A new study published in the open-access journal PLOS Biology reveals that 12.7% of certain marine fish species are now at risk of extinction—a significant increase from the previous estimate of 2.5% by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The research, conducted by scientists from the MARBEC Unit in Montpellier, France, was led by Nicolas Loiseau and Nicolas Mouquet. They employed advanced computational models to assess the extinction risks of nearly 5,000 marine fish species that had insufficient data for official conservation status by the IUCN.
These species, classified as Data-Deficient, have traditionally been challenging to evaluate due to limited available information. To overcome this, the researchers used a combination of machine learning and artificial neural networks, which were trained on extensive data, including species occurrence, biological traits, taxonomy, and human uses. This innovative method enabled them to categorize 78.5% of the Data-Deficient species as either Non-Threatened or Threatened, with a dramatic rise in predicted Threatened species—from 334 to 1,671.
The study identified at-risk species as those with small geographic ranges, large body sizes, and slow growth rates. Specific regions such as the South China Sea, the Philippine and Celebes Seas, and the west coasts of Australia and North America were highlighted as hotspots for these endangered species.
Nicolas Loiseau emphasized the importance of these findings, noting that “Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables the reliable assessment of extinction risks for species that have not yet been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).” However, despite the advancements in predictive modeling, the researchers cautioned that AI models cannot fully replace direct evaluations of at-risk species. They proposed integrating these new insights into a synthetic index called the ‘predicted IUCN status,’ which could complement the existing conservation framework by providing rapid and cost-effective extinction risk assessments.
The study’s findings have profound implications for global marine conservation efforts. As climate change and human activities continue to threaten marine ecosystems, the researchers urge policymakers and conservationists to reassess priorities and allocate resources effectively. Proactive measures based on accurate data and advanced technologies are deemed essential to protect the biodiversity of our oceans, particularly as the threats facing marine teleost fish species intensify.
Source: Open Access Government
