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Aquacultures & Fisheries

New ‘Destructive Fishing’ Definition to Kickstart Fresh Era in Fishing Policy

A new working definition of ‘destructive fishing’ has successfully been drafted following a rigorous consultation process involving 80 fisheries experts from over 30 countries. 

Many policies and international frameworks – including the UN Sustainable Development Goals – recognise the need to end destructive fishing practices to conserve marine resources, protect the ocean and ensure peace and prosperity for people and the planet. However, despite its widespread use, “destructive fishing” is currently undefined and therefore immeasurable. 

The vagueness of the term has rendered it a quasi-concept, undermining the ability to develop and implement effective solutions. Lead author, Dr Arlie McCarthy, explains: “We cannot measure progress towards reducing destructive fishing practices without knowing what counts as ‘destructive fishing’.” 

The working definition, which has been described in a paper published today in Conservation Letters, provides a consensus-led draft for leaders to build upon in international policy discussions, and will meaningfully support countries to prohibit destructive fishing practices. 

The project team comprised Fauna & Flora, Brunel University London, BirdLife International, University of Cambridge, Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg, and the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). As part of the process, the team facilitated a consultative, expert-led process which defined destructive fishing as:  

“Destructive fishing is any fishing practice that causes irrecoverable habitat degradation, or which causes significant adverse environmental impacts, results in long-term declines in target or non-target species beyond biologically safe limits and has negative livelihood impacts.” 

Hannah Richardson, project lead and Technical Specialist, Destructive Fisheries at Fauna & Flora, comments: “Fisheries are fundamental to global food security, but if we want to ensure the future health of fish stocks – and our ocean – we need to avoid fishing methods that are destructive to marine ecosystems and everything living in them. This new definition is an incredibly important step forward for the ocean and the sustainable livelihoods of fishers around the world. Without clear guidelines of what destructive fishing is, it is nearly impossible to bring in the international policy or action to address it.” 

To form a consensus on the working definition, the Delphi technique – an anonymous, iterative process of expert consultation – was used to synthesise the opinions of a range of 80 fisheries experts representing 32 nationalities, including academics, practitioners in NGOs, and those working directly in the fishing industry and associated fields.  

coral reef scenery

Dr Nibedita Mukherjee, Senior Lecturer, at Brunel University London, explains: “By synthesising expert knowledge from individuals in diverse fishing-related fields, we aimed to understand how a definition might be applied, and propose a starting definition. Developing a definition that all parties can agree on is essential if we are to find solutions and benefits for both people and nature.”  

Now that a starting definition has been proposed, the ambition of the project team is to work with policymakers to further develop a consensus-built definition of “destructive fishing” at international policy forums, to encourage the adoption of the definition at an international and national level.  

The team also aims to pilot approaches to measure the prevalence and magnitude of destructive fishing, through a Monitoring Framework launched in 2023. The framework outlines the types of evidence that could be used to determine whether and how destructive fishing is taking place, providing national governments and the private sector with a crucial tool to identify and mitigate destructive fishing. 

Chris McOwen, Lead Marine Scientist at UNEP-WCMC, adds: “It is important that we build on the current momentum and continue to work with interested governments and industry to refine the definition and explore how it can be tailored to meet the context and needs of countries and regions. Moving forward we will work to raise awareness on destructive fishing in international discussions and explore how the working definition can be broadened to consider destructive fishing in terms of societal and economic impact.” 

The new paper, titled: “Destructive Fishing: an expert-driven Definition and Exploration of this quasi-concept, has been published in Conservation Letters here: https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13015 

The destructive fishing project is funded by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) Collaborative Fund which is supported by Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, the Rothschild Foundation, the A.G. Leventis Foundation, the Isaac Newton Trust and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. 


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About Fauna & Flora  

Fauna & Flora is a nature conservation charity protecting the diversity of life on Earth. For the survival of species and habitats, the planet and people.  

As the world’s first international conservation charity, Fauna & Flora has been shaping best practices in community-focused conservation for over 120 years. Today, the charity works closely with local conservation partners in almost 50 countries to protect habitats, revive the ocean, reduce extinctions, stop illegal wildlife trade, combat climate change and influence global policy and corporate sustainability.www.fauna-flora.org  

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About UNEP-WCMC 

The UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) is a global centre of excellence on biodiversity and nature’s contribution to society and the economy. It operates as a collaboration between the United Nations Environment Programme and UK charity WCMC. UNEP-WCMC works at the interface of science, policy and practice to tackle the global crisis facing nature and support the transition to a sustainable future for people and the planet: www.unep-wcmc.org  

For further information please contact UNEP-WCMC Communications Manager Emma Cooper via emma.cooper@unep-wcmc.org and Communications Officer Natalie Taylor via natalie.taylor@unep-wcmc.org

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About Brunel University London 

Brunel University London is a campus-based, research-intensive university in the west of London, home to 16,000 students and around 2,500 academics, researchers and staff. The University offers a full range of courses, covering business, science, engineering, social sciences and the arts. Its active and wide-ranging research institutes and centres focus on developing world-class insight and practical solutions to global problems. 

HIFMB 

About HIFMB 

The Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity represents an institutional cooperation between the Bremerhaven Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research and the Carl von Ossietzky University in Oldenburg. It researches marine biodiversity and its significance for the function of marine ecosystems. In doing so, it develops the scientific basis for marine nature conservation and ecosystem management. 


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Aquacultures & Fisheries

Mussels: The Sustainable Seafood Superstar Making Waves in Aquaculture

The humble mussel, often overlooked in the seafood aisle, is quietly revolutionizing the aquaculture industry. Not only are mussels delicious and nutritious, but they are emerging as champions of sustainable seafood, offering a glimmer of hope for a healthier planet. Recent data paints a compelling picture of their positive impact, and forward-thinking companies are leading the charge in responsible mussel farming.

Mussels are filter feeders, meaning they naturally clean the water around them. This remarkable ability contributes to improved water quality and a healthier marine environment. Unlike other aquaculture forms, mussel farming requires no added feed, as they derive their nutrients from the surrounding water column. This eliminates the environmental concerns associated with feed production and potential pollution.

Furthermore, mussel farms create habitat for other marine species, acting as artificial reefs that enhance biodiversity. They provide shelter and breeding grounds, contributing to a thriving ecosystem. Studies have shown that mussel farms can increase the abundance and diversity of marine life in their vicinity.

But the sustainability story doesn’t end there. Mussel farming has a remarkably low carbon footprint compared to other protein sources. Their efficient growth and minimal input requirements make them a climate-friendly choice. As consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their food choices, mussels are gaining popularity as a sustainable and delicious alternative.

The global mussel market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for sustainable seafood. This surge in interest has spurred innovation in mussel farming techniques, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and maximizing efficiency. Researchers are exploring new methods for culturing mussels, including integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, where mussels are grown alongside other species, creating a balanced and sustainable ecosystem.

However, not all mussel farming practices are created equal. It’s crucial to support producers who prioritize environmental responsibility and social accountability. Third-party certifications, like Friend of the Sea, play a vital role in ensuring that mussels are farmed sustainably.


Spotlight on Amegrove: A Leader in Sustainable Mussel Farming

One company leading the way in responsible mussel aquaculture is Amegrove. They have achieved Friend of the Sea certification, a testament to their unwavering commitment to sustainable practices.

Amegrove’s mussels have earned this prestigious certification due to several key factors:

  1. They maintain strict water quality parameters.
  2. Their farming methods minimize impact on seabed and surrounding habitats.
  3. They use responsibly sourced mussel seed.
  4. They uphold fair labor practices and contribute to the local economy.

These practices align perfectly with Friend of the Sea’s requirements for sustainable aquaculture, which include evaluating impacts on water quality, habitat preservation, responsible feed sourcing, and social responsibility.

“We are thrilled to award Friend of the Sea certification to Amegrove,” said Paolo Bray, Director of Friend of the Sea. “Their dedication to sustainable aquaculture is truly commendable. They serve as an excellent example for the industry, showcasing how high-quality seafood can be produced while respecting the environment and local communities.”

Esteban Fernandez Casal, presidente at Amegrove, added:
“This certification is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication to sustainable practices. We believe that responsible aquaculture is essential for our oceans’ health and the seafood industry’s future. We are proud to partner with Friend of the Sea in promoting environmentally and socially responsible seafood choices.”

By choosing Friend of the Sea certified mussels from companies like Amegrove, consumers can support responsible aquaculture practices and contribute to a healthier planet. Mussels offer a delicious and sustainable seafood option, proving that we can enjoy the ocean’s bounty while protecting its delicate ecosystems.


About Friend of the Sea

www.friendofthesea.org

Friend of the Sea is a project of the World Sustainability Organization (WSO), offering international certification for sustainable seafood and aquaculture. Products certified meet strict environmental and social responsibility criteria, verified through independent audits.

Over 1,000 companies across 70+ countries are certified by Friend of the Sea. The program also covers services such as sustainable restaurants, seaweed, UV creams, whale watching operators, ornamental fish, and more. Friend of the Sea actively runs conservation campaigns to protect endangered species and habitats.


About Amegrove

Amegrove is a company dedicated to producing high-quality mussels through sustainable aquaculture practices. It is committed to minimizing environmental impact and contributing to the local community.

For more information, visit their official website: Amegrove

 

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Aquacultures & Fisheries

Breathe. Wheel. Flukes Up. Dive. Swim On, Whales!

April 24th was Massachusetts Right Whale Day. A vertical puff of water vapor split the air on that bright, calm day in Cape Cod Bay off Provincetown’s Wood End Lighthouse. The V-shaped blow is not visible because the whale is positioned broadside to us. Most baleen whales have narrower spouts. With no dorsal fin and a brief glimpse of broad flukes—the whale’s tail—confirms the presence of a right whale, approximately 50 feet long.

Right whale spout seen from afar with Wood End Lighthouse in the background on a clear blue day.

A right whale releases a vertical spout off Provincetown’s Wood End Lighthouse on Massachusetts Right Whale Day.

Right whales are so rare that whale-watching vessels must stay at least 500 yards, or 1,500 feet, away so as not to disturb them. Right whales are like icebergs in freshwater, with most of their bodies hidden underwater. We watched the magnificent mammals from a distance.

Two right whales worked the shore along Herring Cove. Herring gulls showed no interest in the whales as they followed the fishing boat, heading for the harbor with the morning’s catch. Right whales eat zooplankton, straining small animals that drift in the water column with six-foot-long cartilage plates hanging down from the roof of the whale’s mouth. Hairs on baleen form a fine mesh that traps zooplankton inside, where the whale’s tongue, the size of a BMW Smart car, swipes and swallows.

A pair of right whales swim in synchronization, turning and rolling onto their right side to elevate the left side of their flukes above the water. A third whale follows closely behind the twisting whales.

Today, the whales are likely eating shoals of Calanus copepods that are corralled between them and the steeply rising shore. We saw between 12 and 17 right whales from Race Point, with its lighthouse, to Long Point, which has a lighthouse at the tip of the sandy finger at the end of the raised arm known as Cape Cod.

Further offshore from Herring Cove, a slim, long whale with a sharply curved dorsal fin blows, wheels, and dives. With many decades of experience, the whale-watch boat captain maneuvers closer and stops the engine as a second sei whale surfaces. Reaching as much as 60 feet, sei whales are the third largest whale in the world, preceded by blue and fin whales. Sei is Norwegian for pollack fish, as they were often seen together. 

Sei whale dorsal fin just above surface in calm blue waters off the Cape.

A sei whale arches before diving — its slim frame and distinct dorsal fin barely breaking the surface.

The two dark, bluish-gray whales settle beneath the water beside the boat, the white of their undersides visible as they roll onto their sides. The roqual grooves along their pleated chin and cheeks distend. Still in the water, these whales let the plankton float into their mouths, or so we think, as we cannot see any plankton in the dark waters. They rose to breathe after a few minutes, which seemed to our astonishment like an eternity.

The first humpback whales of the season are found north of Race Point. Low in the water, they appear to be lounging about, perhaps taking it easy after a morning of feeding on sand lance. Last week, I found the pencil-thin fish on the Herring Cove beach, likely dropped by a gull. 

A humpback whale partially surfaced, showing blowholes and dorsal fins in blue open ocean.

A humpback whale lies below the surface with its blowholes and dorsal fin above the water.

A humpback whale lies below the surface with its blowholes and dorsal fin above the water. To the right, a second whale stirs the water that laps over its back. 

The boat floats by the two humpback whales. Looking through the water, we see the whale’s 15-foot-long white flipper.  The scientific name for humpback whales is Megaptera novaeangliae, meaning large-winged New Englander.

We are startled to see a second flipper looming white beneath the whale. A third whale is stealthily poised directly below the whale on the surface.  When we saw two whales on the surface, there were really four humpbacks, surfacing two by two.

Later, all four whales were on the surface nearly at once. One rolled on its side to reach an enormous flipper to the sky. The narrator assured us that the whale was not waving. Whales slap the water to communicate with more distant whales, but there were no slapping sounds today.     

The whales slowly drifted beneath our vessel, revealing their entire outlines from above. Here, the tail fluke can be seen while the head and flippers are on the other side of the boat. The whales moved beneath us, from left to right and then from right to left, four times!

Finally, a humpback whale lifted its tail before diving. The black and white pattern on the underside was recognized as belonging to the female humpback named Habanero for the appearance of a chili pepper mark. Habanero is well known to the Dolphin Fleet of whale watch vessels. Habanero was observed with a calf in September 2012.  A second humpback was identified as Candlestick. The other two humpbacks never showed their tails.

Tail fluke of a humpback whale above the water, with Cape Cod shoreline and water tower in background.

The black-and-white tail fluke of Habanero, a known female humpback, rises above the bay before she dives deep once more.

Returning to the harbor, the right whales continued to forage along the shoreline. These whales are called urban whales because they come near our urban shores more often than others. Right whales do not migrate, except for females that give birth off Savannah and Jacksonville. The newborns have little blubber and require warm water. However, these clear waters offer little food. Therefore, right whales travel to Cape Cod Bay for the abundant shoals of zooplankton. They may stay for six weeks before spreading out across the North Atlantic.

Lobstermen do not trap during April and May along Massachusetts’ sandy shores and boat traffic consists of smaller vessels alert to right whales. The greatest threat to right whale survival is the diminishing availability of food. Our pollutants have caused phytoplankton productivity to drop by 60% since 2000. Copepods now have less fat content, requiring whales to consume more to obtain the same nutritional value.  

What we are doing to the land is harmful. We have crossed a tipping point by removing vegetation and soil, which hard surfaces and urbanization have replaced. There are cascading negative consequences. Boston’s annual rainfall is a steady 46.4 inches a year, yet, destructive stormwater and combined sewer overflows are rising because we have removed the vegetation and the soil carbon sponge.

Water that once soaked into the ground now washes across heat islands. It warms up and transports heat to the ocean. The year 2023 was not an exceptionally hot summer for Boston but it was the wettest summer since 1955. This resulted in a record warming of the Gulf of Maine surface waters nearest to Boston. While 2021 was Boston’s hottest summer, the surface ocean water did not experience significant warming.

Nutrients spilled into the sea fuel harmful algal blooms and ocean dead zones.  The ten-fold increase in the use of the herbicide Roundup since 1996, when Monsanto developed crops resistant to glyphosate, is likely more than coincidental to the loss of phytoplankton.

The solution to the threat to the ocean ecosystems on which whales depend lies on land. Land should be granted the right to retain the rainwater that falls upon it. Developers should not be permitted to profit from their constructions while leaving the municipality responsible for managing increased stormwater, likely leaving people in the flood zone standing in CSO sewage. 

The dry land heats up worsening climate change when developers starve the land of water.  Property owners must instead slow water down, return it to the ground where plants may draw to photosynthesize during the dry season, where groundwater may recharge rivers, and with water in the ground to prevent forest fires. Let’s improve the whale’s marine ecosystem with no more pollution, stormwater damage, and ocean heating from the land.

Returning past Race Point, a right whale raised its head high out of the water. Gray baleen plates hung beneath a white, encrusted black upper lip. In doing so, I don’t know what advantage was gained by the whale. I took it as a smile, as my smile was no less broad.

Nearly fifty years ago, on April 15, 1976, I was on the first Dolphin Fleet whale watch. We saw right whales and a humpback whale that the boat captain’s son would later name Salt when he became the boat captain. Since then, Salt has birthed 12 calves and is the grandmother of seven more humpback whales. There were then estimated to be 350 right whales. Today’s estimate is 372 whales, not including the ten calves born last winter.

I was on the first commercial whale watch because two summers earlier, I was alone on the deck of a 27-foot sailboat, south of Seguin Light off the coast of Maine. A right whale surfaced next to the boat. I babbled, having never imagined that something alive could be the size of a sandbar. The whale left only a circular slick spot on the water for the rest of the crew to see.

We are fortunate to be in the company of whales, which grace our sandy shores for about six weeks in spring. The loss of vegetation and soil on our properties and in neighborhoods is harming the marine ecosystem on which right whales depend to break their winter fast. To ensure future generations can share the ocean with a burgeoning right whale population, we must increase the carbon sponge on our land and stop stormwater runoff.  

Breathe. Wheel. Flukes up. Dive. Swim on, whales! 


Rob Moir in Greenland

Dr. Rob Moir is a nationally recognized and award-winning environmentalist. He is the president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute, a nonprofit based in Cambridge, MA, that provides expertise, services, resources, and information not readily available on a localized level to support the efforts of environmental organizations. Please visit www.oceanriver.org for more information.


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Aquacultures & Fisheries

Entries of URI’s ‘Ocean View’ Youth Art Competition to be Displayed at Pawtucket Gallery

This article is written by Neil Nachbar.

Submissions will be on display at the Art League RI gallery from April 5-27; winning entries will be showcased at URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography thereafter

The winning entry in the grades 9 to 12 division in 2023 was “Ocean Sur Mon Coeur” by Chelsea Andrea De La Rosa of Providence.

KINGSTON, R.I. – About 300 Rhode Island students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade entered the third biennial “Ocean View” student art competition, organized by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO).

All submissions will be displayed at the Art League RI gallery in Pawtucket, 80 Fountain Street, Suite 107A, from April 5-27. Three winners from each of the four age divisions will be announced at a ceremony at the gallery on Thursday, April 17 at 3 p.m. 

Students were required to submit a statement of no more than 100 words on the theme, “What does ‘The Ocean State’ mean to you?’” Their two-dimensional artwork was limited to 24 inches by 36 inches. Suggested art mediums included illustration, painting, mixed media and collage, and photography.

The judges were three professional artists: Janine Wong, Laurie Kaplowitz, and Ruth Clegg, who is also the president of the board of directors of Art League RI.

“Sea Monster at Sea,” by Bentley Riley of Providence, was awarded first place in the grades 6 to 8 division in 2023
“Jayvion’s Ocean Design,” by Jayvion Desjardin of Pawtucket, won first place in the kindergarten to second grade division in 2023. (URI Photos)
Lucienne D’Nitto of Wakefield captured first in the grades 3 to 5 division in 2023 for his “Below the Water’s Surface” entry.

Wong takes a multidisciplinary approach when creating abstract prints, weaving together elements of art, craft, design, and architecture. Kaplowitz uses the human figure to explore nature and existence. Her art has been exhibited in galleries in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Miami, and San Francisco. Clegg’s art, which includes photography, video, printmaking, painting, and collage, has been displayed at the Providence Art Club, Bristol Museum of Art, Mystic Museum of Art, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, Care New England, and the Smithsonian Graphic Art Collection.

“Art League RI is pleased to host the ‘Ocean View’ art competition with the URI Graduate School of Oceanography,” said Clegg. “We’re happy to encourage children to recognize the value of the ocean through the process of creating these works of art.”

After April 27, the 12 award-winning pieces of art will be showcased at GSO’s Ocean Science & Exploration Center. The winners will be invited to GSO for a reception on a date to be determined, where they will be presented their awards. The art will be displayed for at least a year, where they may be viewed by the public, students, staff, and faculty.


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