Ocean Harvest Technology (OHT)’s Post

When Shelly invaders mussel in. My seminar this week in my 'Current Topics in Evolution, Behaviour and Conservation' focused on the effects of the expanding invasive Pacific oysters on marine systems. Shellfish have been historically exploited due to their accessibility in their shallow-water bivalve beds, leading to stock depletion and their rise in aquaculture. In particular, the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), due to its high reproductive output, efficient filter feeding and fast growth. However, this has also resulted in the Pacific oyster becoming a highly invasive species. Despite its invasive nature, C. gigas reefs cover extensive areas of shallow bottoms, trapping sediment and stabilising it. These reefs also enhance the organic richness of the sediment through increased nutrition and biodeposition and provide settlement opportunities for native species like the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis). It's not all good news though, C. gigas has been linked to outcompeting the native flat oysters, which are vital under international treaties. Recent research in Sweden indicates flat oysters may inhabit shallower habitats than previously thought, increasing competitive risk with C. gigas. Extreme weather-related die-offs also raise sanitary concerns, and the fouling of boats and drainage systems is becoming an issue. Despite these drawbacks, C. gigas provides a range of ecosystem goods and services, being among the top 20 cultured species in the world. Its reefs also indirectly support local fisheries by acting as nurseries for fish. Balancing its environmental impacts with its contributions is vital to ensuring the management of both its risks and rewards. #2024EBE

🌍 TAKING RESPONSIBILITY 🌱 At ROAM, we're not just focused on delivering high-quality, natural meat products. We’re equally committed to making a positive impact on the planet. That’s why we’ve partnered with B Corp, Ecologi, to help fund tree planting initiatives across the globe! 🌳 For every 12-pack of ROAM bars or bites sold, we plant a tree with Ecologi, contributing to reforesting efforts and creating new forests worldwide. Curious about our progress? Check out how many trees we’ve planted so far and join us in making a difference: https://lnkd.in/dAD5EttT #BCorp #Ecologi #SavethePlanet #TreePlanting #ClimateAction

Discover how native species are revitalizing degraded silvopastoral systems in dry regions! 🌳 🗞️ Read the fascinating insights in our latest article: https://lnkd.in/dAmvPKNi

Take a look at this seminar series on global food security from AIARD members Noel Habashy, Deanna Behring, and more!

For the last century, humans have overfished, depleted stocks, and moved on to less attractive species — species that are down the trophic chain, more distant species, species that were inaccessible (e.g., near the poles at greater depths). And now it appears that we are looking at species that are at between 200- and 1,000-meters depth. If you consider the volume of water that this would include globally, this is greater than all the natural habitat areas and volumes of water we have used historically. Hauling such species to the surface and waiting until the volume of catch is sufficient to offload the catch could lead to deterioration. While there might be a huge volume of unexploited resource species in these waters, it would be a tiny percentage of the volume to be searched, literally a needle in a haystack. This brings a whole new meaning to Hoovering the oceans. Here’s a radical question — why do we still “hunt and gather” seafood when we produce virtually all our land-based food on farms and ranches?

🐝🍯 Uncover the buzz around honey bee pollination in our white paper! Honey bees, the unsung heroes of pollination, play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and ensuring the reproduction of plants. From almonds to avocados and beyond, delve into key stats, the pollination process, and case studies showcasing foods that rely on honey bee pollination. https://buff.ly/3UdQsUN

Winter on the farm, what's it like for our animals? 🐄 🐖 🐓 Astrid, our breeder, is constantly making sure the cold doesn't get to them. - She mulches a lot, to keep the animals warm. This natural bedding helps the animals retain their warmth and provides good thermal insulation. - She makes sure the animals have something to eat and drink. This means keeping an eye on the water troughs, as the risk of freezing is high. A necessary task, since our animals stay outdoors all winter long. Don't worry, we've consciously chosen hardy breeds that can withstand the drop in temperature. 🤗 Want to know more? Find out more about Astrid's winter work in our new blog post (link in comments) ---- Domaine de Graux is an agroecological farm. We're convinced that the future of mankind and the planet depends on a better harmony between agriculture and ecology. And we're determined to get our hands in the soil and show that this is not just a pipe dream. 🧑🏽🌾 🌿 Stay in touch! Subscribe to our Domaine de Graux Linkedin page to find out about upcoming news, events and talks related to agroecology and regenerative agriculture #agroecology #regenerativefarming #sustainability

New Scientific Paper! I am thrilled to announce the publication of the article: "Evidence to inform spatiotemporal management of a Western Pacific Ocean tuna purse seine fishery" by Fisheries Research Group, The Safina Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, now available in the Ecological Applications Journal! 💡This research has a deep dive into the PNG Fishing Industry Association tuna fleet catches; This study analyzed observer program data to estimate the effect of the spatial and temporal distribution of fishing effort on target and at-risk species-specific catch rates based on fitting spatially explicit generalized additive multilevel regression models within a Bayesian inference framework. The findings identified areas within existing core fishing grounds where hotspots for silky sharks, rays, and whale sharks Free access scientific article link: https://lnkd.in/erh2Bscm Thanks to Eric Gilman for leading this research that helps to improve Tuna fishery management plan and Captain's / Skippers decision for fishing. SCS Global Services Jessica Melgey Brian Ahlers Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) John Maefiti Transform Aqorau Nialangis Posanau Donald Papaol Pacific Community-SPC Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) The University of Queensland Leslie Roberson International Seafood Sustainability Foundation Hilario Murua

A recent study by Utrecht University, published in the science journal Nature, confirms that FSC certification is vital for thriving wildlife in the Congo Basin tropical forests.    The research, led by Joeri Zwerts, found that forests with FSC certification in Gabon and the Republic of Congo have significantly more large mammals (2.7 times more) – such as gorillas and elephants – than non-certified forests.    The study also highlights the effectiveness of steps taken in FSC-certified forests to safeguard wildlife, proving that preserving large mammals positively influences seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and forest carbon storage.    Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ejpVwmiT   #SustainableForestry #CongoBasin #Biodiversity #ForestsForAllForever

Did you know a healthy kelp forest supports a high biodiversity level and provides fish shelter? Healthy kelp forests offer many ecosystem services, including bioremediation, improving ocean water quality, and carbon sequestration. We are still researching carbon sequestration to determine its full extent. Healthy kelp forests can support fisheries as breeding grounds to help increase fish stock and diversity. A kelp forest can accomplish many things. At Kelp Forest Foundation, we're researching the science behind the nature. Learn about kelp forests, their role in our marine ecosystem, and a few things we're researching at KFF to unlock the power of kelp. #bluecarbon #kelp #nature #marinescience #netzero #naturebased