Saving Seafood

Fishermen help to reel in marine debris

May 8, 2024 — NOAA Fisheries Marine Debris Program shared a recent article on fishermen stepping up and reeling in marine debris. Balloons are known to be some of the most devastating pollutants to wildlife, and according to a CSIRO study, balloons are one of the top three most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife.

A small group of fishermen is leading in this battle against balloon debris. NOAA has recognized their efforts and is now calling upon the public to join in. Each balloon collected is a step towards a cleaner, safer environment. The article reminds us that the act of releasing balloons, whether intentional or not, has severe consequences. No matter how far they travel, these balloons inevitably pollute our oceans, Great Lakes, or other waterways. It’s a collective responsibility, and every individual’s contribution counts.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

URI professor part of a worldwide study on impacts of bottom trawling on health of seabeds

January 10, 2021 — A worldwide study on the impacts of bottom trawling, which accounts for a quarter of the world’s seafood harvest and can negatively affect marine ecosystems, has found that seabeds are in good health where trawl fisheries are sustainably managed.

The research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS) by a team including co-author Jeremy Collie, Professor of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island, builds on recent international collaboration in this field and is the first worldwide study of its kind. It brings together data from 24 large marine regions around the world to establish a relationship between distribution and intensity of trawling activities and the biological state of seabeds.

Read the full story at The University of Rhode Island

 

Australia deploys new underwater technology to fight illegal fishing

November 23, 2020 — Australia has deployed a new underwater technology across the Torres Strait aimed at combating illegal foreign fishing, according to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

The Maritime Border Command (MBC), an agency within the Australian Border Force (ABF), was in charge of deploying the technology in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organizations (CSIRO), which developed the new hydrophones. The hydrophones are capable of detecting and logging vessel sounds, which can differentiate between different kinds of vessel activities.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Webinar Recording Now Available: Can a new approach provide reliable estimates of shortfin mako shark abundance and productivity in the Atlantic Ocean?

November 14, 2019 — The following was released by the LenFest Ocean Program:

On Wednesday, November 13, Dr. Mark Bravington of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) discussed his work to improve the information used to assess and manage shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.

A recording of the webinar is now available and can be accessed here.

For the past several months, Dr. Bravington has been examining the feasibility of a genetic method known as close-kin mark-recapture for estimating shortfin mako shark abundance in a way that avoids the limitations and biases associated with estimates collected through fishing activities. Such a tool could help fisheries scientists develop more accurate stock assessments to inform effective management strategies for this species, which is overfished in the North Atlantic.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.

TIME CHANGE: November 13 Webinar on Estimating Shortfin Mako Shark Abundance and Productivity in the Atlantic Ocean

November 11, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

Join us on Wednesday, November 13 for a webinar featuring Dr. Mark Bravington of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), where he will discuss his work to improve the information used to assess and manage shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.

*TIME CHANGE* Mark will now be offering the webinar twice on November 13: at 9 am GMT for eastern Atlantic audiences, and at 4 pm EST for western Atlantic audiences.

Register for the 9 am GMT webinar

Register for the 4 pm EST webinar

For the past several months, Dr. Bravington has been examining the feasibility of a genetic method known as close-kin mark-recapture for estimating shortfin mako shark abundance in a way that avoids the limitations and biases associated with estimates collected through fishing activities. Such a tool could help fisheries scientists develop more accurate stock assessments to inform effective management strategies for this species, which is overfished in the North Atlantic.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.

Reminder: November 13 Webinar on Estimating Shortfin Mako Shark Abundance and Productivity in the Atlantic Ocean

November 5, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

Join us on Wednesday, November 13 at 9:00 am EST/2:00 pm GMT for a webinar featuring Dr. Mark Bravington of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), where he will discuss his work to improve the information used to assess and manage shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.

For the past several months, Dr. Bravington has been examining the feasibility of a genetic method known as close-kin mark-recapture for estimating shortfin mako shark abundance in a way that avoids the limitations and biases associated with estimates collected through fishing activities. Such a tool could help fisheries scientists develop more accurate stock assessments to inform effective management strategies for this species, which is overfished in the North Atlantic.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.

Register for the Webinar here.

November 13 Webinar on Estimating Shortfin Mako Shark Abundance and Productivity in the Atlantic Ocean

October 24, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

Join us on Wednesday, November 13 at 9:00 am EST/2:00 pm GMT for a webinar featuring Dr. Mark Bravington of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), where he will discuss his work to improve the information used to assess and manage shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.

For the past several months, Dr. Bravington has been examining the feasibility of a genetic method known as close-kin mark-recapture for estimating shortfin mako shark abundance in a way that avoids the limitations and biases associated with estimates collected through fishing activities. Such a tool could help fisheries scientists develop more accurate stock assessments to inform effective management strategies for this species, which is overfished in the North Atlantic.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.