There are millions of more red snapper off the Texas coast than previously estimated. Here’s why
The $12 million Great Red Snapper Count estimated that the Gulf holds about 110 million adult red snapper -- those at least 2 years old. More than 60% of the red snapper were in areas that previously had not been checked, according to the study by 20 scientists from 14 universities and NOAA. The report estimated that about 48 million adult red snapper swim off Florida, 29 million off Louisiana, 23 million off Texas and 10 million off Mississippi and Alabama. He noted that the red snapper count received twice as much funding as all of the studies he oversees at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Congress voted for the study in 2016, as red snapper recreational seasons got shorter and shorter while anglers kept seeing more and bigger fish.
Fish found dead along San Antonio River, Texas coast after freezing weather event
The Environmental Sciences Department is continuing to monitor the sightings, and officials said the dead fish are not caused by poor water quality. Anyone who spots dead fish along the river is asked to contact the River Authority’s Environmental Investigations team online or by calling 866-345-7272. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said fish on the Texas coast first started dying off on Feb. 14. Among the fish species impacted were spotted seatrout, red drum, sheepshead, grey snapper, snook, black drum and tarpon. Other wildlife species impacted by the storm include axis deer, blackbuck, nilgai antelope and multiple bird species, according to TPWD.
Fish are in trouble with the climate crisis, IPCC report finds
Overfishing makes the issue worse, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report said. Warmer waters hold less oxygen, and fish need that oxygen to survive. Oxygen deprivationThe open ocean is also losing its oxygen, between 0.5-3.3% between 1970 and 2010, the IPCC report found, and it's expected to get worse. Carl Boettiger who also studies global fisheries, said a note of caution about fish future is needed. Seafood many people love like Atlantic cod and certain salmon are challenged, and the continued climate crisis will not do these fish any favors.
Funky fish inspiring next generation of robots
This video shows the undulatory swimming style of four different types of fish that look nothing alike but evolved with similar types of movements. Computer animation from Northwestern University shows the black ghost knifefish's movements, followed by images of robots inspired by the fish.
cbsnews.com