A groundbreaking study has revealed that global fisheries have extracted over 560 million tons of essential ocean nutrients between 1960 and 2018, posing a serious threat to marine ecosystems and long-term ocean productivity.
Published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, the research was conducted by scientists from Utah State University and the Sea Around Us initiative at the University of British Columbia. The team analyzed the cumulative effects of industrial fishing on nutrient cycling in the ocean and found alarming results.
Massive Nutrient Depletion from Global Fishing Activities
Over nearly six decades, industrial fisheries have removed:
- 430 million tons of carbon
- 110 million tons of nitrogen
- 23 million tons of phosphorus
These nutrients, vital for healthy marine food webs, were extracted from Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of multiple countries and 18 high seas regions.
“Fish and marine species store crucial nutrients in their bodies,” explained Adrian Gonzalez Ortiz, lead author of the study. “Targeting 330 species based on market demand and availability has disrupted the natural nutrient balance in our oceans.”
Disruptions in the Marine Food Web
The study highlights that medium-sized predators such as herring and mackerel—species rich in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus—have been disproportionately targeted. These species play a dual role in the food web: as both prey and predator. Their extraction has cascading effects on ocean nutrient cycles.
“These mid-level predators are nutrient-rich and essential to maintaining marine food chains,” noted Dr. Trisha B. Atwood, co-author and associate professor at Utah State University. “Removing them reduces the pool of nutrient-dense biomass and impacts the availability of food for top predators.”
Regional Impacts: Southeast Asia Hit Hardest
Geographically, the greatest nutrient losses were recorded in highly productive EEZs, with Cambodia experiencing the highest levels of nutrient depletion. Although global fish catches peaked in the 1990s, the study found that nutrient extraction dropped by half in 160 regions by the 2010s—leading to expansion into previously unfished ocean zones.
“This shift in fishing grounds, especially into tropical and subtropical Pacific waters and the high seas, has led to a renewed rise in nutrient extractions,” said Dr. Maria “Deng” Palomares, co-author and manager at Sea Around Us.
A More Accurate Method for Measuring Ocean Nutrient Loss
Unlike earlier studies that used generalized nutrient values, this research utilized species-specific nutrient data from 330 commercially targeted marine species. This method provides a more accurate and spatially aware understanding of nutrient loss over time.
“By focusing on the actual nutrient content of individual species, we gain clearer insights into how fishing impacts ocean health,” Gonzalez Ortiz added.
Key Takeaways
- Global fisheries have removed over 560 million tons of ocean nutrients from 1960 to 2018.
- Mid-level predators are the most targeted and nutrient-rich species, leading to ecosystem imbalances.
- Cambodian waters saw the highest regional nutrient depletion.
- Nutrient extraction continues to rise in newly fished regions of the Pacific and high seas.
- Species-specific data is crucial for understanding long-term changes in marine nutrient cycling.
Conclusion
This study underscores the urgent need for sustainable fishing practices that consider not just species populations, but also their role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem health. Addressing nutrient extraction could be key to preserving marine biodiversity and supporting long-term fisheries productivity.
Citation:
Gonzalez Ortiz, A. A., Atwood, T. B., Palomares, M. L. D., et al. (2025). Fisheries disrupt marine nutrient cycles through biomass extraction. Communications Earth & Environment. DOI: 10.1038/s43247-025-02218-z