A recent study highlights a drastic reduction in cod size, nearly half since 1996, primarily due to intense fishing and environmental changes. This research involved analyzing 152 cod from the Baltic Sea, revealing alarming trends in both size and maturity. The average maximum length of cod caught dropped from 115cm in 1996 to 54cm in 2019. With smaller, faster-maturing fish gaining an advantage in environments with high fishing pressure, this situation embodies 'evolution in action,' according to scientists who also noted significant genetic changes linked to human activities.
Cod has decreased in size by 48% since 1996, largely due to human influence and environmental changes, affecting their genetic makeup.
The analysis of cod caught between 1996 and 2019 shows a significant decline in size and maturity, reflecting evolutionary changes driven by fishing practices.
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