Fish body size

International League of Conservation Photographers / Luciano Candisani
July 25, 2018
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Lone fisherman in small boat against dramatic sky
International League of Conservation Photographers / Luciano Candisani

A fisher from a Honduran small-scale fishery sets out on a fishing excursion. Small-scale fishers may target fishing grounds over 50 kilometers from their home port or community, making it difficult to keep track of where they are fishing. Daily selection of fishing grounds is often a closely guarded trade secret as fishers look to maximize their catch. Knowledge of fishing activity, species caught, weight of catch and fishing-ground location are key pieces of information required for effective fisheries management. Scientists with the Smithsonian’s Marine Conservation Program are working to overcome obstacles of monitoring small-scale fisheries, and body-shape analysis is now another tool that can be used to achieve their goal.

Photo courtesy International League of Conservation Photographers / Luciano Candisani

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