What happened to Gladden Spit’s whale sharks and spawning fish? A new project seeks to answer the communities’ questions.
Whale sharks and large aggregations of spawning reef fish were once the stars of Gladden Spit, attracting tourists from around the world and providing a lucrative source of income for at least six dependent communities. However, the predictable seasonal aggregations of whale sharks, which were studied from 1998 to 2004 as they fed on the […]
Deepwater Fisheries of the Caribbean: Balancing Sustainability and Demand
When we think of the Caribbean, we often imagine clear turquoise waters and shallow coral reefs. Lobster and queen conch are not only economically important as prized fishery products, but also have deep cultural roots in local communities. However, the tides have shifted. Over recent years, as coastal finfish, lobster, and conch stocks have declined, […]
How Climate Change Plays a Role in Shaping Sea Turtle Generations
Sea turtles are among the most emblematic and charismatic marine species, which contributes to their widespread popularity. Moreover, they provide a range of ecosystem services, such as maintaining the productivity of coral reef and seagrass habitats, balancing the food chain, and transporting nutrients from the ocean to the coast. These factors make sea turtles incredibly […]