Study Looks at Gender Change in Black Sea Bass as Survival Tactic

Scientists have long known black sea bass are “protogynous hermaphrodites,” a species in which fish that begin life as females can switch gender to male. But the details of how and why that happens are not completely understood. A study led by Professor of Marine and Coastal Sciences Olaf Jensen suggests that this behavior may be a strategy to keep balance in the population. Understanding the dynamics of the sex change could help biologists and government fisheries managers better assess the overall black sea bass stock, calculations that up to now have been forcing season closures and lost money for the shore’s party and charter boat fleet. Read more at Rutgers Today.