Understanding the functional role of habitats to wild animals can aid in implementing management actions to protect critical habitat from anthropogenic threats. However, habitat function is challenging to measure across extensive space and time, particularly in marine systems. We used acoustic telemetry tags equipped with tri-axial accelerometer sensors to track the movement and locomotor activity of permit Trachinotus falcatus in coastal marine habitats of the Florida Keys (USA) so that we could remotely characterize their behavioural ecology and infer habitat function. Recent research in this system explored space use by permits and identified shallow seagrass flats and offshore reefs and wrecks as important foraging and spawning habitats, respectively. Predictive models applied here identified variation in permit activity patterns across a diversity of spatial (i.e. habitat type and site) and temporal (e.g. time of day, lunar phase) factors as well as complex interactions. Based on known permit behavioural ecology, peaks in activity in the late afternoon to evening at putative spawning sites were used to infer the spatial-temporal dynamics of likely spawning activity. This spawning signature was observed at 8 offshore reef locations, with considerable seasonal variation amongst sites. Timing of spawning may therefore vary among sites, while the functional role of some sites likely extends beyond spawning (e.g. staging, foraging). These data provide insights into permit spawning sites and behaviour and highlight the potential for acoustic telemetry equipped with acceleration sensors to generate knowledge relevant to habitat and fisheries management.

Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis; GT) is an apex predator in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and a target species of catch-and-release recreational fisheries, and little is known about the impacts that capture and handling have on GT. We evaluated the injury, physiological status, and post-release behavior of 73 GT caught using spinning gear with top-water lures that had different hook configurations in Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati. GT caught using lures with a single J-hook or single treble hook were most often hooked in the mouth, while those caught on lures with two hooks (regardless of hook type) were more often hooked in the body. Unhooking difficulty and physical injury were greater for GT simultaneously hooked in both the mouth and body, particularly with lures having double treble hooks. Duration of air exposure increased when GT were captured on lures with one or two treble hooks and for larger fish. There was no mortality of GT at the time of release. Impairment of reflexes, particularly the ability to maintain equilibrium and bursting response, increased with fight time and duration of air exposure. Physiological measurement suggests that glucose and lactate levels increased with fight time, but only glucose increased with air exposure duration. GT tracked with pop-off biologgers showed consistent behavioral patterns including a short period ( 5 min) of low activity. Collectively, these results provide the first quantitative evidence of how GT respond to catch-and-release when caught with conventional tackle and thus can be used to inform best practices and management strategies.

Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii) is an iconic freshwater fish species in Australia with high cultural importance. Following declines, management and conservation efforts have helped Murray Cod populations recover to such an extent that the species now supports a vibrant recreational fishery. With high participation rates, the Victorian Fisheries Authority initiated the Care for Cod campaign in 2017 to increase awareness of best practices that can ensure fish are released in the best condition possible. With emerging concerns about potential threats to Murray Cod populations and greater promotion of recreational angling by governmental and non-governmental bodies, the objective of our survey of over 3500 Murray Cod anglers was to assess perceptions related to handling practices and other factors that could influence the sustainability of the recreational fishery. Over 90% of respondents believed handling practices are important to the welfare of released Murray Cod and the Care for Cod Campaign was found to have assisted anglers to engage in better handling practices. Most respondents reported being satisfied with Murray Cod fishing in Victoria, and angler ratings have increased over time from the 1970s to 2020 - consistent with the perceived recovery of Murray Cod populations. Respondents were concerned with threats from hypoxic 'blackwater' events and invasive carp, and valued fish stocking and regulations as the most important fishery management interventions. Our results can help inform the evolution of the Care for Cod Campaign and how other similar campaigns may want to target recreational anglers to maximize the potential and effectiveness of education and outreach campaigns.

Shark depredation on target species in US Atlantic recreational fisheries is a growing source of human-wildlife conflict. Efforts to mitigate this conflict require an understanding of how its three principal components-anglers, fisheries, and sharks-have evolved over time. Through a historical perspective, we offer a conceptual framework that characterizes the dynamics of these components in the context of complex management systems for the affected fisheries. Specifically, we integrated observations of shark depredation from the published literature, angler surveys, and social media content to provide a comprehensive overview of the breadth of shark depredation in recreational fisheries in US Atlantic waters from Maine to Texas, and the US Caribbean. This exercise revealed that shark depredation is widespread, with 207 unique target-depredator connections (at least 51 target species impacted by 22 shark depredators). The most prevalent shark depredators included both authorized species that may be harvested (e.g. bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas) and prohibited species that may not (e.g. sandbar sharks C. plumbeus). This broad characterization further clarifies the actors (anglers, fisheries, sharks, and managers) that should be considered in ongoing efforts to establish valid shark depredation solutions, evaluates mitigation options given US regulatory constraints, and identifies priorities for future research.

Depredation, the whole or partial loss of a hooked fish while in the process of landing, has risen in the United States. Research on rising depredation encounters in recreational fisheries has primarily focused on individual species interactions in tropical and subtropical waters, as well as their impact on the fishing experience of anglers. Herein, we extend this work using an online survey of anglers from North Carolina to Maine, conducted July-October 2024, to evaluate depredation across the Northeast United States Large Marine Ecosystem. Among the 954 respondents, sharks were selected as the most common depredating species (62%), followed by seals (29%). The likelihood of encountering depredation was primarily dependent on latitude and target fish species. Shark depredation occurred more frequently at lower latitudes (< 40 degrees N) in both nearshore and offshore habitats. In comparison, seal depredation occurred at higher latitudes (>40 degrees N) in nearshore habitats. The frequency in which anglers experienced depredation strongly influenced suggested management preferences, with higher depredation rates associated with greater support for population reductions of depredating species. Seal depredation elicited stronger negative emotional responses than shark depredation when they occurred within the same region, potentially reflecting regional cultural attitudes and differences in exposure history. Despite these negative interactions, anglers did not intend to fish less, though they reported spatial avoidance of areas where depredation occurred. These findings demonstrate that depredation is a multi-species issue requiring region-specific management approaches and these findings highlight how successful conservation initiatives can create new human-wildlife conflicts, eroding public support for protected species.

Fisheries science often underutilizes industry partners, particularly in large-scale sampling projects. Such engagement with fishers, seafood dealers, and tackle companies provides pathways to collect samples that lead to better stock assessments, informed policy decisions, sustainable fisheries, and science literacy. To reach these outcomes, researchers should consider building relationships with the fishing industry. Here, we highlight two research programs that have embraced fishery participants involved in hook-and-line fisheries, one focused on commercial highly migratory pelagic fisheries and the other on coastal recreational fisheries. Although these two sectors have distinct participants, we highlight commonalities and lessons from both research programs. Importantly, we provide a framework for researchers to emulate, quantify the hook-and-line fishing industry contributions, highlight the scientific advancements these samples enabled, and recommend additional recognition for the fishing industry. For example, by leveraging the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) fishery, over 16,300 biological samples were obtained in just over a decade, which provided critical information to stock assessments. Additionally, by engaging with the Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) catch-and-release fishery, over 500 hours were donated for tagging and nearly 1000 biological samples collected for stable isotope analysis. These research projects were only possible after building decade-long relationships with their respective fishing industry partners. Through collaboration with scientists, the hook-and-line fishing industry can impact scientific publications, policy decisions, pilot projects and outreach. We provide a framework to develop and maintain similarly productive relationships for other fisheries. These relationships are not only important for fishery science success but also in building trust between the researchers and fishing industry.

Identification of shark nursery areas is critical for management of nursery dependent sharks. This study presents the first assessment conducted in the British Virgin Islands. Lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) depend upon nearshore seagrass and mangroves which are some of the region's most vulnerable habitat types. Longline surveys designed to quantify elasmobranch abundances were conducted between May 2022 to October 2025 to verify locations as shark nursery areas. In total, 215 neonate and juvenile lemon sharks were tagged and released during these surveys with catch rates varied by location with Anegada (mean CPUE = 26.3 sharks/100 hook-hours) and Hans Creek, Beef Island (mean CPUE = 8.7 sharks/100 hook-hours) providing reliable lemon shark presences. Inter-annual catch rates, abundance, and recaptures of individuals up to 354 days at liberty matches established criteria to deem these areas as shark nurseries. Hans Creek supports a smaller population of predominantly young-of-the-year (Age 0) individuals whereas the large habitat available around Anegada provides resources to a multi-cohort population (Age 0 - 2+). Catch rates were strongly influenced by tidal state, with flooding tides expanding available habitat. The results presented create the foundation to protect and maintain lemon shark populations in the Virgin Islands and broader Caribbean.

Identifying reproductively important areas is critical for improved conservation and management of fish species, including sharks. Despite this, shark mating behavior is rarely observed in the wild. Here, we document mating behaviors of nurse sharks in the shallow waters of Windlass Bight, Anegada, Virgin Islands. From June 4 to 16, 2025, shore-based observations were supplemented with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle flights to compile a total of 22 mating events and up to 27 individuals at the aggregation site at one time in the nearshore waters of Windlass Bight. Eight mature males and 15 mature females were captured and internally tagged with acoustic transmitters for long-term monitoring and fitted with external conventional tags for short-term resighting in the area. Video footage collected from previous years documented nearshore aggregative behavior and mating attempts in the same area dating back to 2018 and 2023, respectively. Collectively, these results provide evidence that Windlass Bight is a nurse shark mating aggregation site with repeated use across years. This information can inform conservation actions to prevent the disturbance of a critical life history stage for nurse sharks.

Many marine animals migrate thousands of kilometers, yet the spatial extent of dietary resources acquired along these routes remains poorly understood. Identifying foraging areas across a species’ annual cycle is critical for understanding habitat connectivity, aligning conservation with locations essential for sustaining populations, and predicting how environmental variability influences resources. We integrated continental-scale stable isotope assignment modeling (n = 417 individuals) with five years of electronic tagging (n = 85 individuals), using movement data to spatially constrain isotope-based foraging assignments, to identify foraging locations along migration routes of Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus). Distinct foraging regions emerged across the southeastern United States, including South Florida, the northern Gulf of Mexico, and the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Tissue-specific isotope incorporation rates indicated temporal variation in habitat use, with foraging activity often hundreds of kilometers from capture sites (mean distance to peak probability = 296 ± 188 km). These findings provide a framework for managing foraging habitats essential for highly migratory marine species.

The great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) is a highly mobile shark species whose population in the United States declined dramatically through the early 2000s. Their spatial ecology is poorly understood, creating challenges for effective conservation of this enigmatic marine predator. Using acoustic telemetry and network analyses, we describe the movement patterns of 15 mature great hammerhead sharks (207-331.5 cm fork length) primarily within the waters of the southeastern United States from April 2019 to December 2022, including identifying movement corridors, core use areas and seasonal shifts in habitat use. Great hammerheads exhibited partial migration; some sharks undertook consistent, repeatable, round-trip migrations between the tagging site in the Florida Keys and northern points in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast. Conversely, others remained in the Florida Keys year-round. Network analysis coupled with community detection algorithms revealed that individual great hammerheads displayed oceanic basin affinity, favouring migration to either the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. Great hammerheads that remained in the Florida Keys shifted their habitat use seasonally from inshore channels (spring and summer) to offshore artificial reefs and the natural reef tract (summer through winter). These shifts may be driven by prey availability, as core use areas often corresponded to known locations of seasonal spawning aggregations for reef fish. These data fill an important knowledge gap for great hammerhead migratory patterns that can improve spatial management strategies for this historically overexploited species. We discuss the importance of drawing upon data from multiple tagging locations for highly mobile species management, particularly in the designation of essential fish habitat.

Recreational anglers often engage in catch-and-release (C&R) whereby some of their catch is returned to the water (either to comply with harvest regulations or voluntarily) with the assumption that fish will survive and experience negligible impacts. Despite the assumption that C&R is usually harmless to fish and, thus, helps reduce overall fishing mortality, a large evidence base shows a proportion of released fish will not survive. Even if the event is not lethal, each individual fish will experience some sublethal impact (e.g., injury and stress). There is some debate within the recreational fisheries science and management community regarding the extent to which sublethal impacts or even mortality of individual fish matter, given that fisheries management efforts often focus on whether excessive overall mortality affects population size or quality of angling. Here, we embrace the perspective that individual-level outcomes matter in the context of responsible and sustainable C&R in recreational fisheries and their management. We outline 10 reasons why there is a need to account for individual outcomes of C&R fish to generate resilient fisheries under a changing climate and in the face of other ongoing, increasing, and future threats and stressors. Fostering better handling practices and responsible behaviors within the angling community through education will improve interactions between fish and people while ensuring more successful releases and ecological benefits across fisheries. We acknowledge that cultural norms and values underpin ethical perspectives, which vary among individuals, regions (e.g., rural vs. urban), and geopolitical jurisdictions, and that these can dictate angler behavior and management objectives as well as how individual-level C&R impacts are perceived. Our perspective complements a parallel paper (see Corsi et al., 2025) that argues that individual fish outcomes do not matter unless they create population-level impacts. Creating a forum for discussing and reflecting on alternative viewpoints is intended to help identify common ground where there is opportunity to work collectively to ensure recreational fisheries are managed responsibly and sustainably.

Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, is an ecologically and economically important fish species that requires greater management and conservation attention. Considering the lack of scientific information on the complex life cycle of Atlantic tarpon, particularly in Cuba, it is imperative to better understand the habitat use and requirements across life stages. This study assessed the occurrence and movement patterns of juvenile Atlantic tarpon and relevant abiotic characteristics at the westernmost mangrove-seagrass bed system in Cuba. Passive fixed station acoustic telemetry was used to monitor the movement of 13 juvenile Atlantic tarpon (mean fork length: 556 mm, ranging 400–795 mm) for 25 months. A total of 32,225 detections from 11 tagged individuals occurred among 9 out of 12 acoustic stations. Dependent on individual size, we observed differing levels of site fidelity, residency, daily movement, and putative trajectories. This area serves as an important interconnected habitat mosaic for juvenile Atlantic tarpon and highlights the environmental stability for the species amid a suite of different conditions, such as microclimatic influence, availability of refuge, or potential resting and foraging sites. In conjunction with other efforts within Cuba, these results will help inform the development of improved management and conservation strategies for Atlantic tarpon and their habitats, with implications for the Greater Caribbean.

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) are a highly valued recreational fishery along the eastern coast of North America, with most hooked fish released voluntarily or due to regulations. Understanding how striped bass respond to capture and handling, particularly air exposure, is crucial for improving management and angler practices to maximize post-release survival. This study evaluated the physical and physiological condition of 521 striped bass subjected to catch-and-release angling across different gear and tackle types and five air exposure treatments using reflex action mortality predictors. A subset of striped bass (n = 37) caught on conventional gear and double treble hook lures were fitted with triaxial accelerometer biologgers to assess short-term post-release activity across three air exposure treatments. Reflex impairment increased with higher water temperatures, longer fight and handling times, increased air exposure, and hooking in locations other than the jaw. Physical injury from foul hooking was more frequent with conventional gear, while deep hooking occurred more often with fly gear. Post-release activity was influenced by time following release, with higher activity observed in striped bass not air exposed compared to those exposed for 30 s and 120 s. Within 20 min of release, all fish survived, demonstrating resilience to the tested conditions. Our findings suggest that anglers can minimize their impact by using single hooks, reducing fight and handling times, limiting air exposure, and avoiding high water temperatures, especially for striped bass larger than 65.4 cm. These findings can inform management decisions and hone best practices for catch-and-release of striped bass.

Objectives In recreational fisheries, the choices individual anglers make have the potential to influence the success of management strategies, emphasizing the need to understand factors that drive angler behavior. Striped Bass Morone saxatilis are one of the most popular recreationally targeted fish species on the Atlantic coast of North America, particularly in the Northeast, making understanding angler practices and perceptions of the fishery essential for effective management.Methods Using an online nonprobabilistic survey, we surveyed Striped Bass saltwater anglers, investigating perceptions regarding catch-and-release best practices, angling quality, threats to the stocks, the need for management actions, and angler support for contemporary regulations.Results Anglers reported high voluntary release rates in the fishery, a general understanding of the potential effects angler behaviors can have on the fate of released fish, and awareness of strategies to mitigate negative effects. Perceptions of fishing quality mirrored population assessment data on Striped Bass stocks. Respondents highlighted pressures from the commercial fishery and the loss of juvenile habitats as perceived threats to the population. They expressed strong support for management regulations and various conservation strategies, including adoption of best practices for catch and release and increased scientific research. Despite broad consensus among respondents, attitudes varied with gear preference, with fly anglers demonstrating stronger conservation-oriented views than anglers using conventional tackle.Conclusions Insights gained from this survey reveal some gaps between angler perceptions and scientific evidence but also alignment between management goals and angler beliefs. Collectively, the insights can help shape education and outreach programs, as well as act as important reference points for Striped Bass management and conservation. In a survey of 1,651 Striped Bass anglers fishing along the Atlantic coast of North America, respondents demonstrated general awareness of the fishing practices that most influence postrelease outcomes and support for strong management regulations to promote population recovery.

Understanding spatial dynamics and migratory behaviours of fish populations is essential for effective fisheries management. We focus on the migratory Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) to explore how movement strategies and spatial life cycle patterns shape stock dynamics, contingent structure and mechanisms for collapse and recovery. The entrainment hypothesis posits that migratory routes are socially transmitted from experienced repeat spawners to younger conspecifics, resulting in distinct contingents within a population. Using a combination of literature review, life history data, mark-and-recapture records and electronic tagging, we evaluated five biological hypotheses related to entrainment mechanisms, habitat conservatism and phenotypic plasticity within Atlantic tarpon populations. Our findings provide evidence for migratory connectivity and the role of entrainment in shaping Atlantic tarpon contingent structure across the Western Atlantic. Movement and mark-and-recapture data revealed spatially discrete contingents with some intermixing, highlighting behavioural conservatism and phenotypic plasticity. Examples of vagrancy showed Atlantic tarpon caught far from their capture contingent, suggesting vagrant movements may contribute to colonising new habitats under suitable conditions. Straying by a subset of individuals may also increase the recovery and resilience of Atlantic tarpon stocks following collective memory loss in migratory routes. Research on contingent structure, larval recruitment patterns and abundance trends is needed to inform management measures to ensure the maintenance of migratory knowledge. This approach provides a framework for understanding Atlantic tarpon and other migratory marine fish stock dynamics, while underscoring the importance of coordinated management and conservation efforts across contingent boundaries.

By combining acoustic telemetry, mark-and-recapture, and location-specific catch logs, we tested whether angler-fish interactions altered the behavior, space use, and catchability of giant trevally ( Caranx ignobilis) (GT) in coastal waters of the Alphonse Island Group, Seychelles, Indian Ocean. Adult GT near a high human use area with limited provisioning showed restricted movements during the tourism fishing season and had home ranges nearly 50% smaller than that of adult GT from other parts of the atoll group. Despite angler catch maps overlapping with 30% of non-habituated adult GT core use areas, recaptures were infrequent, suggesting that GT became hook shy. Although there was no change in movement patterns during a temporary fishing closure caused by COVID-19, non-habituated GT movement patterns shifted toward wider ranging movements with each successive fishing season, potentially to avoid shallow water areas where angler activities occurred. Our findings highlight how angler interactions and catch-and-release fisheries have the potential to modify the behavior, space use, and catchability of targeted species, and may influence the viability of the fishery by exceeding its capacity.

Debate about the potential benefits and risks of live sonar technology (also known as live imaging sonar and forward-facing sonar) in freshwater recreational fisheries includes growing discussions regarding regulation. Synthesizing sparse literature, experiences of the coauthors, and observations from traditional and social media, we revealed a varied range of potential outcomes for fisheries when this technology is used. Of particular concern is the ability to find fish that were previously cryptic and to target them in ways that increase capture efficiency (e.g., through snagging where legal or more accurately presenting lures or baits); thus, increasing catchability. Conflicting views within the recreational fishing community about the “fair chase” aspect of this technology have prompted discussions regarding regulations. We anticipate continued debate around this topic and hope that this paper will inspire more empirical research (ecological and human dimensions) to provide resource managers and the recreational fishing community with insights and guidance on how to ensure that live sonar is used in ways that benefit fisheries management and stakeholder interests.

Bonefish (Albula spp.) support recreational catch-and-release (C&R) fisheries in tropical and subtropical regions, contributing to conservation efforts and advancing Blue Economy initiatives. However, post-release predation (PRP) poses challenges to the sustainability of these fisheries, particularly in predator-dense environments. This study assessed physical injury, reflex impairment, and PRP for bonefish (Albula glossodonta) in the Alphonse Group of islands, Republic of Seychelles, a well-established sport fishing destination. There was a significant effect of air exposure on reflex impairment, with fish exposed to air for 30 seconds being more impaired than those exposed to 0 or 10 seconds. However, air exposure, among other angling event characteristics, did not affect PRP (overall PRP = 13 %). Notably, PRP was highly site-specific, with 75 % of predation events occurring at a single location where bonefish were 15 times more likely to be predated compared to other sites. Cryptic predation was prevalent, as only 17 % of predation events were preceded by observing potential predators. Sicklefin lemon sharks (Negaprion acutidens) were responsible for most PRP, often tracking and preying on bonefish within an average of 9 minutes after release (30-1080 seconds; 545 +/- 315 seconds). To reduce PRP risk, these findings highlight the need for regular PRP assessments, adaptive management, and site-specific strategies that include voluntary actions of anglers and guides to avoid locations where PRP is prevalent. Incorporating evidence-informed practices into conservation and management plans can promote sustainable recreational fisheries while supporting conservation and economic growth in a Blue Economy.