The global community should work to establish an array of new international legal rules to protect the health of fish stocks, new research says. Rather than one set of laws covering all possible maritime sustainability issues, there should be a range of different rules, each with its own distinct objectives and mandates.

Unlike many other pollutants, toxic metals do not break down in the environment. Although they may become diluted over time, they can remain in landscapes for centuries, posing potential risks to wildlife, livestock, ecosystems and people.