Fish in quiet waters increased threefold during lockdown
(CNS): When compared to data from 2018, there was a significant increase in reef fish biomass in the waters off Grand Cayman during the COVID-19 lockdown, according to research published in the scientific journal Nature Scientific Reports. Researchers from the Central Caribbean Marine Institute found that fish in and around the George Town Harbour increased threefold due to an absence of cruise ships and other boats during the pandemic.
From July 2020, a few months after the lockdown, to the end of 2022, the decrease in noise and boat waste improved fish feeding, sociality, reproduction and overall health.
The survey sites were Eden Rock, Don Fosters, Fish Point, and Wharf. The sites were periodically examined during this period of altered activity, and the number of individual fish as well as species were logged. The scientists said the work provides unprecedented insights into the impacts of human activity and the resilience of reef fish populations.
Over the two-year period, the steady increase in fish numbers was likely due to shifts in fish re-entering areas of previously high activity and improved fish fitness, leading to more reproduction, the authors of the study said, noting that there was a “drastic increase” in juvenile parrotfish, a species crucial for maintaining healthy coral reef systems and maintaining Cayman’s famous Seven Mile Beach.
“Our results suggest that reductions in human water-based activities have positive implications for coral reef ecosystems and should be considered in future management strategies,” they said.
In a press release from CCMI, Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Jack Johnson said the findings were exciting. “They prove that both immediate and long-term changes in fish communities can occur when human water-based activities are limited. Given the role of fish for coral reef health, these findings should be considered in future coral reef management strategies.”
Similar studies have documented the short-term effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on biodiversity. However, CCMI’s study is unique in that these effects were examined over a two-year period and showed substantial benefits to fish populations in Grand Cayman over a longer duration with the reduction of stress from water-based activities. The findings could have implications for future planning decisions in the marine environment of the Cayman Islands, the release said.
“In addition to the economic and dietary benefits, a healthy marine environment can also support climate change mitigation, provide coastal protection from storm surge, and regulate climate and weather. Coral reefs are an essential ecosystem that underpins societal well-being, supporting health, the economy and coastal security,” CCMI said in the release.
However, the scientists also noted, “These ecosystems are under threat, and the more scientists understand what impacts their health, the better we can protect them through planning and management. CCMI’s research shows how reef fish populations can bounce back when stresses such as noise and pollution from shipping activity are reduced.”
CCMI presented the findings from this research to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to ensure that the results are disseminated to managers and decision-makers for consideration during planning decisions around development and marine activities.
The research was funded by Walkers and the UK Government’s Darwin Plus Programme.
Read the full paper here.
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Category: Marine Environment, Science & Nature
I can’t believe the nonsense about the cruise ship ports. There are literally ports all over the world. Mostly for imports and exports of product and services. If there is no money in ports why does every country in the world have them?
We have been in the cruise ship industry since 1937 and is the only reason that tourism grew for hotels in the 60’s. Your Papa came back from sea and created the fishing, diving and eventually the construction industry. Now you want to stop the growth of an industry that helped families? How did you think they paid for higher education for children? Do you remember that the first tourists after hurricane Ivan came by ships. Do you remember the amount of damage to houses, hotels and infrastructures needed a port to build back this island?
Smaller ships are not going to be the answer solely. Richer class of people are not going to fill your bars or restaurants. We are not a St Barts destination. They have restaurant and bars where people pay thousands of dollars for meals that include caviar. They sell more fur coats than NYC. Nor should we want to be.
The majority of children leaving certain schools are not prepared for professional jobs in the finance , insurance, trades, or hotel and condominium tourism. Where are the vocational schools or degrees for CPA or finance?
We don’t need a 4 year college to drive a boat or a bus. Within a a few months and a good attitude you’re on your way.
How can selling lunch in town reach over $100 and include burgers and fries or grilled fish and salad with nothing but water? Do you really think rich people are stupid? Buying drinks over CI$ 10-15 for a mixed drinks. That’s why they come by ships. If you want ST Bart’s type business you need to start all over again. First of all the help can’t live on the same island they need to catch the plane and go to Cayman Brac. It’s the same in Monaco . Think, research, watch videos on YouTube you’ll see I’m right.
What we need is intelligent , experienced people who understand the market. We need a cargo and cruise ship port that is clean and organised with infrastructure.
Word salad nonsense
Sound pollution is real. Consistent types of frequencies that nature, only until a few hundred years ago, did not have to content with, cause damage. This is true for the damage caused to wildlife as well as to humans. Its harder to prove the damage of sound pollution because it is transient. That bass booming drive-by is a momentary distraction. The same for construction, or periodic yard cleaning, or passing boats…they are transient, but still consistent and wane the quality of any environment.
in 70s we were saving whales (according to my mom, in this century we are killing whales with acoustics from wind turbines.
Get rid of humans and the planet will flourish. We’ve become an out of control cancer for the earth 🌍
People like you aren’t needed on this island with your mindset. Help the world by starting with yourself.
The ignorance of people like yourself 3:47 is exactly what will be the end of the human species, animals plants etc.. dont be an idiot, accept it. If you think ‘Radio Rich’ is wrong check out David Attenboroughs ‘The Year Earth Changed’and then check the other link. On the scale of a 24hr clock the human species has been in existence for 3 seconds and look what we’ve done, not much to be proud of really unless you’re into wrecking things. Radio Rich is exactly right, the earth will carry on.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film/david-attenborough-s-the-year-earth-changed-shows-the-silver-lining-to-a-year-of-pandemic-1.1205197
https://www.thethinkingrepublic.com/3-seconds/3-seconds
I don’t care what you or Radio says anyone advocating genocide of the human race I have an absolute issue with and I’d suggest an insane asylum or a jail cell.
Yeah its just not the cruise ships it’s the fact theres over a thousand of theses private charter fishing boats that take you out and catch massive fish for big money.
Not just the cruise ships, but yes the cruise ships.
Look at the facts Spendy, there isn’t a need for a referendum 🤡
I don’t think cruise ships would be the biggest reason for this. More likely that a lot less people in Cayman would have been fishing due to lockdown, and a lot less fish required in restaurants and hotels due to the stoppage of tourism.
Except the majority of fish eaten in Cayman, much less in hotels & restaurants, is imported not locally caught. And not locally caught in the harbour which has been no-fishing (except shore) for over 30 years now.
Foolishness. You obviously don’t dive. The difference was huge especially at Don Foster’s and Eden Rock. Cruise ships are the real issue yet Cry Baby Kenny thinks these are the answer to Cayman’s prayers. The man has the intellect of an amoeba.
Not that we needed another reason to drastically curtail the madness that is cruise tourism in Cayman waters, but this is definitely another reason.
If only fish could pay bribes to the decision makers in order to counter what is happening, the grouper population would increase, there would be healthier reefs and more sand would return to 7 Mile Beach.
I agree that cruise ships should be banned but that won’t bring back the sand on 7-mile. Only the demolition of all the seawalls and the Margaritaville groin will bring it back.
On the positive side the Nassau grouper population is recovering well 🙂
totally agree – grouper contribute to sand formation but we need to ban cruise ships and remove all the man made structures that have impeded the natural movement of sand on 7 Mile.
I think the sand formation is predominantly down to parrot fish and coralline algae. But grouper as predators help to keep the reefs healthy by picking off older or weaker fish.
The vast majority of cruise ship visitors are not diving. Wonder which industry is putting pressure on the sea?
This is not surprising. Nature bounced back whilst human activity was curtailed during the pandemic. The answer here is simple, ban cruise ships, fishing boats, and jet skis. But humankind is too selfish.
If the oceans die, we all die.
Reform immigration legislation, so that the unsustainable population growth halted.
Stop any new PR applications.
It is the work permits!!
It is the deficiency of the local workforce!!!
I’m convinced. Cancel all cruise ships. No more diet coke and wifi customers needed.
Yet another incentive to say good bye to cruise ships.
Add reduction of pressure on Stingray City and Starfish Point and we have a deal!