Writing in the Journal Fish & Fisheries, Dr Richard Unsworth of Swansea University (together with colleagues at Cardiff University and Stockholm University) examine the global extent to which these meadows of underwater plants support fishing activity.

“Wherever seagrass exists in proximity to people, our research finds that it’s used as a key targeted fishing habitat” said Dr Unsworth, who is based at Swansea University’s Biosciences department.

“Our research is for the first time recording how globally extensive the use of seagrass meadows as a fishery habitat is. In developing countries this activity tends to have a major significance for daily food supply and general livelihoods. In developed countries the role of this activity is more for recreation or species specific targeted fisheries (e.g. clams).”

Dr Nordlund from Stockholm University added “The ecological value of seagrass meadows is irrefutable, yet there loss continues at an accelerating rate. Now there is growing evidence globally that many fisheries associated to seagrass are unrecorded, unreported and unmanaged, leading to a tragedy of the seagrass commons”.

In their article, the researchers highlight that because of their nearshore, shallow water distribution in sheltered environments seagrass meadows make great places to fish in all conditions. This leads to high intensity of fishing effort often all year round.

The authors have studied seagrass fisheries all around the world from the Philippines, to Zanzibar, Indonesia, the Turks & Caicos Islands and locations in the Mediterranean. They have found many similarities in the types of fishing gear used the major animal families that are fished and the extent of effort focused in these sensitive habitats.

Even in small seagrass meadows in Wales fishers can be seen targeting shrimp at low tide and placing gill nets to catch Bass. By providing a three-dimensional structure in an otherwise barren sea, seagrasses provide the perfect hiding place for fish and invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp and clams. This abundance of animal life is what attracts fishers. 

“It is important that more recognition is given to the value of these habitats for supporting fisheries as they’re being damaged and degraded globally.” said Dr Cullen-Unsworth (Cardiff University), one of the co-authors who is also director of the marine conservation charity Project Seagrass who are working to highlight the importance and plight of these sensitive marine habitats.

Their paper – Global significance of seagrass fishery activity - is available (Open Access) here http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/faf.12259/full

Picture 1: Static fish fences in seagrass in Indonesia (Author: Benjamin Jones)

Picture 2: Indigenous fisher spear fishing in Indonesia (Author: Richard Unsworth)

Picture 3: Fishing in UK seagrass (Author: Richard Unsworth)