Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Typhoon Mawar, also known as "Betty," which is the first typhoon of the season in the northwest Pacific. The intense storm struck Guam and the Philippines before heading toward Taiwan and southern Japan.



"With sustained winds that reached 295 kilometers (185 miles) per hour on May 25, the super typhoon grew to be one of the strongest May storms on record," says NASA.&nbsp;



"The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this natural-color image of Mawar at 05:20 Universal Time on May 30, 2023. Though the storm appeared to be bearing down on Taiwan, it was in the process of turning north and away from the island."



"After rapidly intensifying between May 24 and 25, Mawar then weakened significantly as it encountered cooler water temperatures and less favorable wind shear conditions as it neared Taiwan."



NASA reports that although Mawar did not strike the Philippines or Taiwan directly, the outer bands of the storm brought heavy rains to northern Luzon and rough seas to the eastern coast of Taiwan.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Typhoon Mawar is one of the strongest May storms on record

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Messina Strait, a channel in the Mediterranean Sea that separates Sicily and Calabria. The photograph was captured by an astronaut onboard the International Space Station



The Messina Strait is 20 miles long with a depth of 820 feet, and joins the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north and the Ionian Sea to the south.&nbsp;



"Waves that follow the tide from west to east are visible in the right half of the photo. These are caused by internal waves, a process where stratified water layers of changing density and increasing depth horizontally propagate beneath the water surface. The waves are illuminated by sunglint—an optical phenomenon that occurs when sunlight is directly reflected off the water and into a satellite’s sensor, or in this case, the astronaut’s camera," explains NASA.



"Alternating currents, relatively low water temperature, and high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen contribute to the region’s aquatic biodiversity. The strait hosts several deep-sea fish species such as Sloane’s viperfish (a predatory dragonfish) as well as commercially valuable fish like yellowtail and snapper. On the left side of the image, thin, white lines are likely ship wakes, some of which may belong to fishing boats."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Messina Strait in the Mediterranean Sea

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Amazon River in Brazil. This particular stretch of river is located near the port city of Parintins.



"The river is the largest on Earth and allows seagoing ships to reach Parintins even though it is 800 kilometers (500 miles) inland from the Atlantic Ocean," says NASA.



"Seagoing ships can progress 3,600 kilometers (2,200 miles) up the Amazon River - more than halfway across the South American continent - to the port of Iquitos in Peru."&nbsp;



The muddy color of the river is tied to the Andes Mountains, a major source of sediments and mineral nutrients. According to NASA, the sediment erodes from the Andes Mountains located to the west and is carried generally eastward toward the ocean.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The lower Amazon River in Brazil

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, a group of islands located in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, off the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.&nbsp;



"Sunglint reflects off the water surface, accentuating wave movement, ship wakes, and cloud shadows," said NASA. "The islands appear rust-colored due to previous tectonic and volcanic activity that deposited layers of black lava and pink volcanic ash."



"The Baja Peninsula acts as a natural wind and wave break that protects islands in the Gulf of California from erosion. Slowed erosion has resulted in the preservation of rock shelters and caves."



"Exploration and excavation of these shelters contribute to understanding the geomorphology, geology, and ancient human patterns on the islands. Archeologists have found human artifacts artifacts dating back approximately ten thousand years, providing evidence of human activity on the islands."



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago is part of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and consists of several islands, the largest and most well-known of which is Isla Espíritu Santo. The other main islands in the archipelago are Isla Partida, Los Islotes, and a few smaller islets.



Espíritu Santo and its surrounding islands are known for their stunning natural beauty, featuring dramatic cliffs, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters. The region is home to a rich diversity of marine life, including sea lions, manta rays, whale sharks, and various species of whales and dolphins. It also supports a variety of bird species, such as blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans, making it a popular destination for birdwatching.



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Mexican Protected Natural Area, which helps to preserve its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Ecotourism is popular in the area, with visitors participating in activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and wildlife watching.



The islands are accessible by boat from the nearby city of La Paz, which is the capital of Baja California Sur. There are numerous tour operators that offer day trips and multi-day excursions to the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, allowing visitors to explore the islands and their remarkable natural features.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Espíritu Santo Archipelago in the Gulf of California

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Dark Canyon Complex, which is a rugged, remote area in southeastern Utah. It's part of the larger Cedar Mesa Plateau and includes both the Dark Canyon Wilderness and Dark Canyon Primitive Area.&nbsp;



These are areas of steep canyons, high plateaus, and rock formations that are characteristic of the Colorado Plateau.



"Deep, meandering canyons cut through the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah in this photograph, taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station on April 6, 2023," says NASA.



"These canyons, known as the Dark Canyon complex, have distinctive geology, ecology, and archeology. They are some of the only intact protected canyons in the United States."



"This rugged and remote landscape has been shaped by erosion. Over thousands of years, the Colorado River and smaller tributaries have eroded winding, steep-walled canyons into the sedimentary rock. Dark Canyon - one of seven canyons within the complex - cuts diagonally across the photo."



"Within this canyon, sandstone walls tower up to 3,000 feet, shading visitors from morning and afternoon sun - hence its name. The canyon’s steep walls expose roughly 250 million years of geologic history and contain deposits from the Permian period. Cockleshell and crinoid stem fossils have been found in the area."



The astronaut photograph is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by a member of the Expedition 69 crew.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The Dark Canyon Complex in southeastern Utah

Codfish have been telling a story of rapid evolution, reshaped by human activity more swiftly than previously assumed, reveals a cutting-edge study led by <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/">Rutgers University</a>.



This evolutionary tale, illuminated during the latter half of the twentieth century, signifies the impact of human-driven overfishing. The findings suggest that evolutionary changes, once thought to span millions of years, can be catalyzed within mere decades.&nbsp;



The report, sharing the first genomic evidence of such accelerated evolution in Atlantic cod, has recently been published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2022.0190">Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</a>.



<h2 id="h-breaking-new-ground-with-modern-technology">Breaking new ground with modern technology</h2>



"We broke new ground," explained study senior author Malin Pinsky. Leveraging modern technology, the researchers unearthed the genetic code of codfish caught over a century ago, unveiling subtle genetic shifts.&nbsp;



Pinsky, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), emphasizes that these new techniques played a pivotal role in the discovery.



By the turn of the 20th century, many overfished cod seemed to have cultivated a survival edge. They matured at a younger age, and their smaller size made them less noticeable to fishing efforts, thus increasing their chances of reproducing before capture. The researchers, in their quest to understand this apparent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crocodile-evolution-was-influenced-by-environmental-factors/">evolution</a>, searched for key gene mutations, but this proved fruitless.



<h2 id="h-small-setback-spawned-a-new-approach">Small setback spawned a new approach</h2>



Undaunted by initial setbacks, the team adopted a different approach. They theorized that if changes were spread across a multitude of genes, rather than confined to a select few, their analysis might yield different results. Driven by this hypothesis, and empowered by novel technology, the team discovered the intricate genetic dance of the codfish.



"We have now been able to demonstrate that many genes throughout the genome did shift in the same way in cod from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean over the past 100 years," said study first author Brendan Reid.



This indicates that, rather than an isolated genetic aberration, small changes in numerous genes triggered the cod's evolution. Reid, a postdoctoral associate at SEBS, considers this finding a first of its kind for any overfished species.



Renowned for their mild flavor and flaky flesh, Atlantic cod inhabit the deep-sea regions of the North Atlantic. They have been a staple ingredient in traditional dishes like fish and chips, and their livers are used to produce vitamin-rich cod liver oil. However, during the 1990s, decades of unrelenting overfishing pushed their population down to just 1% of historical levels.



<h2 id="h-a-new-hope-in-the-fight-against-overfishing">A new hope in the fight against overfishing</h2>



Commercial fishing practices underwent a radical transformation in the 1970s, with powerful trawlers equipped with sophisticated radar and sonar systems. These technologies expanded fishing reach, both in terms of depth and duration.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, this resulted in accelerated depletion of cod stocks, culminating in the fishery's collapse and, as the Rutgers research suggests, the cod's swift evolution.



This research brings not just fascinating insights but also glimmers of hope for the beleaguered codfish. Their population, which has been slowly recovering since fishing pressure lessened, could potentially regain its former glory.



"Since evolution in response to fishing happened through lots of small changes in many genes rather than large changes in one or two genes, and cod have maintained most of their genetic diversity, it will be easier for cod to evolve back towards their previous pattern of slower growth at large sizes,” said Reid.



The scientist also notes encouraging signs in the cod population, suggesting the possibility of a return to previous growth patterns and, with proper management, the restoration of a sustainable fishery.



This research, a testament to international collaboration, also included contributions from Bastiaan Star of the University of Oslo in Norway.



<h2 id="h-more-about-overfishing">More about overfishing</h2>



Overfishing, or the practice of depleting a fish population to below its natural ability to reproduce and replenish, has far-reaching implications for both the environment and humanity. Its impacts are numerous and interconnected, affecting ecosystems, economies, and global food security.



<h3 id="h-ecosystem-disruption">Ecosystem Disruption</h3>



Overfishing is one of the primary threats to ocean biodiversity. The removal of a significant number of a particular fish species can unbalance the marine ecosystem.&nbsp;



Predatory fish like sharks, tuna, and cod, which are often targeted by commercial fishing, play crucial roles in maintaining the balance of marine life. Their decline can trigger a cascading effect through the food chain, allowing other species to become overly abundant and destabilizing the marine ecosystem.&nbsp;



For instance, the decline in large predator fish can lead to an overabundance of smaller fish or invertebrates, which can then over-consume vegetation and other smaller organisms, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem.



<h3 id="h-loss-of-livelihood">Loss of Livelihood</h3>



Overfishing not only affects the health of our oceans but also the livelihood of millions of people. According to the United Nations, over 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.&nbsp;



When fish stocks collapse, the fishing industry - including all those involved in the supply chain, such as boat operators, processors, sellers, and other associated jobs - can be severely impacted. In many developing countries, where alternatives for income are limited, the effects can be particularly devastating.



<h3 id="h-threat-to-food-security">Threat to Food Security</h3>



Fish is a crucial source of protein and nutrition for billions of people around the world. Overfishing threatens this vital food source, particularly in poorer countries where people are more dependent on fish for dietary needs.&nbsp;



As per the Food and Agriculture Organization, fish provide more than 20 percent of animal protein for about 3.2 billion people. Depleting fish stocks can thus pose a serious risk to global food security.



<h3 id="h-harm-to-coral-reefs">Harm to Coral Reefs</h3>



Overfishing can also harm coral reefs, which are critical habitats for many fish species. Certain types of fishing, such as blast or cyanide fishing, directly destroy coral habitats. Also, the removal of herbivorous fish can lead to the unchecked growth of algae, which can smother coral reefs and disrupt the ecosystem's balance.



<h3 id="h-economic-implications">Economic Implications</h3>



Overfishing can have significant economic repercussions. The World Bank estimates that the mismanagement of fisheries results in an annual loss of $83 billion globally. Ensuring sustainable fishing practices can thus lead to economic benefits as well as ecological ones.



In summary, overfishing is a pressing global issue that extends beyond just the depletion of fish stocks. It has wide-reaching impacts on the marine ecosystem, global economies, and human livelihoods and food security.&nbsp;



Addressing overfishing requires coordinated global efforts to implement sustainable fishing practices, enforce regulatory measures, and raise awareness about the importance of preserving marine biodiversity.



—-



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Fish evolution takes place in decades - not millions of years

Codfish have been telling a story of rapid evolution, reshaped...

A groundbreaking study from the <a href="https://asm.org/">American Society for Microbiology</a> reveals that domestic cats can play an instrumental role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-plant-virus-could-help-cure-cancer/">virus</a> responsible for COVID-19. In fact, our feline companions can not only contract the virus but also spread it to other cats and even contaminate their environment.



This study, published in the journal <a href="https://journals.asm.org/journal/spectrum">Microbiology Spectrum</a>, offers vital insights into the potential risks associated with cats infected with the virus.



"In practice, after introduction of SARS-CoV-2 in our household, we should see our cat as part of the family regarding virus transmission," said study co-author Professor Wim van der Poel.



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted</h2>



To understand the risks related to COVID-19 infection from cats, Professor Van der Poel and his team conducted an extensive study. They tested 16 cats, which were exposed to the virus in several ways.&nbsp;



Some cats were directly exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus obtained from a human patient naturally infected with COVID-19. Other cats were exposed indirectly, either through contact with a directly exposed cat or through exposure in a pen where an infected cat was housed.



Throughout the study, the researchers closely monitored the cats and carried out regular testing. They collected nasal and oropharyngeal samples, along with blood samples.&nbsp;



The team also gathered environmental samples from the pens. All samples were subsequently tested for SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, the blood samples were scrutinized for SARS-CoV-2 antibody development.



The sampling process was meticulous and spanned three weeks, starting from the day the cats were directly exposed to the virus. The team took nasal and oropharyngeal samples three times during this period.&nbsp;



Similarly, they collected oral and rectal samples 15 times. The goal was to evaluate both direct and indirect transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 between the cats.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned</h2>



The team found that cats are indeed susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, infected cats can efficiently transmit the virus to their peers and contaminate their environment. While the environment can potentially be infectious, this infectiousness rapidly decays over time.



"SARS-CoV-2 transmission between cats is efficient and can be sustained," said Professor Van der Poel. "Infections of cats via exposure to a SARS-CoV-2-contaminated environment cannot be discounted if cats are exposed shortly after contamination."



The team discovered that the average duration of infectiousness was slightly more than one-third of a day. This duration was estimated based on the periods when the virus was detected in the cats' excreta, including oral/nasal fluid or feces.



To ensure the safety of all involved, Van der Poel noted that the team did not expose humans to the infectious cats. "Our animal handlers were always fully protected."&nbsp;



Yet, he cautioned that we should consider the risk of transmission from our pets: "We must assume that cat owners can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 infected cats since these cats excrete infectious virus."



Moving forward, the research team plans to further investigate SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in different animal species and delve deeper into the risks associated with virus transmission.



<h2 id="h-more-about-animals-and-covid-19">More about animals and COVID-19</h2>



Research has shown that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, has the ability to infect various animal species, not just humans.



Many of the earliest reported cases of COVID-19 were linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, China, which also sold live wild animals, suggesting a possible zoonotic origin. In fact, SARS-CoV-2 is part of a larger family of coronaviruses known to cause diseases in a range of mammals and birds.&nbsp;



The exact pathway of transmission to humans remains under investigation, but the virus is believed to have originated in bats and may have passed to humans through another species.



<h3 id="h-other-animals-that-can-be-infected">Other animals that can be infected</h3>



Several animals, including household pets such as cats and dogs, have been reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.&nbsp;



In addition to domestic animals, the virus has also been found in farmed mink, and these animals appear to be particularly susceptible to the virus. There have been instances of mink transmitting the virus back to humans, highlighting the potential for a feedback loop of transmission between humans and animals.



Experiments have shown that a variety of animals can be infected with the virus in a laboratory setting, including ferrets, hamsters, and monkeys. This research has helped scientists understand how the virus spreads and impacts different species, aiding in the development of vaccines and treatments.



Zoos have also reported infections in animals. For example, lions and tigers at the Bronx Zoo in New York were confirmed to have COVID-19 in April 2020, likely infected by a caretaker. And gorillas at the San Diego Zoo tested positive for the virus in January 2021.



<h3 id="h-transmission-animal-human-of-covid-19-can-go-both-ways">Transmission animal/human of COVID-19 can go both ways</h3>



The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2 to people is considered to be low, and the primary mode of transmission is human-to-human through respiratory droplets. However, it is recommended that people with COVID-19 limit contact with pets and other animals until more is known about the virus.



On the other side of the equation, there is concern about humans transmitting the virus to wildlife, particularly to species that are already endangered. This could introduce a new disease threat and potentially decimate populations that are already vulnerable.&nbsp;



For example, great apes share 98 percent of their DNA with humans and are known to be susceptible to human respiratory illnesses, hence there's concern about the potential impact of COVID-19 on these species.



Research into how SARS-CoV-2 affects animals and the potential for transmission between humans and animals is ongoing. It's a critical part of the puzzle in understanding this virus and managing the pandemic.



—-



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Shock discovery: Cats play a role in spreading COVID-19

A groundbreaking study from the American Society for Microbiology reveals...

Aerial,Drone,Top,View,Photo,Of,Small,Exotic,Atoll,Island

Today, <a href="https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv">Science Advances</a> published a groundbreaking study demonstrating that large-scale, offshore, fully-protected marine areas, often referred to as MPAs, are critical for preserving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predators-help-prevent-biodiversity-loss/">biodiversity</a> without posing detrimental effects on the fishing industry or food security.&nbsp;



The study unveils the evidence drawn from the first-ever “before and after” assessment of the impact on the fishing industry from establishing Mexico’s Revillagigedo National Park.



The research team, composed of US and Mexican scientists, discovered that the industrial fishing sector in Mexico experienced no economic losses five years after the creation of the park, even with a comprehensive fishing ban within the MPA.&nbsp;



This counters the common fears among fishermen and provides a reassuring response to the doubts raised by the Mexican industrial fishing lobby when the park was proposed. They argued that such a ban would negatively affect their catches and raise costs.



<h2 id="h-where-the-study-was-done">Where the study was done</h2>



Revillagigedo National Park, established in 2017, is also known as the "Galápagos of Mexico." Ranking as the world's 13th largest MPA, it stands as one of the few marine areas where all damaging human activities, including fishing, are strictly prohibited.&nbsp;



This stringent protection aims to aid the recovery of marine populations in the region, which hosts a diverse array of marine life. It shelters not only a significant aggregation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activities-threaten-australian-tiger-sharks/">sharks</a>, manta rays, tuna, humpback whales, and five species of sea turtles, but also more than 300 species of fish, 36 of which are uniquely found within these waters.



Study co-author Enric Sala is an Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society and founder of Pristine Seas. He commented: "This study, utilizing satellite tracking of fishing vessels and artificial intelligence (AI), shows that the fishing industry’s concerns are unfounded."&nbsp;



Sala stressed that even the largest MPAs, which protect entire ecosystems and thousands of marine species, don't impinge upon the fishing industry's targeted species. "The larger the MPA, the larger the benefits."



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-team-conducted-the-study">How the research team conducted the study</h2>



The study was undertaken by researchers from several institutions: the Mexican Center for Marine Biodiversity, <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/">UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a>, the Institute of Americas' Gulf of California Marine Program, and the National Geographic Society.&nbsp;



The experts scrutinized the behavior and productivity of the Mexican industrial fishing sector both before and five years after the introduction of North America's largest fully protected MPA, the Revillagigedo National Park.



The researchers harnessed various data sources to conduct their study: satellite tracking data, fish catch records from the Mexican Fisheries Commission, and cutting-edge AI tools from the Allen Institute for AI's Skylight platform. The ultimate objective was to determine if the creation of the MPA led to a reduction in fishing within the protected area, altered fishing catches, and caused the expansion of fishing into a larger area, which could consequently negatively affect marine biodiversity.



Dr. Fabio Favoretto, a postdoctoral scholar at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and lead author of the study, underlined the importance of satellite tracking devices and AI monitoring platforms in demonstrating compliance from the fishing industry.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-results-of-the-study">Results of the study</h2>



The data revealed that the Revillagigedo National Park's creation didn't have any adverse effects on the Mexican industrial fleet's catches or compel them to expand their fishing territories.



Additionally, the team employed machine learning to detect patterns associated with vessels. The satellite data analyzed were collected from GPS devices installed on approximately 2,000 fishing vessels.&nbsp;



The Skylight platform revealed only sporadic incidents of illegal fishing within the MPA after its establishment in 2017, emphasizing the potency of technology in protecting the 147,000 square kilometers of waters within the park’s boundary.



Contradicting the Mexican fishing industry's initial concern of losing 20 percent of their tuna and other pelagic catches the study provided convincing evidence that large, fully-protected MPAs can encourage a more sustainable and equitable use of the ocean without causing severe economic repercussions to the fishing industry.



Professor Octavio Aburto, co-author of the study and a marine biology expert at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, affirmed these findings. "Any argument to the contrary were just assumptions - this study provides the data to show that negative impacts to fishing do not exist," said Aburto.



He hopes this research will spark productive conversations with the fishing industry, ultimately leading to improved fish stocks and better protection of biodiversity.



<h2 id="h-safeguarding-biodiversity">Safeguarding biodiversity</h2>



This research comes at a crucial juncture when nations are considering how to achieve the global goal set forth at the UN Global Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December 2022, to protect and conserve at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. Furthermore, just last month, United Nations members agreed on a legally-binding instrument to safeguard biodiversity in international waters beyond national jurisdictions.



"If the world is serious about protecting the natural world - our life support system - we need to drastically increase ocean protection," said Sala. "The clock is ticking until 2030."



The world's oceanic biodiversity, threatened by human activities such as overfishing, is rapidly diminishing, creating potential risks to food security, health, and the environment. By swiftly establishing marine protected areas in strategic ocean areas, the world can collectively secure more than 80 percent of the habitats of endangered species, a considerable leap from a current coverage of less than two percent.



Amid these global conversations, this study offers empirical evidence that large-scale MPAs within countries’ Exclusive Economic Zones can aid in reaching global conservation goals without compromising fisheries’ interests or a nation’s food security assurance.



<h2 id="h-hope-for-the-future">Hope for the future</h2>



The results challenge the long-held belief, propagated by the industrial fishing lobby, that ocean protection damages fisheries. Instead, the study suggests new avenues to rejuvenate the industry that is currently struggling due to overfishing and the impacts of global warming.&nbsp;



"Some argue that closing areas to fishing hurts fishing interests. But the worst enemy of fishing is overfishing and bad management - not protected areas," said Sala.&nbsp;



The findings of this study promise to enrich discussions in Mexico and elsewhere. Catalina López-Sagástegui, a co-author of the study and a researcher at the Institute of Americas, believes that "access to data and technology is improving our collective understanding of marine ecosystems health, which allows us to design and implement MPAs that help restore the health and resilience of marine ecosystems, benefiting fisheries in the long term."



Even those not directly involved in the study, like Dr. Reniel Cabral of James Cook University in Australia, concur with the study's findings. "It’s simple: When overfishing and other damaging activities cease, marine life bounces back. Target species and large predators come back, and entire ecosystems are restored within MPAs. With time, the ocean can heal itself and again provide services to humankind," said Dr. Cabral.



“MPAs are the most effective tool we have for protecting the health and diversity of our oceans," said Sala. "Our study helps to dispel the myth put forward by the industrial fishing lobby that MPAs harm them.”



Funding for the study was provided by Oceans 5 and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, underscoring their commitment to understanding and protecting our oceans. As the study's findings make clear, protecting our oceans is not just about safeguarding marine life, it's also about ensuring a sustainable future for our fishing industry, and ultimately, for us all.



<h2 id="h-more-about-marine-protected-areas-mpas">More about Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)</h2>



Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated regions in the oceans or seas where human activities are more tightly regulated than in the surrounding waters to protect the natural or cultural resources contained within.&nbsp;



These resources can include various types of marine life, such as fish, crustaceans, and coral reefs, or even archaeological sites like shipwrecks.



<h3 id="h-benefits-of-mpas">Benefits of MPAs&nbsp;</h3>



<h4 id="h-protecting-biodiversity">Protecting Biodiversity&nbsp;</h4>



MPAs can help preserve diverse ecosystems and marine species, many of which are threatened or endangered.



<h4 id="h-maintaining-ecological-processes">Maintaining Ecological Processes</h4>



They protect the ecological processes necessary for the survival of marine life, like breeding and feeding.



<h4 id="h-supporting-fisheries">Supporting Fisheries</h4>



MPAs can improve the health of fish populations, leading to increased fish numbers and sizes, which can spill over into surrounding fishing areas.



<h4 id="h-safeguarding-cultural-heritage">Safeguarding Cultural Heritage</h4>



MPAs may protect culturally important sites and traditional fishing grounds.



<h4 id="h-enabling-scientific-research">Enabling Scientific Research</h4>



They offer opportunities for scientific research and monitoring of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.



<h4 id="h-enhancing-tourism">Enhancing Tourism</h4>



Well-managed MPAs can attract tourists for wildlife watching, snorkeling, and scuba diving, thus benefiting local economies.



There are various types of MPAs with different levels of protection. Some allow sustainable fishing and other non-extractive activities, while others, known as "no-take" zones or marine reserves, ban all forms of extraction, including fishing and mining.



The percentage of the world's oceans covered by MPAs is still far from the international target set in the Convention on Biological Diversity's Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and the newer 30x30 campaign, which aim to protect 30% of the Earth's land and sea areas by 2030. It is crucial to continue expanding and managing MPAs effectively to safeguard our oceans' health and biodiversity.



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