Electronic tag data is revealing complex behavior in fish populations, raising questions about current fisheries management policies.

The technology shows that populations contain sub-groups with different migratory behavior, according to US fish expert Prof David Secor.

He said that this insight casts doubt on the effectiveness of fisheries' geographic boundaries.

Prof Secor outlined his findings at a science conference in Denmark.

"We've had this view that we manage fisheries based on boundaries," explained Prof Secor, from the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

"This is important because we have to regulate jurisdictional fisheries and we have to know how many fish are harvested so we can make sure that not too many fish are caught."

Read the full story at BBC >>

Read more about fishery management >>

Have you listened to this article via the audio player?

If so, send us your feedback around what we can do to improve this feature or further develop it. If not, check it out and let us know what you think via email or on social media.

A collection of stories from guest authors.

Join the Conversation