Because Humans, fish size shrank

Because Humans, fish size shrank

As a result of the environmental impact caused by humans, the size of the fish when it is much smaller than before. Other effects, the fish became more easily eaten by predators. This means, an important food source is becoming increasingly endangered, far exceeding previous estimates.

From the results of prior research, it is known that several important fish species have shrunk, while, the fish have been caught bigger nets. In fact, its own climate change has affected the food chain. However, to date, reaching impact due to depreciation of fish size has not been examined.

To that end, a group of researchers from Australia and Finland used computer modeling to predict what will happen when the five species of fish to shrink in size within the next 50 years. In the study, researchers looked at five species of fish in southeastern Australia that jackass morwong, tiger flathead, silver warehou, blue grenadier, and pink ling.

Through simulations, it is known that the four species of fish, their body mass will shrink, except for blue grenadier, who, despite shrinking its size, its population rose by sepuluhpersen as they move to areas closer to the coast, where they are safer from attack by predators.

In total, the body mass of four of the five species were observed down to 35 percent. "But no matter how small decrease in body size of fish species could have a major impact on their natural death," said the study authors. From the calculation, even though depreciation is only reached four percent, but in fact, deaths from predators will increase by 50 percent.

In a report published in the journal Biology Letters of the Royal Society, researchers say, the impact on the catch are also significant. "Humans have changed the marine ecosystems around the world. Directly through fishing and indirectly through global warming, "said the study authors. "Fish management practices that ignore these changes could lead to overfishing," said the study authors.