Shark longline fishery of Papua New Guinea: size and species composition and spatial variation of the catches

Abstract

This study provides the first detailed investigation of the catches of the shark longline fishery in Papua New Guinea. Fisheries observers collected data on shark catches from a total of 318 longline sets between May and June 2014, before its closure in July 2014. In all, 14694 sharks were recorded with a total estimated biomass of 439 tonnes (Mg). Eighteen species of sharks were recorded in the observer data, with the most dominant species being Carcharhinus falciformis, which constituted more than 90% of the total catches by both weight and number of individuals. The level of observer misidentification was low (<10%), which reflected the use of region-specific identification guides by well-trained fisheries observers. The most diverse catches were in the Solomon Sea area, whereas catches in most other areas, particularly the Bismarck Sea areas, were less diverse and more strongly dominated by C. falciformis. Size and sex ratios varied by species, highlighting the importance of obtaining species-level information from the fishery being investigated. Any consideration by fisheries managers to reopen this fishery needs to consider the effect this will have on the species targeted and the livelihoods of coastal fishers who also rely on the same resources.