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The Mississippi Sound and Bight is a complex coastal system with shallow estuarine waters that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and anthropogenic influences. In order to further our understanding of the system and provide natural resource managers and decision-makers with science-based guidance, a pre-operational coastal ocean forecast system has been developed using the Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Wave Sediment Transport Modeling System (COAWST). The COAWST application for Mississippi Bight (msbCOAWST) can be run in hindcast mode, pre-operational near real-time mode, or forecast mode and relies on other operational models including the National Water Model (NWM) for river forcing, the High Resolution Rapid Refresh model (HRRR) for atmospheric forcing, and the Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) for open ocean boundary forcing. msbCOAWST is being validated using data from a variety of in situ measurements that quantify coastal processes, including tides and water quality parameters (i.e. temperature and salinity). The highest model skill is obtained for temperature followed by water levels and salinity. msbCOAWST has been used to provide guidance for quantifying how freshwater influences derived from river diversion operations impact water quality in estuarine waters. While the model is initially developed to study water quality and circulation in pre-operational near real-time and forecast modes, it is currently being extended to include waves, sediment transport, and biogeochemistry and also linked with habitat suitability models and ecological models in hindcast mode so as to comprehensively reveal consequential environmental concerns due to the onset and persistence of hypoxia, seasonal and storm-induced waves with their associated impacts on the region's fisheries and shellfisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia, an archipelagic nation with about 70% ocean territory, relies on oceanographic data for efficient marine environment monitoring and natural resource sustainability. Current data collection is limited by tools measuring only single parameters and lengthy data collection times. This study proposes a marine coastal water quality monitoring tool based on the internet of things (IoT), capable of simultaneously measuring temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Utilizing an Atmega328 and a battery lasting up to 119 hours, this system offers a cost-effective solution for real-time oceanographic data collection. Employing the ADDIE methodology, the results demonstrate high measurement accuracy compared to traditional methods, with accuracy of 90.5% for temperature, 93.50% for electrical conductivity, 93.67% for pH, and 96.82% for dissolved oxygen. The development of this tool aims to reduce costs and labor in capturing oceanographic data integrated with IoT, facilitate access and monitoring of water data, and make a significant contribution to achieving SDGs targets. The main focus on the goals of addressing climate change and life underwater, especially in the aspects of water resources management and protection of marine ecosystems in Indonesian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal upwelling plays a vital role in the support and maintenance of productive marine ecosystems throughout the California Current System (CCS). Here, we evaluate upwelling forecast skill using ∼30 years of seasonal reforecasts from four global climate models contributing to the North American Mulitmodel Ensemble (NMME). The models skillfully predict upwelling intensity throughout much of the CCS in boreal winter, and in the South‐Central CCS in spring/summer. The models also skillfully predict various aspects of upwelling phenology, including the timing of the spring transition, as well as the total vertical transport integrated over the course of the upwelling season. Climatic sources of forecast skill vary with season, with contributions from the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation in winter‐spring, and the North Pacific Oscillation and the North Pacific Meridional Mode in the winter‐summer. Our results highlight the potential of seasonal climate forecasts to inform management of upwelling‐sensitive marine resources. Plain Language Summary: Upwelling—the process of drawing cold, nutrient rich ocean waters toward the surface—plays a vital role in supporting vibrant and diverse biological populations throughout the California Current System (CCS). Here, we assess whether four global climate models can forecast seasonal upwelling 1–12 months in advance. We show that for much of the year (winter through summer), models can predict anomalous upwelling intensity several months in advance. We also show that the models can predict the timing of the "spring transition" (i.e., the start of the upwelling season) for much of the CCS. The model skill is related to large‐scale climate modes, including the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, the North Pacific Oscillation, and the Pacific Meridional Mode. These climate modes alter the strength of the surface winds along the U.S. west coast from winter‐summer, giving rise to predictable patterns of upwelling. Our results highlight the potential of seasonal climate forecasts to inform management of upwelling‐sensitive marine resources. Key Points: Global climate models skillfully predict upwelling in the California Current System in winter‐summerModels also skillfully predict timing of spring transitionWinter skill is linked to the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and North Pacific Oscillation, summer skill with the Pacific Meridional Mode [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is important to fisheries in Northeastern Brazil. To restore stocks in Rio Grande do Norte, cobia were stocked and the fishery was monitored over 4 years. We evaluated effects of stocking on cobia size composition in this data‐limited fishery to understand stocking limitations and explore possibilities for future projects. Total length of cobia was significantly shorter after stocking than before stocking, with mostly small fish caught mainly by nets, an unusual pattern for cobia. Total length also varied significantly among bottom types. Most of the cobia harvested were below the size at first maturity, which suggests that stocking increased the catch, but most fish harvested were immature, thereby potentially hindering stock recovery. For future projects, we recommend against the use of plastic tags for tagging hatchery cobia and propose releases that emulate natural spawning dynamics, alongside releasing fish at older ages. Further, we recommend robust post‐stocking fishery monitoring, and management strategies, such as a release of net‐caught cobia in the initial 2 years and incorporating validated fisher knowledge into decision‐making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a significant threat to marine resource management globally. Environmental criminology plays a vital role in understanding and mitigating IUU activities by focusing on the contextual elements surrounding these crimes. This study examines the dynamics of poaching within areas managed through Territorial User Rights for Fisheries (TURFs), with a specific emphasis on the loco (Concholepas concholepas) fishery in Chile. Methods: Employing Crime Script Analysis (CSA) as the primary methodological lens, this research meticulously deconstructs the criminal process involved in TURFs poaching operations. CSA is used to identify key elements, providing a comprehensive understanding of poachers modus operandi. Additionally, by integrating CSA with Situational Precipitators of Crime (SPC), the study identifies critical factors such as environmental conditions, socio-economic disparities, and enforcement weaknesses that shape poaching opportunities within TURFs. Results: The analysis reveals a complex interplay between SPC factors, underscoring their role in shaping poaching dynamics. Key findings highlight the importance of specific environmental conditions, socio-economic disparities, and enforcement weaknesses in facilitating poaching activities. The study identifies various tactics and strategies employed by poachers and the roles of different actors involved in the poaching process. Discussion: Building upon these findings, the study proposes a comprehensive Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) framework aimed at effectively combating TURFs poaching. The framework emphasizes the importance of striking a careful balance between restrictive and inclusive measures to mitigate potential negative consequences. The study contributes valuable insights into understanding and addressing IUU fishing, particularly within TURFs in Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study introduces a comprehensive, open-access atlas of mesoscale eddies in the global ocean, as identified and tracked by the TOEddies algorithm implemented on a global scale. Unlike existing atlases, TOEddies detects eddies directly from absolute dynamic topography (ADT) without spatial filtering, preserving the natural spatial variability and enabling precise, high-resolution tracking of eddy dynamics. This dataset provides daily information on eddy characteristics, such as size, intensity, and polarity, over a 30-year period (1993–2023), capturing complex eddy interactions, including splitting and merging events that often produce networks of interconnected eddies. This unique approach challenges the traditional single-trajectory perspective, offering a nuanced view of eddy life cycles as dynamically linked trajectories. In addition to traditional metrics, TOEddies identifies both the eddy core (characterized by maximum azimuthal velocity) and the outer boundary, offering a detailed representation of eddy structure and enabling precise comparisons with in situ data. To demonstrate its value, we present a statistical overview of eddy characteristics and spatial distributions, including generation, disappearance, and merging/splitting events, alongside a comparative analysis with existing global eddy datasets. Among the multi-year observations, TOEddies captures coherent, long-lived eddies with lifetimes exceeding 1.5 years, while highlighting significant differences in the dynamic properties and spatial patterns across datasets. Furthermore, this study integrates TOEddies with 23 years of colocalized Argo profile data (2000–2023), allowing for a novel examination of eddy-induced subsurface variability and the role of mesoscale eddies in the transport of global ocean heat and biogeochemical properties. This atlas aims to be a valuable resource for the oceanographic community, providing an open dataset that can support diverse applications in ocean dynamics, climate research, and marine resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This perspective reflects on conservation efforts to increase the coverage of marine protected areas in Solomon Islands. We demonstrate that the current model in which international conservation NGOs provide technical and financial support to pilot projects, from which community‐based resource management will spontaneously spread, is misguided. These site‐based projects typically require substantial financial resources, ignore external threats to coastal ecosystems, and tend to bypass existing governance structures, which makes replication in other areas highly problematic. We argue that to effectively support indigenous peoples and local communities in the management of marine resources and, thereby, achieve biodiversity conservation outcomes at scale, it is necessary to move away from site‐based conservation projects and focus instead on strengthening the capability of government agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of vessel trajectories (VTs) holds significant benefits for marine route management and resource development. VT segmentation serves as a foundation for extracting vessel motion primitives and enables analysis of vessel manoeuvring habits and behavioural intentions. However, existing methods relying on predefined behaviour patterns face high labelling costs, which hinder accurate pattern recognition. This paper proposes a self‐supervised vessel trajectory segmentation method (SS‐VTS), which segments VTs based on their inherent spatio‐temporal semantics. SS‐VTS adaptively divides VTs into cells of optimal size. Then, it extracts split points on different semantic levels from the multi‐dimensional feature sequence of the VTs using self‐supervised learning. Finally, spatio‐temporal distance fusion module is performed on split points to determine change points and obtain VT segments with multiple semantics. Experiments on a real automatic identification system datasets show that SS‐VTS achieves state‐of‐the‐art segmentation results compared to seven baseline methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new landmark BBNJ Treaty (Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement) emphasises applying the notion of ‘common heritage of humankind’ to conserve and sustainably use marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). Existing regulatory gaps and loopholes in international law, biodiversity law, and intellectual property rights (IPR) hinder sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources (MGRs). Effective management of MGR-based patents and digital sequence information is essential for regulating access to and use of biological materials. To foster innovation and regulate bioprospecting, a sui generis IPR regime for inventions derived from ABNJ genetic resources is necessary, potentially including regulations on MGR discoveries. This article argues that IPR considerations significantly impact commercialisation, monetary benefit-sharing from MGR utilisation, as well as the regulation of digital sequence information, capacity-building, technology transfer, and marine scientific research in ABNJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forecasts of sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) provide essential information to stakeholders of marine resources in coastal ecosystems, such as the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME), at management-relevant monthly-to-annual time scales. Diagnosing dynamical sources of predictability and the mechanisms differentiating skill among forecasts is required for verification and improvement in operational forecasting systems. Using retrospective forecasts (1982–2020) from a four-member subset of the North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME), we evaluate the conditional skill of SSTA forecasts in the CCLME at monthly resolution for lead times up to 10.5 months. Forecasts from ensemble members with relatively small SSTA errors at shorter lead times retain higher skill at longer lead times, with the most substantial and long-lasting increases for forecasts initialized in the fall and early spring. The "best" low-error SSTA forecasts are characterized by increased skill in the prediction of North Pacific atmospheric circulation [sea level pressure (SLP) and 200-hPa geopotential height] the month prior to the evaluation of SSTA errors in the CCLME and exhibit more realistic progressions of anomalous SLP. The Pacific meridional mode (PMM) emerges as a diagnostic of skillful North Pacific atmosphere–ocean coupling, as forecasts that correctly simulate the PMM and its associated SLP variability increase the SSTA prediction skill in the CCLME in the fall through spring. Predictable coupled ocean–atmosphere modes provide a target for enhancing predictability with early detection of the onset of a deterministic progression emerging from stochastic atmospheric variability. Significance Statement: Global forecast systems provide near-term climate predictions that inform the management of marine resources, such as those of the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem. In this study, we probe the processes which lead forecasts to succeed or fail at predicting sea surface temperatures in the California Current at seasonal time scales among retrospective forecasts from the North American Multimodel Ensemble. We demonstrate that forecasts which best simulate sea surface temperatures at the earliest lead times sustain advantages in forecast skill and find that correctly simulating extratropical atmospheric circulation increases the predictive skill of sea surface temperatures in the northeast Pacific in the following lead times. Our results offer North Pacific atmospheric circulation as a target for forecast model improvement that would additionally enhance ocean forecasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Laot Customary Law Institution, led by a Panglima Laot, is a traditional institution that regulates the use and management of coastal and marine resources. This institution is responsible for implementing and supervising customary rules in the maritime sector which have been established and decided through customary deliberations of the sea handlers living in the area. The Aceh Sea area has many natural marine resources, both biological and non-natural, which makes it prone to illegal fishing. In addition, the Panglima Laot regulations state that fishermen are prohibited from bombing, poisoning, anesthetizing, electrifying, harvesting coral reefs, and other actions that could damage habitats and other biota. This research aims to analyze and study in depth the supervision of Panglima Laot Lhok in preventing illegal fishing. Primary and secondary data are the data sources used in the descriptive qualitative method. The research uses data obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation. Based on the results of research and findings in the field, the conclusion is that Panglima Laot Lhok always carries out supervision in preventing illegal fishing, either directly by Panglima Laot Lhok or by coordinating with fishermen who are at sea, however, the very large sea factor means that supervision does not occur properly and thoroughly, and sometimes illegal fishing occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of climate change, South Africa's kelp forests offer important opportunities for sustainable resource utilization. However, these opportunities also bring risks of over-exploitation. The mismanagement of kelp forests through monistic and exclusionary strategies must therefore be avoided. Emphasizing the value of plural knowledges and cultural norms associated with kelp, here we advocate for inclusive and integrated marine resource management to ensure the resilience of South Africa's kelp forests and the well-being of coastal communities that depend on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the prospective variables that can influence the success of agribusiness in the coastal regions of East Java, particularly in terms of how this success contributes to food security. The study explores interrelated dimensions, including environmental, social, economic, institutional, regulatory, and technological aspects. Utilizing MICMAC analysis, the research identifies and analyzes the relationships between variables within a complex system, involving 150 experts in coastal agribusiness. The results highlight several key success variables, including the availability and enforcement of laws related to sustainable fishing practices, technological innovation in marine and coastal resource management, coastal zoning regulations and conservation area management, the adoption rate of sustainable agricultural and fisheries technologies, coastal land utilization, and community awareness of environmental sustainability. This research makes novel contributions to the existing literature by integrating multiple dimensions—environmental, social, economic, institutional, regulatory, and technological—into a comprehensive framework for understanding agribusiness success in coastal areas. The application of MICMAC analysis provides a methodological advancement by emphasizing the dynamic dependencies within the agribusiness ecosystem. Furthermore, the study offers region-specific insights, particularly for East Java’s coastal regions, addressing a research gap in the sustainability of coastal agribusinesses. These findings emphasize the necessity of a holistic approach that accounts for various aspects to enhance the resilience and sustainability of agribusinesses, guiding policymakers and practitioners in strengthening agribusiness sustainability in coastal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the purse seine, handline and pole and line catches at PPS (Samudera Fishing Port Kendari) specifically targeting skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the Banda Sea. Although there has been a rise in tuna output over the past two years, the examination of fish size in September until November revealed substantial fluctuation. Additionally, the implementation of the moratorium policy had a detrimental effect. Ensuring the sustainability of fisheries in the Banda Sea, particularly for large pelagic fish like skipjack and yellowfin tuna, necessitates the implementation of adaptive management and selective fishing practices, with a particular focus on enforcing mesh size regulations. The aims of this study were to examine the patterns of tuna fisheries landing at PPS, specifically focusing on the sorts of catches made using purse seine, handline, and pole and line fishing methods. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the length frequency distribution of Thunnus albacares caught using purse seine, handline, and pole and line fishing gear. The methodology offers a thorough framework for evaluating the sustainability of Thunnus albacares fisheries in PPS Kendari. Policymakers can develop effective management plans for long-term resource sustainability by assessing catch composition, productivity, and size distribution across various fishing gears. The analysis of this study conducted in September-November 2023 revealed that the fish catches varied in size, ranging from 13 cmFL to 124 cmFL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Decentralized management of marine resources by local governments yields an enhanced opportunity to protect, restore, and create sustainable marine biodiversity in the provision of ecosystem services. However, due to the complexities associated with designing a level of protection for a specific marine resource, local stakeholders may find the process challenging, which may have adverse effects resulting from delayed conservation initiatives. Thus, under various criteria, a systematic approach that assigns a level of protection to marine resources is critical in managing these resources. Despite this criticality, such an agenda gains limited attention from the domain literature. This work advances this gap by proposing a multiple criteria sorting (MCS) method that comprehensively assigns marine resources to a pre-defined set of protection categories under the evaluation of several criteria. It utilizes (1) the entropy method in obtaining the priority weights of the identified criteria associated with evaluating the reef status of marine sites and (2) an extension of the combined compromise solution sorting method, termed CoCoSort, in evaluating marine sites to a pre-determined set of categories (i.e., Category 1, Category 2, Category 3), arranged in increasing order of protection. With the available indicators in the literature, the proposed CoCoSort was implemented in an actual case study of eight marine sites in an eastern Philippine municipality. Findings reveal that feather stars density, giant clams density, and butterfly abundance comprise the top priority criteria in evaluating the case sites. On the other hand, five identified sites are found to be under the maximum protection category, while three sites should be given moderate protection. Both sensitivity and comparative analyses show the efficacy of the proposed CoCoSort. The insights would help local governments manage the biodiversity protection of their marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fisheries discards in the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea present a significant challenge at the intersection of marine resource management and societal concerns. Bottom trawl fisheries, which involve dragging nets along the seabed, capture a wide array of marine species, many of which are subsequently discarded. This study offers the first comprehensive analysis of discard composition from Moroccan trawl fleets, drawing on data collected from 2019 to 2022 through an onboard sampling program. Among the 103 species from 59 families discarded, 16 were elasmobranchs and 88 were bony fishes. Discarded biomass showed significant variation based on season, fishing areas, and their interaction, with discard ratios ranging from 1.06% to 43.7%. Teleostei made up the predominant fraction of discarded biomass, followed by Elasmobranchii, Thaliacea, and Holocephali. The study found significant variations in mean biomass values across different ports and seasons, highlighting dynamic patterns in biomass distribution among marine classes. However, the number of species recorded in discards remained stable across ports and seasons, indicating consistent environmental conditions. The findings underscore the need for targeted fishery management measures to minimize the ecological impacts of discards, tailored to specific times and locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wave energy has the potential to contribute in the transition to decarbonized electricity generation. Extracting wave energy might be expected to have ecological impacts on rocky shore intertidal communities where exposure is one of the most important factors determining species structure and composition. With global climatic change, coastal exposure is predicted to increase with greater significant wave height. The wave-exposed west coast of Orkney, Scotland, UK, is the site of pre-commercial wave device testing. Surveys of 39 rocky shore sites along this coast identified key species and abundances, and quantified exposure-modifying topographic variables. A spectral wave model was constructed to compare baseline, wave extraction, climate change, and combined scenarios. Generalized additive modelling was used to describe the relationship between species, topography, and exposure. Results show that individual species differentially respond to exposure changes with 'winners' and 'losers' at site level. Overall, community responses are expected to be far greater following predicted climatic change than to industrial-scale wave energy extraction, depending on spatial scale. In combination, energy extraction may reduce the effects of climate-change-related increases in wave exposure of rocky shores. Predicting how location-specific biotic assemblages respond to changes in wave energy as a result of long-term forcing agents provides a valuable marine resource management tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The Greenland–Scotland Ridge is a submarine mountain that rises up to 500 m below the sea surface and extends from the east coast of Greenland to the continental shelf of Iceland and across the Faroe Islands to Scotland. The ridge not only separates deeper ocean basins on either side, that is, the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, but also forms a geomorphological barrier between the cold arctic water masses of the Nordic Seas and the comparably contrastingly warmer water of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is therefore situated at a strategic geographical position in relation to the effect of climate change in the Arctic region. Both the Arctic and the Atlantic subpolar ecosystems are facing each other at the ridge, creating oceanic fronts in the Denmark Strait and in the Iceland–Faroe ridge alike. This ridge in the subarctic area forms the southern boundary of the North Atlantic Gateway to the Arctic Ocean, affecting exchanges of oceanic currents and of marine organisms between the two main ecosystems in the Nordic polar region. For example, the appearance of natural invasive species such as the Atlantic mackerel in this region mainly occurred along the ridge, with arrival through the Scotland–Faroe Islands mount with subsequent waves of colonization which eventually reached the southern tip of Greenland. With the increasing impacts of climate change, such natural colonization through the ridge is likely to happen more frequently and affect regional ecosystems. Yet, the human resources and the economy of the local nations on the ridge are rather limited compared to neighboring countries. With a total of less than half a million people inhabiting the area and a total ocean surface of circa 3 million km2 of continental shelf, Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Scotland will face critical challenges in the coming years with respect to biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of marine resources. Here is a summary of what we know, what we might expect, and an opening to potential discussions for the future of research in this region. The main objective of this paper is calling attention to much needed additional research effort on the marine environment around the Greenland–Scotland Ridge, instead of presenting a comprehensive overview of research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current epoch in fisheries science has been driven by continual advances in laboratory techniques and increasingly sophisticated approaches to analysing datasets. We now have the scientific knowledge and tools to proactively identify obstacles to the sustainable management of marine resources. However, in addition to technological advances, there are predicted global environmental changes, each with inherent implications for fisheries. The 2023 symposium of the Fisheries Society of the British Isles called for "open and constructive knowledge exchange between scientists, stakeholders, managers and policymakers" (https://fsbi.org.uk/symposium-2023/), a nexus of collaborative groups best placed to identify issues and solutions. Arguably, the Centre of Environment, Aquaculture and Fisheries Science (Cefas) and their Scientific Advice for Fisheries Management (SAFM) Team sit at the centre of such a network. SAFM regularly engages with managers and stakeholders, undertakes scientific research, provides fisheries advice to the UK government, and are leading experts within the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). As such, this paper is an opinion piece, linked to individual authors specialisms, that aims to highlight emerging issues affecting fisheries and suggest where research efforts could be focused that contribute to sustainable fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a dataset of 3D sagittal left otolith meshes from 339 individual red mullet (Mullus barbatus). These immature specimens were collected from 17 geographical areas covering the entire Mediterranean Sea. Measured biological parameters were: fish total length (TL ± 1 mm, range from 125 to 238 mm), total weight (W ± 0.1 g, range from 14.9 to 168.0 g), sex (S), sexual maturity staging (Mat). The 3D otolith dataset comprises high-resolution meshes of otoliths obtained using microtomography (29.2 μm voxel size). The data offer valuable insights into the morphological variability and population structure of red mullet populations in the Mediterranean Sea. Potential applications of the dataset include age determination, stock identification, and population connectivity analysis. These applications aim to enhance the understanding of red mullet populations and contribute to the sustainable management of marine resources in the Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous policies have been proposed by international and supranational institutions, such as the European Union, to surveil Earth from space and furnish indicators of environmental conditions across diverse scenarios. In tandem with these policies, different initiatives, particularly on both sides of the Atlantic, have emerged to provide valuable data for environmental management such as the concept of essential climate variables. However, a key question arises: do the available data align with the monitoring requirements outlined in these policies? In this paper, we concentrate on Earth Observation (EO) optical data applications for environmental monitoring, with a specific emphasis on ocean colour. In a rapidly changing climate, it becomes imperative to consider data requirements for upcoming space missions. We place particular significance on the application of these data when monitoring lakes and marine protected areas (MPAs). These two use cases, albeit very different in nature, underscore the necessity for higher-spatial-resolution imagery to effectively study these vital habitats. Limnological ecosystems, sensitive to ice melting and temperature fluctuations, serve as crucial indicators of a climate in change. Simultaneously, MPAs, although generally small in size, play a crucial role in safeguarding marine biodiversity and supporting sustainable marine resource management. They are increasingly acknowledged as a critical component of global efforts to conserve and manage marine ecosystems, as exemplified by Target 3 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which aims to effectively conserve 30% of terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine areas by 2030 through protected areas and other conservation measures. In this paper, we analysed different policies concerning EO data and their application to environmental-based monitoring. We also reviewed and analysed the existing relevant literature in order to find gaps that need to be bridged to effectively monitor these habitats in an ecosystem-based approach, making data more accessible, leading to the generation of water quality indicators derived from new high- and very high-resolution satellite monitoring focusing especially on Chlorophyll-a concentrations. Such data are pivotal for comprehending, at small and local scales, how these habitats are responding to climate change and various stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As marine heatwaves (MHWs) become more intense and longer lasting due to global warming, understanding the drivers and impacts of these events is crucial for effective marine resource management. This study investigates the influence of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Southern Annular Mode (SAM), Sub-Tropical Ridge High (STRH), and Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) on sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies and MHWs around Australia. The aim of this research is to improve our understanding of the drivers of MHWs on sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) timescales, which bridges the gap between short-term weather and interannual to long-term climate variability. By analysing SST anomalies and MHWs characteristics during specific driver phases, a simple MHW hazard index is developed. Our findings support previous research indicating that La Niña plays a role in driving MHWs off the coast of Western Australia and reveals a previously unrecognised connection between ocean warming off Queensland and Tasman Sea low-pressure systems associated with the negative phase of the STRH. Our research emphasizes the importance of considering multiple drivers and their compounding effects on MHWs by showing significant changes to typical La Niña MHW patterns with the additional influence of the MJO. By considering drivers acting in the S2S timescale, forecasts can more accurately capture the timing, intensity, and spatial extent of MHW events within a season. These improved forecasts can enhance the ability of marine managers to adapt and allocate resources based on evolving climate conditions, enabling effective implementation of harm minimisation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing diverse and complex socio-ecological challenges is crucial for achieving ocean sustainability. This is especially true for effective fishery management, which is vital for the sustainability of marine resources. One way of overcoming barriers to fisheries reform is through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative management and policy approaches. One such approach is market incentives offered by eco-certification against sustainability standards, such as those set by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Complementary interventions that support sustainability improvements are fishery improvement projects (FIPs) and MSC pathway projects. These interventions have clear intermediary and final objectives, and monitoring impact throughout the implementation process remains important. We interviewed participants of a pathway project from five fisheries in South Africa and Mexico using semistructured interviews designed to capture the nonmonetary impacts of these projects as they progress. Our results show that interventions can play a role in facilitating broader collaboration within a fishery and across stakeholder groups, increasing sustainability awareness. Emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration, we highlight how the project implementation process can lead to communication changes that lead to improved understanding and collaboration. Importantly, we reflect on the suitability of the survey in monitoring progress in such projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conceptualization of insularity in the context of islands has been widely studied and debated, encompassing both geographical and identity aspects. The academic discussion on the definition of insularity and isolation in the context of islands remains a current topic, along with the economic, social, legal and environmental challenges faced by insular regions. This study aims to deepen the conceptual framework of insularity and structure its issues from various scientific perspectives through quantitative bibliometric analysis. Key focus areas and research gaps have been identified, including the need for enhanced economic policies, better marine resource management, more comprehensive urban development research and improved data on social and political issues. The conclusions emphasize the importance of prioritizing intervention areas and specific policies to address the unique challenges faced by insular regions in terms of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three sardine species of Harengula and one of Opisthonema (Clupeiformes, Clupeidae) are known in the Western Atlantic, where the Amazon-Orinoco plume has been recognized as a major biogeographic barrier, albeit permeable to larger and generalist species. Here we used mitochondrial cox1 gene DNA sequences to check the lineage delimitation of both genera, testing the influence of the Amazon-Orinoco barrier (AOB) and marine provinces on their phylogeographic structure. Results indicate that the two genera are differently affected by the AOB, including cryptic speciation in Harengula and population structure in Opisthonema. Harengula show a broad distribution in the Brazilian Province (BRA) distinct from H. clupeola and H. jaguana from the Greater Caribbean Region (GCR). Divergence time between Harengula from the GCR vs. BRA was estimated as about 2.4 Mya, which coincides with the period of increasing sediment and freshwater discharge of the Amazon River in the Atlantic. Results also indicate the existence of a single species of Opisthonema, albeit with population structuring related to the marine provinces. Since species of both genera are relevant to artisanal fisheries and the maintenance of oceanic ecosystems, these results may help in fisheries management of these important marine resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angel Chua Alcala, a pioneer in community-led marine resource management and a renowned Filipino herpetologist, passed away. Born in 1929 in the Philippines, Alcala developed a deep connection with nature and studied biology, specializing in amphibians and reptiles. He made significant contributions to the study of Philippine amphibians and reptiles, describing over 50 new species. Alcala also played a crucial role in the development of community-led marine resource management, establishing the first Marine Protected Area in 1973. His work has had a lasting impact on the conservation of coral reefs and marine biodiversity in the Philippines, serving as a model for other countries. Alcala's research demonstrated the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas in restoring biodiversity and enhancing fisheries. He also held government positions, implementing policies to protect the environment while considering the welfare of indigenous people. Alcala's contributions to marine conservation and mentorship of young scientists are widely recognized and appreciated. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Managing fish feeding well is important for both making fish farming better and keeping aquatic environments healthy. By looking at the sounds fish make, this study suggests a new way to learn about how they eat. We turn these sounds into pictures and use advanced computer methods to figure out the different ways people eat. Our method uses a strong deep learning model that can correctly group the eating habits of a certain type of fish, which helps us figure out how much and how often they eat. With a 97% success rate, this method shows a lot of promise for better running fish farms and protecting marine ecosystems. In the future, researchers might be able to add more types of data to this method, which could give us even more information about how to farm fish sustainably and manage ecosystems. Understanding the feeding dynamics of aquatic animals is crucial for aquaculture optimization and ecosystem management. This paper proposes a novel framework for analyzing fish feeding behavior based on a fusion of spectrogram-extracted features and deep learning architecture. Raw audio waveforms are first transformed into Log Mel Spectrograms, and a fusion of features such as the Discrete Wavelet Transform, the Gabor filter, the Local Binary Pattern, and the Laplacian High Pass Filter, followed by a well-adapted deep model, is proposed to capture crucial spectral and spectral information that can help distinguish between the various forms of fish feeding behavior. The Involutional Neural Network (INN)-based deep learning model is used for classification, achieving an accuracy of up to 97% across various temporal segments. The proposed methodology is shown to be effective in accurately classifying the feeding intensities of Oplegnathus punctatus, enabling insights pertinent to aquaculture enhancement and ecosystem management. Future work may include additional feature extraction modalities and multi-modal data integration to further our understanding and contribute towards the sustainable management of marine resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish object detection and counting in pelagic fisheries face many challenges in complex environments. Sonar imaging technology offers a solution because it generates high-resolution images underwater. In this paper, we propose a sonar-based fish object detection and counting method using an improved YOLOv8 combined with BoT-SORT to address issues such as missed detection, false detection, and low accuracy caused by complex factors such as equipment motion, light changes, and background noise in pelagic environments. The algorithm utilizes the techniques of lightweight upsampling operator CARAFE, generalized feature pyramid network GFPN, and partial convolution. It integrates with the BoT-SORT tracking algorithm to propose a new region detection method that detects and tracks the schools of fish, providing stable real-time fish counts in the designated area. The experimental results indicate that while focusing on maintaining a lightweight design, the improved algorithm achieved a 3.8% increase in recall and a 2.4% increase in mAP0.5 compared to the original algorithm. This significantly impacts scientific and rational fishery planning, marine resource protection, and improved productivity. At the same time, it provides important data support for marine ecological monitoring, environmental protection, and fishery management, contributing to sustainable fishery development and marine ecology preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid development of marine infrastructures can be observed along the global coasts. Offshore wind farms, oil and gas platforms, artificial islands, aquaculture, and more, are being constructed without a proper quantification of these human activities. Therefore, effective monitoring is required to maintain transparency towards environmental standards, marine resource management, inventorying objects, and global security. This study reviews remote sensing-based approaches to offshore infrastructure detection over the past 12 years. We analyzed 89 studies from over 30 scientific journals, highlighting spatial and temporal trends, methodological approaches, and regional and thematic research foci. Our results show a significant increase in research interest, especially since 2019. Asia, and especially China, is the predominant focus region in terms of first authorship, funding, and areas of investigation. Aquaculture is the most studied infrastructure, followed by platforms, offshore wind farms, and artificial islands. Gaofen, Sentinel, and Landsat are the most used satellite sensors for detection. The apparent shift towards automated detection methods, especially Deep Learning algorithms, reflects advances in computer vision. This study highlights the key role of earth observation in the field of off-shore infrastructure detection, which can contribute towards outlining effective monitoring practices for marine activities, as well as highlighting important knowledge gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) are home to a wealth of both living and non-living marine resources, including major fisheries, significant oil and gas reserves, extensive coastal and marine habitats, and globally-significant populations of migratory, rare, threatened, and endangered marine species. These resources provide goods and services valued at more than US$7.3B to neighboring nations, annually. The waters of the ATS are bounded by Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and Australia; and significantly, are defined as a 'semi-enclosed seas' under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS places a responsibility and an obligation on countries bordering enclosed and semi-enclosed seas to cooperate in resource management, the protection of the marine environment and marine scientific research. Recent assessments indicate that the marine environment in the ATS region is in serious decline, primarily as a result of over-harvesting and other direct and indirect impacts of anthropogenic stresses and global climate change. Transboundary issues such as unsustainable and illegal fishing activities, marine and land-based pollution, marine habitat and biodiversity decline, and climate change negatively impact fishery resources, ecosystem quality, and human well-being. Over the past 2 decades ATS littoral countries have progressed toward transboundary management of the region. This paper elaborates on the current status and threats to coastal and marine resources in the ATS region and in particular, the major efforts of the four littoral ATS countries to address transboundary environmental issues at the regional, national, and project site levels through the US$9.7M, 5-year, UN GEF-funded ATSEA-2 program. A key result of the ATSEA Program is regional collaboration that supports stakeholder engagement for meaningful resource management and protection is essential for the sustainable use and development of marine resources in the ATS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moratorium is a common marine resource management strategy used by nation‐states that abruptly reclassifies the harvesting and trade of designated resources as 'illegal' for a defined period. Nation‐states use moratoria to help ecological stocks of overharvested marine species to recover. The Fijian state instituted a moratorium on the harvest and trade of beche‐de‐mer between 2017 and 2022 due to evidence of overfishing. Through ethnographic fieldwork with Fijian beche‐de‐mer fishers, traders and exporters, I examine how the moratorium affected relational trade flows of beche‐de‐mer. In precolonial Fiji, marine resources flowed through historically established regional socio‐cultural pathways. During the colonial period, Chinese migrants in Fiji occupied a unique relational positionality to indigenous (itaukei) communities, which allowed them bridge domestic and international resource markets. Through my ethnographic fieldwork, I detail how beche‐de‐mer continued to be traded during and post moratorium within such a relational resource geography. I argue that the relational ties between itaukei communities and Chinese‐Fijian buyers that subsequently connect to international markets undermined the moratorium restrictions, as well as the new conditionalities of trade after the moratorium was lifted. Such relationality in the marine resource trade renders moratoria an ineffective marine resource management strategy as it is inattentive to Pacific context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the MSEAS 2024 workshop for Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) and their active participation in discussions and presentations. The workshop included an ECOP Evening Event with panelists from international organizations discussing global ocean policy. The article also highlights key issues discussed during open discussions, including the science-policy interface, international collaboration, interdisciplinary research, and career development. The importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and strengthening mutual benefits between ECOPs and international organizations is emphasized. The article concludes by providing information on organizations that support ECOPs and encourages contact with researchers in these organizations. [Extracted from the article]

Phytoplankton bloom phenology is an important indicator for the monitoring and management of marine resources and the assessment of climate change impacts on ocean ecosystems. Despite its relevance, there is no long-term and sustained observational phytoplankton phenological product available for global ocean implementation. The data product presented here addresses this need through the development of phenological detection algorithms (including among other seasonal metrics, the bloom initiation, termination, duration, and amplitude timing) using satellite derived chlorophyll-a data from the Ocean Colour Climate Change Initiative. This product provides the phenology output from three widely used bloom detection algorithms at three different spatial resolutions (4, 9 and 25 km) allowing for both regional and global-scale applications. In this study, the mean global phenology is characterised according to the three phenological detection methods and the different resolutions, which are compared to one another. In general, there is good agreement between the detection methods and between different resolutions on global scales. Regional differences are evident in coastal domains (particularly for resolution) and in regions with strong transitions between phytoplankton seasonal characteristics. This product can be used towards the development of national and global biodiversity assessments, pelagic ecosystem mapping and for monitoring change in climate sensitive regions relevant for ecosystem services. The dataset is published in the Zenodo repository under the following DOIs, 4 km: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8402932. 9 km: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8402847 and 25 km: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8402823 (Nicholson et al., 2023a, b, c) and will be updated regularly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phylogenetic gaps of public databases of reference sequences are a major obstacle for comparative genomics and management of marine resources, particularly in the Global South, where economically important fisheries and conservation flagship species often lack closely-related references. We applied target-enrichment to obtain complete mitochondrial genomes of marine ichthyofauna from the Brazilian coast selected based on economic significance, conservation status and lack of phylogenetically-close references. These included sardines (Dorosomatidae, Alosidae), mackerels (Scombridae) croakers (Sciaenidae), groupers (Epinephelidae) and snappers (Lutjanidae). Results: Custom baits were designed to enrich mitochondrial DNA across a broad phylogenetic range of fishes. Sequencing generated approximately 100k reads per sample, which were assembled in a total of 70 complete mitochondrial genomes and include fifty-two new additions to GenBank, including five species with no previous mitochondrial data. Departures from the typical gene content and order occurred in only three taxa and mostly involved tRNA gene duplications. Start-codons for all genes, except Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I (COI), were consistently ATG, whilst a wide range of stop-codons deviated from the prevailing TAA. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed assembly accuracy and revealed signs of cryptic diversification within the Mullus genus. Lineage delimitation methods using Sardinella aurita and S. brasiliensis mitochondrial genomes support a single Operational Taxonomic Unit. Conclusions: Target enrichment was highly efficient, providing complete novel mitochondrial genomes with little sequencing effort. These sequences are deposited in public databases to enable subsequent studies in population genetics and adaptation of Latin American fish species and serve as a vital resource for conservation and management programs that rely on molecular data for species and genus-level identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gulf of Carpentaria and Torres Strait in north‐eastern Australia support globally significant seagrass ecosystems that underpin fishing and cultural heritage of the region. Reliable data on seagrass distribution are critical to understanding how these ecosystems are changing, while managing for resilience. Spatial data on seagrass have been collected since the early 1980s, but the early data were poorly curated. Some was not publicly available, and some already lost. We validated and synthesized historical seagrass spatial data to create a publicly available database. We include a site layer of 48,612 geolocated data points including information on seagrass presence/absence, sediment, collection date, and data custodian. We include a polygon layer with 641 individual seagrass meadows. Thirteen seagrass species are identified in depths ranging from intertidal to 38 m below mean sea level. Our synthesis includes scientific survey data from 1983 to 2022 and provides an important evidence base for marine resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coastal environment facesmultiple challenges due to climate change and human activities. Sustainable marine resource management necessitates knowledge, and development of efficient ocean sampling approaches is increasingly important for understanding the ocean processes. Currents, winds, and freshwater runoff make ocean variables such as salinity very heterogeneous, and standard statistical models can be unreasonable for describing such complex environments. We employ a class of Gaussian Markov random fields that learns complex spatial dependencies and variability from numerical ocean model data. The suggested model further benefits from fast computations using sparse matrices, and this facilitates real-time model updating and adaptive sampling routines on an autonomous underwater vehicle. To justify our approach, we compare its performance in a simulation experiment with a similar approach using a more standard statistical model. We show that our suggested modeling framework outperforms the current state of the art for modeling such spatial fields. Then, the approach is tested in a field experiment using two autonomous underwater vehicles for characterizing the three-dimensional fresh-/saltwater front in the sea outside Trondheim, Norway. One vehicle is running an adaptive path planning algorithm while the other runs a preprogrammed path. The objective of adaptive sampling is to reduce the variance of the excursion set to classify freshwater andmore saline fjord water masses. Results show that the adaptive strategy conducts effective sampling of the frontal region of the river plume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding aspects of maritime/underwater cultural heritage (MUCH) and the associated cultural values and integrating them into maritime spatial planning (MSP) processes is a new global challenge alongside the rapid increase in human activities at sea and climate change impacts on the seas and the oceans. This article highlights the significance of cultural values in shaping human interactions with marine environments and how MSP can address the cultural dimensions of marine resources management. The key research question addresses the prerequisites and methods for a better incorporation of MUCH in the MSP processes. This review revealed a diversity of literature addressing the inclusion of MUCH in (a) coastal and marine management but also in (b) marine/maritime spatial planning (346 articles from the Scopus database). In the first case, there is a strong focus on cultural ecosystem services (CES) and cultural values, the role of indigenous and local communities, the transfer of traditional ecological knowledge, and participatory approaches and tools. As for the latter, this review demonstrated quite a lot of relatively recent MSP endeavors that seem to be influenced by the above approaches identified in the coastal and marine management literature. This article concludes that for MSPlans to be innovative and mainly acceptable by local communities, the "missing layer" of socio-cultural values and data is indispensable. Furthermore, a collaborative MSP between governments and regional/provincial authorities may boost sustainable blue activities while preserving ecological and cultural values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Black Sea is divided into six Exclusive Economic Zones for each of the bordering countries. This study offers a brief evaluation of fisheries management in the Black Sea, focusing on the divergent approaches of Türkiye and EU member states, Bulgaria and Romania. It highlights the common challenges of managing shared fishery resources in a region characterized by varied regulatory frameworks and policies. EU's Common Fisheries Policy claims a unified approach for member states where Türkiye follows an independent path, reflective of its unique geopolitical stance. The need for cross-border cooperation and knowledge exchange are underscored to effectively manage the semienclosed and transboundary nature of the Black Sea. In addition, the role of the EU funds in supporting sustainable fisheries practices and the constitution of regional cooperation are also briefly assessed. The high number of ongoing initiatives prioritizing sustainable utilization of the Black Sea is determined to be the demonstrations of the collective effort of the countries toward sustainable marine resource management. The study concludes that the effectiveness of any initiatives depends on the extent of collaboration among all Black Sea countries and a cooperative, science-based approach is essential for the long-term sustainability of the marine ecosystems and fisheries in the Black Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designating marine protected areas is widely acknowledged as a highly effective strategy for marine conservation and resource management. In 2019, the Karaburun-Ildır Bay area (the eastern central Aegean Sea, Türkiye) was declared as a Special Environmental Protection Area (SEPA) by the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. In this study, we investigated the ichthyoplankton biodiversity of the Karaburun-Ildır Bay SEPA and its potential as a spawning and nursery ground for marine teleost fishes. Ichthyoplankton samples were collected from ten locations in May 2022, September 2022, and August 2023. Early life stages from 62 species representing 26 families were recorded in the area. A total of 6818 eggs of 28 species and 844 larvae of 50 species were sampled during the study. The early life stages of sparids and mullids were dominant in May while the eggs and larvae of small pelagic fish, especially those of Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardinella aurita, were dominant in August and September. Early life stages of only three non-native fish, Bregmaceros nectabanus, Upeneus moluccensis and Mullidae sp.L1 were found in the study. Our findings indicate that the Karaburun-Ildır Bay SEPA has an important potential for conservation of many commercial fish species as a spawning and nursery area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Michael F. Tillman, a respected advocate for indigenous rights and marine mammal conservation, passed away in 2023. Tillman, who was of Native Alaskan descent, had a successful career in marine science, working for the National Marine Fisheries Service and serving as a Commissioner for the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission. He played a significant role in assessing fish stocks, studying marine mammal populations, and addressing aboriginal subsistence whaling issues. Tillman's contributions to the field were recognized internationally, particularly through his involvement with the International Whaling Commission. This document provides a comprehensive overview of Mike Tillman's career and contributions to marine conservation and mammal management. [Extracted from the article]

Kelp are large seaweeds that provide a variety of contributions to humans and the environment. In South Africa, kelp forests are expanding as a consequence of climate change. Considering this expansion, assessing local perceptions and values around kelp's contributions may assist with the implementation of inclusive management strategies. The lack of consideration of non-market and non-use values is a gap in kelp valuation studies, with kelp ecosystems and their use rarely valued outside of classical economic valuation frameworks. This study sought to fill this research gap, intending to assess local perceptions about varied value dimensions associated with kelp using a pluralistic valuation approach. Drawing from a sample population of Recreational Users and/or Coastal Community Members, Environmental Managers and Conservationists, and Kelp and/or Abalone Industry, the study investigated perceptions of value towards kelp in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Results indicate that the perceived value of kelp extends far beyond its economic value as a harvested resource. Rather, individuals highly value kelp's ecological and social contributions, and have strong relational values towards kelp, recognizing its role in enhancing their quality of life and well-being. While most individuals did not display significant negative perceptions around kelp, some individuals in the Kelp and/or Abalone Industry indicated frustrations with kelp management strategies and kelp concession permit allocation processes. These findings highlight the need to incorporate local perceptions in integrated marine resource management solutions that recognize the plurality of values not only around kelp in the Western Cape but marine biodiversity at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of fish diet composition can provide valuable information on the ecology and ethology of wild populations, even more so in the case of endangered species such as Black Sea sturgeons. The area off the Danube mouths (Western Black Sea shelf, Romania) represents a traditional feeding ground of the family Acipenseridae. At the same time, in recent years, the marine zone of the Danube Delta has become targeted by beam-trawl fisheries of the invasive gastropod Rapana venosa, with a potential destructive impact on benthic habitats. In this context, the present study aimed at mapping of sturgeon foraging areas in order to propose appropriate management measures. Zoobenthos samples and stomach contents were analysed in order to identify the feeding preferences of the three sturgeon species investigated (Huso huso, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii and Acipenser stellatus). Stomach contents samples were collected from 15 individuals using the non-invasive technique of gastric lavage. Zoobenthos samples were taken from the same sampling points, as well as from the established zoobenthos sampling area covering the 20–40 m isobath of the Danube Delta – marine zone (ROSCI0066). The study revealed that A. gueldenstaedtii prefers food items belonging to the group Bivalvia, H. huso mostly feeds on fish and molluscs while, in A. stellatus, the highest dominance was achieved by polychaetes. Overall, a high dominance of polychaetes was recorded in both zoobenthos samples and sturgeon stomach contents, with the highest Index of Relative Importance (IRI – 45.60%) in A. stellatus. The study indicated that food availability played an important role in fish diet selection. Fish also recorded a high IRI (23.90%) in the food array of the three sturgeon species, while molluscs recorded an IRI of 13.90%. The identified foraging areas were subsequently mapped using a GIS software, ultimately aiming at providing a sound scientific background for an ecosystem–based management of these valuable species, taking into account the potential impact of invasive fishing methods (beam-trawling) on the feeding habitats of sturgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species distribution models (SDMs) have been widely used to project terrestrial species' responses to climate change and are increasingly being used for similar objectives in the marine realm. These projections are critically needed to develop strategies for resource management and the conservation of marine ecosystems. SDMs are a powerful and necessary tool; however, they are subject to many sources of uncertainty, both quantifiable and unquantifiable. To ensure that SDM projections are informative for management and conservation decisions, sources of uncertainty must be considered and properly addressed. Here we provide ten overarching guidelines that will aid researchers to identify, minimize, and account for uncertainty through the entire model development process, from the formation of a study question to the presentation of results. These guidelines focus on correlative models and were developed at an international workshop attended by over 50 researchers and practitioners. Although our guidelines are broadly applicable across biological realms, we provide particular focus to the challenges and uncertainties associated with projecting the impacts of climate change on marine species and ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important mode of transportation for the global trade, waterborne transportation has become a priority option for import and export trade due to its large load capacity and relatively low cost. Meanwhile, shipping safety has been highly valued. By collecting technological water traffic accident data from the EM-DAT database, the spatiotemporal distribution and evolution characteristics were investigated in Asia since 2000. The methods of gravity center and standard deviation ellipse analysis were utilized to determine the spatial and data-related characteristics of water traffic accidents. Temporally, the results indicated that accidents occurred most frequently during the seasons of autumn and winter, leading to a significant number of casualties. Spatially, both South-eastern Asia and Southern Asia emerged as regions with a high frequency of water traffic accidents, particularly along the borders of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Bay of Bengal region. In addition, the Daniel trend test and R/S analysis were conducted to demonstrate the evolution trend of accidents across various regions and seasons. The present study provides guidance for improving marine shipping safety, emergency resource management, and relevant policy formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fronts are ubiquitous discrete features of the global ocean often associated with enhanced vertical velocities, in turn boosting primary production. Fronts thus form dynamical and ephemeral ecosystems where numerous species meet across all trophic levels. Fronts are also targeted by fisheries. Capturing ocean fronts and studying their long-term variability in relation with climate change is thus key for marine resource management and spatial planning. The Mediterranean Sea and the Southwest Indian Ocean are natural laboratories to study front-marine life interactions due to their energetic flow at sub-to-mesoscales, high biodiversity (including endemic and endangered species) and numerous conservation initiatives. Based on remotely-sensed Sea Surface Temperature and Height, we compute thermal fronts (2003–2020) and attracting Lagrangian coherent structures (1994–2020), in both regions over several decades. We advocate for the combined use of both thermal fronts and attracting Lagrangian coherent structures to study front-marine life interactions. The resulting front dataset differs from other alternatives by its high spatio-temporal resolution, long time coverage, and relevant thresholds defined for ecological provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frog crab/red frog crab (Ranina ranina), a species of symbolic significance in the South Penghu Marine National Park, Taiwan, represents a collaboration between marine conservation and recreational fishing under Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14) as defined by the United Nations. From 2020 to 2021, the growth and reproduction of R. ranina were examined in the Taiwan Strait, off the coast of Taiwan. Samples were gathered from the South Penghu Marine National Park water square in Penghu County using red frog crab nets. A comparative analysis of the existing biological literature has revealed that the spawning season of R. ranina differs among populations, as evidenced by varying percentages of ovigerous females: 10–90% in Hachijojima, Japan; 86% in Molokai, Hawaii; 1–17% in the Andaman Sea, Thailand; more than 50% in Mindanao, Philippines; and 30–80% in New South Wales, Australia, and Taiwan. Additionally, analysis of the reproductive patterns, growth parameters, and spawning seasons of R. ranina can serve as a scientific foundation for the implementation of SDG14 as well as the formulation of conservation principles for resource management. This research has underscored the essential role of localized conservation strategies that cohesively resonate with broader global sustainability goals, offering a strategic framework for effective marine resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]