Although seamounts are found globally and their ecological and economical importance is well known, the mechanisms for supporting seamount-associated communities are not well understood.
The multi-species VAST model was used to better understand swordfish and their response to environmental conditions (critical for predicting potential climate change impacts) within the economically important Hawaii-based longline fishing grounds.
Many global fisheries have transitioned to rights-based management to improve bioeconomic outcomes, but several fishing communities have experienced negative social impacts.
Model suggests that due to climate change, a decline in the yield of Hawaii's longline fishery may be inevitable, but the effects of climate change on the ecosystem depend heavily on the intensity of fishing mortality.
Spatial variability in oceanographic conditions play a large role in influencing the magnitude and composition of catch for Hawai'i's bigeye tuna longline fleet.