CNN —Scientists studying squaretail grouper have found that the increasing presence of fishermen in the water is changing their behavior from flirty to flighty. This coincides with a shift from hook and line fishing from boats to fishers spearfishing while in the water, she said. Humans have responded to this behavior by targeting these events in order to catch more fish, which have started to engage less in courting behavior out of fear. In many populations, these spawning events are the only time that groupers will mate, she added. Karkarey also wants to investigate whether these fearful fish are finding other ways to mate despite the behavioral changes researchers have observed.

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Persons: Rucha Karkarey, spearfishing, “, ”, they’ve, Karkarey Organizations: CNN —, Lancaster University, CNN Locations: flighty, India’s Lakshadweep, Maldives