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Global Fisheries Resources, Fisheries, and Carbon-Sink Fisheries

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A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2025 | Viewed by 5724

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Teruhisa Komatsu

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Guest Editor

Japan Fisheries Resource Conservation Association, Shintomicho Building, 3-10-9 Irifune, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0042, Japan
Interests: climate change; sea-weed and seagrass habitats; drifting seaweed; fisheries resource; fisheries oceanography; coastal habitat mapping; remote sensing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Min Xu

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Guest Editor

East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China
Interests: climate changes; oyster reef; artificial reef; sea-weed bed; cephalopod; fish larvae and eggs; sea ranch
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Zengqiang Yin

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Guest Editor

College of Marine Science and Environment, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
Interests: fisheries resource assessment; fisheries resource biology; fisheries oceanography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aquatic economic animals and fisheries are important to support the life of local fishermen and fisheries communities, also playing key roles in stabilizing and balancing global aquatic ecosystems. However, global fisheries resources and fisheries (including Japan and China in Northwest Pacific) face challenges from overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change. To identify the impacts of these factors on global fisheries resources and fisheries, mitigating the negative impacts and adding fisheries management suggestions, this Special Issue calls for the papers from around the globe, including, but not limited to, the following: surveys of aquatic living organisms’ habitats and the construction of artificial habitats (including artificial reefs, oyster reefs, seagrass and seaweed beds, floating seaweed rafts, sea ranches, and so on); the impacts from overfishing and climate change on species, community, ecosystems, and society; and the mechanisms and technologies of carbon-sink fisheries. At the same time, we also welcome papers on the topics of fishery resource biology, economic aquatic animal behavior, stock enhancement by releasing, environmental DNA, and fisheries management in addressing the above issues.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Animals.

Dr. Teruhisa Komatsu
Dr. Min Xu
Prof. Dr. Zengqiang Yin
Guest Editors

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Keywords

fisheries
habitats
overfishing
fishery resource biology
economic aquatic animal behavior
stock enhancement by releasing
environmental DNA
fisheries management
climate change
ecosystems
ecological models
carbon-sink
aquatic ecological ranches
fisheries products

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 2081 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acute Toxicity, Bioaccumulation and Elimination Rate of Deltamethrin and Cypermethrin in Crucian Carp (Carassius auratus)

by Zhongquan Jiang, Yunyun Ji, Ruikai Xing, Xinyi Xie, Guangxin Yang, Cong Kong and Xiaosheng Shen

Biology 2025, 14(4), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14040388 - 9 Apr 2025

Viewed by 324

Abstract

Pyrethroid pesticides like deltamethrin and cypermethrin are widely used in aquaculture, yet their food safety implications remain understudied. This research investigated their acute toxicity, tissue-specific bioaccumulation, and elimination patterns in crucian carp (Carassius auratus). Acute toxicity tests determined 96 h LC50 values of 9.68~11.22 ng·mL⁻¹ (deltamethrin) and 3.12~5.01 ng·mL⁻¹ (cypermethrin) with 95% confidence intervals. During 8-day exposures to sublethal concentrations (1/10 and 1/100 of LC50), deltamethrin accumulated predominantly in the liver (peak: 21.98 ng·g⁻¹ at 1.04 ng·mL⁻¹, standard deviation is 0.064 ng·mL⁻¹), whereas cypermethrin concentrated in muscle (peak: 9.76 ng·g⁻¹ at 0.40 ng·mL⁻¹, standard deviation is 0.138 ng·mL⁻¹). A 7-day elimination phase revealed faster clearance of low-concentration residues, with >50% removal within 24 h in all tissues. Bioconcentration factors were highest in the liver (36.62 for deltamethrin) and muscle (45.17 for cypermethrin). These results highlight tissue-specific accumulation risks and rapid initial elimination, providing critical data to optimize pesticide-dosing protocols, mitigate ecotoxicological threats, and enhance food safety in aquaculture systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Fisheries Resources, Fisheries, and Carbon-Sink Fisheries)

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23 pages, 4705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Establishment of Novel Simple Sequence Repeat Markers in Phragmites australis and Application in Wetlands of Nanhui Dongtan, Shanghai

by Shaozu Ma, Yifei Shen, Min Li, Ruitong Jiang, Luyi Cai, Tingting Wu, Linxi Gao, Meiqin Wu and Peimin He

Biology 2025, 14(4), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14040356 - 28 Mar 2025

Viewed by 260

Abstract

Common reed (Phragmites australis) is a widely distributed perennial herb of high ecological significance in wetlands worldwide. This research developed 15 SSR markers through whole-genome sequencing and assessed the genetic diversity across four representative reed populations (DB, JPDP, YJRHK, DD) in the coastal wetlands of Nanhui Dongtan, Shanghai. A total of 113.5 alleles (Na) were detected, averaging 7.567 alleles per locus, with an expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.690 and a Shannon diversity index (I) of 1.485. Polymorphism information content (PIC) values (ranging from 0.577 to 0.872, average 0.770) indicated strong resolution power for discriminating subtle genetic differences across populations. Among the four populations, JPDP displayed the highest genetic diversity parameters (Na = 12.667; I = 2.020), whereas DD exhibited the lowest, consistent with intensive demographic screening under saline stress and competition from Spartina alterniflora. Bayesian clustering analysis (STRUCTURE) and UPGMA dendrograms further revealed that the four populations split into two major subgroups, which underlines both the influence of geographic and ecological factors on genetic structuring and the persistence of gene flow. In sum, the newly developed SSR markers demonstrated robustness and sensitivity in elucidating the overall high genetic diversity but moderate genetic differentiation of reed populations in Nanhui Dongtan. These findings not only offer insights into local adaptation mechanisms in coastal wetlands but also provide a technical basis for the conservation and utilization of P. australis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Fisheries Resources, Fisheries, and Carbon-Sink Fisheries)

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14 pages, 3391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Seasonal Spatial Distribution Patterns of Euprymna berryi and Euprymna morsei: The Current and Predictions Under Climate Change Scenarios

by Min Xu, Yong Liu, Xiaojing Song and Linlin Yang

Biology 2025, 14(4), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14040327 - 24 Mar 2025

Viewed by 299

Abstract

Given their small size and low value in commercial fishing and aquaculture, little is known about the seasonal spatial distribution patterns and characteristics of the bobtail squid Euprymna berryi and Euprymna morsei in seas around China. Thus, we conducted seasonal bottom-trawling surveys in the southern Yellow and East China Seas during 2018 and 2019. Our results showed that E. berryi migrated from inshore areas (Yushan fishing grounds) during the summer and autumn to offshore areas (Wentai fishing grounds) during the winter. In contrast, E. morsei migrated from shallower water areas during the spring to deeper water areas during the winter. The highest abundance of E. berryi versus E. morsei was found in areas where temperatures were 25.29–28.02 °C compared with 19.54 °C (33.43–34.04‰ versus 34.43‰), respectively, during the summer; 20.99–21.69 °C compared with 21.98–22.70 °C (34.07–34.50‰ versus 33.80–33.60‰), respectively, during autumn; and 17.13–20.36 °C compared with 10.51–13.49 °C (34.23–34.46‰ versus 31.69–33.42‰), respectively, during winter. We predict that suitable habitats for E. berryi would expand more northward under SSP585-2050, whereas those for E. morsei would shrink into more northern locations under SSP370-2100 and SSP585-2100. The SSP245-2100 and SSP585-2100 scenarios had the most negative impacts on the distributions of both species. Such insights improve our understanding of the population dynamics and habitat requirements of both species to support their population management and exploitation in response to future climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Fisheries Resources, Fisheries, and Carbon-Sink Fisheries)

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13 pages, 884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Tolerance of Crassostrea (Magallana) ariakensis to Nuclear Plant Warm Water Discharges

by Lei Li, Longyu Liu, Cong Yan, Liang Wang, Yuanlv Ye, Lu Chen, Xiong Zou, Haijing Zhang, Mengni Zeng and Mei Jiang

Biology 2025, 14(3), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14030311 - 19 Mar 2025

Viewed by 256

Abstract

Nuclear power plants utilize great quantities of seawater to cool down, resulting in substantial warm water discharges that may affect nearby fisheries and marine ecosystems. This study focused on Crassostrea (Magallana) ariakensis, a commercially farmed oyster species along the southern coast of China. To evaluate the thermal impacts of warm water discharges from nuclear power plants, indoor simulations replicated seasonal water temperature conditions near coastal facilities (26 °C in spring and autumn, 16 °C in winter, and 30 °C in summer). We conducted thermal tolerance static and dynamic experiments, along with a 51-day long-term experiment on suitable growth under different acclimation temperatures. The thermal effects of warm water discharges on C. ariakensis were systematically assessed through survival, growth, digestibility, and nutritional quality. The results showed that the discomfort temperature range of C. ariakensis was (48.6 ± 1.2)~(58.9 ± 3.0) °C, the critical thermal maxima (CTM) value range of C. ariakensis was (51.6 ± 1.4)~(61.2 ± 2.2) °C, and the incipient lethal temperature (ILT₅₀) of C. ariakensis was 45.61 °C, 53.71 °C, and 55.90 °C, respectively; all these values increased gradually with the rise of acclimation temperature. After the 51-day long-term experiment on suitable growth, the temperature increase of 1 °C, 2 °C and 4 °C did not affect the soft tissue wet weight, condition index, moisture content, and fat content of C. ariakensis, but the amylase activity in digestive gland tissue decreased in different temperature experimental groups. The experimental results show that the influence of temperature rise on the growth and physiological metabolism of C. ariakensis is limited. However, based on the normal habitat temperature in summer, the long-term effects of temperature rise caused by warm water discharges need to be paid attention to. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Fisheries Resources, Fisheries, and Carbon-Sink Fisheries)

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15 pages, 4152 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Potential Yield and Sustainable Management of Burbot, Lota lota (L.1758), in the Upper Heilongjiang River, China, Based on Population Parameters

by Wanqiao Lu, Zepeng Zhang, Hongyu Jin, Huili Shao, Shenhui Li, Yue Xing and Lei Li

Biology 2025, 14(3), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14030248 - 28 Feb 2025

Viewed by 511

Abstract

We evaluated growth, mortality, and resource utilization of burbot, Lota lota, in the upper reaches of Heilongjiang River, China. The population has experienced significant decline, and, despite substantial recovery, concerns regarding resource management have arisen. A total of 638 specimens collected from October 2022 to October 2023 were used to calculate the relationship between body length and weight, which ranged from 107 to 529 mm and from 8.91 to 1474.17 g, respectively. FAO FiSAT II software was used to estimate population parameters based on body length frequency distribution of the samples. The calculated progressive body length value and the growth coefficient were 551.25 mm and 0.16, respectively. The natural mortality rate of burbot is 0.31 a⁻¹. Assuming a total mortality rate of 0.41 a⁻¹, the estimated current exploitation rate is 24.39%. Total biomass (94.76 t) and maximum sustainable yield (14.69 t) were estimated based on length-structured virtual population analysis. Burbot, of the upper reaches of Heilongjiang River, is a fast-growing fish that is well-suited to the ecology of the investigated area. The current research yielded suggestions for utilization of resources to ensure the preservation of the species, as well as the development of the local economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Fisheries Resources, Fisheries, and Carbon-Sink Fisheries)

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22 pages, 6176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Distribution of Microplastic Pollution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Jingpo Lake—The World’s Second Largest High-Mountain Barrier Lake

by Haitao Wang, Chen Zhao and Tangbin Huo

Biology 2025, 14(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14020201 - 14 Feb 2025

Viewed by 837

Abstract

To investigate the influence of factors such as tourism, agriculture, and population density on the presence of microplastic (MP) content in aquatic environments and their associated ecological risks, Jingpo Lake, a remote high-mountain lake situated away from urban areas, was selected as the research subject. This study examined the abundance, types, sizes, colors, and polymer compositions of MPs within the water body, fish, and sediments. By considering variables, including fishing practices, agricultural activities, population dynamics, and vegetation cover, an analysis was conducted to unravel the spatial and temporal distribution of MPs concerning human activities, ultimately leading to an assessment of the ecological risks posed by MP pollution. The findings revealed that the average abundance of MPs in the lake’s surface water was recorded as (304.8 ± 170.5) n/m³, while in the sediments, it averaged (162.0 ± 57.45) n/kg. Inside the digestive tracts of fish, the MP abundance was measured at 11.4 ± 5.4 n/ind. The contamination of MPs within the aquatic environment of Jingpo Lake was found to be relatively minimal. Variations in MP loads across time and space were observed, with MPs predominantly falling within the size range of small planktonic organisms (50–1000 μm). Additionally, the prevalent colors of MPs in the water samples were white or transparent, constituting approximately 55.65% of the entire MP composition. Subsequently, they were black, red, and blue. This colors distribution were consistent across MPs extracted from fish and sediment samples. The chemical compositions of the MPs predominantly comprised PE (31.83%) and PS (25.48%), followed by PP (17.56%), PA (11.84%), PET (6.71%), EVA (4.56%), and PC (2.03%). Regarding the seasonal aspect, MP concentrations were highest during summer (46.68%), followed by spring (36.75%) and autumn (16.56%). The spatial distribution of MPs within Jingpo Lake’s water body, fish, and sediments was notably influenced by human activities, as confirmed by Pearson correlation coefficients. A strong association was observed between MP levels and water quality indicators such as ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N), total phosphorus (TP), and chlorophyll-a (Chla), suggesting that human-related pollution contributed significantly to MP contamination. The diversity assessment of MP pollutants exhibited the highest variability in chemical composition (1.23 to 1.79) using the Shannon–Wiener Index. Subsequently, the diversity of colors ranged from 0.59 to 1.54, shape diversity from 0.78 to 1.30, seasonal diversity from 0.83 to 1.10, and size diversity from 0.44 to 1.01. The assessment results of ecological risk highlighted that the risk categories for MPs within the surface water, fish, and sediments of Jingpo Lake were categorized as I for the PHI and PLI and as “Minor” for the PERI. These relatively low-risk values were attributed to the predominantly low toxicity of the distributed MPs within the Jingpo Lake basin. Moreover, the results of the risk assessment were found to be interconnected with the distribution of the local population and agricultural activities around the sampling sections. Usage patterns of coastal land and population density were recognized as influential factors affecting MP loads within the water body, sediments, fish, and other components of the lake ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Fisheries Resources, Fisheries, and Carbon-Sink Fisheries)

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13 pages, 1383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal and Spatial Variation Characteristics of the Fish Biomass Particle-Size Spectra in the Shandong Province Area of the Yellow River

by Lufeng Sun, Jianglong Que, Jianqun Niu, Xiuqi Li, Junpeng Wang and Xuri Cong

Biology 2025, 14(2), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14020196 - 13 Feb 2025

Viewed by 580

Abstract

Based on the data from a continuous fishery resource survey conducted in the Shandong province area of the Yellow River from the summer and autumn of 2022 to the winter and spring of 2023, this study constructed fish biomass particle-size spectra. It compared and analyzed the differences in the characteristics of the fish biomass particle-size spectrum parameters across four different seasons in various survey areas. The results indicated that the fish biomass particle-size spectra in the Shandong province area of the Yellow River exhibited significant seasonal and spatial variations. Overall, the shape of the Sheldon-type biomass particle-size spectra across the four seasons showed a unimodal pattern. The peak values in spring and summer ranged between 32–64 g, while in autumn, it reached 64–128 g, and in winter, it was 1024–2048 g. The dominant species shifted from small individuals in spring and summer to larger individuals in autumn and winter. The fitted curves of the standardized biomass particle-size spectra for the four seasons displayed a dome-shaped parabola, generally arranged from high to low in the biomass particle-size spectra lines from spring to winter, with winter experiencing the least external disturbance. In terms of the regional distribution, the peak particle-size classes for fish in the areas of Gaocun, Dong’a, and Gaoqing all corresponded to the particle-size class of 16–32 g, predominantly featuring small fish species such as Carassius auratus and Pseudobrama simoni. In contrast, the peak particle-size class in the estuarine waters corresponded to 512–1024 g, mainly comprising larger fish species like Cyprinus carpio, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and Liza haematocheila. The differences in the standardized biomass particle-size spectra among the four regions were not significant, but the curvature of the estuarine waters was the highest, indicating the least external disturbance. The abundance–biomass comparison (ABC) curve suggested that the fish community in the Shandong province area of the Yellow River is in a severely disturbed state. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Fisheries Resources, Fisheries, and Carbon-Sink Fisheries)

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18 pages, 2732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Four Trophically Dependent Fishery Species in the Northern China Seas Under Climate Change

by Jun Ren, Qun Liu, Yihong Ma, Yupeng Ji, Binduo Xu, Ying Xue and Chongliang Zhang

Biology 2025, 14(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14020168 - 7 Feb 2025

Viewed by 838

Abstract

Climate change is a major challenge affecting marine environments, making it essential to understand species distribution responses in both time and space for effective conservation strategies. Meanwhile, varying responses of species to climate change may lead to changes in interspecific relationships and future spatial distributions. This study assessed spatial and temporal distributions of four trophically dependent species of economic importance in the China seas, including largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus), Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), and anchovy (Engraulis japonicus). By incorporating fishery-dependent survey data and environmental variables, we developed a spatio-temporal mixed-effects model to analyze the distributional correlations among these species and predicted their distributions by the end of the century under different climate change scenarios. The results showed that the selected environmental factors influenced encounter probability and catch rates differently. Predictions for the end of the century under representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 2.6 and RCP8.5 suggested significant shifts in population densities, with species like T. lepturus and S. niphonius experiencing reduced densities and altered spatial patterns, while E. japonicus may benefit from climate change. The center of gravity for most species was projected to shift northward by the year 2050, with notable variations under RCP8.5. Additionally, spatial overlap among species was expected to decrease significantly by the year 2100, indicating increasing divergence in their distributions. This study underscores the effects of climate change on species habitat distribution and offers a scientific basis for future habitat protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Fisheries Resources, Fisheries, and Carbon-Sink Fisheries)

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