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Fishing communities globally continue to face poor health and safety outcomes, driving the expansion of fisheries occupational health and safety (OHS) interventions. However, narrowly focused OHS interventions that neglect the social and structural determinants of health may have unintended consequences. We illustrate this problem through a case study from the UK where a recent OHS intervention, the introduction of compulsory medical certificates to all commercial fishers, led to unforeseen negative impacts. Through analysis of data from interviews, focus groups and a participatory workshop in Cornwall, UK, we highlight three key findings. First, while seeking to improve safety at sea, the regulatory change actually had negative consequences for fishers' health, their access to healthcare and potentially even their safety. Second, a mismatch between the requirements of the regulation and fishers' lived experience undermined the efforts of health promotion and outreach activities. Third, a failure to account for the implications for different sectors of the fleet has contributed to mistrust that may have ramifications for future fisheries governance activity. Our research brings to the fore important implications for the design of OHS regimes in fisheries. These include the broadening of OHS approaches to consider fishers' wider health and well‐being; engagement of fishers in the development and implementation of OHS interventions to account for their lived experiences of health and safety at sea and better integrate their knowledge; support for bottom‐up fisher‐led initiatives aimed at managing health and safety at sea; and improved coordination between agencies responsible for different areas of fisheries governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the impact of vateritic otoliths on hatchery-reared Coho Salmon, which are important for ecosystems, Indigenous communities, and the fishing industry. While hatcheries were once considered effective, research has shown that hatchery-reared salmon have lower survival rates in the wild compared to their wild counterparts. Vateritic otoliths, which affect hearing and balance, have been found to be common in hatchery-reared salmon. The Coho Otolith Project aims to investigate the causes and consequences of vateritic otolith development in Coho Salmon, conducting experiments to understand its influence on survival rates in both stream and marine environments. The research also aims to determine the prevalence of vateritic otoliths in hatchery-reared Coho Salmon across different facilities and stocks, providing valuable insights for hatchery managers and stakeholders to improve practices and conserve salmon stocks. [Extracted from the article]

Drawing on the history of ideas, the use of knowledge, and what is known about research links, linkages, and interactivity, this 'fishing for topics' article focuses on how funded narrative inquiries move from fieldwork to contribute to the literature and what is known about teaching and the teaching profession. This fluid inquiry addresses the following research questions: (1) How are patterns/themes identified in data pools? (2) How are exemplars created that become published research stories? and (3) How does one manuscript relate to other manuscripts in the same and different data pools? Initially, the featured scholarship was produced using narrative inquiry's interpretive tools of broadening, burrowing, and storying/restorying. Then, serial interpretation was undertaken to elucidate how research ideas materialized within/across the Korea-U.S. and the U.S.- China data pools. This innovative approach involved organizing the two studies into two metalevel story serials. Through this layered narrative inquiry approach, the overarching themes of fluid inquiry, flow of topics, and links/linkages/interactivity across data pools were identified. Two new narrative conceptualizations were named: meta-level story serials and meta-level serial interpretation. The insights arising from this "fishing for topics" article reflect the never-ending ebb and flow of waves splashing up to shore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fishers are at risk of back disorders due to their physically demanding work. The aim was to investigate risk factors for back disorders in fishers in Denmark. Methods: All male Danish registered fishers between 1994 and 2017 were included. ICD-10 codes classified back disorders (M40-M54* and DM99.1-4*). A multistate model on a cause-specific cox regression modelwas conducted. Results: Of 13,165 fishers included, 16% had a hospital contactwith an incident back disorder, and 52% at least had 1 recurrent episode. Having worked in another occupation (HR 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.27) and another musculoskeletal disorder (HR 1.84; 95% CI: 1.69, 2.01) were significant risk factors for the incident back disorder. No risk factors were seen for recurrent episodes. Conclusions: Risk factors for incident and recurrent back disorders were different; thus, episode-specific initiatives are needed to reduce back disorders among fishers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Size‐ and species‐selective harvest inevitably alters the composition of targeted populations and communities. This can potentially harm fish stocks, ecosystem functionality, and related services, as evidenced in numerous commercial fisheries. The high popularity of rod‐and‐reel recreational fishing, practiced by hundreds of millions globally, raises concerns about similar deteriorating effects. Despite its prevalence, the species and size selectivity of recreational fisheries remain largely unquantified due to a lack of combined catch data and fisheries‐independent surveys. This study addresses this gap by using standardised monitoring data and over 60,000 digital angling catch reports from 62 distinct fisheries. The findings demonstrate a pronounced selectivity in recreational fisheries, targeting top predators and large individuals. Catch‐and‐release practices reduced the overall harvest by 60% but did not substantially alter this selectivity. The strong species‐ and size‐specific selectivity mirror patterns observed in other fisheries, emphasising the importance of managing the potential adverse effects of recreational fisheries selective mortality and overfishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why do people fish for recreation? Social science literature suggests that both catch (e.g., number or sizes of fish) and non‐catch dimensions (e.g., nature experience, temporary escape) play a role. After reviewing the literature from environmental psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, recreational fisher motivation research as well as popular fishing books, I find that the opposite of catching fish, more specifically the uncertainty of the catch, maybe another, perhaps fundamental force that explains the attraction of the activity to millions of people. There appears to be strong utility in the gaming nature of the activity. This quality may contribute to explain various patterns that are well known, e.g., the overinvestment of time and money by recreational fishers that drastically exceed the market value of fish, the lack of self‐regulation of a local recreational fishery in terms of effort being spent also on low stock sizes, the disutility associated with providing certain catch probability information, diminishing marginal utility return for increasing catch rates, management regulations that make fishing harder than necessary, suboptimal satisfaction despite rising catch rates, and finally the dominance of men among populations of recreational fishers. I present a serious of testable propositions and call for a novel research focus that seeks to better understand what makes catch ambiguity attractive psychologically and emotionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are three challenges specific to the Bay of Bengal region in the context of climate change. Firstly, this is a climate-sensitive region that sits on the brink of several climate and human-induced environmental changes and challenges. Secondly, it is still a relatively understudied geographic area from the perspective of climate risks. Third, the process of securitisation of climate change and long-term risks to resources in this region has not taken place fully as traditional security challenges, geopolitics, and great power competition have become primary concerns. This paper looks at the climate vulnerabilities and risks prevalent in this region. It also looks at human-induced challenges like marine pollution and IUU fishing. It then evaluates the reasons why several of the collective promises in the region remain unfulfilled. It is followed by a brief discussion on the security implications of climate change which is followed by a conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roll damping coefficient is essential when considering the viscous effect in the potential-based hydrodynamic analysis of fishing vessels; it is an important factor in the roll motion response. The present study performs free roll decay simulations, altering weight variables using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to investigate the correlation between the roll damping coefficient and the weight variation of a fishing vessel. The time series of roll amplitude and roll damping coefficient are compared, for varying vertical and longitudinal centres of gravity and radii of gyration in roll motion. As the vertical centre of gravity increases, both the roll decay period and the roll damping coefficient also increase. The roll decay period tends to increase with the increase in the radius of gyration during roll motion, while the roll damping coefficient exhibits a decrease. A longitudinal centre of gravity has a limited effect on free roll decay characteristics. The roll damping coefficients between the maximum and minimum combinations of weight variables show significant differences. The findings of the present study could enhance the understanding of the safety of fishing vessels based on their loading conditions. Consequently, future research could further improve the results obtained in the present study by considering various hull shapes and speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Recreational angling of nesting largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) and smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu) can greatly increase nest abandonment, and in the northern clines of their range, decrease recruitment. This is the case in eastern Ontario, where high levels of non-compliance and difficult to enforce regulations have impacted black bass (Micropterus spp.) conservation and management. Effective January 1, 2024 until December 31st, 2025, novel and experimental fishing sanctuaries were imposed on portions of Charleston Lake and Opinicon Lake that prohibit recreational fishing of all types from April 15th to the Friday before the first Saturday in July (encompassing the full bass reproductive season). As part of the formal process to institute these experimental regulations, public comments were collected on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. We examined those comments and identified supportive and non-supportive themes related to these experimental regulations. While a majority of stakeholders were in support of the new regulations, we also noted sub-themes that may hinder regulation acceptance. Those sub-themes include: a perceived lack of enforcement negating the potential benefits of the sanctuaries, under-estimation of the extent of non-compliance with existing regulations such that new regulations are unnecessary, misunderstanding and misinformation, as well as distrust of government and the academic research community. Understanding and addressing these stakeholder perspectives will help researchers studying the new sanctuary areas and managers understand any lack of compliance while informing future decisions about bass management in eastern Ontario and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population of recreation-seeking fishing tourists is increasing. This study aimed to examine the variables that contribute to predicting fishing tourists' green behaviors at coastal tourism destinations by adopting an fsQCA approach. The research findings show that while each factor (i.e. perceived benefits, volitional variables, non-volitional variables, and emotion variables) individually exerts a significant influence on green behavior, the combined effect of integrating all these factors is substantial. This indicates that the synergy or combined influence of considering perceived benefits, volitional variables, non-volitional variables, and emotion variables together has a pronounced effect on promoting environmentally friendly behavior. Furthermore, the results of this study have academic and practical implications, as it was the first investigation of fishing tourists' psychological mechanisms undertaken by defining the relationship between green behaviors and their antecedents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lobstering industry workers are known to have poor overall health and low safety records, but there is still a gap in information concerning Canadian lobster fishers. This study aimed to report occupational health and safety characteristics of an Atlantic Canada community of lobster fishers and to assess differences between captains and deckhands. Twenty-eight participants (10 captains, 18 deckhands) were questioned and self-reported on lifestyle, general health status, work-related musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries. The data collected reveal both groups' high prevalence of cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal health issues. Captains reported more occupational exposition and health issues, and showed poorer lifestyle habits than deckhands. Fishers reported potential solutions to reduce occupational risks, presented as three types: lifestyle, working behaviours and leadership. This study evaluated a community of Canadian lobster fishers regarding their occupational health and safety. Potential avenues for mitigating occupational risk specific to this community will nurture future implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is based on ethnographic fieldwork and collected oral histories in 2019 in the Lofoten islands, as well as on archival research. I investigate the complex creation of kinship networks between humans and skrei in the Lofoten islands. I argue that the constant struggle to survive for both fish and fishermen embedded in larger capitalist ecologies of exploitation creates a symbolic shared substance between fish and fishermen, which, despite the often-unequal antagonistic nature of their relationships, allows us to rethink of definitions of kinship between humans and nonhuman others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Steelhead ecotype (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) have promoted a recreational fishery in the Santa Cruz river, the last large free flowing river of Patagonia. However, two dams are being built upstream in the middle course, potentially affecting the life cycle of these anadromous salmonids. The study describes the dynamics of the recreational fishing of the Santa Cruz river around Piedrabuena city and anglers perceptions, discussing its trends according to possible river connectivity scenarios. The fishery was assessed through a monthly year-round field sampling from April 2018 to April 2019, developing instantaneous angler counts, discriminating fishing methods, effort, and catch per unit effort; also, in situ interviews were used to collect information on anglers’ motivations and perceptions. In addition, information on fishing tournaments was used. Three fishing zones (FZ) were identified near Piedrabuena city: FZ-1, located downstream where anglers used baited hook and line to catch the native marine Patagonian blenny (Eleginops maclovinus); FZ-2, located in the town where baited hook and line, spinning, and fly-cast are used to catch Patagonian blenny and salmonids; FZ-3 located upstream the town, where fishing effort was mainly directed to salmonids employing spinning and fly-cast. Fishing effort showed a seasonal pattern with high values from March to May and September to October, agreeing with Steelhead and Chinook salmon runs, respectively. The most relevant motivations for anglers were nonoriented catch variables. Anglers preferred the capture of salmonids over native species, considering dams to be a major threat to fishery. Although a postdamming scenario could allow the adult salmonids to migrate upstream, the current reproduction grounds of Steelhead will be flooded, and juveniles and adults of both species will be hindered in their downstream migration to sea. These aspects seem to seriously compromise the future of these unique fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans and large aquatic predators compete for fish and negative interactions are widely reported as 'human–wildlife conflicts'. When aquatic predators are perceived to damage fisheries or fishing equipment, lethal control can occur. The perceptions and reality of damage are infrequently compared, but this relationship is key to determining how negative outcomes can be mitigated. We examine coexistence between people and six large aquatic piscivores (two caiman, two dolphins, two otters) in Amazonian Peru. We determine the extent of damage to fishing equipment caused by each species and compare this to the amount of damage perceived by fishers. Giant otter populations have recently recovered in some areas, so we expected different perceptions relating to experiences with otters. We trained fishers to complete fishing registers (n = 278, 1173 h of fishing) to record damage to nets by wildlife. We interviewed 302 people from three sites to determine perceptions of damage by predators, and attitudes towards giant otters. Rates of damage to nets reflected the presence and populations of different aquatic predators at each site, but when present, dolphins and caimans damaged nets more than otters, which rarely damaged nets. People living where giant otters had recently recovered perceived higher relative levels of damage to nets by them and had more negative attitudes about them, compared to people from areas where giant otters had been present for longer, aquatic predators were more abundant, and community resource management was longer‐established. Better knowledge and more experience with a species may lead to more accurate perceptions of damage and increased tolerance. Where humans and animals compete for natural resources, conflict mitigation rarely includes better resource management. If tolerance of predators is greater where predators are common, and resources have not been overexploited, resource management may yield greater gains for stakeholders than other commonly prescribed forms of mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the world, anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems is intensifying, notably through urbanisation, economic development, and tourism. Coral reefs have become exposed to stressors related to tourism. To reveal the impact of human activities on fish communities, we used COVID-19-related social restrictions in 2021. In French Polynesia, from February to December 2021, there was a series of restrictions on local activities and international tourism. We assessed the response of fish populations in terms of changes in the species richness and density of fish in the lagoon of Bora-Bora (French Polynesia). We selected sites with varying human pressures—some dedicated to tourism activities, others affected by boat traffic, and control sites with little human presence. Underwater visual surveys demonstrated that fish density and richness differed spatially and temporally. They were lowest on sites affected by boat traffic regardless of pandemic-related restrictions, and when activities were authorised; they were highest during lockdowns. Adult fish density increased threefold on sites usually affected by boat traffic during lockdowns and increased 2.7-fold on eco-tourism sites during international travel bans. Human activities are major drivers of fish density and species richness spatially across the lagoon of Bora-Bora but also temporally across pandemic-related restrictions, with dynamic responses to different restrictions. These results highlight the opportunity provided by pauses in human activities to assess their impact on the environment and confirm the need for sustainable lagoon management in Bora-Bora and similar coral reef settings affected by tourism and boat traffic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Epibiosis on damaged gorgonians, particularly Paramuricea clavata, is generally used as an indirect indication of stressed conditions. Studying damaged colonies over time can help us understand the temporal evolution of the phenomenon. Positive thermal anomalies recorded before 2019 were identified as the primary cause of damage to gorgonians. However, the decrease in epibiosis percentages after 2019, despite an episode in 2022, may be related to the resilience of the populations and a possible reduction in fishing activities due to the lockdown imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Long-term monitoring programmes are fundamental in clarifying the trajectories of changes in marine benthic communities exposed to different stressors. Over the past thirty years, the red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata in the Mediterranean Sea has faced increasing threats, including heat waves and human activities such as artisanal and recreational fishing. Epibiosis on damaged gorgonian colonies is generally used as an indirect indication of stressed conditions. The density and height of P. clavata and the percentage of colonies affected by epibiosis and entangled in lost fishing gear were monitored to investigate the phenomenon and its trend over time in the Ligurian Sea. Analyses were based on transects collected during ROV campaigns between 2015 and 2022 at depths of 33–90 m. A strong correlation was observed between fishing efforts in the study area and the level of epibiosis. Maximal percentages of colonies affected by epibiosis and entanglement were recorded at depths of 50–70 m. Temporally, marine heat waves before 2019 were identified as the primary cause of damage to P. clavata. The decrease in epibiosis percentages after 2019, despite the 2022 heat wave, may be due to a quick recovery ability of the populations and a reduction in fishing activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Long-term monitoring programmes are essential to understand the changes in marine benthic communities exposed to different stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-made structures, particularly artificial reefs, have played an increasingly important role in restoration, conservation, and management efforts aimed at mitigating the detrimental effects of anthropogenic activities on habitats and their associated communities. However, the extent to which artificial reefs support marine assemblages resembling those of natural habitat remains unclear. In this study, we used a 10-year dataset of reef fish visual surveys performed on paired reefs located in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, complemented by functional trait data, to examine whether artificial and natural reefs support fish assemblages with similar taxonomic and functional diversities. Our results revealed compositionally and functionally distinct assemblages between reef types, a pattern that was consistent across depths. The inclusion of functional diversity allowed us to explicitly identify generalized patterns in the composition of these assemblages that may have only been inferred from a strictly taxonomic-based approach. Specifically, large-bodied, midwater predators were relatively more abundant on artificial reefs, whereas smaller-bodied, benthic-associated invertivores or mesopredators were more frequently observed on natural reefs. The artificial reefs in this study were previously characterized as having greater vertical relief than their natural counterparts, a feature that likely contributed to the greater abundances of midwater predators on those reefs. Similarly, natural reefs typically offered a greater abundance of medium-to-small refugia necessary for smaller-bodied taxa to forage and avoid predation. Previous work also demonstrated that these artificial reefs were visited 2–10 times more frequently by boaters than natural reefs, presumably for recreational fishing purposes. These findings led us to infer that local-scale environmental filtering and variable predator–prey dynamics resulting from differences in the physical characteristics of these reefs coupled with asymmetric fishing activity influenced the observed differences among reef fish assemblages. Additionally, our work underscored the utility of multiple diversity measures in comparative assemblage studies, provided insight into reef-fish assemblage dynamics, and helped to emphasize a pressing need to better understand the role of human-made structures in marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question of whether and to what extent sea‐louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infestations from salmon farms influence wild Atlantic salmon survival has been subject to sustained scientific debate and political controversy. Documenting population‐level effects of sea lice on wild salmon remains inherently challenging.We employ comprehensive sea‐lice data and recreational catch data from Norway to assess the impact of farm sea‐louse infestations on wild salmon catches in different production areas (PAs).Our analysis finds a significant correlation between declines in wild Atlantic salmon catches and increasing amounts of adult female sea lice per km2. The effect is most pronounced in PA 4 on the west coast of Norway, an area within the government's" traffic light" management system where out‐migrating salmon smolts are deemed to face high risk of louse‐induced mortality.Our model predicts below‐average catches when the total sea‐louse load exceeds the limit of 0.1 average adult female sea louse per farmed fish within some production areas. Furthermore, our results indicate that the risk of below‐average catches increases by approximately 47% when salmon farms exceed this limit (estimated risk ratio of 1.47, 95% CI [1.10, 1.96]).Synthesis and applications: Our study expands the existing body of evidence demonstrating a negative association between fish farming and the ecosystem services provided by wild salmon stocks. This has important implications for aquaculture management. First, it shows that farm sea lice directly affect peoples, rights holders and interest groups, such as landowners and anglers, who rely on viable populations of wild salmon. Second, it suggests that a >0.1 sea lice limit may be insufficient to prevent subpar catches in some areas. Furthermore, in the context of allowing further growth in farmed salmon biomass, setting absolute sea‐louse limits for entire production areas may be a more effective regulatory instrument than setting average lice limits per farmed fish. Our findings contribute to advancing a scientific basis for setting appropriate louse limits on farm and area scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To identify appropriate interventions to prevent injury, we conducted a qualitative study among commercial shrimp fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico. Methods. Using qualitative and participatory research methods, including interviews, photovoice, and workplace observations in southeast Texas and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, we examined the social‒structural dimensions that contribute to physical and psychological injury. Results. We found that multiple layers of vulnerability and danger exist among shrimpers with interacting themes: (1) recognizing risk, (2) precarious employment, and (3) psychological distress. Conclusions. Our results add to the growing body of knowledge that emphasizes the negative health impacts of underregulated, high-risk, and physically demanding work performed primarily by im/migrants. Public Health Implications. Our findings highlight the larger social‒structural conditions and context of hardships endemic to migrant labor and suggest implications for practice and policy interventions. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(8):824–832. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307696) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Surveillance fishing surveys can be performed to estimate the proportion of farmed salmon represented in the spawning stock of native Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar populations. These surveys take place after the recreational fishing period and therefore closer to the spawning period than the open recreational fishing season. Although catch‐and‐release angling has been demonstrated to affect salmon migration during the summer months, surveillance fishing that is conducted close to the spawning time could have more severe effects. Methods: To test this, the migration distance of Atlantic Salmon (n = 74) caught in the Orkla River, Norway, was tracked by use of radiotelemetry. One group was tagged during the regular fishing season in the summer (control group), whereas another group was tagged in autumn during surveillance fishing (surveillance group). Result: Sixty‐one salmon remained for analysis after we excluded fish that were recaptured, died, or migrated to other rivers. Relocation of the salmon during autumn (October 11–31) was used to compare movements and test for differences in migration using negative binomial regression because distances were nonnegative integers. During the tracking period, the surveillance group moved 12 ± 14 km (mean ± standard deviation) and the control group moved 13 ± 15 km; both groups moved 1 ± 2 km/day on average. There was no evidence that surveillance fishing impacted movement of the salmon compared to controls. However, one salmon died after tagging and three were not released due to injuries; total mortality of 9% during surveillance fishing could be unsustainable for smaller populations. Consequently, factors such as surveillance sample size, the status of the salmon population, and the population size should be assessed for each river individually when deciding the necessity of and approach to surveillance fishing. Conclusion: The results support existing recommendations to use careful handling and to end surveillance at least 2 weeks prior to the expected onset of spawning, thus providing a sufficiently long period for recovery after surveillance fishing. Impact statementSurveillance fishing is a method to determine the number of farmed salmon in a river. Capture and release of wild salmon during an autumn surveillance period may negatively impact these important spawners, but we found that movement of surveillance‐captured fish was not different from a control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug trafficking is one of the most serious crimes of our century. The market reach is estimated to be over $500 billion annually, with a particularly robust user base found in the Americas and Europe. The United States, in particular, is one of the strongest consumer markets for drugs originating from Latin America. While such serious drugs as cocaine have been trafficked into the United States using various means, one method that has been gaining attention is the use of fishing vessels. Nevertheless, studies on the role of fishing vessels in trafficking drugs from Latin America into the United States are rare. To fill this gap, this research uses fishing vessel interception data obtained through Freedom of Information Act request from the United States Coast Guard for the years 2015–2021. Informed by crime science theory, this research examines the geospatial and temporal trends associated with drug trafficking by fishing vessels, as well as such vessel characteristics as flags they carried at the time of interception, and vessel type. Policy implications are discussed in light of the main research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishing vessels are important contributors to global emissions in terms of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. However, few studies have addressed the emissions from fishing vessels on fishing grounds. In this study, a framework for estimating fishing vessel emissions, using a bottom-up dynamic method based on the big data from the Beidou VMS (vessel monitoring system) of fishing vessels, is proposed and applied to a survey of fishing vessel emissions in the East China Sea. The results of the study established a one-year emission inventory of fishing vessels in the East China Sea. This study was the first to use VMS data to estimate fishing vessel emissions in a fishing area, and the results will help to support the management of their carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, bait worms are collected for recreational and subsistence fishing, and fetch high prices in bait shops. While a variety of polychaete families are collected, we focus only on the “Marphysa” group (Family Eunicidae) occurring in rivers, estuaries and protected bays. We discuss the management strategies currently in place in Australia, South Africa and France, and we suggest that they are inadequate and fail to take into account Eunicid diversity and biology. While the reproductive strategies of only a few species have been investigated, they all exhibit very different strategies, and this must be taken into account when developing management and monitoring plans to ensure sustainable harvesting. Information is also needed on the impacts of collecting in these coastal habitats and their ecosystems that are increasingly being impacted by climate change. We also comment on the collection of the “Marphysa” group elsewhere in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been identified as one of the most effective tools to halt marine biodiversity loss. However, conflicting evidence from disparate, small-scale studies obfuscate a cohesive global picture of the role that MPAs can play in enhancing local fisheries through spillover benefits. We conducted a global analysis of trophy-size fish catches as a proxy for spillover occurring outside of fully protected MPAs, focusing on time series of recreational angling catch records. We show that the accumulation of recreational fishing records accelerates close to MPAs (compared to reference areas) and that this effect grows stronger over time. Our results provide a standardized global assessment of one of the benefits MPAs provide to recreational anglers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of marine protected areas (MPAs) is a core focus of global conservation efforts, with the "30x30" initiative to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 serving as a prominent example of this trend. We consider a series of proposed MPA network expansions of various sizes, and we forecast the impact this increase in protection would have on global patterns of fishing effort. We do so by building a predictive machine learning model trained on a global dataset of satellite-based fishing vessel monitoring data, current MPA locations, and spatiotemporal environmental, geographic, political, and economic features. We then use this model to predict future fishing effort under various MPA expansion scenarios compared to a business-as-usual counterfactual scenario that includes no new MPAs. The difference between these scenarios represents the predicted change in fishing effort associated with MPA expansion. We find that regardless of the MPA network objectives or size, fishing effort would decrease inside the MPAs, though by much less than 100%. Moreover, we find that the reduction in fishing effort inside MPAs does not simply redistribute outside--rather, fishing effort outside MPAs would also decline. The overall magnitude of the predicted decrease in global fishing effort principally depends on where networks are placed in relation to existing fishing effort. MPA expansion will lead to a global redistribution of fishing effort that should be accounted for in network design, implementation, and impact evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newspapers and archives from Taiwan indicate a long history of Taiwan’s commercial fishing in the Pacific that has largely been overlooked. Using these resources, this article analyses the relationship between the Taiwan government and Taiwan fishermen in the Pacific from the 1940s to the 1980s, demonstrating how non-state actors such as fishermen dictated Taiwan’s official engagements in the region. I first outline the history of legal and illegal fishing by commercial Taiwan vessels in the Pacific from the 1940s to the 1980s. I then draw on two case studies: illegal fishing incidents in Tuvalu and Australia involving commercial Taiwan fishermen, and legal fishing operations in American Samoa. These case studies demonstrate how commercial fishermen impacted Taiwan-government engagements in the Pacific and were viewed by the government as a liability. The article concludes by connecting Taiwan’s commercial fishing history in the Pacific with the larger history of Taiwan in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When investigating potential causes of apparent declines in European brown trout angling catch rates over recent decades, fisheries management procedures are rarely considered. Using a 20‐year dataset of brown trout stocking and angling catch rates, we found a significant decline in brown trout angling catch rates in streams of East Bohemia, Czechia, were well predicted by a reduction in the number of brown trout stocked at catchable size (i.e. age‐3+). Increased stocking of smaller sized brown trout, and recent sporadic efforts to stock large brown trout, had no effect on catch rates. Our findings suggest that brown trout catch rates were related to ‘put‐and‐take’ stocking, in which non‐native rainbow trout gradually replaced brown trout in both stocking and catches. Our study stresses the importance of considering historical fisheries management, a sometimes‐neglected factor, when studying angling catches of economically important species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the realm of competitive sport fishing in Greece's inland waters, where recent years have witnessed a notable surge in such activities. Despite the absence of official records, insights into the sport's trend and the motivations and socio-demographic characteristics of anglers participating in fishing competitions were gleaned from digital data sourced from online platforms and interviews with anglers. Our findings illuminate the growing popularity of sport fishing in Greece, evident in the increasing number of fishing competitions and the burgeoning angling community. Predominantly male, anglers exhibit a strong dedication to catch-and-release practices, citing relaxation and socialization as primary motivations, with competitive aspirations also shaping their involvement. Moreover, the study highlights legislative gaps in inland water fisheries regulations, underscoring the need for updates to ensure sustainable management and to mitigate illegal activities. Additionally, there exists an opportunity to bolster anglers' ecological awareness through targeted education initiatives. Ultimately, addressing these conclusions holds the potential to foster responsible fishing practices and contribute to the long-term sustainability of inland water fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine finfish landings in Cuba have decreased during the last 30 years. However, in Cuba's most productive fishing region, certain species, including rays, herrings, and snappers, have had increased landings over the past decade. Despite these anomalies, no comprehensive analysis of the interactions among multispecies landing dynamics, environmental factors, and fishing efforts has been carried out. This study estimates the dynamics of multispecies finfish landings between 1981 and 2017 on the southeastern coast of Cuba. A log-normal generalized additive model (GAM) was fit to evaluate the effects of various environmental and effort-related variables on the total landings. During the period analyzed, the finfish landings and fishing effort decreased by 46% and over 80%, respectively. Despite concerns about overfishing, landings per unit of effort (LPUE) increased by 2.8 times. The total fish landings were significantly related to changes in the fishing effort, coastal vegetation, rainfall, chlorophyll-a, and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). This study highlights the changing relationship between the landings and fishing effort, suggesting that LPUE may not accurately reflect true stock abundance. The findings of this study will assist in integrating the dynamics of finfish species, ecosystem status, and management actions for Cuba's most productive fishing zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muslim religion has strict rules to determine what kinds of foodstuffs, and under what circumstances, are deemed appropriate for consumption. Fishes are not an exception to this rule and features such as body shape or the presence and conspicuousness of scales dictate whether certain species are acceptable or rejected. In this paper, an overview of the Iberian ichthyoarchaeological record from Muslim sites is presented to ascertain whether differences with Christian sites existed in terms of these characters and to what extent these allow one to take fish assemblages as cultural proxies of archaeological deposits. In the case of coastal (production) sites, we also consider whether the peculiarities a given fish assemblage exhibit reflect instead certain environmental features such as the biotopes where a given local fishery operated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a biomass of ∼4 million tonnes, and annual catches of 900 000 tonnes, the northeast Atlantic (NEA) cod stock in the Barents Sea is the world's largest. Scientists have been trying to explain the variability in recruitment of this stock for over 100 years, in particular connecting it to spawning stock biomass and environmental factors such as temperature. It has been suggested that the combination of ocean acidification and global warming will lead to a significant decrease in the spawning stock biomass and an eventual (end of this century) collapse of the NEA cod stock in the Barents Sea. We show that a temperature- and OA-driven decline in recruits will likely lead to a smaller cod stock, but not to a collapse. Instead, the level of fishing pressure and, not least, the choice of the recruitment function applied in simulations and how it relates to temperature, is extremely important when making such forecasts. Applying a non-linear relationship between temperature and spawning stock biomass—as has been done in studies that predict a collapse of the NEA cod stock—does not improve accuracy and, in addition, adds a large decrease in number of recruits that is not biologically supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curracurrang 1 (1CU5) is a rockshelter site located in the Royal National Park (RNP) on the coast south of Sydney. Excavated from 1962 to 1966, the site's rich Holocene cultural deposit has become important for understanding regional Late Holocene developments in Australian lithic and shell technologies. Our comprehensive analysis of 1CU5's faunal remains is presented here, accompanied by new AMS radiocarbon dates and a reinterpretation of the site's occupation sequence. Much of the midden deposit spans from about 2500 BP to approximately 1850 AD, rather than only the last ∼1500 years as originally believed based on less comprehensive dating. A wide range of terrestrial and marine fauna were exploited at 1CU5, with the relative importance of the latter group increasing within the last ∼1500 years. Greater fish consumption during the later period may relate to use of novel hook and line fishing technology using hooks made from shellfish, but concurrent increases in seals, seabirds and marine invertebrates suggest a broader increased reliance on marine resources. By comparison, the earlier period, which coincides with the manufacture of backed microliths, displays relatively greater reliance on terrestrial marsupials. Taxonomic representation suggests occupation of the shelter from winter through spring, and potentially into summer. Analysis of the 1CU5 fauna marks an important contribution to the understanding of Late Holocene economies at the interface of the greater Sydney and NSW South Coast cultural and biogeographic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flores Sea has a very huge potential for large pelagic fish which is dominated by tuna. However, efforts to predict potential fishing areas are still very limited, especially by using Satellite Remote Sensing Data. The methods generally used are conventional methods which have limitations in terms of data accuracy, area coverage, and efficiency. This study aimed to map the oceanographic conditions of potential fishing zones through the interpretation of Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite imagery and to determine the oceanographic conditions favored by the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the Southern Flores sea. The data collection was conducted directly in the field using longline fishing gear, where the fishing position and catch per trip were categorized as primary data. To analyze the data, the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) using oceanographic parameters (chlorophyll-a, depth, temperature, and salinity) was used. Using the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) with a CED value of 60.40% and an AIC value of 770.8742, the results showed that the sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll-a concentration, salinity, and depth are variables that affect fish catch. Oceanographic parameters in the yellowfin tuna fishing potential zone include a temperature range from 28.5 to 29°C, chlorophyll-a concentration of 0.10- 0.14mg/ m2, salinity of 33.7-34ppt, and depth of 3500-1500m, with the largest Zone of Potential Fishing (ZPPI) in September 2023 covering 31,808 km2, with the largest fish catch amounting to 1038kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the roles of coastal environments in prehispanic settlement patterns and land use within the lower Río Verde Valley, Oaxaca, México using interdisciplinary methods. We first compare population levels in the coastal zone—including areas by the estuaries and sea—to inland habitats such as the floodplain. Second, we discuss resource extraction and trade associated with the coastal zone. Excavations and a 224 km2 full-coverage survey indicate that, except during the initial Early Formative period (1600–1350 BC), coastal zone habitats were not a settlement focus. Land use concentrated on the extraction of resources such as fish, salt, and ornamental shell. These goods were consumed locally and exchanged via long-distance networks for obsidian, pottery, and during the Postclassic period (AD 800–1522), copper items. Archaeofaunal and isotopic data suggest that aquatic resources from estuarine and marine environments constituted a small proportion of the total caloric input, but may have been important sources of protein. Finally, we compare settlement patterns between the lower Verde and other Mesoamerican coastal regions. Lower Verde population in the coastal zone was low, especially relative to areas which practiced mixed subsistence into the Middle/Late Formative periods (ca. 700–150 BC). This is related to the proximity of arable lands to estuaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at developing and validating a scale to examine recreational fishing tourists' motivations at wetland destinations by applying the push and pull motivation theory. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative data from travelers participating in recreational fishing activities in Turkey, a scale generation phase was followed to develop a purified push and pull motivation scale. The findings revealed three push motivations (e.g., fishing, nature, and socio-cultural aspects of the destination) and three pull motivations (e.g., geographic attributes and infrastructure, local culture and customs, and activity). Furthermore, several theoretical and managerial implications with suggestions for further studies were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the capability of Mu3e to probe light new physics scenarios that produce a prompt electron-positron resonance and demonstrate how angular observables are instrumental in enhancing the experimental sensitivity. We systematically investigate the effect of Mu3e's expected sensitivity on the parameter space of the dark photon, as well as on axion-like particles and light scalars with couplings to muons and electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Korea's aquaculture sector primarily cultivates aquatic life, with fish seed production as a focus. Formalin, a parasiticide, consists of 37% formaldehyde mixed with yellow No. 4 dye. Formaldehyde vaporization poses cancer risks, classified as a carcinogen. Korea regulates formaldehyde as a hazardous substance, requiring workplace environment measurements. Few aquaculture farms have conducted these checks in recent years. In this study, we investigated actual formaldehyde exposure levels among Korean aquaculture workers, highlighting a critical safety concern. A field survey was conducted to measure formaldehyde exposure at 10 aquaculture farms in areas where Korean aquaculture is concentrated. Short-term and long-term personal samples, local samples, and direct-reading measurements were conducted. Formaldehyde exposure levels were detected in short-term personal samples from six farms and in long-term personal samples from two farms, and formaldehyde was detected in all local samples. In direct-reading measurements, a high concentration of formaldehyde was sustained for short periods. Long-term (8-hour) personal samples were mostly non-detectable, except for farms A and D, which had levels of 0.0009 ppm and 0.0017 ppm, respectively. Short-term (15-minute) samples were non-detectable in four farms, with an average of 0.0158 (±0.0130) ppm in the remaining six farms. Local samples from all farms had an average of 0.0384 (±0.0957) ppm of formaldehyde. For farms A and D, where long-term sampling detected formaldehyde, real-time measurements showed a sustained high concentration in farm A for about 48 minutes before decreasing. Farm D had no detectable formaldehyde throughout the monitoring period. According to the formaldehyde exposure level assessment, short term exposure to formaldehyde during and immediately after application of formalin nearly exceeded the ACGIH TLV STEL in one farm. However, concentration of long term samples appeared at 10% of ACGIH TLV TWA. Additional study is recommended to determine whether exposure to formaldehyde poses a health risk for aquaculture workers during application of formalin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the occupational injuries and health hazards associated with fishing as an occupation among non-traditional rural tribal fishing communities in the coastal region of Tamil Nadu, India. This cross-sectional study included a total of 170 individuals belonging to a fishing community, comprising both male (n = 82) and female (n = 88) participants. The demographic details including occupational history, lifestyle characteristics, socio-economic status, personal habits, and health status were assessed through the questionnaire survey. The fishing community has a low socioeconomic status and poor literacy, lifestyle, and personal habits. The mean age of the participants was 38.8 yrs (male 34.8; female 39.9 yrs). Only 10% reported usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the work duration varied from 8 to 24 hrs in a day. While male subjects reported smoking habits (12%) and alcohol consumption (23%), none of the females reported alcohol consumption and smoking habits. The major occupational injuries that occurred were due to catfish (72%) and oysters (48%). A large number of female subjects reported musculoskeletal pains. The body mass index of about 28% of fishermen was above the normal range. Abnormal blood sugar, blood pressure, and respiratory and neurological symptoms were the other major health complaints. The major environmental hazards reported were salinity, solar radiation, tides, and high wind. Injuries from handling fish and oysters were observed to be the major occupational burden. Additonally, a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and chronic health illness was commonly observed among the fishers. Adequate training and awareness programs are required for effective management of occupational health hazards and health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Microplastics are a pervasive contaminant cycling through food webs—leading to concerns regarding exposure and risk to humans. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to quantify and characterize anthropogenic particle contamination (including microplastics) in fish caught for human consumption from the Humber Bay region of Lake Ontario. We related quantities of anthropogenic particles to other factors (e.g., fish size) that may help in understanding accumulation of microplastics in fish. METHODS: A total of 45 samples of six fish species collected from Humber Bay in Lake Ontario near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, were examined for anthropogenic particles in their gastrointestinal (GI) tracts and fillets. Using microscopy and spectroscopy, suspected anthropogenic particles were identified and characterized. RESULTS: We observed anthropogenic particles in the GI tracts and fillets of all species. Individual fish had a mean±standard deviation of 138±231 anthropogenic particles, with a single fish containing up to 1,508 particles. GI tracts had 93±226 particles/fish (9.8±32.6 particles/gram), and fillets had 56±61 particles/fish (0.5±0.8 particles/gram). Based on a consumption rate of 2 servings/week, the average yearly human exposure through the consumption of these fish fillets would be 12,800±18,300 particles. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that consumption of recreationally caught freshwater fish can be a pathway for human exposure to microplastics. The elevated number of particles observed in fish from Humber Bay highlights the need for large-scale geographic monitoring, especially near sources of microplastics. Currently, it is unclear what the effects of ingesting microplastics are for humans, but given that recreationally caught freshwater fish are one pathway for human exposure, these data can be incorporated into future human health risk assessment frameworks for microplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational target fishing plays an important role in target identification, particularly in drug discovery campaigns utilizing phenotypic screening. Numerous approaches exist to predict potential targets for a given ligand, but true targets may be inconsistently ranked. More advanced simulation methods may provide benefit in such cases by reranking these initial predictions. We evaluated the ability of binding pose metadynamics to improve the predicted rankings for three diverse ligands and their six true targets. Initial predictions using pharmacophore mapping showed no true targets ranked in the top 50 and two targets each ranked within the 50–100, 100–150, and 250–300 ranges respectively. Following binding pose metadynamics, ranking of true targets improved for four out of the six targets and included the highest ranked predictions overall, while rankings deteriorated for two targets. The revised rankings predicted two true targets ranked within the top 50, and one target each within the 50–100, 100–150, 150–200, and 200–250 ranges respectively. The findings of this study demonstrate that binding pose metadynamics may be of benefit in refining initial predictions from structure‐based target fishing algorithms, thereby improving the efficiency of the target identification process in drug discovery efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Journal of Shenzhen University Humanities & Social Sciences is the property of Journal of Shenzhen University (Humanities & Social Sciences) Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Seagrass ecosystems are crucial for supporting biodiversity and serve as vital fishing grounds. Unfortunately, their cover is declining globally. In Kenya, seagrass cover is falling by ~ 1.6% annually but the causes are unknown. This study investigated the possible anthropogenic drivers of seagrass decline along the Kenyan coastline.Satellite and large‐scale geographic data on population growth, chlorophyll α trends, housing, and road density were used to explore their effects on seagrass cover loss along the whole coastline. Direct investigations were conducted into the effects of seine netting and basket trapping within seagrasses.There was an average loss of 1.9 km2 per 25 km2 seagrass cover between 2000 and 2016 and a weak but significant relationship between population growth and seagrass decline, with losses concentrated in areas with the highest population density. In contrast with studies elsewhere, there was no evidence implicating eutrophication, supporting the suggestion that declines are linked to direct anthropogenic impacts such as fishing. A field experiment showed that a single instance of seine netting caused a significant loss of seagrass cover of 8.3% within the area fished, while no significant changes were observed with basket traps.These findings support the evidence that declines in seagrass in Kenya and in other African countries are anthropogenic and are linked with fishing pressure and endorse existing efforts to restrict use of seine netting within seagrasses.Understanding the status, changes, and drivers of change in seagrass ecosystems in Africa is crucial for developing effective national and local seagrass conservation plans, and for compliance with international commitments on seagrass conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]