impacts of derelict fishing gear

Assessing the Impacts of Derelict Fishing Gear

Marine debris is a complicated global problem, but it is an important one that must be addressed to increase the sustainability of global fisheries. One of the most harmful types of marine debris is derelict fishing gear (lost or discarded), which threatens marine life and seafloor habitats like coral reefs since traps and nets can continue to catch fish and other marine life long after they have been discarded.

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spotted shrimp and sea anemone

The Spotted Shrimp and its fascinating symbiotic interactions with sea anemones and reef fishes.

Periclimenes yucatanicus, commonly known as the Spotted shrimp, is one of the fascinating species of marine invertebrates that inhabit the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico in the Western Atlantic. This small crustacean, measuring only about 3 cm in length, belongs to the select group of reef shrimps known for their role as cleaners of fishes that inhabit coral reefs. Cleaner shrimps, along with certain…

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benefits of amphipods

Exploring the Nutritional Benefits of Amphipods for Optimal Growth in Commercial and Ornamental Fish

Feeding aquarium fish often involves using artificial feeds made from marine ingredients like fishmeal and fish oil. These ingredients are very nutritious for most saltwater fish. However, they are expensive and becoming scarcer worldwide. As a result, fish foods often include cheaper and more easily available ingredients from land, such as soy flour, lentils, and vegetable oils. But these ingredients are not a natural food source…

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argo observation

Argo Observations: A Key Component in Climate Change Research

Global warming refers to the gradual increase in the Earth’s surface temperature that has been observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900). This phenomenon is primarily caused by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, which increases the levels of greenhouse gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.

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long spined sea urchin

Long-Spined Sea Urchin: The Unsung Hero of Healthy Coral Reef Ecosystems

During the 1970s, if you swam, snorkeled, or dove in the Caribbean, it was common to find numerous reefs with colorful structures of various shapes. These structures, made of calcium carbonate, are nothing more than some of the longest-lived animals on our planet: corals. Some corals even began to form over 50 million years ago. The spectacular shades of color that we see when looking at a coral…

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