By combining data from catch distribution maps, tagging, and genetic sequencing studies with the tendency of fish to return to their place of birth to reproduce — a phenomenon known as philopatry that is commonly, and incorrectly, thought to be exclusive to salmon species — researchers from the University of British Columbia’s Sea Around Us initiative discovered the tentative migration routes of 11 tuna and other large pelagic fish in the Pacific Ocean.
Researchers were able to trace the travels of highly endangered Pacific bluefin tuna and heavily fished yellowfin tuna thanks to tagging investigations. They then used this data to infer population relationships using genetic research. As a result, they were able to determine potential annual migration cycles, according to Veronica Relano, a doctoral candidate at Sea Around Us and the primary author of the article that presented these findings.
‘Blue Corridors’ Discovered.
The researchers revealed that numerous species and populations of these giant pelagic fish use the same migration pathways after investigating the seasonal migration patterns of each of the 11 fish species separately. This is the first time it’s been found in any fish species.
According to a study co-authored by Dr. Daniel Pauly, these high-traffic areas, two of which are in the northeastern and central Pacific Ocean and two others are in the southwestern and central Pacific Ocean, should become part of blue corridors.
Before establishing any protected area to aid in the recovery of depleted fish populations, it is critical to consider the entire body of knowledge pertaining to species migrations and movements. The investigation’s ultimate goal was to achieve this.
The findings point to areas where such efforts would be more effective; however, because the closed migration cycles we propose are hypothetical, more research into their validity would be beneficial.
Story Source: Original release written by University of British Columbia.. Note: Content may be edited for style and length by Scible News.
Reference
Veronica Relano & Daniel Pauly. Philopatry as a Tool to Define Tentative Closed Migration Cycles and Conservation Areas for Large Pelagic Fishes in the Pacific. Sustainability, 2022; 14 (9): 5577 DOI: 10.3390/su14095577
