Humans pose many threats to the health and balance of the oceans, but the true extent of their impact on marine fish is poorly understood. Researchers at the New England Aquarium are using science to measure the effect humans have on the health and survival of these animals, in particular sharks, skates, and rays, also known as “elasmobranchs.” Unlike species that can produce thousands or even mil
lions of eggs, elasmobranchs produce just small litters of pups. They are similar to marine mammals in this way. Because elasmobranchs are slow to grow and reproduce, they have a hard time recovering from the losses incurred by human activities such as fishing capture or handling. As a result, these activities can have a major impact on their populations. In some cases, fishermen targeting other species of fish catch elasmobranchs accidentally as “bycatch.” But even animals that are caught and eventually released back into the ocean may succumb to the potentially fatal effects of the stress associated with capture. One of the biggest disturbances to marine life is through fishing interactions. Through studies conducted in the lab and in the field, NEAq researchers are assessing the mortality, behavior, and health of marine species that have been affected by commercial and recreational fishing, in addition to other sources of human-induced stress. By using science to inform policy, officials can develop strategies to better conserve and manage these populations for the benefit of the fish as well as the fisheries.
