fisheries

photo: Kim

A team of scientists including Nancy Rabalais (1999) predicts that this year's dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico will be the largest ever, covering an area between 8,500 and 9,400 square miles. The increase in size stems from recent flooding along the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers, which carried higher than usual amounts of nitrogen to the Gulf. Impacts are likely to be felt by fishers and shrimpers, who may have to travel farther afield to find fish stocks.

photo: Adam Short

Fish larvae from a Hawaiian marine reserve travelled as far as 184 km before developing into adult fish, according to a new study co-authored by Mark Hixon (1999). The study showed for the first time empirically that marine reserves could help rebuild fish populations far away, which scientists have long thought based on computer models.

Standards for making shellfish farming sustainable have been released by the Bivalve Aquaculture Dialogue of the World Wildlife Fund. Shellfish producers, scientists, and conservationists are among the stakeholders who took part. Sandy Shumway (2001), a member of the global steering committee for the dialogue, says the standards will help shell fishers "to maintain their culture facilities in a sustainable manner, while allowing shellfish aquaculture to continue to grow and help meet the global demand for more seafood." Click here to read and comment on the standards.

Over the next 50 years ocean acidification will likely shrink jobs and revenue for commercial oyster, clam, and other shellfish operations, according to a new report co-authored by Scott Doney (2004). The findings have captured attention in Florida as fisheries there struggle with the impacts of a weak economy. Read the report and sample press coverage here.