Conservation successes and challenges for wide-ranging sharks and rays

Overfishing is the most significant threat facing sharks and rays. Given the growth in consumption of seafood, combined with the compounding effects of habitat loss, climate change, and pollution, there is a need to identify recovery paths, particularly in poorly managed and poorly monitored fisheries. Here, we document conservation through fisheries management success for 11 coastal sharks in US waters by comparing population trends through a Bayesian state-space model before and after the implementation of the 1993 Fisheries Management Plan for Sharks. We took advantage of the spatial and temporal gradients in fishing exposure and fisheries management in the Western Atlantic to analyze the effect on the Red List status of all 26 wide-ranging coastal sharks and rays. We show that extinction risk was greater where fishing pressure was higher, but this was offset by the strength of management engagement (indicated by strength of National and Regional Plan of Action for sharks and rays). The regional Red List Index (which tracks changes in extinction risk through time) declined in all regions until the 1980s but then improved in the North and Central Atlantic such that the average extinction risk is currently half that in the Southwest. Many sharks and rays are wide ranging, and successful fisheries management in one country can be undone by poorly regulated or unregulated fishing elsewhere. Our study underscores that well-enforced, science-based management of carefully monitored fisheries can achieve conservation success, even for slow-growing species

Transparent Gradient-Index Lens for Underwater Sound Based on Phase Advance

Spatial gradients in a refractive index are used extensively in acoustic metamaterial applications to control wave propagation through phase delay. This study reports the design and experimental realization of an acoustic gradient-index lens using a sonic crystal lattice that is impedance matched to water over a broad bandwidth. In contrast to previous designs, the underlying lattice features refractive indices that are lower than the water background, which facilitates propagation control based on a phase advance as opposed to a delay. The index gradient is achieved by varying the filling fraction of hollow, air-filled aluminum tubes that individually exhibit a higher sound speed than water and matched impedance. Acoustic focusing is observed over a broad bandwidth of frequencies in the homogenization limit of the lattice, with intensity magnifications in excess of 7 dB. An anisotropic lattice design facilitates a flat-faceted geometry with low backscattering at 18 dB below the incident sound-pressure level. A three-dimensional Rayleigh-Sommerfeld integration that accounts for the anisotropic refraction is used to accurately predict the experimentally measured focal patterns.This work is supported by the Office of Naval Research.Martin, TP.; Naify, C.; Skerritt, E.; Layman, C.; Nicholas, M.; Calvo, D.; Orris, GJ.... (2015). Transparent Gradient-Index Lens for Underwater Sound Based on Phase Advance. Physical Review Applied. 4(3):034003-1-034003-8. doi:10.1103/PhysRevApplied.4.034003S034003-1034003-843Naify, C. J., Martin, T. P., Layman, C. N., Nicholas, M., Thangawng, A. L., Calvo, D. C., & Orris, G. J. (2014). Underwater acoustic omnidirectional absorber. Applied Physics Letters, 104(7), 073505. doi:10.1063/1.4865480Li, R.-Q., Zhu, X.-F., Liang, B., Li, Y., Zou, X.-Y., & Cheng, J.-C. (2011). A broadband acoustic omnidirectional absorber comprising positive-index materials. Applied Physics Letters, 99(19), 193507. doi:10.1063/1.3659690Climente, A., Torrent, D., & Sánchez-Dehesa, J. (2012). Omnidirectional broadband acoustic absorber based on metamaterials. Applied Physics Letters, 100(14), 144103. doi:10.1063/1.3701611Martin, T. P., Layman, C. N., Moore, K. M., & Orris, G. J. (2012). Elastic shells with high-contrast material properties as acoustic metamaterial components. Physical Review B, 85(16). doi:10.1103/physrevb.85.161103Titovich, A. S., & Norris, A. N. (2014). Tunable cylindrical shell as an element in acoustic metamaterial. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 136(4), 1601-1609. doi:10.1121/1.4894723Zhang, B., Chan, T., & Wu, B.-I. (2010). Lateral Shift Makes a Ground-Plane Cloak Detectable. Physical Review Letters, 104(23). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.104.233903Yin, M., Yong Tian, X., Xue Han, H., & Chen Li, D. (2012). Free-space carpet-cloak based on gradient index photonic crystals in metamaterial regime. Applied Physics Letters, 100(12), 124101. doi:10.1063/1.3696040Torrent, D., & Sánchez-Dehesa, J. (2007). Acoustic metamaterials for new two-dimensional sonic devices. New Journal of Physics, 9(9), 323-323. doi:10.1088/1367-2630/9/9/323Climente, A., Torrent, D., & Sánchez-Dehesa, J. (2010). Sound focusing by gradient index sonic lenses. Applied Physics Letters, 97(10), 104103. doi:10.1063/1.3488349Martin, T. P., Nicholas, M., Orris, G. J., Cai, L.-W., Torrent, D., & Sánchez-Dehesa, J. (2010). Sonic gradient index lens for aqueous applications. Applied Physics Letters, 97(11), 113503. doi:10.1063/1.3489373Peng, S., He, Z., Jia, H., Zhang, A., Qiu, C., Ke, M., & Liu, Z. (2010). Acoustic far-field focusing effect for two-dimensional graded negative refractive-index sonic crystals. Applied Physics Letters, 96(26), 263502. doi:10.1063/1.3457447Sanchis, L., Yánez, A., Galindo, P. L., Pizarro, J., & Pastor, J. M. (2010). Three-dimensional acoustic lenses with axial symmetry. Applied Physics Letters, 97(5), 054103. doi:10.1063/1.3474616Zigoneanu, L., Popa, B.-I., & Cummer, S. A. (2011). Design and measurements of a broadband two-dimensional acoustic lens. Physical Review B, 84(2). doi:10.1103/physrevb.84.024305Lin, S.-C. S., Tittmann, B. R., & Huang, T. J. (2012). Design of acoustic beam aperture modifier using gradient-index phononic crystals. Journal of Applied Physics, 111(12), 123510. doi:10.1063/1.4729803Chang, T. M., Dupont, G., Enoch, S., & Guenneau, S. (2012). Enhanced control of light and sound trajectories with three-dimensional gradient index lenses. New Journal of Physics, 14(3), 035011. doi:10.1088/1367-2630/14/3/035011Hladky-Hennion, A.-C., Vasseur, J. O., Haw, G., Croënne, C., Haumesser, L., & Norris, A. N. (2013). Negative refraction of acoustic waves using a foam-like metallic structure. Applied Physics Letters, 102(14), 144103. doi:10.1063/1.4801642Ren, C., Xiang, Z., & Cen, Z. (2010). Design of acoustic devices with isotropic material via conformal transformation. Applied Physics Letters, 97(4), 044101. doi:10.1063/1.3467852Layman, C. N., Martin, T. P., Moore, K. M., Calvo, D. C., & Orris, G. J. (2011). Designing acoustic transformation devices using fluid homogenization of an elastic substructure. Applied Physics Letters, 99(16), 163503. doi:10.1063/1.3652914Maldovan, M. (2013). Sound and heat revolutions in phononics. Nature, 503(7475), 209-217. doi:10.1038/nature12608Kadic, M., Bückmann, T., Schittny, R., & Wegener, M. (2013). Metamaterials beyond electromagnetism. Reports on Progress in Physics, 76(12), 126501. doi:10.1088/0034-4885/76/12/126501Torrent, D., & Sánchez-Dehesa, J. (2008). Anisotropic mass density by two-dimensional acoustic metamaterials. New Journal of Physics, 10(2), 023004. doi:10.1088/1367-2630/10/2/023004Parazzoli, C. G., Koltenbah, B. E. C., Greegor, R. B., Lam, T. A., & Tanielian, M. H. (2006). Eikonal equation for a general anisotropic or chiral medium: application to a negative-graded index-of-refraction lens with an anisotropic material. Journal of the Optical Society of America B, 23(3), 439. doi:10.1364/josab.23.000439Ward, G. P., Lovelock, R. K., Murray, A. R. J., Hibbins, A. P., Sambles, J. R., & Smith, J. D. (2015). Boundary-Layer Effects on Acoustic Transmission Through Narrow Slit Cavities. Physical Review Letters, 115(4). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.115.044302Guild, M. D., García-Chocano, V. M., Kan, W., & Sánchez-Dehesa, J. (2015). Acoustic metamaterial absorbers based on multilayered sonic crystals. Journal of Applied Physics, 117(11), 114902. doi:10.1063/1.4915346Reyes-Ayona, E., Torrent, D., & Sánchez-Dehesa, J. (2012). Homogenization theory for periodic distributions of elastic cylinders embedded in a viscous fluid. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 132(4), 2896-2908. doi:10.1121/1.4744933Molerón, M., Serra-Garcia, M., & Daraio, C. (2014). Acoustic Fresnel lenses with extraordinary transmission. Applied Physics Letters, 105(11), 114109. doi:10.1063/1.4896276Li, Y., Yu, G., Liang, B., Zou, X., Li, G., Cheng, S., & Cheng, J. (2014). Three-dimensional Ultrathin Planar Lenses by Acoustic Metamaterials. Scientific Reports, 4(1). doi:10.1038/srep06830Gao, Y., Liu, J., Zhang, X., Wang, Y., Song, Y., Liu, S., & Zhang, Y. (2012). Analysis of focal-shift effect in planar metallic nanoslit lenses. Optics Express, 20(2), 1320. doi:10.1364/oe.20.001320Born, M., Wolf, E., Bhatia, A. B., Clemmow, P. C., Gabor, D., Stokes, A. R., … Wilcock, W. L. (1999). Principles of Optics. doi:10.1017/cbo9781139644181Shen, C., Xu, J., Fang, N. X., & Jing, Y. (2014). Anisotropic Complementary Acoustic Metamaterial for Canceling out Aberrating Layers. Physical Review X, 4(4). doi:10.1103/physrevx.4.041033Dubois, M., Farhat, M., Bossy, E., Enoch, S., Guenneau, S., & Sebbah, P. (2013). Flat lens for pulse focusing of elastic waves in thin plates. Applied Physics Letters, 103(7), 071915. doi:10.1063/1.4818716Dubois, M., Bossy, E., Enoch, S., Guenneau, S., Lerosey, G., & Sebbah, P. (2015). Time-Driven Superoscillations with Negative Refraction. Physical Review Letters, 114(1). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.114.013902Kock, W. E., & Harvey, F. K. (1949). Refracting Sound Waves. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 21(5), 471-481. doi:10.1121/1.1906536Liang, Z., & Li, J. (2012). Extreme Acoustic Metamaterial by Coiling Up Space. Physical Review Letters, 108(11). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.108.114301Xie, Y., Konneker, A., Popa, B.-I., & Cummer, S. A. (2013). Tapered labyrinthine acoustic metamaterials for broadband impedance matching. Applied Physics Letters, 103(20), 201906. doi:10.1063/1.4831770Frenzel, T., David Brehm, J., Bückmann, T., Schittny, R., Kadic, M., & Wegener, M. (2013). Three-dimensional labyrinthine acoustic metamaterials. Applied Physics Letters, 103(6), 061907. doi:10.1063/1.4817934Bozhko, A., García-Chocano, V. M., Sánchez-Dehesa, J., & Krokhin, A. (2015). Redirection of sound in straight fluid channel with elastic boundaries. Physical Review B, 91(9). doi:10.1103/physrevb.91.094303García-Meca, C., Carloni, S., Barceló, C., Jannes, G., Sánchez-Dehesa, J., & Martínez, A. (2014). Transformational acoustic metamaterials based on pressure gradients. Physical Review B, 90(2). doi:10.1103/physrevb.90.024310Cummer, S. A., & Schurig, D. (2007). One path to acoustic cloaking. New Journal of Physics, 9(3), 45-45. doi:10.1088/1367-2630/9/3/045Chen, H., & Chan, C. T. (2007). Acoustic cloaking in three dimensions using acoustic metamaterials. Applied Physics Letters, 91(18), 183518. doi:10.1063/1.2803315Cummer, S. A., Popa, B.-I., Schurig, D., Smith, D. R., Pendry, J., Rahm, M., & Starr, A. (2008). Scattering Theory Derivation of a 3D Acoustic Cloaking Shell. Physical Review Letters, 100(2). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.100.024301Guild, M. D., Haberman, M. R., & Alù, A. (2012). Plasmonic-type acoustic cloak made of a bilaminate shell. Physical Review B, 86(10). doi:10.1103/physrevb.86.104302Martin, T. P., & Orris, G. J. (2012). Hybrid inertial method for broadband scattering reduction. Applied Physics Letters, 100(3), 033506. doi:10.1063/1.367863

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Evaluation of appendicitis risk prediction models in adults with suspected appendicitis

Background Appendicitis is the most common general surgical emergency worldwide, but its diagnosis remains challenging. The aim of this study was to determine whether existing risk prediction models can reliably identify patients presenting to hospital in the UK with acute right iliac fossa (RIF) pain who are at low risk of appendicitis. Methods A systematic search was completed to identify all existing appendicitis risk prediction models. Models were validated using UK data from an international prospective cohort study that captured consecutive patients aged 16–45 years presenting to hospital with acute RIF in March to June 2017. The main outcome was best achievable model specificity (proportion of patients who did not have appendicitis correctly classified as low risk) whilst maintaining a failure rate below 5 per cent (proportion of patients identified as low risk who actually had appendicitis). Results Some 5345 patients across 154 UK hospitals were identified, of which two‐thirds (3613 of 5345, 67·6 per cent) were women. Women were more than twice as likely to undergo surgery with removal of a histologically normal appendix (272 of 964, 28·2 per cent) than men (120 of 993, 12·1 per cent) (relative risk 2·33, 95 per cent c.i. 1·92 to 2·84; P < 0·001). Of 15 validated risk prediction models, the Adult Appendicitis Score performed best (cut‐off score 8 or less, specificity 63·1 per cent, failure rate 3·7 per cent). The Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score performed best for men (cut‐off score 2 or less, specificity 24·7 per cent, failure rate 2·4 per cent). Conclusion Women in the UK had a disproportionate risk of admission without surgical intervention and had high rates of normal appendicectomy. Risk prediction models to support shared decision‐making by identifying adults in the UK at low risk of appendicitis were identified

Movement patterns of a commercially important, free-ranging marine invertebrate in the vicinity of a bait source

Abstract Background Catch per unit effort is a cost-effective index of abundance and fishing effort, and an integral part of many fisheries stock assessments. Trap fisheries data are often generated using non-standardised methodology and the information to improve the accuracy of estimates is not always available due to current ecological knowledge gaps. Despite its economic importance, the European lobster Homarus gammarus has been relatively understudied compared to the closely related H. americanus. Previous studies investigating behaviour of Homarus spp. in relation to bait sources have been undertaken in aquariums or mesocosms rather than on free-ranging lobsters in the field. This study uses fine-scale acoustic telemetry data, and a null model approach to investigate free-ranging H. gammarus behaviour and movement in relation to baited commercial traps. Results The distribution of lobsters $${\textit{n}} = 11$$ n=11 was largely similar in the presence and absence of traps. The time spent within 20 m of a trap ranged from 3 min to 16 h 55 min ($${\textit{n}} = 27$$ n=27 ), and the distance at which lobsters began approaching a trap varied considerably (5.40 m to 125 m, $${\textit{n}} = 22$$ n=22 ); the mean distances were larger than calculated by previous studies. A fifth of trap approaches resulted in movement against the current indicating a potential olfactory response to a bait plume. A pre-existing non-random association with a trap location may increase the time spent near the trap and reduce the minimum distance between the lobster and the trap. Conclusions This is the first study to assess the movement patterns of free-ranging H. gammarus in relation to a bait source. The larger approach distances in this study were likely due to the unrestricted ranging behaviour of the tagged lobsters. Aquarium and mesocosm studies provide greater experimental control, but may restrict movement and underestimate the area of bait influence. The use of null models to infer movement patterns of free-ranging lobsters has many advantages over aquarium-based studies. These include better highlighting of individual variability in behaviour, and the potential to elucidate the effects of bait plumes on catchability. Wider application of this approach can be used to improve estimates of catch and stock assessments

Fisheries subsidies exacerbate inequities in accessing seafood nutrients in the Indian Ocean

Abstract Harmful, capacity-enhancing subsidies distort fishing activities and lead to overfishing and perverse outcomes for food security and conservation. We investigated the provision and spatial distribution of fisheries subsidies in the Indian Ocean. Total fisheries subsidies in the Indian Ocean, estimated at USD 3.2 billion in 2018, were mostly harmful subsidies (60%), provided to the large-scale industrial sector by mainly a few subsidising countries, including Distant Water Fishing countries. We also explored possible socio-economic drivers of the composition of subsidies, and show that the extent of harmful subsidies provided by Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries to their industrial sector can be predicted by the seafood export quantities of these countries. These results illustrate the inequity in accessing fisheries resources for the small-scale sector of nutrient insecure and ocean-dependant IOR countries. The present study can benchmark future assessments and implementation of fisheries subsidy disciplines in the region following the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

Lessons learned for collaborative approaches to management when faced with diverse stakeholder groups in a rebuilding fishery

There is increasing demand within fisheries management for the adoption of management approaches that incorporate in-depth stakeholder participation, scientific uncertainty, multiple objectives, and characterizations of risk. One such approach—management strategy evaluation (MSE)—relies on participation with fishery interest groups to consolidate knowledge of the fishery system, define goals, and evaluate feasible management options. However, the focus of much of the literature on MSE emphasizes steps in implementation and its practical application, despite the fact that technical aspects of MSE have the potential to alienate participants without MSE experience. Using the Units 1 and 2 Canadian Atlantic redfish fishery as a case study, we here describe lessons learned from the MSE developed for this rebuilding fishery, focusing on four key challenges: identifying participants for MSE processes; clearly defining their roles; educating participants on the purpose, benefits, and scope of MSE; and mediating disagreements to acquire critical cooperation, inputs, and feedback from the different stakeholder groups within the MSE process.Science, Faculty ofNon UBCOceans and Fisheries, Institute for theReviewedResearcherPostdoctora

Conservation successes and challenges for wide-ranging sharks and rays

consumption of seafood, combined with the compounding effects of habitat loss, climate change, and pollution, there is a need to identify recovery paths, particularly in poorly managed and poorly monitored fisheries. Here, we document conservation through fisheries management success for 11 coastal sharks in US waters by comparing population trends through a Bayesian state-space model before and after the implementation of the 1993 Fisheries Management Plan for Sharks. We took advantage of the spatial and temporal gradients in fishing exposure and fisheries management in the Western Atlantic to analyze the effect on the Red List status of all 26 wide-ranging coastal sharks and rays. We show that extinction risk was greater where fishing pressure was higher, but this was offset by the strength of management engagement (indicated by strength of National and Regional Plan of Action for sharks and rays). The regional Red List Index (which tracks changes in extinction risk through time) declined in all regions until the 1980s but then improved in the North and Central Atlantic such that the average extinction risk is currently half that in the Southwest. Many sharks and rays are wide ranging, and successful fisheries management in one country can be undone by poorly regulated or unregulated fishing elsewhere. Our study underscores that well-enforced, science-based management of carefully monitored fisheries can achieve conservation success, even for slow-growing species

Strengthening European Union fisheries by removing harmful subsidies

Harmful fisheries subsidies have historically contributed to fleet overcapacity and continue to be allocated to the fishing industry to artificially maintain its profitability. However, in this contribution we show that removing harmful subsidies and reducing overfishing will help to recover the resource biomass, subsequently leading to increased levels of sustainable catches, income and well-being of fishers, and reduces inequities in income and consumption when fish stocks are not effectively managed. Maintaining harmful fisheries subsidies is socially and economically inefficient. Taking the example of the EU fishing fleet, one of the largest fishing fleets in the world, we use the total factor productivity to show that small-scale fishing fleet\u27s productivity is almost two-fold in the North Atlantic and 16% higher in the Mediterranean and Black seas compared to large-scale vessels. This result is explained because the harmful fisheries subsidies disproportionately allocated to large-scale vessels introduce distortions in the efficient allocation of inputs. With critical WTO negotiations ongoing regarding the global rules on fisheries subsidies, the EU must take advantage of the opportunity to lead a desirable transformative change while also supporting developing nations to truly achieve global sustainable and equitable fisheries