Fisheries disrupt marine nutrient cycles through biomass extraction
Abstract Fisheries’ effects on marine life have been widely acknowledged for decades, but only recently have we considered their impact on marine nutrient cycles. Through the removal of marine biomass, fisheries represent a unique and historically novel pathway for nutrients to be extracted from the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Communications Earth & Environment |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02218-z |
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| author | Adrián A. González Ortiz Timothy E. Walsworth Edd Hammill Maria L. D. Palomares Daniel Pauly Trisha B. Atwood |
| author_facet | Adrián A. González Ortiz Timothy E. Walsworth Edd Hammill Maria L. D. Palomares Daniel Pauly Trisha B. Atwood |
| author_sort | Adrián A. González Ortiz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Fisheries’ effects on marine life have been widely acknowledged for decades, but only recently have we considered their impact on marine nutrient cycles. Through the removal of marine biomass, fisheries represent a unique and historically novel pathway for nutrients to be extracted from the sea. Here, we examined the magnitude of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus extraction by industrial fisheries through large spatiotemporal scales and broad ecological contexts. Between 1960 and 2018, industrial fisheries removed approximately 431 million tonnes of carbon, 110 million tonnes of nitrogen, and 23 million tonnes of phosphorus. Nutrient extractions occurred most intensely in highly productive regions within Exclusive Economic Zones. Additionally, >53% of all nutrient extractions occurred through the removal of mid-level trophic groups and pelagic species. Our findings indicate that fisheries can remove substantial amounts of nutrients each year and warrant further studies that consider the ecosystem-level impacts of nutrient reductions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a4249a6154d74f8c865e19b669a140ca |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2662-4435 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Earth & Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-a4249a6154d74f8c865e19b669a140ca2025-08-20T03:10:18ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Earth & Environment2662-44352025-04-016111510.1038/s43247-025-02218-zFisheries disrupt marine nutrient cycles through biomass extractionAdrián A. González Ortiz0Timothy E. Walsworth1Edd Hammill2Maria L. D. Palomares3Daniel Pauly4Trisha B. Atwood5The Department of Watershed Sciences and The Ecology Center, Utah State UniversityThe Department of Watershed Sciences and The Ecology Center, Utah State UniversityThe Department of Watershed Sciences and The Ecology Center, Utah State UniversitySea Around Us, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British ColumbiaSea Around Us, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British ColumbiaThe Department of Watershed Sciences and The Ecology Center, Utah State UniversityAbstract Fisheries’ effects on marine life have been widely acknowledged for decades, but only recently have we considered their impact on marine nutrient cycles. Through the removal of marine biomass, fisheries represent a unique and historically novel pathway for nutrients to be extracted from the sea. Here, we examined the magnitude of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus extraction by industrial fisheries through large spatiotemporal scales and broad ecological contexts. Between 1960 and 2018, industrial fisheries removed approximately 431 million tonnes of carbon, 110 million tonnes of nitrogen, and 23 million tonnes of phosphorus. Nutrient extractions occurred most intensely in highly productive regions within Exclusive Economic Zones. Additionally, >53% of all nutrient extractions occurred through the removal of mid-level trophic groups and pelagic species. Our findings indicate that fisheries can remove substantial amounts of nutrients each year and warrant further studies that consider the ecosystem-level impacts of nutrient reductions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02218-z |
| spellingShingle | Adrián A. González Ortiz Timothy E. Walsworth Edd Hammill Maria L. D. Palomares Daniel Pauly Trisha B. Atwood Fisheries disrupt marine nutrient cycles through biomass extraction Communications Earth & Environment |
| title | Fisheries disrupt marine nutrient cycles through biomass extraction |
| title_full | Fisheries disrupt marine nutrient cycles through biomass extraction |
| title_fullStr | Fisheries disrupt marine nutrient cycles through biomass extraction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fisheries disrupt marine nutrient cycles through biomass extraction |
| title_short | Fisheries disrupt marine nutrient cycles through biomass extraction |
| title_sort | fisheries disrupt marine nutrient cycles through biomass extraction |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02218-z |
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