Divergent responses of pelagic and benthic fish body-size structure to remoteness and protection from humans. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38422147/)

These scientists wanted to understand how the size of animals in the ocean can be affected by human activities and protected areas. They studied two different parts of the ocean: the midwater (where animals swim in the open ocean) and the seabed (where animals live on the ocean floor). They used special cameras to take pictures of fish in these areas.

They found that the size of fish in the midwater was more affected by human activities, like fishing, compared to the fish living on the ocean floor. This means that the bigger fish in the open ocean are more at risk because of what humans are doing.

The scientists also discovered that creating protected areas in specific locations can help protect the size of fish living on the ocean floor. However, to protect the biggest and most endangered fish in the open ocean, special protected areas need to be created in remote places where human activities are limited.

Overall, this study shows that different parts of the ocean are impacted differently by human actions, and it's important to create protected areas to help preserve the size and health of marine animals.

Letessier TB., Mouillot D., Mannocci L., Jabour Christ H., Elamin EM., Elamin SM., Friedlander AM., Hearn A., Juhel JB., Kleiven AR., Moland E., Mouquet N., Nillos-Kleiven PJ., Sala E., Thompson CDH., Velez L., Vigliola L., Meeuwig JJ. Divergent responses of pelagic and benthic fish body-size structure to remoteness and protection from humans. Science. 2024 Mar;383(6686):976-982. doi: 10.1126/science.adi7562. Epub 2024 Feb 29.