The role of forecasts in understanding bycatch and entanglement risk

Weather forecasts only look out a few days to weeks. Two new research studies describe the increasing accuracy of specialized scientific models in forecasting changes in the ocean up to a year in advance.

The models have increasing value as climate change drives shifts in ocean temperatures and other conditions with new and unexpected outcomes. The changes can have ecological and economic repercussions. For example, warming ocean temperatures increase the overlap between fishing fleets and protected species like whales and sea turtles, which can trigger fishing closures. The research was conducted by scientists at NOAA Fisheries and University of California, Santa Cruz.

Close-up photo of a dark gray humpback whale coming up out of the water, or breaching, and releasing water from its blowhole as a cloud of mist.Read the full story here:

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/ecological-forecasts-offer-new-insight-changing-conditions-can-shift-fisheries-drive