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Achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) results in many ecological, social, and economic consequences that are inter-related. Understanding relationships between sustainability goals and determining their interactions can help prioritize effective and efficient policy options. This paper presents a framework that integrates existing knowledge from literature and expert opinions to rapidly assess the relationships between one SDG goal and another. Specifically, given the important role of the oceans in the world's social-ecological systems, this study focuses on how SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and the targets within that goal, contributes to other SDG goals. This framework differentiates relationships based on compatibility (co-benefit, trade-off, neutral), the optional nature of achieving one goal in attaining another, and whether these relationships are context dependent. The results from applying this framework indicate that oceans SDG targets are related to all other SDG goals, with two ocean targets (of seven in total) most related across all other SDG goals. Firstly, the ocean SDG target to increase economic benefits to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries for sustainable marine uses has positive relationships across all SDGs. Secondly, the ocean SDG target to eliminate overfishing, illegal and destructive fishing practices is a necessary pre-condition for achieving the largest number of other SDG targets. This study highlights the importance of the oceans in achieving sustainable development. The rapid assessment framework can be applied to other SDGs to comprehensively map out the subset of targets that are also pivotal in achieving sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artisanal fisheries for relatively sessile benthic organisms have become key test cases for developing and testing sustainability policies, as they can address challenges, such as limited enforcement capacity or uncertainty in biological information, by applying area and economics-based management and research methods that are difficult for highly mobile species. We use results from a Participatory Rural Appraisal to analyze the evolution of governance of oyster fisheries along the coast of Nayarit, Mexico, within a community management effort led by local fishers, and highlight key factors in success (and challenges) that are relevant for similar contexts in other regions. We particularly focus on the dynamics of local management, the identification of problems and solutions by fishers, and the integration of community management with the various stakeholders and institutions that participate in formal governance frameworks. These actions have led to self-imposed area and seasonal rotation of harvest to maximize per-unit value, with independent information showing concurrent increases in local oyster abundance and size. Fishers identified lack of enforcement capacity as a main barrier to sustainability, yet were eager to engage with relevant institutions to fill these gaps and continue community-led management that leverages their social cohesion, low production costs, and empirical knowledge of local markets to increase landed value while minimizing overfishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine ecosystems play a central role in economic and social life in the Republic of Palau, a Small Island Developing State in the Western Pacific. Marine resources underpin subsistence and commercial fisheries, as well as tourism activities, contributing substantially to Palau's GDP and employment. Since 1992, Palau has been actively developing conservation initiatives to protect marine resources, promote ecotourism, and ensure revenue generation. Marine reserves represent a particularly important tool in the country's sustainable development strategy. In 2015, Palau designated 80% of its marine EEZ as a National Marine Sanctuary, with the remaining 20% slated for domestic fisheries. That same year, Palau received 160 thousand tourists, over 9 times the country's population. In early 2017, the President proposed a bill effectively limiting budget travel and actively promoting high-end tourism. This study uses a quantitative social-ecological model to explore policy scenarios involving tourism, marine conservation and local food security. While climate change had the largest expected impact on local ecosystems, reef fish consumption contributes considerably to future projected declines in marine resources. Therefore, for Palau to achieve its goals of boosting revenues while sustainably stewarding marine resources, it will be necessary to transfer some level of consumption from reef fish on to tuna and other pelagics. Such changes, which align with the current proposal of developing an offshore national fishery as part of the Sanctuary's management plan, may allow Palau to meet future seafood demand, while protecting reef systems and the industries that rely on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harmful fisheries subsidies contribute to overfishing leading to environmental and societal impacts. If only fisheries and ecosystems within the subsidising nations' jurisdiction were affected, then unilateral actions might be sufficient to help safeguard our ocean and the people reliant upon it. However, just as fish move between jurisdictions, so too do the subsidised fishing fleets that target them. As such, the impacts and solutions to subsidies-induced overfishing are often matters of international concern. Mapping the distribution and flows of harmful subsidies is therefore key to understanding these concerns, informing multilateral reform, and empowering impacted nations to strengthen the terms of access to their waters and resources. Here we quantify the amount of harmful fisheries subsidies that supports fishing in the high seas, domestic and foreign waters. We estimate that between 20% and 37% of all harmful fisheries subsidies support fishing in foreign waters or the high seas, that is outside the jurisdictions of the subsidising nations. We show that harmful subsidies primarily originate from nations with high-Human Development Index (HDI), strong fisheries management capacity and relatively sustainable fish stocks, yet disproportionately impact nations with low or very low-HDI, lower management capacity and more vulnerable fish stocks—40% of the harmful subsidies that support fishing in very low-HDI nations waters originate from high-HDI and very-high HDI nations. We show that Asia, Europe, and North America, are net subsidy sources; they provide more harmful subsidies to their fishing fleets than their respective ecosystems are impacted by; while Africa, South, Central America and Caribbean, and Oceania are net subsidy-sinks. This discrepancy between the source of harmful subsidies and the nations that are ultimately impacted is unsustainable and unjust. Prohibiting all harmful subsidies to distant-water fishing and fishing in the high seas—with narrow exceptions for Small Island Developing States—should be prioritised to support the advancement of sustainable and equitable fisheries worldwide. • We quantify the amount of harmful subsidies supporting fishing in the high seas, domestic and foreign waters. • Between 20% and 37% of harmful subsidies support fishing in foreign waters or the high seas. • Harmful subsidies unequally affect low or very low-HDI nations, with low management capacity and vulnerable fish stocks. • Asia, Europe and N. America are net subsidy sources; providing more harmful subsidies than their ecosystems are affected by. • Marine ecosystems within Africa, Oceania, South, Central America, and Caribbean, are net subsidy-sinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsidies can directly support unsustainable fishing practices that harm both ecosystems and long-term social and economic benefits. Global fishery subsidies are substantial, yet their impacts on fishing dynamics are specific to given regions or fisheries at local scales. Subsidies thus have markedly different effects when applied to artisanal versus industrial, or managed versus open-access conditions, as shown for Mexican fisheries. Subsidy reform strategies are critically assessed, drawing on a review of over 30 case studies worldwide to determine patterns in their usefulness and conditions for implementation. Strategies with best relative results are reorienting subsidies away from capacity-enhancement, and/or conditioning them on specific sustainable performance metrics. Decoupling subsidies from fishing (e.g. providing direct aid to fishers) has unpredictable and unclear results, whereas buyback programs tend to have poor outcomes. Eliminating subsidies is perhaps the simplest strategy, but is the most difficult to implement from a social and political perspective. Key factors for any policy to succeed are clear short- and long-term goals; creative design; transparent implementation; and strong socio-political will. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canada's ocean ecosystem health and functioning is critical to sustaining a strong maritime economy and resilient coastal communities. Yet despite the importance of Canada's oceans and coasts, federal ocean policy and management have diverged substantially from marine science in the past decade. In this paper, key areas where this is apparent are reviewed: failure to fully implement the Oceans Act , alterations to habitat protections historically afforded under Canada's Fisheries Act , and lack of federal leadership on marine species at risk. Additionally, the capacity of the federal government to conduct and communicate ocean science has been eroded of late, and this situation poses a significant threat to current and future oceans public policy. On the eve of a federal election, these disconcerting threats are described and a set of recommendations to address them is developed. These trends are analyzed and summarized so that Canadians understand ongoing changes to the health of Canada's oceans and the role that their elected officials can play in addressing or ignoring them. Additionally, we urge the incoming Canadian government, regardless of political persuasion, to consider the changes we have documented and commit to aligning federal ocean policy with ocean science to ensure the health of Canada's oceans and ocean dependent communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning to a Blue Economy that prioritizes social equity will be challenging in ocean sectors but could be comparatively easier for newer industries where appropriate guidelines can be followed from the start. We focus here on two emerging ocean sectors—blue carbon and ocean energy—and an evaluation of benefit-sharing agreements at operational sites, and the recipients and types of these benefits. This is an initial yet useful gauge of progress towards integration of social equity concerns as envisioned under a Blue Economy. The number (n = 84) and scale of ocean energy sites is rapidly increasing but highly concentrated in a few regions. The ocean energy sector is currently focused on serving grids in urbanized areas and reducing national emissions, and economic benefit-sharing mechanisms with local residents are less common (35% of all sites). However, some cases show how local communities can be better included in the planning and implementation of ocean energy, including negotiation of subsequent economic benefits. Despite widespread interest in blue carbon, we found very few (n = 4) operational sites; nonetheless, these were deeply involved with and often led by local communities who are the main beneficiaries. Voluntary public and corporate social responsibility actions are useful, but government regulation must play an essential role in requiring equitable processes and supporting equitable outcomes, similar to now-standard environmental regulations to avoid negative impacts and increase the likelihood of ecological sustainability. Emerging ocean sectors have a unique opportunity to advance social equity and environmental sustainability within Blue Economies, but this will be much more easily achieved if equity guidelines are prioritized and mandated so that business-as-usual practices do not become entrenched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Labor issues and human rights violations have become the subject of rising concern in fisheries and seafood production. This paper reviews recent research on labor issues in the fishing industry, especially by environmental researchers and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) which are emerging as key players in research and policy arenas. Recent research has focused largely on severe violations such as forced labor, particularly in 'hotspot' geographies, often relying on indicators and risk-based approaches given the paucity of data and challenges of monitoring working conditions. This paper proposes that decent work – a concept associated with the institutional history of the International Labor Organization (ILO) but with broad implications – can contribute to overcoming gaps in the research landscape, and assessing and improving a range of labor issues in fisheries. The paper elaborates some key considerations for studying and promoting decent work in the seafood industry. Assessing and achieving decent work in the world's fisheries requires (1) a holistic human rights approach to decent work, in which labor concerns are understood in the context of interrelated and interdependent sets of human rights, (2) consideration of the complex political-economic regimes and histories in which seafood production is embedded, and perhaps most importantly, (3) that workers play a central role and have a voice in defining and achieving decent work. The paper concludes with future directions for research and a discussion of promising and emerging policy pathways for promoting decent work in fisheries and seafood production. • Attention is growing on labor issues in fisheries and seafood production. • Recent research focuses largely on severe abuses in hotspot geographies. • Focus is also on harvest stage of production and using indicators and risk-analysis. • Decent work is a holistic, comprehensive concept that can guide future work. • Multiple governance and policy pathways for promoting decent work are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harmful fisheries subsidies have historically contributed to fleet overcapacity and continue to be allocated to the fishing industry to artificially maintain its profitability. However, in this contribution we show that removing harmful subsidies and reducing overfishing will help to recover the resource biomass, subsequently leading to increased levels of sustainable catches, income and well-being of fishers, and reduces inequities in income and consumption when fish stocks are not effectively managed. Maintaining harmful fisheries subsidies is socially and economically inefficient. Taking the example of the EU fishing fleet, one of the largest fishing fleets in the world, we use the total factor productivity to show that small-scale fishing fleet's productivity is almost two-fold in the North Atlantic and 16% higher in the Mediterranean and Black seas compared to large-scale vessels. This result is explained because the harmful fisheries subsidies disproportionately allocated to large-scale vessels introduce distortions in the efficient allocation of inputs. With critical WTO negotiations ongoing regarding the global rules on fisheries subsidies, the EU must take advantage of the opportunity to lead a desirable transformative change while also supporting developing nations to truly achieve global sustainable and equitable fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

November 2021 could see members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) reach an agreement to prohibit harmful fisheries subsidies, culminating over 20 years of negotiation and discussion. This commentary highlights strengths and places where the current draft text can be improved to ensure the agreement truly contributes to sustainable and equitable fisheries. Overall, conditionalities and exemptions are better streamlined and defined, time periods to enter into compliance are allowed yet reasonably short, types of subsidies to be particularly avoided are clearly noted, and appropriate emphasis is placed on reducing impacts from distant-water and transboundary fishing fleets. Key places for improvement relate to unspecific language on supporting fisher incomes, the uniform handling of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fisheries (IUU), and transparency in distant water fisheries, issues partly stemming from historical definitions that are useful for some fisheries but may not capture the complexity of others. Capacity-enhancing subsidies should be avoided, and it is important to avoid further negative impacts on marginalized fisher populations. Given the importance of reaching an agreement without further delay, we urge members to proactively and inclusively formalize their fishing definitions and practices to prevent inequitable outcomes for vulnerable fishers during the implementation stage of a new agreement. A WTO agreement to prohibit harmful fisheries subsidies is an opportunity to catalyze the design and funding of improved and cooperative national and international fisheries policy and management strategies, to the benefit of fishers, global seafood production, and indeed all who hold relationships with our oceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It is well recognized that not all fisheries catches are reported or recorded properly by either government or non-government agencies. These unreported catches can be illegal, of unregulated species, or simply not monitored due to logistical barriers. In Mexico, these barriers are an extensive and often not easily accessible coastline, mostly de facto open access fisheries, poor administrative practices and generalized corruption in the fishing sector as a whole. These conditions were likely promoted early in the last century through the government''s largely successful policies to increase fisheries catches and stimulate employment and economic growth. Many years later and amid declines in fish stocks and subsequent economic benefits, most notably at local scales, it is evidently time for a fundamental change in strategy away from expansion of fishing effort and toward ecological and economic sustainability. An important step in this endeavor is to provide a quantitative pre-mortem analysis of Mexico''s total marine fisheries catches during the last half-century. Results suggest that from 1950 to 2010, total catches were nearly twice as high as the official reports, with an average annual catch of 1.5 million tonnes (t) compared to 796thousandt in official statistics. In the last year of available data, 2010, official and total estimated catches were 1.5million and 2.2milliont, respectively. While these results may be perceived as a criticism of the status quo and ante, this study actually does not single out a responsible party, but is, rather, a call to the many sectors of society who contribute to a lack of control, to help overcome these conditions, and increase and sustain the benefits from Mexico''s marine fisheries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recreational fishing is a vital component of the tourism economy in Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico, although several artisanal and industrial fisheries continue to operate in the region. The commercial long-liner fleet in particular is widely held to be responsible both for diminishing shark populations and declines in billfish through bycatch. Using available fisheries and ecosystem data, we develop an Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) model to represent current ecosystem and fishing dynamics in BCS and explore the ecological and economic effects of specific fisheries policy measures. Results suggest that currently mandated bycatch limits for the longlining fleet will have little effect on marlin abundance in the area. In an overfished ecosystem, decreasing fishing effort can result in higher overall catches through population rebuilding. While perhaps ecologically justified, increases in the abundance of sharks, a top predator, can have negative effects on other valued species in the ecosystem. The effects of these trophic dynamics must not be overlooked, as they can negate or even reverse desired outcomes from fisheries management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The trajectory of the cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus sp. 2) fishery in the central portion of Mexico's Gulf of California is an all too familiar one, consisting of exploration, rapid development, and, as of now, subsequent collapse. As all of the product is exported to markets overseas, buyers have little incentive to conserve local stocks, with jellyfish now exhibiting a global-scale sequential exploitation experienced by many other marine resources. While historical data gaps are often used as excuses for overexploitation after the fact, the emergence of this modern fishery was accompanied by relatively broad research interest; however, recommendations based on sound science were not followed. The resultant paucity of policy goals, regulation, cooperation, compliance, and enforcement has resulted in the mismanagement of a potentially lucrative fishery for future generations. There are always myriad challenges when attempting to manage a nascent fishery with high uncertainty, particularly in a developing country, and this case further highlights the importance of taking a precautionary approach to emerging resource extraction. Multiple prior experiences with similar outcomes should behoove regulators and managers to exhibit extra caution, and yet, sustainability and forethought still appear to be secondary to short-term profits and employment support. Nonetheless, it is perhaps not too late for cannonball jellyfish fisheries in the Gulf of California, and there are opportunities to implement management strategies that promote collaboration, research, and sustainability. This fishery requires a new management regime that embraces adaptive co-management in order to provide benefits to locals, both now and in the future. • Jellyfish are targeted for food exports in Mexico's Gulf of California. • Catches for one of the targeted species have declined, possibly due to overfishing. • Management challenges are complex due to natural and social factors. • Future strategies should include stakeholder collaboration and adaptive co-management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for fish maw (i.e., dried swim bladder) has apparently intensified during the past decades in Hong Kong and mainland China; currently, maw has similar annual import volumes but far higher mean unit values than other important seafood delicacies like shark fins and sea cucumber. Escalated demand for seafood delicacies can significantly contribute to the depletion of marine resources; yet a comprehensive understanding of maw value and the fisheries that supply it is lacking. We review available information on eight important maw-supplying species in major and largely undocumented source countries to examine the susceptibility and exposure of fisheries to the maw trade, which primarily serves Chinese demand. Comparing ex-vessel price ratios of maw to flesh (USD/kg), the overall mean price of maw can be as much as 72 times higher (range between 12:1 and 8389:1). Catch, price and export trends demonstrate that demand for maw is likely intensifying in countries already supplying it, shifting or expanding to new species, and emerging in new regions. We find that most maw-supplying species are under high fishing pressure, poorly or not protected. Those that yield the highest maw prices exhibit spawning aggregations, making them exceptionally vulnerable to overexploitation. While management interventions are needed to sustain fishery resources and capture economic benefits, their effectiveness will be challenged by the high value of maw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations are currently negotiating a new international legally-binding instrument to govern the global ocean commons, a vast area beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) owned by everyone but not cared for by any single entity. Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) have been underrepresented in the debate about governance of ABNJ despite their internationally recognized rights and their role as custodians of many globally-significant migratory species that travel between coasts and high seas. Here we use examples of active transboundary connectivity by migratory species as case studies to highlight the relevance of IPLCs on islands, coasts and beyond to the governance of the global ocean commons, and make a case for their essential and beneficial inclusion in it. Many migratory species are culturally and economically important to IPLCs, who are frequently the first to suffer if these species are overexploited or decline due to inadequate management in ABNJ. Four case studies (Pacific salmon, Marine Turtles, Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses, Northern fur seal) illustrate knowledge, innovations and practices of IPLCs that have global importance in informing strategies for conservation, sustainable and equitable use of marine species in general. IPLCs can contribute to enriching the diversity of approaches and solutions, and by elaborating on principles directly relevant for governance of ABNJ within the UN process and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is in the final stages of negotiating an agreement to prohibit harmful fisheries subsidies, thereby achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.6. An effective agreement should be viewed as an opportunity for nations to proactively transition towards sustainable and equitable fisheries and pave the path for other SDGs. Supporting fishers does not require harmful subsidies, and we provide evidence-based options for reform that highlight equity needs while reducing environmental harm. Subsidy reforms need clear goals, co-design, transparency, and fair implementation. An agreement on SDG 14.6 could be a turning point for the oceans and for the well-being of those that depend on the oceans for livelihoods and nutrition. Responsible seafood production will require international cooperation not only at WTO, but among governments, fisher organizations, civil society, and the wider public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• More transboundary fish stocks are expected under climate change, complicating fisheries management. • Linked game theory—ecosystem models test ecosystem-based co-management strategies. • Cooperative, ecosystem-based management of Pacific sardine improves profitability over all fisheries. • Managers must account for the key role of forage fish for ecosystems as well as other fisheries. Transboundary fish stocks complicate sustainable fishing strategies, particularly when stakeholders have diverse objectives and regulatory and governance frameworks. Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) in the California Current is shared by up to three fishing nations— Canada, the United States, and Mexico—and climate-driven abundance and distribution dynamics can complicate cooperative fisheries, leading to overfishing. This study builds on previous analyses by integrating ecosystem linkages into a game theory model of transboundary sardine fisheries under various climate scenarios. Cooperative fishing strategies that account for the ecosystem-wide value of sardine as forage for other species result in increased economic benefits compared to strategies that only account for the single-species value of sardine fisheries to a given fishing country. Total ecosystem landed value is maximized at a sardine fishing rate only somewhat lower than sardine F MSY , which is more precautionary but still allows the fishery to operate. Incorporating ecosystem dynamics into management-applicable models can highlight ways in which ecosystem-based fisheries management can improve both sustainability and profitability and help managers prioritize wider ecological research. Ecosystem-based management will be increasingly required to understand and adapt to the observed rapid shifts in species distributions due to climate change, and to design strategies to achieve sustainable and profitable fisheries amidst changing ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Trade Organization's (WTO) has committed to achieving a multilateral and legally binding agreement to eliminate fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfished stocks, and to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fisheries. This agreement is due in December of 2019 and also represents UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.6. A strong agreement would benefit fishers and marine environments, represent a milestone for multilateralism and both international and national fisheries policy, and become the first global achievement of a SDG target. To help discussions and negotiations focus on real challenges, we briefly dispel five myths related to harmful fisheries subsidies. Harmful fisheries subsidies are not effective at competing with large fishing nations and worsen poverty in the long-term. The worst effects of harmful subsidies occur when management capacity is limited, and overexploitation and overcapacity in one region can impact others. Because most global stocks are already exploited at least at maximum sustainable levels, more fishing capacity is unnecessary. Turning away from harmful subsidies can enable new investments to benefit fishing communities, national economies, and marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term 'Blue Economy' is increasingly used in various marine sectors and development frameworks. For it to be a truly useful approach, however, we argue that social benefits and equity must be explicitly prioritized alongside environmental and economic concerns. This integration of social dimensions within the Blue Economy is required to ensure that marine economic sectors contribute to achieving sustainable development goals. We review what an equity-focused 'Blue Economy' might mean for some established and emergent marine sectors and note existing guidelines that may be used for incorporating these aspects into planning. Moving towards a Blue Economy does not only imply developing emerging sectors in undeveloped areas; larger challenges will be found in transforming industries that already have significant economic and livelihood contributions despite concurrent social and environmental concerns. A 'marine industrial revolution'—as the Blue Economy has sometimes been understood—cannot achieve sustainable development and well-being if it does not avoid the widespread negative social and ecological impacts of historical development pathways. A concerted effort is therefore necessary to design and implement inclusive and equitable policies as an integral part of a Blue Economy that is transformative and not only expansive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oceans are increasingly looked toward for their contribution to addressing climate change. These so-called ocean-based climate "solutions" often fall under the umbrella of the "blue economy," a term used to refer to new ways of organizing ocean economies to provide equitable economic and environmental benefits. Yet, thus far the literature exploring blue economies and blue economy governance has largely overlooked or downplayed its equity and justice roots and implications, including how blue economies are embedded in multiple scales of environmental injustices. This is particularly important when blue economies include offshore oil production. The purpose of this paper is to both emphasize the need and provide an approach to incorporate justice and equity—specifically climate justice—into blue economy planning and scholarship. We build on conceptualizations of blue economies as assemblages to draw attention to the global reach of climate impacts associated with oil that are often overlooked or ignored at sites of production and through regional governance. We argue that greenhouse gas emissions from the life cycle of oil should be included in policies and planning (including blue economy planning) at sites of production, but that this must also incorporate underlying power structures that lead to uneven impacts and climate injustice. We look at environmental assessments as a regional governance tool that could be used to shape opportunities and openings to organize blue economies differently. To illustrate these points, we look at how environmental assessments are playing (and could play) a role in enacting and shaping Newfoundland and Labrador's blue economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite worldwide demand for tuna products and considerable conservation interest by civil society, no single global dataset exists capturing the spatial extent of all catches from fisheries for large pelagic species across all ocean basins. Efforts to spatially quantify the historical catch of global tuna fisheries have been restricted to the few taxa of major economic interest, creating a truncated view of the true extent of the fisheries for tuna and other large pelagic fishes. Individual Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) have given varying degrees of attention to minor taxa and non-target species only in more recent years. Here, we compiled and harmonized public datasets of nominal landed catches, as well as spatial data on reported catches of large pelagic taxa reported for the industrial tuna and large pelagic fisheries by tuna RFMOs for the last 60+ years. Furthermore, we provide a preliminary estimate of marine finfishes discarded by these fisheries. We spatialized these data to create a publicly available, comprehensive dataset presenting the historical reported landed catches plus preliminary discards of these species in space for 1950–2016. Our findings suggest that current public reporting efforts are insufficient to fully and transparently document the global historical extent of fisheries for tuna and other large pelagic fishes. Further harmonization of our findings with data from small-scale tuna fisheries could contribute to a fuller picture of global tuna and large pelagic fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latin American countries have a high diversity of sharks, rays, and chimaeras, yet many species are at high risk of extinction due to numerous threats. The conservation of chondrichthyans is key to achieving healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems, and countries in Latin America are increasingly recognizing the need for aligning conservation strategies across jurisdictions with similar ecological and socioeconomic challenges. Reflecting on the current state of knowledge and providing consensus expert opinion on research priorities are critical steps to ensure sound management and conservation strategies for chondrichthyans. The present study is a multinational collaboration by leading researchers in Latin America to identify the top-ten research priorities for the conservation of chondrichthyans within this region. Our results were highlighted from a total of 20 broader relevant topics including taxonomy and biology, ecological function, climate change and other stressors, contribution to local economies, and international collaboration. This constitutes the first comprehensive academic perspective on research priorities for chondrichthyans in Latin America which considers the varied perceptions and perspectives related to the management of sharks, rays, and chimaeras across the region and beyond. The main conservation implications highlighted by our study relate to the urgent need to implement, evaluate and/or improve management regulations based on scientific evidence and interdisciplinary research, especially in areas with little progress on the subject and/or where species threatened by extinction are distributed. [Display omitted] • Chondrichthyans conservation in Latin America requires regulations based on research under an interdisciplinary approach. • We provide an academic perspective on chondrichthyan research top-ten priorities in the region. • Obtaining evidence is urgently needed to develop, apply, and improve successful sustainable management. • These priorities are related to previous and novel knowledge in taxonomy, biology, fisheries, and sociology. • Conservation can be compromised by mitigable factors such as pollution and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pacific sardine, Sardinops sagax , is the most important fishery by volume in Mexico; however, this small pelagic species shows fluctuations in catch due to its susceptibility to environmental changes. In turn, this susceptibility leads to variations in distribution, abundance, and recruitment, making the Pacific sardine highly vulnerable to the effects of global climate change. In this study, we analyze the effects of environmental variability on the Pacific sardine distribution through the development of the habitat suitability for the Mexican Pacific. We used bathymetry, sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface salinity (SSS) and net primary productivity (NPP) to develop an ecological niche model to forecast the suitable habitat of the Pacific sardine and reproduce the historical patterns for the 2003–2017 period. We then used this model to make future projections to the year 2100 using the emission scenarios RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Under the RCP models, on average, the greatest impact of climate change was observed inside the Gulf of California, with an increase in SST (+1.68 °C) and a decrease in 25% of NPP (−256 mg C m−2 d−1) reducing habitat availability for this species by 95. Stocks on the Pacific coast are projected to fluctuate substantially, similar to past events driven by environmental variability. At the regional level, a loss of suitable habitat of up to 50% is expected by the end of this century for the Pacific sardine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]