Standard Presentation 2024 Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting combined with NZMSS

Navigating the Depths: Fish from the Mesopelagic Zone as Future Sustainable Solutions (#9)

Bowen Zhang 1 , Patti Virtue 1 , Kerrie Swadling 1 , Peter Nichols 2 , Heidi Pethybridge 2 , Kim Lee Chang 2
  1. Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, TAS, Australia
  2. Environment, CSIRO, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

The mesopelagic layer, spanning depths from 200m to 1000m and encompassing roughly 60% of Earth's surface oceans, is a significant component of marine ecosystems globally. This zone hosts a diverse array of species, with mesopelagic fish, particularly myctophids, being highly abundant, holding around 10 gigatonnes of biomass. Myctophids are notably rich in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and essential vitamins, presenting an untapped and promising resource. Despite this nutritional potential, these fish and other mesopelagic species have mainly been exploited for animal feed and fertilizer rather than direct human consumption. Recognizing the urgency of addressing this issue, this study underscores the importance of tapping into the nutritional benefits of the mesopelagic zone to meet human dietary needs while advocating for sustainable fishing practices. It emphasizes the necessity for interdisciplinary collaborations and sustainable management approaches to fully utilize the abundant nutritional resources offered by the mesopelagic zone, thereby contributing significantly to global food sustainability efforts.