Article
Fisheries
D. Gaertner, L. Guery, N. Goni, J. Amande, P. Pascual Alayon, F. N'Gom, J. Pereira, E. Addi, L. Ailloud, D. Beare
Summary: The Atlantic Ocean Tropical tuna Tagging Programme aimed to estimate tag-shedding rates for tropical Atlantic tunas through double-tagging experiments. Historical information from previous studies was used to estimate the new tag-shedding parameters using a Bayesian approach. The results showed that yellowfin and bigeye tuna have a continuous shedding rate, with a three-fold increase in individuals larger than 65 cm fork length compared to those less than 45 cm.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kristopher B. Karnauskas, Ulla K. Heede, Lei Zhang
Summary: The warming of the eastern Pacific strongly influences the future changes in Atlantic hurricanes, particularly the effect of El Nino. The changes include the formation regions of hurricanes and the intensity of the El Nino/La Nina signal.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ana Rita Carreiro, Jaime A. Ramos, Vanessa Mata, Nathalie M. Almeida, Vitor H. Paiva, Ricardo Jorge Lopes
Summary: Taxonomic identification of food is crucial for traceability pipelines during fish processing. Genetic methods have increased discrimination power at the species level. This study finds a high rate of taxonomic miss-assignment in tuna processing, emphasizing the need for improved traceability processes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aurelie M. Guillou, Nathalie Bodin, Emmanuel Chassot, Antoine Duparc, Theotime Fily, Philippe S. Sabarros, Mathieu Depetris, Monin J. Amande, Juliette Lucas, Emilie Augustin, N'guessan C. Diaha, Laurent Floch, Julien Barde, Pedro Pascual-Alayon, Jose Carlos Baez, Pascal Cauquil, Karine Briand, Julien Lebranchu
Summary: This study combined historical and current datasets on the biology of tropical tunas and bycatch fish caught by large-scale purse seiners in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Western Indian Ocean, resulting in the creation of the Tunabio database, which contains morphometric and biological data on over 80,000 fish individuals.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Franz Philip Tuchen, Renellys C. Perez, Gregory R. Foltz, Peter Brandt, Rick Lumpkin
Summary: Tropical Instability Waves (TIWs) are the dominant source of intraseasonal variability in the central equatorial Atlantic and play a crucial role in redistributing heat in the upper ocean. A study using multidecadal records of various oceanic variables has shown a long-term intensification of intraseasonal variability, particularly due to increased TIW activity. This pattern is driven by enhanced barotropic energy conversion from the covariance of horizontal current fluctuations.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Taha Imzilen, Christophe Lett, Emmanuel Chassot, David M. Kaplan
Summary: The study analyzed dFAD trajectories in the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, finding that prohibiting deployments in specific areas can significantly reduce dFAD beaching events. The riskiest areas for beaching are not necessarily where dFAD deployment is highest, suggesting closures could have minimal impact on fisheries.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Giulia Terlecki, Lucas dos Santos Rodrigues, Eidi Kikuchi, Felippe Veneziani Abbatepaulo, Camila Bosenbecker, Marcio de Araujo Freire, Maria Cristina da Silva Cortinhas, Maira Carneiro Proietti, Luis Gustavo Cardoso
Summary: This study focuses on the Lampris genus fishes from the Southwest Atlantic Ocean and reveals the genetic diversity and morphological differences of Lampris australensis and Lampris megalopsis. Understanding and identifying these species correctly is crucial for conservation and management initiatives.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erik van Sebille, Erik Zettler, Nicolas Wienders, Linda Amaral-Zettler, Shane Elipot, Rick Lumpkin
Summary: An analysis of two types of surface drifters deployed in the Tropical Atlantic Ocean revealed that undrogued drifters separate more slowly than drogued drifters, and are more likely to enter the Caribbean Sea. The study also found that a novel ocean currents product did not clearly simulate the drifters, highlighting the need for further improvements in hydrodynamic models for Sargassum drift forecasting in the region.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Leishan Jiang, Tim Li
Summary: The tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature anomaly is influenced by two dominant modes: basin-warming mode and meridional dipole mode, affecting the following winter's climate. The basin-warming mode induces a La Nina through Kelvin wave response and wind-evaporation-SST-convection feedback, while the dipole mode has little impact. Studies show that the differences in these modes play a role in the development of ENSO events in the Pacific Ocean.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bryony L. Townhill, Elena Couce, James Bell, Stuart Reeves, Oliver Yates
Summary: Climate change is affecting marine fish distributions, especially impacting small islands reliant on the sea. This study models future impacts on important tuna species around UK Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic, finding that Tristan da Cunha is most suitable for southern bluefin while Ascension Island and Saint Helena will become more suitable for other tuna species. Model projections suggest marine protected areas designated in these territories could benefit tuna populations into the future.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Karine Briand, Philippe S. Sabarros, Alexandra Maufroy, Anne-Lise Vernet, Arthur Yon, Antoine Bonnieux, Michel Goujon, Pascal Bach
Summary: This study used Electronic Monitoring Systems (EMS) installed on board French tropical tuna purse seiners to examine the sorting process and optimize observer sampling strategies for obtaining robust estimates of discards. The results showed differences in the flow of discards among species and sorting locations and recommended specific observer sampling strategies for accurate discard estimation. The study also discussed strategies to improve discard estimation combining onboard and electronic observations.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marisa Roch, Peter Brandt, Sunke Schmidtko, Filomena Vaz Velho, Marek Ostrowski
Summary: Observations from the Argo float array show a warming and freshening trend in the upper mixed layer of the southeastern tropical Atlantic Ocean, leading to increased upper-ocean stratification. Changes in wind stress and weakened coastal upwelling may explain the southward spread of tropical surface waters in the region.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Quentin Devresse, Kevin W. Becker, Arne Bendinger, Johannes Hahn, Anja Engel
Summary: Mesoscale eddies have a significant impact on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the ocean. This study investigates the effects of cyclonic eddies on autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial activity in the Eastern Tropical North Atlantic. The results show that the injection of nutrients stimulates autotrophic production, but the distribution of biomass and metabolic activities is uneven within the eddy. The study highlights the importance of submesoscale processes in regulating metabolic activities in the ocean.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Daniele de A. Miranda, Juliana Leonel, Jonathan P. Benskin, Jana Johansson, Vanessa Hatje
Summary: The study found that the distribution of PFAS in the Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean varied with depth and longitude sectors. PFAS mainly existed in the form of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, and the origin of different water masses was also an important factor affecting PFAS concentrations and profiles.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rebecca Whitlock, Robert J. Schallert, Michael J. W. Stokesbury, Michael Castleton, Barbara A. Block
Summary: Understanding the productivity of marine fish and wildlife populations is crucial for their sustainable management. This study evaluates the potential of acoustic telemetry as a long-term monitoring tool to estimate rates of natural mortality and finds that the use of satellite tags can improve the accuracy and precision of the monitoring process.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hilario Murua, Shane P. Griffiths, Alistair J. Hobday, Shelley C. Clarke, Enric Cortes, Eric L. Gilman, Josu Santiago, Haritz Arrizabalaga, Paul de Bruyn, Jon Lopez, Alexandre M. Aires-da-Silva, Victor Restrepo
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Grazia Pennino, Stephanie Brodie, Andre Frainer, Priscila F. M. Lopes, Jon Lopez, Kelly Ortega-Cisneros, Samiya Selim, Natasa Vaidianu
Summary: Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a relatively new approach to ocean management that is currently driven primarily by economic interests rather than by sociocultural goals. Integrating sociocultural layers into MSP can help reduce governance rigidity, promote adaptability in decision-making, support environmental justice, and improve MSP acceptance and uptake. Providing a more inclusive definition of the MSP process that considers users' rights and sociocultural objectives may increase the chances of success in both the human and nature aspects.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Anildo Nataniel, Priscila F. M. Lopes, Jon Lopez, Maria Soto
Summary: Industrial and small-scale tuna fisheries in Mozambique may compete over the same resources, potentially leading to socio-ecological impacts. While small-scale tuna fisheries provide local jobs and economic benefits, the industrial fisheries sector may only have economic advantages if Fishing Partner Agreements are improved and enforced. Maintaining non-overlapping fishing grounds between the two sectors could lead to major pressure on tuna stocks.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Anildo Nataniel, Maria Grazia Pennino, Jon Lopez, Maria Soto
Summary: The study aims to predict potential skipjack tuna fishing grounds by 2050 and 2100, finding that greenhouse gas emissions will cause the fishing grounds to shift southward, negatively impacting coastal communities.
FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Oihane C. Basurko, Gorka Gabina, Jon Lopez, Igor Granado, Hilario Murua, Jose A. Fernandes, Inigo Krug, Jon Ruiz, Zigor Uriondo
Summary: Different fishing strategies in tropical tuna purse seiners fleet, including FAD and FSC, have different carbon footprints. A study monitored energy consumption of a Spanish tuna purse seiner in the Indian Ocean and analyzed fuel use intensity of FAD vs. FSC fishing. FAD fishing is more fuel intensive but has higher success rates compared to FSC fishing.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Jan Haege, Matthew J. Hansen, Korbinian Pacher, Felicie Dhellemmes, Paolo Domenici, John F. Steffensen, Michael Breuker, Stefan Krause, Thomas B. Hildebrandt, Guido Fritsch, Pascal Bach, Philippe S. Sabarros, Paul Zaslansky, Kristin Mahlow, Maria Schauer, Johannes Mueller, Jens Krause
Summary: Recent comparative studies have found differences in the shape and function of the rostra among billfish species. This study reports the discovery of a new structure called lacuna rostralis on the rostra of sailfish, which is absent in swordfish, striped marlin, and blue marlin. The lacunae rostralis are small cavities that contain teeth and are proposed to have functions related to feeding.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patrice Brehmer, Marc Soria, Viviane David, Pablo Ivan Caballero Pinzon, Pascal Bach, Ndague Diogoul, Jean Guillard
Summary: High-resolution multibeam sonar can estimate the movements of pelagic fish schools at short range. By calculating a Straightness Index, we can quantify the proportion of actively migrating fish schools compared to those residing in lagoon channels. This enhances our understanding of fish school displacements and migration processes, which are crucial for understanding ecosystem functioning.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jose Carlos Baez, Santiago Deniz, Maria Lourdes Ramos, Maitane Grande, Jon Ruiz, Hilario Murua, Josu Santiago, Ana Justel-Rubio, Miguel Herrera, Isadora Moniz, Jon Lopez, Pedro Jose Pascual-Alayon, Anertz Muniategi, Nekane Alzorriz, Marta Gonzalez-Carballo, Vanessa Rojo, Francisco Abascal
Summary: The use of fish aggregating devices in tropical tuna fisheries has increased, leading to concerns about juvenile tuna mortality, bycatch, and marine debris. This study aims to improve FAD management by reviewing data requirements, identifying data gaps, and providing recommendations for strengthening data collection systems.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie Brodie, Charles Izuma Addey, Christopher Cvitanovic, Beatriz S. Dias, Andre Frainer, Sara Garcia-Morales, Shan Jiang, Laura Kaikkonen, Jon Lopez, Sabine Mathesius, Kelly Ortega-Cisneros, Maria Grazia Pennino, Carl A. Peters, Samiya A. Selim, Rebecca Shellock, Natasa Vaidianu
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jean-Noel Druon, Steven Campana, Frederic Vandeperre, Fabio H. V. Hazin, Heather Bowlby, Rui Coelho, Nuno Queiroz, Fabrizio Serena, Francisco Abascal, Dimitrios Damalas, Michael Musyl, Jon Lopez, Barbara Block, Pedro Afonso, Heidi Dewar, Philippe S. Sabarros, Brittany Finucci, Antonella Zanzi, Pascal Bach, Inna Senina, Fulvio Garibaldi, David W. Sims, Joan Navarro, Pablo Cermeno, Agostino Leone, Guzman Diez, Maria Teresa Carreon Zapiain, Michele Deflorio, Evgeny V. Romanov, Armelle Jung, Matthieu Lapinski, Malcolm P. Francis, Humberto Hazin, Paulo Travassos
Summary: This study presents the first global-scale analysis of blue shark habitat preferences based on a large dataset of observations and environmental data. The results reveal that the blue shark's habitat requirements vary across different size and sex classes, and are influenced by factors such as productivity and temperature. Understanding the habitat needs of sensitive stages in the blue shark population is essential for effective management and conservation of this species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Melissa R. Cronin, Donald A. Croll, Martin A. Hall, Nerea Lezama-Ochoa, Jon Lopez, Hilario Murua, Jefferson Murua, Victor Restrepo, Stefany Rojas-Perea, Joshua D. Stewart, Jennifer L. Waldo, Gala Moreno
Summary: This study examines the knowledge of Mobulid bycatch and mitigation ideas in Eastern Pacific Ocean purse seine fisheries. The primary obstacles for mitigating Mobulid bycatch are the inability to sight them before capture, the lack of specific onboard equipment, and the difficulty of releasing large individuals. The study suggests that simple operational modifications and interventions after capture could address these challenges.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Cleridy E. Lennert-Cody, Jon Lopez, Mark N. Maunder
Summary: The study developed annual set type classification algorithms for the tropical tuna purse-seine fishery in the eastern Pacific Ocean using random forests. The results showed that different set types can be reliably distinguished based on operational characteristics and catch and bycatch information. The algorithms had low misclassification error rates and could be used to validate set type determinations based on other criteria.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Iker Zudaire, Gala Moreno, Jefferson Murua, Paul Hamer, Hilario Murua, Mariana T. Tolotti, Marlon Roman, Martin Hall, Jon Lopez, Maitane Grande, Gorka Merino, Lauriane Escalle, Oihane C. Basurko, Manuela Capello, Laurent Dagorn, Maria Lourdes Ramos, Francisco J. Abascal, Jose Carlos Baez, Pedro J. Pascual-Alayon, Santiago Deniz, Josu Santiago
Summary: The structure, materials and designs of drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) have remained relatively unchanged since the 1980s, but recently there has been an increase in their size and the use of plastic components. However, the abandoned dFADs can contribute to global marine litter problem. The solution to reducing marine pollution from industrial tuna fisheries that rely on dFADs includes transitioning to biodegradable and non-toxic materials, but more research and clarity on regulations, standards, and alternatives are needed.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maite Pons, Jordan T. Watson, Daniel Ovando, Sandra Andraka, Stephanie Brodie, Andres Domingo, Mark Fitchett, Rodrigo Forselledo, Martin Hall, Elliott L. Hazen, Jason E. Jannot, Miguel Herrera, Sebastian Jimenez, David M. Kaplan, Sven Kerwath, Jon Lopez, Jon McVeigh, Lucas Pacheco, Liliana Rendon, Kate Richerson, Rodrigo Sant'Anna, Rishi Sharma, James A. Smith, Kayleigh Somers, Ray Hilborn
Summary: Recent improvements have been made in reducing bycatch in many fisheries, but it remains a threat for numerous species globally. This study evaluated the effectiveness of temporal, static, and dynamic area closures on reducing bycatch and maintaining target catch in 15 fisheries around the world. The results showed that dynamic closures could achieve an average reduction of 57% in bycatch without sacrificing target catch, compared to only 16% reduction achieved by static closures. The use of dynamic management is more effective in reducing bycatch and will be increasingly valuable in the face of climate change.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
