Article
Environmental Studies
Heitor Schulz Macedo, Rodrigo Pereira Medeiros
Summary: This paper analyses the governance of the Environmental Protected Area of Anhatomirim in southern Brazil, finding that the 2013 management plan brought significant improvements and better incentives for stakeholders. However, the lack of inter-institutional and cross-scale connections remains a major weakness in achieving conservation objectives.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Juan He
Summary: Fisheries subsidies regulation is at the intersection of international fisheries and international trade governance regimes. Eliminating harmful subsidies is the first step to addressing illegal fishing, with the WTO Agreement providing momentum for reform and national governments having ultimate responsibility for combating IUU fishing activities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan Handley, Marie-Morgane Rouyer, Elizabeth J. Pearmain, Victoria Warwick-Evans, Katharina Teschke, Jefferson T. Hinke, Heather Lynch, Louise Emmerson, Colin Southwell, Gary Griffith, Cesar A. Cardenas, Aldina M. A. Franco, Phil Trathan, Maria P. Dias
Summary: Global targets for area-based conservation and management should consider the quality of such areas in addition to threshold-based targets. In the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, where key biodiversity faces unprecedented risks from climate change and resource extraction demands are growing, evidence suggests that more high quality areas could benefit from a proposed network of marine protected areas (MPAs). Penguins, as indicator species, offer an opportunity to identify high quality marine areas and our data supports the designation of the proposed MPA network in Antarctic waters.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Paul E. Brewin, Thomas J. Farrugia, Chris Jenkins, Paul Brickle
Summary: This study highlights the significant impact of Patagonian toothfish bottom-set longline fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Strengthening regional high-seas fishing governance and monitoring procedures is recommended to protect marine ecosystems.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara E. Marriott, Courtney Cox, Rizaller C. Amolo, Dean Apistar, Roquelito H. Mancao, Kim de Mutsert
Summary: Overfishing and destructive fishing practices pose major threats to marine biodiversity in the Philippines, with artisanal fisheries contributing significantly to this issue. The establishment of marine reserves and community-based management strategies have shown some success in protecting and promoting biodiversity in marine ecosystems.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica V. Redfern, Kelly A. Kryc, Lena Weiss, Brooke C. Hodge, Orfhlaith O'Brien, Scott D. Kraus, Ester Quintana-Rizzo, Peter J. Auster
Summary: One of the current challenges in conservation is balancing economic goals dependent on ocean resource extraction with marine biodiversity conservation. Using NCSM as a case study, it was found that allowing commercial fishing reduces species protections and poses risks to marine species in surface and midwater regions. This demonstrates that a fisheries management policy is insufficient to protect unique ecological resources like those found in the NCSM.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Mohamed Samy-Kamal
Summary: Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a major threat to the sustainability of fisheries worldwide, and addressing this issue requires enhanced international cooperation and regulation. Cases of Egyptian fishing vessels detained for illegal fishing in neighboring countries highlight issues such as depleted fisheries, inadequate monitoring systems, and economic difficulties in the fishing sector.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guido Leurs, Karin J. van der Reijden, Sidi Yahya Cheikhna Lemrabott, Ica Barry, Diosnes Manuel Nonque, Han Olff, Samuel Ledo Pontes, Aissa Regalla, Laura L. Govers
Summary: The study reveals that industrial fishing activities are mainly concentrated in the buffer zones near MPAs, which can have impacts on elasmobranch species, especially predatory species. The bycatch of elasmobranchs varies in different seasons in the waters of Mauritania and Guinea Bissau.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mark R. Payne
Summary: A recent analysis of fish population data in Europe and North America has revealed an alarming increase in the occurrence of marine heatwaves, challenging our previous understanding of their ecological implications.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Svitlana Arbuzova
Summary: International support is crucial for both those who remained in Ukraine and for encouraging those who have fled to return.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Even Moland, Albert Fernandez-Chacon, Tonje Knutsen Sordalen, David Villegas-Rios, Susanna Huneide Thorbjornsen, Kim Tallaksen Halvorsen, Mats Huserbraten, Esben Moland Olsen, Portia Joy Nillos Kleiven, Alf Ring Kleiven, Halvor Knutsen, Sigurd Heiberg Espeland, Carla Freitas, Jan Atle Knutsen
Summary: This article reviews a suite of studies conducted in a network of coastal Marine Protected Areas in Skagerrak, Southeast Norway, focusing on the effects of protection on marine populations such as European lobster, coastal cod, and labrids. The studies found that MPAs had positive impacts on population density, survival, body size, phenotypic diversity, and also altered selection pressure on morphological and behavioral traits. The research emphasized the importance of long-term monitoring, collaboration with fishers and managers, and the inclusion of citizen science in understanding the effects of protection on marine species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Kristin M. Kleisner, Elena Ojea, Willow Battista, Merrick Burden, Erica Cunningham, Rod Fujita, Kendra Karr, Samuel Amoros, Julia Mason, Doug Rader, Nicolas Rovegno, Alice Thomas-Smyth
Summary: Fisheries play a crucial role in the lives of millions of people globally, providing nutrition, food security, livelihoods, and cultural significance. As climate change impacts the oceans, policy-makers are seeking ways to implement reforms at local and national levels to improve management systems, sustainability, equity, and resilience to climate change. This article presents case studies from Myanmar, Belize, Peru, and Iceland to explore challenges and solutions for improving fisheries resilience within varying capacity constraints.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Oluyemisi Oloruntuyi, Jaco Barendse, Michael Marriott, Andrew Kenneth Gordon, Carlos Montero-Castano
Summary: Fishery certification is a market-based mechanism employed to promote sustainable fisheries. Limited data, overfishing, poor management, and low demand for certified seafood hinder certification in African fisheries. The pathway to sustainability approach, using the MSC fisheries standard, allows ongoing improvements regardless of immediate certification, leading to improved environmental performance. Case studies from Africa highlight the successes and challenges associated with implementing this approach.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bryce D. Stewart, Stuart R. Jenkins, Charlotte Boig, Catherine Sinfield, Kevin Kennington, Andrew R. Brand, William Lart, Roland Kroger
Summary: Metal pollution has been found to significantly weaken shell strength in marine bivalves, leading to increased mortality and predation risk. This study highlights the importance of reevaluating currently accepted critical contamination levels for the survival of organisms exposed to contaminants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Michail M. Yakimov, Rafael Bargiela, Peter N. Golyshin
Summary: According to estimates, approximately 8.3 million metric tons of crude oil enter the ocean annually through anthropogenic activities and natural seepages. These oil discharges, including those from accidents, have caused significant damage to the marine ecosystem. The natural cleanup of petroleum spills is mainly carried out by naturally occurring obligate hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (OHCB). OHCB can be found in marine primary producers and certain types of algae, serving as both suppliers of hydrocarbon-like compounds and a source of new OHCB strains. Recent evidence suggests that OHCB not only play a role in the colonization of plastics in the ocean, but also possess enzymes that can degrade petrochemicals and bio-based polymers.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ambrocio Melvin A. Matias, Iva Popovic, Joshua A. Thia, Ira R. Cooke, Gergely Torda, Vimoksalehi Lukoschek, Line K. Bay, Sun W. Kim, Cynthia Riginos
Summary: Genomic studies have revealed extensive hidden diversity in reef-building corals, which is highly underestimated in terms of evolutionary and ecological relevance. Additionally, symbiotic algae within coral host species can provide adaptive responses to environmental stress and may contribute to coral genetic variation. This study examines the genetic variation of Acropora tenuis coral host and its associated symbiotic algae across the Great Barrier Reef. The results demonstrate three distinct genetic clusters of coral hosts, associated with latitude and inshore-offshore reef position, while symbiotic algae diversity is influenced by reef location relative to shore.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Tania M. M. Kenyon, Christopher Doropoulos, Kennedy Wolfe, Gregory E. E. Webb, Sophie Dove, Daniel Harris, Peter J. J. Mumby
Summary: This article reviews the dynamics of rubble beds on coral reefs, with a focus on the changes expected in the generation, mobilization, binding, and coral recruitment of rubble on future reefs. It predicts that major disturbances, such as storms and coral bleaching, will increase in intensity and frequency, leading to larger quantities of coral rubble. With smaller recovery windows and increased bioerosion, smaller and less complex rubble pieces will be generated more often. The time available for binding will be reduced, and changing ocean chemistry may affect the efficacy of binders. Ultimately, increased rubble cover will negatively impact coral recruitment into rubble beds.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Benjamin S. Halpern, Carl Boettiger, Michael C. Dietze, Jessica A. Gephart, Patrick Gonzalez, Nancy B. Grimm, Peter M. Groffman, Jessica Gurevitch, Sarah E. Hobbie, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Kristy J. Kroeker, Heather J. Lahr, David M. Lodge, Christopher J. Lortie, Julie S. S. Lowndes, Fiorenza Micheli, Hugh P. Possingham, Mary H. Ruckelshaus, Courtney Scarborough, Chelsea L. Wood, Grace C. Wu, Lina Aoyama, Eva E. Arroyo, Christie A. Bahlai, Erin E. Beller, Rachael E. Blake, Karrigan S. Bork, Trevor A. Branch, Norah E. M. Brown, Julien Brun, Emilio M. Bruna, Lauren B. Buckley, Jessica L. Burnett, Max C. N. Castorani, Samantha H. Cheng, Sarah C. Cohen, Jessica L. Couture, Larry B. Crowder, Laura E. Dee, Arildo S. Dias, Ignacio J. Diaz-Maroto, Martha R. Downs, Joan C. Dudney, Erle C. Ellis, Kyle A. Emery, Jacob G. Eurich, Bridget E. Ferriss, Alexa Fredston, Hikaru Furukawa, Sara A. Gagne, Sarah R. Garlick, Colin J. Garroway, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Angelica L. Gonzalez, Eliza M. Grames, Tamar Guy-Haim, Ed Hackett, Lauren M. Hallett, Tamara K. Harms, Danielle E. Haulsee, Kyle J. Haynes, Elliott L. Hazen, Rebecca M. Jarvis, Kristal Jones, Gaurav S. Kandlikar, Dustin W. Kincaid, Matthew L. Knope, Anil Koirala, Jurek Kolasa, John S. Kominoski, Julia Koricheva, Lesley T. Lancaster, Jake A. Lawlor, Heili E. Lowman, Frank E. Muller-Karger, Kari E. A. Norman, Nan Nourn, Casey C. O'Hara, Suzanne X. Ou, Jacqueline L. Padilla-Gamino, Paula Pappalardo, Ryan A. Peek, Dominique Pelletier, Stephen Plont, Lauren C. Ponisio, Cristina Portales-Reyes, Diogo B. Provete, Eric J. Raes, Carlos Ramirez-Reyes, Irene Ramos, Sydne Record, Anthony J. Richardson, Roberto Salguero-Gomez, Erin Satterthwaite, Chloe Schmidt, Aaron J. Schwartz, Craig R. See, Brendan D. Shea, Rachel S. Smith, Eric R. Sokol, Christopher T. Solomon, Trisha Spanbauer, Paris Stefanoudis, Beckett W. Sterner, Vitor Sudbrack, Jonathan D. Tonkin, Ashley R. Townes, Mireia Valle, Jonathan A. Walter, Kathryn Wheeler, William R. Wieder, David R. Williams, Marten Winter, Barbora Winterova, Lucy C. Woodall, Adam S. Wymore, Casey Youngflesh
Summary: Synthesis research in ecology and environmental science is important for improving understanding, advancing theory, identifying research priorities, and supporting management strategies. A virtual workshop with participants from different countries and disciplines was held to discuss how synthesis can address key questions and themes in the field in the next decade. Seven priority research topics and two issues regarding synthesis practices were identified, providing a strategic vision for future synthesis in ecology and environmental science.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Robert A. B. Mason, Yves-Marie Bozec, Peter J. Mumby
Summary: This article analyses the future scenarios of the Great Barrier Reef under various realistic drivers and finds that under a limited warming scenario, the coral cover can eventually recover to present-day levels. However, under higher warming scenarios, the coral cover declines drastically and may even disappear.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas J. Richards, Katrina McGuigan, J. David Aguirre, Adriana Humanes, Yves-Marie Bozec, Peter J. Mumby, Cynthia Riginos
Summary: Global environmental change is happening rapidly, with coral reefs being one of the most threatened ecosystems. To ensure the survival of wild populations, adaptation is necessary. However, our understanding of the complex ecological and evolutionary dynamics of corals is limited, hindering predictions about their ability to adapt to future conditions.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chelsey M. Beese, Peter J. Mumby, Alice Rogers
Summary: The quality of coral reef habitats is declining due to heatwaves and other disturbances, resulting in reduced complexity and energy transfer to higher trophic levels. By using a size-based ecosystem model, researchers found that providing refuge for fish between 5 and 10 cm in length can significantly enhance fish biomass and fisheries productivity. The study also identifies refuge profiles that can improve ecosystem service provision by up to sixfold.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Robert A. B. Mason, Yves-Marie Bozec, Peter J. Mumby
Summary: Boat anchoring is a common practice at coral reefs with high economic or social value, but its impact on reef resilience has been understudied. Using an individual-based model, we simulated the effects of anchor damage on coral populations and estimated the carrying capacity of anchoring for different coral assemblages. We found that even a small to medium-sized recreational vessel can cause 0 to 3.1 anchor strikes per hectare per day. In a case study of the Great Barrier Reef, we demonstrated that mitigating anchoring can lead to significant coral gains under bleaching scenarios.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Graeme S. Cumming, Maja Adamska, Michele L. Barnes, Jon Barnett, David R. Bellwood, Joshua E. Cinner, Philippa J. Cohen, Jennifer M. Donelson, Katharina Fabricius, R. Quentin Grafton, Alana Grech, Georgina G. Gurney, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Andrew S. Hoey, Mia O. Hoogenboom, Jacqueline Lau, Catherine E. Lovelock, Ryan Lowe, David J. Miller, Tiffany H. Morrison, Peter J. Mumby, Martin Nakata, John M. Pandolfi, Garry D. Peterson, Morgan S. Pratchett, Timothy Ravasi, Cynthia Riginos, Jodie L. Rummer, Britta Schaffelke, Thomas Wernberg, Shaun K. Wilson
Summary: SDG 14 aims to secure marine sustainability by 2030, and understanding the changing seascape, global actions, and the collaboration between science and society are vital for achieving this goal in the Asia-Pacific region. Through a horizon scan, researchers identified nine emerging research priorities that can contribute to marine sustainability, including understanding seascape evolution, drivers of change, and the costs and benefits to people. Researchers can contribute by developing interdisciplinary understandings, emphasizing equity and justice, and improving knowledge of cross-scale processes.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kennedy Wolfe, Amelia A. A. Desbiens, Peter J. J. Mumby
Summary: Patterns of movement of marine species can provide valuable information about reproduction and dispersal strategies, species interactions, trophodynamics, and vulnerability to change, which is crucial for population and ecosystem management. In coral reefs, the highest density and diversity of metazoan taxa are found in dead coral and rubble, but the energy stored in rubble is mainly accessible to small individuals, limiting its availability to higher trophic levels.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Carolina Castro-Sanguino, Yves-Marie Bozec, Scott A. Condie, Cameron S. Fletcher, Karlo Hock, Chris Roelfsema, David A. Westcott, Peter J. Mumby
Summary: CoTS outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia have caused significant damage to coral ecosystems. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the current CoTS control program and suggests increasing control efforts to ensure coral persistence in the face of climate change impacts.
Article
Biology
Liam Lachs, Adriana Humanes, Daniel R. Pygas, John C. Bythell, Peter J. Mumby, Renata Ferrari, Will F. Figueira, Elizabeth Beauchamp, Holly K. East, Alasdair J. Edwards, Yimnang Golbuu, Helios M. Martinez, Brigitte Sommer, Eveline van der Steeg, James R. Guest
Summary: As marine species adapt to climate change, their heat tolerance will be under strong selection, but trade-offs between heat tolerance and other traits may compromise adaptation. The study focused on reef-building corals and found no trade-offs between heat tolerance and fecundity or growth. Surprisingly, faster-growing corals tended to bleach and die at higher levels of heat stress. Overall, this suggests that some high-performing corals excel across multiple traits and trade-offs may not be major barriers to adaptation or evolution interventions.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liam Lachs, Simon D. D. Donner, Peter J. J. Mumby, John C. C. Bythell, Adriana Humanes, Holly K. K. East, James R. R. Guest
Summary: Recurrent mass bleaching events pose a threat to coral reefs and their future. However, this study suggests that the thermal tolerance of coral assemblages in a remote Pacific coral reef system has been increasing, leading to less severe bleaching impacts. Future climate projections indicate that further increases in thermal tolerance could substantially reduce bleaching trajectories, highlighting the importance of reducing carbon emissions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hubert Cheung, Yutong Phoenix Feng, Amy Hinsley, Tien Ming Lee, Hugh P. Possingham, Stephen N. Smith, Laura Thomas-Walters, Yifu Wang, Duan Biggs
Summary: Political will is crucial for the success of environmental policies, and aligning environmental solutions with the core interests of policymakers makes them more politically feasible. Understanding decision-makers' political agendas helps identify areas where political will already exists, enabling environmental objectives to be achieved.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cynthia Riginos, Marlene Jahnke
Summary: Comparative methods are crucial for understanding biodiversity distribution, yet current research primarily focuses on single species. In this study, Zbinden et al. utilized landscape genetics to investigate the landscape genomics of 31 fish species in the White River Basin, revealing the significant impact of stream hierarchy on fish population structure. These findings provide empirical evidence for conservation and fisheries management.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Natalya M. Maitz, Martin F. J. Taylor, Michelle S. Ward, Hugh P. Possingham
Summary: Australia's national environmental legislation, the EPBC Act, is criticized for its failure to mitigate the national extinction crisis, as it does not adequately protect threatened species and habitats.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)