Study finds fisheries management—not predator recovery—drives catch levels in the North Sea

A new research study found that well-managed fisheries can support the recovery of large marine predators such as seals and porpoises, showing that conservation and sustainable seafood production can go hand in hand. While the impacts of protected species are often debated, the study led by researchers at University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science's Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), showed that fishing effort—not predator recovery—is the main driver of fishery yields in the North Sea.