Coastal fish

Coastal fish live in or regularly use waters near coastlines, including estuaries, reefs, and shallow continental shelves. They depend on habitats shaped by tides, freshwater inflows, and human activity.

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Estuary: A coastal water body where river freshwater mixes with seawater. Estuaries provide feeding, breeding, and nursery habitat for many coastal species.
Small-scale fisheries: Fisheries using relatively small vessels, gear, and operations, often serving local communities. Many coastal fish support local catches and food security.
Fish migration: The regular movement of fish between places, often linked to feeding or reproduction. Some coastal species shift among habitats as seasons or life stages change.
Overfishing: Fishing that removes organisms faster than populations can replenish them. Heavy harvest can reduce coastal fish abundance and alter community structure.
Coral reef: A marine ecosystem built by reef-forming corals and associated organisms. Reefs shelter diverse fish and supply food and breeding sites.
Marine protected area: A defined marine region managed to conserve nature and limit some human activities. Protected areas can safeguard coastal fish habitats and populations.
Osmoregulation: The control of water and dissolved-ion concentrations inside an organism. It allows estuarine fish to cope with changing salt levels.
Marine pollution: The introduction of harmful substances or energy into marine environments. Contaminants and debris can harm fish and degrade nearshore habitat.
Continental shelf: The gently sloping submerged edge of a continent, extending from the shore to the deep ocean. Its shallow waters contain extensive habitat used by coastal fish.
Fish nursery: A habitat where juvenile fish find food and shelter during early life stages. Many coastal habitats function as nurseries before fish move elsewhere.