peru, by applying an adapted Productivity Susceptibility Analysis (PSA). We classified fisheries-related Susceptibility attributes and streamlined a process to assess and integrate multiple fisheries and gears into a single score for each attribute. The data quality scores regarding productivity and susceptibility were between "limited" and "no data", across all stocks. Therefore, expert knowledge was key for completing the assessment. Stocks of four species presented extremely high Vulnerability to overfishing: broomtail grouper (V=2.57), grape-eye seabass (V=2.50), pacific goliath grouper (V=2.28) and galapagos sheephead wrasse (V=2.24). Three showed high Vulnerability to overfishing: black snook (V=2.13), harlequin wrasse (V=2.05) and chino (V=2.01). Two showed medium Vulnerability to overfishing: mulata (V=1.89) and pacific beakfish (V=1.89). Only the stock of bumphead parrotfish showed low Vulnerability to overfishing (V=1.73). We contrasted the resulting Vulnerability scores with the limited available information on the statuses of these stocks, to evaluate the accurateness of the overfishing probability thresholds proposed in PSA literature. We found that Vulnerability scores were mostly consistent with contrasted information and that the thresholds remain useful to inform fisheries management in extremely data-poor contexts. Our results shed light on the need for the implementation of fishing regulations and the generation of biological and fishery-related data on coastal groundfish in Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation testing is fundamental for evaluating which features to include in a next-generation stock assessment model. One feature, contemplated but rarely adopted, is to extend the standard age-only population array to estimate population numbers dynamically by both age and length-within-age. This allows the model to capture changes over time in the shape of the length-at-age distribution when mortality is asymmetric with respect to fish body length. Here we use simulated data from an individual-based fishery model to evaluate three assessment models. Two are versions of Stock Synthesis (SS3), one employing a standard formulation and a second using 'platoons' to account for dynamic numbers by length-within-age. The third model, using a 'slice partition' to model numbers by length-within-age, was designed for assessing fisheries with a knife-edge truncation of the catch at a regulated legal minimum length. Platoons produced substantially better estimates of mean length-at-age, selectivity, and biomass than SS3-age for the simulated fishery scenarios with a higher level of individual growth variation. SS3 with platoons also produced better estimates than the slice model for these high growth variation scenarios, primarily when selectivity was estimated and was not knife-edged. The three assessment models performed well, and similarly, for lower individual growth variability, except that the slice model performed modestly better under knife-edge selectivity for which it was designed. Incorporating dynamic population numbers by length-within-age can be ranked as a medium priority for a next generation assessment model. Incorporating platoons in SS3 showed a clear performance gain, with moderate improvement evident, when there is high individual variation in growth. If length-within-age is incorporated, platoons are preferable to slices for implementation flexibility: by specifying the use of only one platoon, the model reduces to a standard age-based form, leaving all other model features unchanged. • Ignoring higher mortality on faster growing fish causes bias, notably in growth. • Models that separate number by length within each cohort address this bias. • We compare two length-within-age models, SS3 using platoons and slices. • SS3 platoons produced lower-bias assessment estimates than standard SS3. • SS3-platoons also produced lower bias than slice partition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bycatch mortality threatens ecosystem health and fisheries sustainability worldwide. In this study, we assessed potential impacts of an expanding Redfish (Sebastes spp.) fishery on a depleted stock of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Spatiotemporal modelling of fisheries landings and scientific surveys indicates that Atlantic Cod have shifted into deeper water over time, placing them in closer proximity to Redfish than historically observed. Presently, some differences persist in depth use and spatial distribution during May to October. During November to April, seasonal migration patterns and overwintering behaviour make spatial predictions difficult, but suggest that sporadic, large bycatch events can occur. Combined, these results identify specific times, areas, and depths that could be targeted for bycatch mitigation strategies. Nevertheless, Atlantic Cod bycatch limits could be rapidly met depending on the scale of the Redfish fishery. We also caution that continued shifts of Atlantic Cod into deeper water could make them increasingly vulnerable to this expanding fishery, as well as existing fisheries currently responsible for the majority of bycatch. Although this study primarily focused on bycatch of one species in the context of a single fishery, our methods could be expanded to consider additional species and fisheries. Based on existing literature, our proposed solutions to mitigate cod bycatch will also help protect other vulnerable groundfish with similar geographic distributions and depth profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data-limited fisheries frequently lack age-structure data and instead rely on length-based management and assessment methods. However, the performance of such length-based methods and control rules are often poorly understood when confronted with varying life-history characteristics. In this study, we used Length-Based Spawning Potential Ratio (LBSPR) to conduct a data-limited assessment for a subset of high-value recreational fisheries in California and make inferences about the cumulative performance of existing management regulations. We then simulated stock status under alternative size limit scenarios to estimate the benefit of new or alternative minimum size limits on a species-by-species basis. Here, we present a validated procedure for evaluating minimum size limit scenarios and provide valuable insight on the status of five unassessed fisheries in California, including one species that appears heavily overfished. Furthermore, we identified a range of situations with variable confidence in LBSPR results dependent on life-history characteristics. Most notably, failures in length-based inferences can occur with species that exhibit sporadic recruitment success and spawning aggregation-based fisheries, leading to a hyperstable size structure and potential stock collapse. • Developed and validated a procedure for evaluating minimum size limits using LBSPR. • LBSPR allows data-limited assertions about stock health. • Ocean Whitefish appear heavily overfished. • Recruitment failure, overfishing, and hyperstability are likely for Barred Sand Bass. • We identify life-history and fishery characteristics not conducive to length-based inferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bycatch of cetaceans in gillnet fisheries is a global problem that can be a major cause of mortality for some species like the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). To avoid cetacean bycatch, one can enhance the reflectivity of the netting material to make the net barrier more audible in the marine environment. Plastic spheres made of acrylic glass are highly reflective to sound underwater and can be designed species-specifically to be particularly reflective in the frequencies used for echolocating by the species of concern. "PearlNets" are gillnets incorporating such plastic spheres on the twines and have the potential to reduce bycatch rates by making cetaceans aware of the presence of gillnets in their surroundings. However, PearlNets should also be at least as effective as traditional nets at catching target fish species if fishers are to accept using this new mitigation tool. In this study, we compared the catch rates of target species and the bycatch rates of non-target species between control and PearlNets in a set net fishery for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) off the Western Baltic Sea. The analysis of the data collected during this trial did not demonstrate a significant difference in catch rates between pearl and control nets (p -values >0.05). In other words, assuming that PearlNets effectively reduce cetacean bycatch, we show that they also maintain catch rates, making this mitigation tool likely acceptable for fishers. • Our result did not demonstrate a significant difference in catch rates between pearl and control nets (p-values >0.05). • If pearl nets effectively reduce cetacean bycatch, we show that fishers can maintain catch rates. • Pearls causes no additional handling time of disentangle of catches or other net entanglement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recreational fishing is the fastest growing sector in industrialized nations and can have substantial impacts on marine fish populations and ecosystems. Commercial objectives are typically characterized by maximizing yield and fishery stability whereas recreational anglers generally prefer sustained access to fishing and the availability of larger fish. Achieving these objectives while balancing tradeoffs between recreational and commercial fishing is essential to effective recreational and mixed-use fisheries management. Balancing multiple sector objectives is of particular concern in the southeast United States (US), where recreational fishing is the dominant source of mortality for marine fish stocks. We developed and applied a size-structured management strategy evaluation (MSE) tool, individually, to two stocks in southeast US Atlantic waters, black sea bass (Centropristis striata), a sedentary reef fish in overfished condition, and cobia (Rachycentron canadum), a migratory coastal pelagic fish, to evaluate the performance and tradeoffs of mixed management procedures against a variety of objectives. Several recreational and commercial objectives were aligned: fishers sought to conserve the stock and maximize catch, which simplified the evaluation of tradeoffs. We tested management procedures over alternate states of recruitment for black sea bass, and natural mortality for cobia. Management procedures that allowed harvest for black sea bass resulted in or risked an overfished status if the current weak recruitment regime continues, but could rebuild with no fishing regardless of recruitment state. Although results were sensitive to uncertainty in recruitment, no management procedures could achieve historic landings for either sector, and only management procedures that reduced effort consistently resulted in a reduced number of dead discards. No management procedures resulted in an overfished status for cobia. Management procedures for cobia generally achieved objectives and were robust to uncertainty in natural mortality. In both case studies, tradeoffs occurred between maximizing catch and season length and maintaining a stronger size structure in the population. This study resulted in a flexible MSE tool with strong potential utility for scoping management procedures that explicitly consider recreational fishing objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bayesian inference has long been recognized as useful for fisheries stock assessments but it is less common than maximum likelihood approaches due to long run times and a lack of good practices. Recent computational advances leave developing good practices and user-friendly interfaces as the most important hurdles to wider use of this powerful statistical paradigm. Here, I argue that the modern Bayesian workflow proposed by Gelman et al. (2020) should form the basis for proposed good practices in fisheries sciences. Their workflow is a conceptual roadmap for iterative model building which includes the philosophical role of priors and how to apply statistical tools to construct them, how to validate and compare models, and how to overcome computational problems. Adapted for stock assessment, this leads to the following good practices for analysts. Diagnostics from multiple no-U-turn sampler (NUTS) chains (the recommended MCMC algorithm) should pass and be reported, specifically that the potential scale reduction R ˆ is <1.01 and the effective sample size is >400 for all parameters, and there are no NUTS divergences. When direct a priori information is unavailable on parameters, use prior predictive checking to build, assess, and adjust priors to enforce desired constraints on complexity, or to conform to a priori expectations or physical/biological limitations on derived quantities. Use posterior predictive checks to validate models by confirming simulated data and summaries (e.g., variance of compositional data) are similar to the observed counterparts. Process error variances can be estimated jointly with random effects and other parameters when desired, and should be for important model components. An approximate cross-validation technique called PSIS-LOO is the most practical tool for model selection, but can also provide important insights into model deficiencies. I also recommended that model developers build and parameterize models to have minimal parameter correlations and marginal variances close to one, have options for diverse (multivariate) priors, do predictive modeling, and ensure that the tools comprising a workflow are accessible and straightforward for routine use. I review, adapt, and illustrate a Bayesian workflow on AD Model Builder and Stock Synthesis models, but these good practices apply to models from any software platform, including Template Model Builder and Stan. Finally, I argue that the Bayesian and frequentist paradigms complement each other, with both helping analysts better understand different aspects of their models and data. Wider adoption of Bayesian methods using the good practices proposed here would therefore lead to improved scientific advice used to manage fisheries. • Bayesian inference is a powerful statistical framework for stock assessments. • Good practices lag behind frequentist assessments, and are needed for wider use. • I review and illustrate a modern statistical workflow, and adapt it for good practices for Bayesian age-structured assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State-space modeling is an emerging approach to age structured fisheries stock assessment that can accommodate multiple sources of variability in processes like recruitment, abundance, and selectivity. By maximizing the marginal likelihood by treating yearly deviations as random effects and then integrating them from the likelihood, these models can estimate multiple process variances. Several fisheries software packages have been developed that use a state-space framework with marginal likelihood, which has increased their popularity and usage across the U.S. Atlantic coast, Canada, and Europe. However, robust testing is still needed to gauge the applicability of these models and understand how they perform under a range of realistic variability in the process or observation error. Using an assessment model fit to Gulf of Maine Haddock as a baseline, we used a simulation-estimation procedure to test if state-space stock assessment models could produce approximately unbiased and precise estimates over a range of process variances that extended from zero to well above the levels estimated in the Gulf of Maine Haddock assessment, or when observations were noisier (i.e., more variable around their true value) than had been assumed in the assessment. We fit alternative estimation models that differed in which processes errors were included (of recruitment, expected survival, and fishery selectivity). State-space models which specify random effects in all three processes produced approximately unbiased and precise estimates of biomass and exploitation for most operating models and therefore are recommended except when variability in expected survival is absent (or very low), in which case the model is unlikely to converge. A conventional statistical-catch-at-age model with recruitment estimated as a fixed effect for each year, deterministic expected survival, and constant selectivity produced estimates that were comparable to the best state-space model, but do not provide internal estimates of process variances and did not perform well when recruitment was highly variable. This work will facilitate the use of state-space stock assessment models and choosing the parameterization that will produce the most accurate output to inform future predictions and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In different trap fisheries worldwide, escape openings are often used to improve size and species selectivity by reducing bycatch. The selectivity efficiency of escape openings depends on their shape and size designed according to the target species morphology. However, the efficiency also depends on the number of trapped animals contacting such escape openings. In pot fisheries, the escape process of bycatch individuals is often dependent on how long the gear is deployed (soak time). In this study, we conducted experimental fishing trials to evaluate size selectivity and catch patterns of pots configured with two types of escape openings among three different soak times (2, 5, 7 days) in the swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) fishery of the Yellow Sea, China. Increasing soak time significantly decreased the retention probability of undersized crabs. Longer soak times enhanced crab contact probability with escape openings, with over 90% achieving selectivity contact after 7 days soak time. Additionally, use of escape openings reduced capture of bycatch species and significantly affected catch composition. There were no significant differences in size selectivity between circular and rectangular escape openings. These findings contribute to understand the importance of soak time on the size selection processes of P. trituberculatus pots. Further, they provide insights for the development of more sustainable fishing practices. • Use of pot escape openings reduced bycatch of undersized swimming crab. • Longer soak time increased crab contact probability with escape openings. • Increasing soak time significantly reduced catch efficiency of undersized crabs. • Escape openings significantly affected composition of catches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of morphology to investigate the population structure of fishes is an increasingly used technique in fisheries science. Understanding population structure helps ensure fisheries sustainability and preserves intraspecific biodiversity, which is key to ecosystem functioning. Here, the landmark-based geometric morphometric technique was utilised for the first time on New Zealand snapper (Chrysophrys auratus), a sought-after fish in both recreational and commercial fisheries. Evidence of regional population structure was found, the most pronounced morphological differences being in the head curvature, body depth, eye size, and caudal peduncle width. There were statistically significant differences in body morphology between all but one of the hypothesised populations, with C. auratus individuals correctly allocated to the appropriate populations 86 % of the time. To test optimal population configuration for management areas, several scenarios were run where individual fish were reassigned to different groups, but there was no improvement in allocation success. However, a scenario that excluded fish near the boundaries of current management areas improved allocation success to 99 %. The morphological findings in this study align with other productivity measures for these populations, suggesting that current stocks are comprised of multiple populations. This population structure must be considered at a management level to prevent localised depletions and conserve crucial intraspecific biodiversity. • Most New Zealand snapper populations have morphologically distinct body shapes. • Geometric morphometric could distinguish these populations with 86 % success. • Morphological differences were most pronounced in head shape and body depth. • Configuration of management units could better incorporate biological structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning methods such as random forest regression models are useful tools in ecology when applied correctly, although features inherent to ecological data sets can lead to over-fitting or uncertain predictions. Here, a set of methods are outlined to account for temporal autocorrelation, and sparse, short, or missing data for random forest predictions. Methods are also provided for estimating prediction uncertainty due to the combination of inherent randomness in the random forest algorithm and sparse input data. This suite of methods was used to generate pre-season predictions of total catches with uncertainty for California market squid (Doryteuthis opalescens), the most valuable fishery in California (by ex-vessel value). The methodology presented in this analysis is not only robust, incorporating key cross-validation and hyperparameter tuning techniques from across disciplines, but is also flexible, making it applicable to various ecological and fisheries datasets beyond market squid. • Autocorrelated, sparse, short, or missing data must be accounted for when using random forest methodology. • Methods reviewed and developed account for data issues, estimate uncertainty and variability for random forest predictions. • Accounting for data issues leads to more consistent predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current fishery management practices in both the U.S. Gulf of Maine and southern Norwegian clawed lobster fisheries primarily focus on conserving mature females to maximize egg production. While abundance of adult American lobsters (Homarus americanus) in the Gulf of Maine remains high, declines appear to be on the horizon. Similarly, the European lobster (Homarus gammarus), is facing its lowest recorded population size in southern Norway. Understanding how management strategies and fishing practices impact lobster size structure and spawning potential could inform management to improve resiliency to climate-induced changes. In the Gulf of Maine fishery, egg-bearing (ovigerous) female lobsters are not only protected from harvest, but also v-notched which offers additional protection up to several years. Southern Norway, however, protects egg-bearing females without v-notching. Comparing these fisheries allows us to test the effect of the different management practices and how they interact with key vital rates, including growth and natural mortality rates. We used deterministic size- and age-structured models and empirically estimated growth and molt functions to simulate relative changes in abundance, size structure, egg production, and sex ratios in response to these two female protection strategies. Our findings suggest that in all scenarios, controlling total fishing effort to low or moderate levels - relative to the F > 1 that has been estimated for American lobster - is most important for the effectiveness of size-based restrictions on harvest of larger individuals. Both forms of female protection enhance overall egg production in both species across levels of fishing intensity, but also result in a skewed sex ratio in favor of females and a more pronounced size disparity between female and male lobsters. Moreover, our results suggest that American and European lobster populations exhibit differential responses to the management strategies, likely due to variations in estimates of natural mortality rates and growth rates. Our results highlight the sensitivity of management effectiveness to assumptions regarding the underlying biology, but also provide a clear message that current intense fishing practices have likely depleted the ability of both species to compensate for fishing mortality in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiny (rock) lobsters occur globally and, although harvest is dominated by commercial fisheries, it is important to account for recreational harvest in stock assessments and fisheries management. This paper provides a contemporary review of recreational fishing for five spiny lobster species in Australia and New Zealand. Each jurisdiction has established approaches for collecting data which best meet their information needs (telephone-diary or telephone-recall surveys, charter logbooks, tag reporting). Jurisdictions with specific spiny lobster licences (Western Australia, Tasmania) or mandatory reporting (charter logbooks in Western Australia, tag reporting in Victoria) use these registers as a sampling frame for annual reporting of participation, fishing effort, catch (numbers) and harvest (tonnes). All other jurisdictions use a general fishing licence or general population sampling frame for telephone-diary surveys to provide periodic reporting of catch and harvest. Annual participation in spiny lobster recreational fishing was highest in Western Australia (35,236 ± SE 626 fishers in 2022–23), followed by Tasmania (13,715 ± SE 1067 fishers in 2022–23) and Victoria (5516 fishers in 2020–21). Annual recreational harvest of all spiny lobster species, combined for the most recent data collection period in each jurisdiction, was 830 tonnes; consisting mostly of Western Rock Lobster (Panulirus cygnus) from Western Australia and Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) from Tasmania and New Zealand. This review illustrates the various spatial scales of monitoring, reporting and assessment in each jurisdiction. All monitoring provides information on catch and harvest, with some also reporting participation, effort, carapace length and non-catch related variables. The designs underlying these approaches vary from probability-based (opt-out) and census (mandatory), and it is important to understand the benefits and inherent biases of each. Understanding the parallels between jurisdictions offers valuable insights into how to cost-effectively monitor spiny lobster recreational fisheries and integrate this data into stock assessment and harvest strategies to support sustainable fisheries into the future. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Declining Bristol Bay red king crab (BBRKC) abundance has triggered recent closures of this iconic Bering Sea fishery and raised interest in bycatch in non-directed fisheries as a possible conservation concern. One particular concern is the effectiveness of static closed areas for bycatch fisheries in an era of climate warming and widespread distribution shifts. However, spatial data for supporting management decisions concerning bycatch is lacking, as fisheries-independent data are collected only in the summer, and the relationship to BBRKC distribution in the fall/winter/spring, when most bycatch occurs, is unknown. We filled this information gap by using fishery-dependent data to build predictive models of BBRKC bycatch distribution in non-pelagic trawl groundfish fisheries in the data-poor seasons. We trained Boosted Regression Tree models for bycatch occurrence and abundance of four BBRKC sex-size/maturity categories, and evaluation metrics indicated good to excellent predictive ability across all models. We found that flatfish directed-fishery CPUE, summer survey CPUE for BBRKC and flatfish, and depth were important predictors for bycatch occurrence and abundance. Physical variables (ice cover and temperature) were generally less important. We also found strong correlations between the mean latitude of observed bycatch and the summer survey for BBRKC, highlighting the ability of summer survey data to predict non-summer bycatch distributions. BBRKC bycatch prediction is a tractable problem, and our results are the first step towards operating models that may be used to evaluate proposed management actions. We also conclude that northward shifts in fishery-independent and -dependent data suggest the possible value of reassessing decades-old static closure areas for managing BBRKC bycatch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial catch of Caribbean spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus) in Florida was highly correlated with the abundance of pueruli on artificial collectors. Each lunar month from 1994–2023, we counted postlarvae on artificial collectors at two locations in the Florida Keys (USA). We compared various indices of puerulus settlement and commercial landings. Significant correlations between postlarval indices and the sum of August and September commercial landings were identified at one sampling location. Commercial landings in these first two months of the fishing season likely represent a better index because, as the fishing season progresses, fishing effort and landings are influenced more by non-recruitment factors such as tropical disturbances, catch levels, and the price of lobster. The postlarval index with the highest correlation to landings included the months with peak settlement between January and June in the year prior to the fishing season (p < 0.001). The timing of the postlarval index and range of months indicates that it takes between 14- and 20-months post-settlement for a lobster to enter the fishery and that these peak settlement pulses drive landings in the commercial fishery. The correlation between postlarval settlement and fishery landings suggests that the quantity of postlarvae — and not post-settlement processes — is the primary driver of the spiny lobster population in Florida. Results from this study also indicate that postlarval settlement levels have declined over the past 30 years. As a population that relies heavily on postlarval supply from outside of Florida, this highlights the need for future research into the cause of the decline and any potential link to spawning stock biomass, particularly considering declining landings Caribbean-wide. • Panulirus argus postlarval settlement levels were correlated with commercial catch. • The highest monthly postlarval settlement pulses appeared to drive annual landings. • It likely takes 14–20 months post-settlement for a lobster to enter the fishery. • The spiny lobster population in Florida appears recruitment limited. • Postlarval settlement levels have declined over the past 30 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the efficiency of fishing gears, i.e. the fraction of fish in the gear path that are caught and retained, is essential for providing reliable abundance estimates in the management of sedentary invertebrate fisheries. While various methods have been proposed for estimating gear efficiency from experiments, each approach has its strengths and weaknesses, influenced by factors such as resource distribution, tow overlap, and positional errors. In this study, we conducted simulations to gauge the accuracy and precision of four different methods commonly used for estimating gear efficiency and initial density in depletion experiments: Leslie-Davis, DeLury, Removal, and Patch; considering different spatial arrangements of resources, degrees of tow overlap, and positional inaccuracies. We followed designs used in depletion experiments conducted in the Patagonian scallop fishery, commonly employed in scallops and other sedentary species' fisheries. Our findings reveal that the Patch model, which is specifically harnessed to account for the spatial impact of tows, outperforms the others in terms of accuracy and precision, provided there is no positional error. Estimation of initial density in the simulated depletion experiments showed a similar pattern than that for gear efficiency. The spatial distribution of scallops had no noticeable effect on the precision and bias of efficiency and intial density estimates for any of the models. This holds across all scenarios of spatial clustering and tow overlap. However, when high positional errors in tow locations are at play, the Patch model's performance is comparable to the other methods. The study highlights the advantages of the Patch model, especially in light of the current availability of high-precision GPS systems that can accurately track tow locations. We also discuss why traditional models may be less suitable for sedentary benthic species, underscoring the importance of selecting appropriate methodologies for specific fishery management tasks. • Accurate estimates of gear efficiency are crucial in fisheries management. • Patch model outperforms other methods across different conditions. • High positional error of tows negatively affects Patch model's performance. • Knowing model limitations is key to properly managing fisheries of sedentary species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) supports valuable fisheries across the Southern Ocean under the management of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. The fishery at South Georgia accounts for 26 % of the catch of this species in the Southern Ocean in the last 25 years. This study assesses the effects of exploitation and changes in management of the fishery on long-term trends in biological traits of Patagonian toothfish at South Georgia. Our results show variability in the size of fish, but no evidence of a systematic decline during the 25-year period. The mean size of fish was linked to recruitment, with pulses of recruitment associated with a reduction in mean size of the fishery. The years when recruitment was highest were in 2000–2010, with >50 % of toothfish of length classes < 90 cm. Management measures implemented over the last 25 years, including depth restrictions and benthic closed areas, have resulted in a gradual stabilization of the population structure. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) dropped from 1997 to 2010, gradually increased until 2017 and since 2018 has returned to values typical of the mid-2010s. Monthly changes in fish length, depth of capture and CPUE confirm that the spawning peak is in July. Size at maturity has remained stable over the last 25 years, suggesting the fishery has not had a major impact on population size structure. These results illustrate the role of management regulations in limiting the impacts of commercial exploitation on the population structure of a long-lived fish species. Given the bigger-deeper size pattern in Patagonian toothfish, there may be a case for increasing the minimum depth of the fishery (currently 700 m) when strong recruitment pulses are detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the recent progress in the application of Lagrangian methods for detecting potential feeding and fishing grounds and the relationship between the dynamic features with strong gradients of the relevant indicators of water motion, Lagrangian fronts (LFs), and catches of different species of pelagic fish and squid. The locations of the LFs, approximating locations of the ocean features with increased values of the gradients of hydrological parameters, can be calculated by solving advection equations for a large number of virtual passive particles in the altimetric velocity field or in the velocity fields generated by numerical circulation models or obtained using high-frequency radars. The LFs can be easily identified in the near real time, under any weather conditions and in the areas with small contrasts of sea surface temperature. The proximity of catch sites to location of LFs has been shown with the help of statistical tests in different seas and oceans based on catch reports of fishing vessels. The active and passive physical mechanisms at fronts, that may provide favorable conditions for foraging and feeding, are discussed. The paper emphasizes the importance of fronts in marine ecology and sustainable fisheries. • Review of a Lagrangian approach in detecting potential feeding and fishing grounds. • Connection of Lagrangian fronts with catches of different species of pelagic fish. • The importance of fronts in marine ecology and sustainable fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-income countries are expected to be more efficient in preventing food waste (FW) along the value chain compared to low- and middle-income countries, with the exception of the consumer stage. However, it is still a problem to be solved, especially in fresh food due to its perishability and in livestock due to its nutritional and economic impact. Following this prioritization, wild-caught fish was defined as a weak point for FW in the food system of high-income countries. Spain was used as a representative country for high- countries' fish sector due to its international trading and production/consumption ratios. The length of food supply chains (FSCs) was identified as a factor influencing FW incidence, highlighting short FSCs as a model for reducing FW. Regulations have been targeted as drivers but also as prevention and mitigation factors for FW. Technological tools and innovations already available in the market can be used to reduce FW, but there are still barriers affecting their adoption. • Food Supply Chain length has a significative effect for fish products FW. • Regulations aims to reduce FW but are also a driver for its production in some cases. • Food safety concerns, legal requirements and short shelf life make fresh fish sensible to FW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying and understanding environmental drivers responsible for fluctuations in stock biomass remains a key knowledge gap in data limited commercial crustacean fisheries such as the brown crab Cancer pagurus. This study investigated the use of historic beam trawl data as a fishery independent density index and its relationship with fishery dependent data. The role of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), a key latent predictor, and other environmental drivers (brooding temperature, larval development temperature and phytoplankton density) on density of C. pagurus in the North West Irish Sea was also investigated. The identification of a significant relationship between fisheries dependent and independent data demonstrates the role of fisheries independent survey data to monitor changes in density in C. pagurus populations. Lagged NAO, brooding temperature and larval temperatures had significant effects on C. pagurus density, with negative NAO phases and increasing brooding and larval temperatures resulting in increased C. pagurus density. The significance of these relationships is explored in the context of our understanding of relative stock status and future sustainable fisheries management for C. pagurus in the North East Atlantic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia is one of the sea cucumber-producing countries with small-scale fisheries activities in harvesting multi-species products. Few biological data are available for sea cucumber fished from the Indonesian sea floor. This study assessed species diversity and compiled a great amount of biometric data on commercial sea cucumber species observed from 23 locations representing east to west Indonesia, focusing on the intertidal habitats covering seagrass and coral reefs. A total of 4553 individuals of sea cucumbers belonging to 39 commercially valuable species were observed; size composition, length-weight relationships, and Fulton's condition factors were investigated. The assessment demonstrated that only several species were observed in large sizes. The current study added Holothuria flavomaculata and H. verrucosa to the list of exploited species nationally; therefore, 55 sea cucumber species have been confirmed under commercial harvest in Indonesia. Holothuria albiventer , H. excellens , H. flavomaculata , H. rigida , H. verrucosa , and Stichopus quadrifasciatus are discovered as newly reported species being fished for trade globally that have not yet been included in the FAO commercially important sea cucumber list. The body size frequency distributions show that most animals observed in the field during the study period were generally small; this may indicate that sea cucumber populations in Indonesia are under serious exploitation because exploited populations tend to have lower frequencies in larger classes. This is the first study to calculate the length-weight relationships of four species (Holothuria fuscocinerea , H. hilla , H. impatiens , and Stichopus vastus). Thus, the length-weight relationships of nine species in Indonesia have been investigated. Eight species analyzed in this study grow allometrically with a negative allometric. Fulton's coefficient condition factor displayed that almost all species in nearly all locations had high values, which indicates that local environmental conditions are favorable and support the physical health of the sea cucumbers. This current study provides novel data and will be beneficial in estimating weight in future fishery surveys to estimate stock biomass and catch volumes. It can also be used by the Indonesian scientific authority to recommend the wild catch size of the species involved in the trade to the management authority. • Two species are first reported as exploited species nationally. • A total of 55 sea cucumber species are confirmed under commercial harvest in Indonesia. • Five species are newly recorded as being fished for trade globally. • Most sea cucumbers observed were generally small, indicating that the populations are under serious exploitation. • Length-weight relationships and negative allometric growth of four species are first reported globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential fish provisioning services of the Ria Formosa lagoon (Portugal) were calculated for single cohorts of 7 commercially fished species, based on densities of juveniles sampled with beach seines on a monthly basis over a 17-month period at 41 locations. The potential maximum yield per recruit (F 0.1 criteria) was calculated for vegetated (V) and unvegetated (UV) habitat for low and high natural mortality values. Vegetated habitat enhanced yield (g m−2) of 5 of the 7 species, with the greatest enhancement for the herbivore Sarpa salpa (137 and 150 fold for low and high M). At F 0.1 , the calculated total potential yield of the 7 cohorts was 463 tons (low M) and 333 tons (high M), worth EUR 5,649,084 and 3,651,881, respectively. Mean annual landings of the 7 species from 1997 to 2017 ranged from 407 to 577 tons, with a mean of 495 tons (s.e. = 11.1), highlighting the importance of the lagoon nursery as a major source of recruits for local small-scale coastal fisheries. The methodology used here is the first to calculate the potential maximum yield and the corresponding fishing mortality (F 0.1) for single cohorts and for different habitats within an important fish nursery. It provides more realistic values of potential fish provisioning services and economic contribution to local fisheries than studies that do not consider fishing mortality. [Display omitted] • New approach for calculating fish provisioning services based on yield per recruit. • Maximum yield and fishing mortality (F 0.1) for single cohorts calculated for low and high natural mortality (M). • Ria Formosa vegetated habitat enhanced yield (g m−2) for 5 of 7 species. • Total yield at F 0.1 was 463 t (5.6 million EUR) for low M and 333 t (3.7 million EUR for high M. • Total yield at F 0.1 of the 7 species is within the range of annual landings from 1997 to 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fisheries are one of the most important food sources for human consumption whilst being amongst the most impacting and extractive activities happening within the marine environment, which makes it imperative to properly manage this activity. To improve fisheries management, the precise quantification of fishing effort is of the outmost importance. Yet, present methods for effort estimation, especially at broad scales, are hampered by difficulties in data access and usually rely on coarse effort metrics or on costly data collection for quantifying fishing effort with higher resolution. In the present work, we propose an approach of high-resolution fishing effort estimates of net fishing, as length of nets operated by a given fleet, at the national level. It relies on sampling of effort, derived from classified and easy to access vessel tracking data – AIS, and fishery dependent data – logbook and landings data. The proposed methodology combines trip-based effort estimates, derived from AIS data, as a foundation to extrapolate the total fishing effort, through the number of fishing trips linked to official landings and logbook data. It is estimated that in the years from 2014 to 2020 an average of 180 200 km of static nets (gillnets and trammel nets), which corresponds to approximately 4.5 and 210 times the lengths of the equator and the Portuguese Atlantic coastline respectively, are used in Portuguese mainland waters each year, by a fleet of slightly more than 100 vessels. The presented methodology allows to quantify and study the variation of the nominal fishing effort, at country level, with a higher resolution than what is usually used and at very low cost. We argue that such methodologies need to be developed and explored in order to have better and more comprehensive estimates of fishing effort which will contribute and improve the sustainable management of fisheries and the marine environment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study, covering 2018–2022, evaluated the cetacean interactions with a bottom-set net fishery along the mainland Portuguese Southern coast (Algarve), estimating bycatch, depredation, gear damage and net length influence on Landing per Unit Effort (LPUE). The fishery employed various métiers (gillnets - mesh sizes: < 60, 60–75, 80 and 220 mm; trammel nets - 120 inner and 640 mm outer panels). Observations from 655 hauls revealed depredation by bottlenose dolphins in 17.7 % of hauls, while bycatch (isolated events of 4 bottlenose dolphins and one common dolphin) occurred in < 1 %. Depredation typically results in heavy damage to the net and occurs throughout the year, with elevated rates observed during the spring and winter months. Depredation rates varied among métiers, being higher in gears targeting red mullet and hake. The impact of depredation on LPUE varied based on net length and the targeted fish species. However, when comparing LPUE in hauls without depredation, there was no significant influence on the total and hake LPUE for nets shorter or longer than 6 km (p > 0.05). Interestingly, in hauls targeting red mullets without depredation, nets shorter than 6 km had a significantly higher LPUE (p < 0.01) compared to nets 6 km or longer, suggesting that longer nets increase fishing effort due to prolonged soaking times and a higher likelihood of depredation. • We aimed to evaluate dolphin interactions with bottom set-net fisheries. • Depredation from bottlenose dolphins was the interaction of most concern. • Depredation impact on fish catches varied based on net length and targeted species. • Longer fishing nets do not always result in higher daily catches. • Prolonged soaking times due to longer nets may increase the likelihood of depredation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is an ecologically and economically important species in estuaries of the Western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Given the importance of reproductive output and spawner demography on population dynamics, blue crab management may be improved if individual-based changes in egg production are identified and incorporated into management advice. We determined the spawning history, batch fecundity, and stored sperm quantity of 126 ovigerous blue crabs in 2022 to estimate the reproductive potential of female blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay. Our mean estimate of fecundity, 2.17 million eggs/female, is similar to a fecundity estimate from 1986 (2.6 million eggs/female), but lower than an estimate from 1987 (4.0 million eggs/female). The 1987 estimate was likely biased high due to methodological differences. In 2022, size-specific fecundity did not differ from that in 1986. Size-specific fecundity was lower by 0.28 million eggs in multiparous females (i.e., those that produced at least one previous egg mass) compared with primiparous females (i.e., those producing their first egg mass). Size-specific fecundity was also greater in July and August than in June, however, females in June had a greater capacity for future reproductive potential because their average stored sperm quantity was three times greater than that of females in July and August. Most females in June were primiparous and would become multiparous females in July and August with higher size-specific fecundity. Our study is the first to pair individual fecundity, stored sperm quantity, and spawning history for blue crabs, which allows for a robust assessment of reproductive potential. Generally, the reproductive potential of individual female blue crabs was high at the individual level, such that sperm limitation is unlikely at the population level. Population-level production may be increased by protecting primiparous spawners as these crabs have the highest capacity to contribute offspring to the population. Furthermore, fisheries management may be improved by using our updated estimate of size-specific fecundity (Fecundity = 268,337 × exp(0.015 × Carapace Width)) and incorporating month or spawner history in models of stock production. • Blue crab reproductive potential in Chesapeake Bay was assessed • Females in June, early in the spawning season, had the highest reproductive potential • Fecundity was higher in primiparous than multiparous females • Individual reproductive potential is high and population sperm limitation is unlikely • Size-specific fecundity in 2022 was not different from that in 1986 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hakaluki Haor, rich in fish and wildlife, has been declared an Ecologically Critical Area and recommended as a Ramsar site. The fisheries and aquatic wildlife of Hakaluki Haor have declined drastically and continue to face sustainability challenges. The present study has demonstrated an evidence-based multidisciplinary tool, RAPFISH (Rapid Appraisal Technique for Fisheries), was applied to underpin the status of fisheries sustainability of Hakaluki Haor. Exploiting the RAPFISH technique flexibility, out of 51 indicators, we customized (omitted, added, and modified) the 46 indicators under five dimensions of ecological, economic, social, technological, and management, appropriate for inland fisheries of Hakaluki Haor. A questionnaire interview with 150 fishers was carried out based on the selected indicators of the five RAPFISH dimensions. The sustainability indicators were subjected to a validation process based on feedback from fishers, using the Weighted Sum Model and Analytic Hierarchy Process. The WSM index indicators with scores over 0.5 and the top-ranked AHP indicators were primarily adopted to assess the sustainability of the fisheries. The results revealed that indicators under the ecological dimension were the most vulnerable condition, followed by the social, technological, economic, and management dimensions. In this circumstance, to keep the fisheries resources of Hakaluki Haor in a sustainable condition, the government, particularly the Department of Fisheries, is required to give special attention to effective management and conservation strategies by prioritizing comparatively weak indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large pelagic finfish are highly mobile, distributed across broad geographical scales, and often targeted by both commercial and recreational sectors. Fishing effort in these fisheries is variable due to seasonal patterns in fish behaviour and accessibility of fishing locations. Similarly, fisher behaviour and access are likely to differ within the recreational sector, between private boat-based fishing and charter (or for hire) fishing. Here, we compare spatio-temporal patterns in catch per unit effort (CPUE), effort (boat days) and catch (total catch per fishing party) for private boat-based and charter fishing, and identify environmental variables that may influence those patterns, for two pelagic species (the tropical narrow-barred Spanish mackerel and temperate Samson fish) in Western Australia. Spatial and temporal patterns of CPUE were investigated using geostatistical indices, such as the global and local index of collocation which compares the spatial distribution of CPUE locations across years and CPUE values at common locations respectively, and the centre of gravity which calculates the mean fishing location weighted by CPUE, along with the influence of environmental variables (including rainfall and sea surface temperature) on catch using generalised additive models (GAMs). The global index of collocation showed consistency in spatial distribution of CPUE and effort between private boat-based and charter fishing for both species. In contrast, the local index of collocation showed differences in the ranges of CPUE and effort within common locations. Private boat-based fishing often occurred close to the coast and adjacent to population centres, while charter fishing occurred further offshore. Spatial shifts over time were more prominent for Spanish mackerel with an overall northerly shift. For private boat-based fishing, higher catches of Spanish mackerel were associated with higher rainfall, along with an increase in ambient air temperature. For charter fishing, higher catches of Spanish mackerel occurred with ambient air temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius and a decrease in rainfall, where high catches of Samson fish were associated with a decrease in sea surface temperatures and austral winter months. This study highlights changes in the distributions of pelagic species over time and the potential to incorporate spatio-temporal monitoring of recreational harvest into fisheries management. • Spatial patterns of boat-based and charter pelagic recreational fisheries differ. • Infrastructure including access to boat ramps and proximity to regional towns influences boat-based fishing effort and catch. • Spatial shifts in pelagic recreational catches occurred due to environmental fluctuations. • Drivers of pelagic catch differ between boat-based and charter fisheries. • Pelagic species have spatially distinct distributions across time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Users of two-stage-structured models of fisheries can employ any formulation of the Beverton–Holt stock-recruit relationship (BH–SRR). But during the calculations of the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) benchmarks, they may be unsure of whether the recently published, BH–SRR-based expressions of the fishing mortality giving MSY (F MSY) could be applied whatever the BH–SRR formulation employed. To address this calculation uncertainty, this article relies on a continuous delay differential model and its related composite yield per-recruit model to derive the F MSY expressions associated with alternative BH–SRR formulations. It is shown that the derived expressions are similar when each BH–SRR formulation is parameterized in terms of either the steepness parameter or the Goodyear recruitment compensation ratio. Otherwise, the F MSY expressions involve the traditional parameters specific to each BH–SRR formulation. In general, whatever the BH–SRR formulation and parameterization, the left-hand sides of the F MSY expressions are similar, and their right-hand sides always are the reciprocal of the slope at the origin. • F MSY from alternative equations of the Beverton–Holt Stock-recruit relationship in two-stage-structured models. • Similar F MSY expressions involving the steepness parameter or the Goodyear recruitment compensation ratio. • F MSY expressions involve the composite spawning-stock per recruit and the slope at the origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catching and subsequent discarding of sublegal-sized swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus in the pot fishery may result in increased unaccounted fishing mortality and contribute to overexploitation of the crab stocks in the East China Sea. Developing technical measures and implementing related regulations to improve the size selection of pots to reduce the catch of sublegal crab has become urgent. In this study, we evaluated the size selectivity of pots with rectangular escape vents of different opening heights (25 mm, 28 mm, 30 mm and 33 mm) through comparative fishing experiments and by employing the SELECT model. The results show that the installation of escape vents significantly reduced the catch per pot (in numbers) of total and sublegal swimming crabs, and significantly increased the proportion of legal-sized crabs for most vented pots except the 25 mm vent height. A significant positive linear relationship was found between escape vent height and the 50% retention carapace width, selection range and fishing power. Increasing the height of the escape vent had substantial effect on the exploitation pattern for swimming crab and the pot with a 28 mm height escape vent seemed to be the optimal design, releasing 67.4% of sublegal-sized crab and maintaining 94.8% of legal-sized crabs. Results showing that a pot with an escape vent that significantly reduces sublegal crab catch, while maintaining catch efficiency for legal-sized crabs, is positive for the fishery and supports the implementation of escape vents in the East China crab pot fishery. [Display omitted] • Installation of escape vents significantly reduced the CPUEs of total and sublegal swimming crabs. • The relative fishing power of vented pots increased linearly with the vent height. • Significant positive linear relationships were found between escape vent height and CW 50 , as well as SR. • The pot with a 28 mm height escape vent seemed to be the optimal design for releasing sublegal swimming crabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical catch data represent a key source of information for fisheries stock assessment models. Historically, commercial fishery catch statistics were estimated from the portion of catch landed in ports. However, many species with relatively low economic value have not been recorded on a species basis but instead as a part of an aggregate category. Reconstructing component species catch from an aggregate category is a common challenge for fisheries stock assessment efforts around the world. Skates are one group of species with low economic value for which landed catch has not been commonly reported by species. In this paper, we present a novel approach to disaggregate the historical catch of the two most abundant skate species on the West Coast of the United States, longnose skate (Caliraja rhina) and big skate (Beringraja binoculata), landed within the aggregated skate category, in ports of Washington State. We used a combination of fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data sources to account for changes in the spatial extent of the fishery over time, and differences in the depth distribution of these two skate species. While developed to disentangle aggregate catch of longnose and big skates, the approach is not limited to skates on the West Coast of the United States, but can be adapted for any species which landings have been reported within an aggregated category elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observers are deployed on commercial fishing trips to collect representative samples of discard rates. However, fishers may change their fishing habits when an observer is onboard ("observer effect") or observer programs may over- or under-sample portions of the fleet ("deployment effect"). If the extent of these effects are substantial, observer data will not be representative of unobserved trips, potentially biasing the estimation of discards. This sampling bias can impact catch monitoring, stock assessments, and fishery management. The purpose of this study was to examine the power and error rate of several published methods for detecting an observer effect using a simulation of observer and deployment effects at varying sampling ratios (i.e., observer coverage) for several sample statistics. The simplest methods (t-test and F-test for difference of means and variances) provided an accurate although imprecise estimate of the observer effect size, but only when there were no deployment effects. A generalized linear mixed effects model (GLMM) was also not reliable for detecting small bias, but was not confounded by deployment effects and was relatively robust to changing coverage rates. The most complicated tests involved comparing differences in trip characteristics between subsequent trips for observed-unobserved and unobserved-unobserved pairs. These tests were able to detect smaller observer effects and were not confounded by deployment effects, but were unreliable at high coverage rates (>60%), producing both high false positive and false negative rates. Sensitivity tests also showed differing detection accuracy as the distribution of the metric of interest changed. Thus, the optimal test for detecting an observer effect will depend on the metric of interest, the coverage rate, and whether a deployment effect exists. An example from the New England groundfish fishery is provided to illustrate how conflicting results may be explained. Results should always be considered carefully when declaring that an observer effect is or is not occurring because of the sensitivity of the tests. • Simulations show that detecting fisheries observer effects are not straightforward. • Tests can be sensitive to data distributions and observer coverage rates. • More complex tests are needed when deployment effects may also be present. • Accurate detection of observer and deployment effects may affect policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overexploitation has led to large scale declines in many fish stocks around the world with the 2030 United Nations agenda calling for more spatial management tools to achieve sustainability targets. However, without spatially explicit consideration of fisheries dynamics, assessment of management measures combining spatial temporal closures and effort reduction measures remain limited. This is particularly true when balancing population biomass recovery goals and their socioeconomic consequences. Using ISIS-Fish, the first spatially explicit bioeconomic model describing hake (Merluccius merluccius) fisheries in the Gulf of Lion, Mediterranean Sea, we investigated the consequences of individual spatial temporal closures and spatial closure network effects with all-at-one and gradual effort reduction measures. Their effectiveness in restoring the collapsed population and economic objectives were quantified to identify measures best suited for rebuilding population biomass, increasing catch weight, and maintaining revenue levels. While severe effort reduction was more effective in achieving population recovery goals than spatial temporal closures, these scenarios did not lead to an increase in catches until after five years. In contrast, spatial temporal closures failed to reach population recovery goals at any point during the simulation period, but impacted revenues the least. Simulated effort redistribution also led to greater depletion of juvenile hake, a pattern common elsewhere in the world. The present study illustrates how robust spatially explicit models may be used to evaluate the impacts of complex alternative management scenarios and to identify tradeoffs between biomass recovery, fishery viability, and the management equitability (and acceptability) between fishing fleets. • A 30–40% reduction in effort restored hake catches and stock biomass in the Gulf of Lion within 5 years. • Accounting for fleet spatial dynamics strengthens management of juvenile bycatch. • Regional biomass and catch patterns are driven by m´etier fishing effort reallocation. • Spatial closures without equal measure of effort reduction can limit stock recovery. • Spatial closures may offset costs incurred from loss of fishing opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological risk assessments are important as scientific support for the implementation of ecosystem-based fisheries management. Marine invertebrates are important to ecosystem structure and function and may be sensitive to fishing pressure. Some are also of increasing commercial value – but have hitherto not been paid much attention to in ecological risk assessments. Here, catches of invertebrates in Swedish west-coast fisheries with demersal trawls and creels are examined from an ecological risk assessment perspective. It is found that few non-commercial invertebrate species have been regularly recorded in onboard observer programs. Furthermore, for being a comparatively well-studied area, it is striking to find that out of the 93 species included, 56% could be classified as data deficient in terms of known attributes needed to perform basic ecological risk assessments. This implies that there is little or no available information on the basic life history traits important for estimating productivity. Additionally, onboard observer data for invertebrates are inadequate beyond targeted commercial species for robust statistical analysis on volumes generated over time and between fisheries. However, over 18% of the studied species are categorized as red-listed on the Swedish IUCN Red List. Combined with the few records available in observer data programs, the study illustrates the need to pay more attention to marine invertebrates in fisheries monitoring programs and research, especially bycaught and non-commercial invertebrate species. • Most invertebrates caught in Swedish fisheries can be classified data deficient. • Onboard observer data has poor coverage of non-commercial invertebrates. • More effort is needed to decrease risks for marine invertebrates from fishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the effect of environmental, operational, temporal and catch-related variables on the discard quantities of four species subject to the EU landing obligation (Merluccius merluccius , European hake, HKE; Parapenaeus longirostris , deep-water rose shrimp, DPS; Mullus barbatus , red mullet, MUT; Trachurus trachurus , horse mackerel, HOM) caught in Italian and Greek bottom trawl fisheries. Generalized Additive Models were applied to discards per unit of effort of each species in seven study areas distributed over different sub-divisions of the Mediterranean Sea (Western Mediterranean: (i) Ligurian Sea and Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, (ii) Southern and Central Tyrrhenian Sea; Central Mediterranean: (iii) Southern Adriatic Sea, (iv) Western Ionian Sea; Eastern Mediterranean: (v) Eastern Ionian Sea, (vi) Central and South Aegean Sea, (vii) Crete) and were able to explain 21–96% of the deviance. Geographic coordinates and depth were included as significant covariates in the majority of the final models, showing that discards are affected by bathymetric preferences of the species and sizes, local patterns in productivity and/or possible existence of nursery grounds. Discard rates were higher at the shelf break for HKE and DPS, slightly shallower for HOM, while MUT discards occurred mainly in waters <100 m depth. Positive relationships between discards and volume of catches and negative ones between discards and the mean length (especially for HKE) highlighted the effect of the catch characteristics as well as fishers' discarding behaviour. Interannual effects seemed to be related to trends in species abundance and recruitment success, while seasonal patterns were usually linked to the recruitment period and/or seasonal fishing intensity. The length of the vessel, vessel age and haul duration were significant in few cases, but there were no common patterns across all regions/species. Overall, the results showed that discarding in Mediterranean bottom trawl fisheries is affected by a large number of variables that should be taken into account for a more effective mitigation of unwanted catches. • Modeled effect of environmental, operational, temporal, catch variables on discards. • Geographic coordinates and depth were major contributors. • Temporal patterns were mainly species-specific. • Discards are affected by catch composition and volume and fishers' behaviour. • Multiple factors should be considered for more effective management of discards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on fishing effort by vessels fishing with traps in Scotland is limited. The recent availability of VMS data combined with landings information from vessel logbooks provides new opportunities to describe the spatial distribution of effort and catch for data-limited fisheries. This study evaluates the use of VMS data applied to trap fisheries and estimates an indicator of fishing effort for the offshore brown crab fishery in Scotland. VMS data seem to provide a valid basis for calculating effort (time fishing), assuming that fishing can be distinguished from other activities by selecting an appropriate speed range. Comparisons between high and low temporal resolution data show that the standard 2-hour transmission interval of VMS data introduces substantial uncertainty into effort estimates. Assumptions related to the relationship between fishing time and the number of creels fished, and on assigning catch data to VMS positions, were explored. The areas to the north of Scotland are the main target of the offshore brown crab fleet. Landings and effort by offshore crab vessels have generally increased up to 2016–2018 followed by a clear reduction in the last 3–5 years. The brown crab LPUE trend in this study was found to be similar with that obtained from indices based on survey data. Effort and LPUE estimates may be used to identify and inform managers of the main fishing areas for offshore vessels targeting brown crab and can also be applied to fisheries for other data-limited species, provided that VMS or other GPS logger systems are available. The methodology implemented in this study is sensitive to the temporal resolution of the data collection systems. Systems capable of providing higher temporal resolution data would be desirable, to obtain more accurate estimates of fishing effort. • VMS data provide a valid basis for calculating effort (time fishing). • The 2 h transmission interval in VMS data introduces uncertainty in effort estimates. • A positive linear relationship was found between number of creels and hours fishing. • Linking landings with VMS data provides information on the crab fishery distribution. • Brown crab LPUEs have declined in recent years reaching its lowest value in 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating the survivorship of discarded fish is often crucial for stock assessment and resultant management of fisheries resources. In order to assess the survivorship of cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus) caught in commercial bottom trawl fisheries, experiments involving French and Irish fisheries were conducted. These experiments were particularly challenging considering the fisheries are offshore. Data from these experiments were analysed jointly in this study. Results from monitoring of individuals held in captivity in onshore facilities and observations of vitality status were combined to produce estimates of long-term survival rates across fishing trips in all four seasons. These rates varied greatly between fishing trips and ranged between 3.6% and 26%. Based on indications that the observed mortality may be at least partly attributable to the conditions of captivity, we propose an approach to reduce the underestimation bias when estimating discard survival. This approach produced higher bounds for the estimated discard survival rates. The estimated survival rates are lower than those of other skate species in the North-East Atlantic, suggesting the cuckoo ray is less resilient to trawl-and-release, although previous studies were conducted in shallower water and with shorter haul duration. • The study combined vitality assessment in all seasons and monitoring in captivity. • Estimated survivorship is poor compared to other skates in different fisheries. • Survival rates varied markedly between fishing trips. • A suggestion was presented to correct for mortality of controls in survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial reefs are deployed for a variety of reasons, often to enhance the productivity of commercial or recreational fisheries. Threatened, endangered or protected (TEP) species are generally not the target of artificial reef programs, but may interact with the structures, raising questions as to whether the reefs might provide resources, or represent a threat due to aggregated fishing pressure. A comprehensive acoustic tagging program of White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) has been running along the east-coast of Australia since 2015. At the same time, monitoring programs, including the installation of acoustic listening stations, were undertaken at seven artificial reefs. This provided the opportunity to monitor interactions between this TEP species and artificial reefs. We recorded 590 interactions from 199 different White Sharks over a four-year period. Most interactions were short, with a mean duration of 14 min and 90% lasting less than 40 min. When the duration of interactions was modelled against a suite of environmental and biological predictor variables, only Chl-a and shark length were influential, but resulted in only very small changes (< 10 min) in the duration of interactions across their range of values. There were temporal trends regarding the frequency of interactions, these were consistent with previously described migration patterns of the eastern Australasian population. Visits were more common at artificial reefs at southern latitudes during summer to autumn, and northern latitudes during winter. There was no evidence of any shark becoming resident at one of the structures, given the short duration of interactions, it is unlikely aggregated fishing pressure at artificial reefs pose a threat to White Sharks. The interactions are likely driven by their inquisitive nature and the timing related to broad scale migratory movements. This study highlights the usefulness of acoustic telemetry networks in monitoring interactions between artificial reefs and TEP species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus , is historically one of Florida's most valuable commercial fisheries. The creation of a live export market in the 2010s increased the value of this fishery despite declines in total landings and potentially provides an economic opportunity to enhance the value of the fishery. However, the market potential may be limited by a misalignment between fishery production and market demand, as both landings and price have high seasonal variation. We explore the economic incentives for aligning fishery landings with market demand by estimating a hedonic price function to examine the effects of seasonality and product characteristics on the ex-vessel price of spiny lobster. Seasonality and product grade were the most important factors explaining variation in ex-vessel price. The monthly price premiums increased as the season progressed, with the largest increases in price in January and February, with 61% and 63% premiums compared to the price in August when most lobsters are harvested. In addition, live grade lobsters received a 34% premium to whole grade lobsters. The results call attention to the significant potential to increase the revenue of the fishery if changes in management shifted lobster harvest from August and September to January and February, or if aquaculture-based live storage or ongrowing of lobsters could be used to sell lobsters live and later in the season. • Seasonality and lobster grade are important factors of price determination. • Regulatory and cultural impediments weaken fishery adaptation to market demand. • Ongrowing operations can target higher-value markets regardless of seasonality in catch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of the American lobster harvest has traditionally been conducted using at-sea observer or dockside coverage. However, doing so is challenging for the offshore fishery and can result in samples collected from only a few vessels, which may not represent the entire, diverse fleet. Additionally, there is no dedicated offshore fishery-independent survey for lobster resulting in limited data available for the US offshore portion of this fishery. Since 2013, The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation has trained 29 vessels, with broad spatial sampling across the fishery, to collect biological data aimed to improve management. To identify spatiotemporal lobster patterns and potential vessel effects, the demographics of 145,663 lobsters were evaluated by k-means cluster analysis. This analysis showed the majority of catch for each sampling period grouped into one of three distinct categories: sublegal, between minimum legal size and 105 mm (75th percentile), or larger than 105 mm. These groups were distributed between broad geographical areas where spatial differences were shown to have the biggest impact on the catch demographics, however these differences did not always follow management boundaries. For example, the difference in catch between Georges Bank and Southern New England, does not align with the current stock boundaries between the Southern New England and the Gulf of Maine-Georges Bank Stock. This analysis could be easily adopted to compare fishery dependent data with management boundaries for other fisheries. • Collaborative data reveal spatial population demographics in U.S. Lobster fishery. • Fishery collected data show no vessel effect in collection of biological data. • Research Fleet demonstrates management boundaries don't match lobster populations. • No evidence suggesting that catch demographics were linked to a single harvester. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Area-based fisheries management measures (ABFMs) have evolved beyond fisheries regulation to encompass broader conservation goals. This mini-review provides key recommendations to guide the science-based implementation of effective ABFMs for rebuilding fisheries and conserving marine biodiversity within the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Drawing from a comprehensive review of global literature, we catalogued 232 recommended actions. Most recommendations focused on enhancing informed and more effective area-based management (n = 115) and optimizing ABFMs planning (n = 70). Fewer were related to transparent and inclusive area-based management (n = 25) and adaptability to change (n = 22). For effective area-based fisheries management, the following actions are recommended: (1) advancing informed and effective management through enhanced data collection, responsive measures, regular monitoring, interdisciplinary research and efficient control and surveillance; (2) refining ABFMs planning to account for the complexity of marine ecosystems integrating ABFMs with other measures, considering socio-economic aspects, designing connective, representative and comprehensive ABFMs and considering ABFMs applicability and transferability; (3) nurturing transparent and inclusive management through intergovernmental cooperation, transparent and equitable governance and increased stakeholder engagement; and (4) embracing adaptability through responsiveness to change, dynamic ABFMs, and addressing climate-related shifts. These recommendations offer a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening ABFMs in a changing global ecosystem in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. [Display omitted] • This review provides key recommendations for area-based fisheries management. • 232 actions were recorded for effective area-based fisheries management. • Most of them were related to informed and more effective management. • Actions for improved planning & transparent/inclusive management were recommended. • Also actions related to responsiveness to change were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]