A century ago, oceans teemed with large, long-lived fish that played key roles in ecosystem health and resilience. Today, overfishing—especially of the biggest individuals—has left fish populations younger and smaller, threatening ocean balance and food security. Dr Asta Audzijonyte from the University of Tasmania is researching how human activity and climate change have impacted fish size and what can be done to restore healthy size diversity. She highlights the role of recreational fishing, calls for greater marine protection, and emphasizes that restoring large fish is achievable within decades. Her team also developed an educational Big Fish card game to engage the public and promote sustainable fishing practices.

Full University of Tasmania article available here: https://www.utas.edu.au/about/news-and-stories/articles/2024/size-matters-why-fish-size-diversity-is-vital-for-healthy-oceans