A new study has found that heavy fishing may be altering pearly razorfish at the molecular level. Researchers discovered that while the fish experience no major changes to their DNA, fishing pressure is linked to differences in DNA methylation, which is an epigenetic process that controls how genes function.
Pearly razorfish are a species characterized by being born female and later transitioning to male. The scientific findings indicate that human fishing activities can impact these animals beyond population numbers by altering their internal biological processes.
Additionally, the study observed that the use of marine reserves helps preserve the natural state of the fish. These protected areas play a role in mitigating the molecular impacts associated with heavy fishing pressures.
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