These fish are born female & later become male; fishing may be changing them at molecular level

Pearly razorfish begin life as females before some naturally transition into males.- National Geographic photo Fishing is known to reduce fish populations and change the size and age of fish found in the wild. But a new study suggests that the effects may go much beyond.Researchers have found that heavy fishing may be changing the biology of the pearly razorfish at the molecular level. The study says intense fishing pressure is linked with changes that may affect how the fish's genes work.The findings, published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Science X reported, offer some of the first evidence that fishing could influence epigenetic changes.The pearly razorfish The pearly razorfish (Xyrichtys novacula) is a small marine fish that lives in sandy coastal waters. It feeds on small sea animals such as shrimp and other tiny creatures found in the seabed.According to National Geographic, every pearly razorfish is born female. As it grows, some naturally change into males. The dominant male defends a territory shared with several females, helping maintain order in the group and reducing early sex changes among younger females.In Spain's Balearic Islands...