Integrating approaches to assess connectivity, seafood quality and sustainability.

Otoliths are the record books of fisheries scientists and managers as these time-resolved structures chronicle fish life histories in unrivalled detail. The chemical information stored in otoliths and other archival structures reflect long-term variations in growth, movements, and responses to environmental conditions, providing multiple pathways to support fisheries management. Here, we present a series of interconnected case studies on how we have been harnessing the power of otolith chemistry, growth and genetic markers to strengthen stock structure and connectivity assessments, to support fisheries management as well as seafood provenance and quality efforts. We also highlight how integrating genetic markers can improve our understanding of population dynamics and management scales. At the same time, we showcase our research on emerging contaminants and microplastics in seafood, working with the industry to find solutions. Overall, the multi-disciplinary approach we take aims to enhance ecological understanding, promote sustainable fisheries, and safeguard seafood quality, contributing to overall ecosystem health and resilience.