Management Of Shark Fisheries Research Articles

An ecosystem approach to manage pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) based in Kutaraja Ocean Fishing Port, Aceh

Sharks is the dominant bycatch of purse seine and bottom longline vessels that landed in Kutaraja ocean fishing port, particularly pelagic thresher shark species (Alopias pelagicus). The management of shark fisheries in Aceh water is not well implemented. According to the IUCN red list, the pelagic thresher shark has been classified as an endangered species. The capture and trade of pelagic thresher sharks are regulated by CITES (Appendix II). So that Indonesia has to comply with the procedures of CITES due to it has been adopted through the Decree of Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia Number 61/PERMEN-KP/2018. However, the exploitation and trading of the A. pelagicus continues and is not properly managed. It will threaten the extinction of the pelagic thresher shark population and in terms of a negative image of fisheries management in Indonesia, in particular. Thus, integrated management such as the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) is needed to solve this problem. This study aims to evaluate the fisheries management status of the pelagic thresher shark based on EAFM indicator of fish resources domain, focusing in the Kutaraja ocean fishing port. This research was conducted by field measurement and interviews with key stakeholders. Data were analyzed using a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) approach through development of a composite index. The results showed that the trend of CPUE tends to fluctuate in the last 5 years. The total length of the sharks was relatively constant. The proportion of juvenile pelagic thresher sharks was 16% male, and 28% (female), and the shark was bycatch (1%) of the purse seine fishery, the fishing ground was getting further away and seemed to go close to the shark habitat. Based on this assessment, one could conclude that shark's fishery resources were in 'good' category, however, some indicators need to improve through better fisheries management actions. Keywords: EAFM; Alopias pelagicus; pelagic thresher shark; Kutaraja ocean fishing port

Single-cluster systematic sampling designs for shark catch size composition in a Central American longline fishery

Sampling designs for collection of shark size composition data are needed to fill one of the primary knowledge gaps hampering management of shark fisheries in Central America. These designs need to be tailored towards multi-species fisheries with highly structured landings, which are driven by buyer demand in port. In addition, due to the difficulty of maintaining catch quality outdoors in a tropical environment, the designs ideally would have minimal impact on the often-rapid catch landing process. In this study, simulations based on data from exhaustively sampled landings of Costa Rican mediana escala (78 landings) and avanzada (21 landings) commercial longline vessels were used to test single-cluster systematic sampling designs for estimating size (commercial weight category) composition of retained catches of shark species, as well as of other taxa present in landings with sharks. The wide range in numbers of sharks per landing led to sampling designs for which the frequency of within-landing sampling depended on the number of sharks to be landed. Designs for shark-only sampling and sampling of all taxa were tested. For the mediana escala fleet component, these designs performed well in terms of absolute relative error (ARE) for common species in the landings, including the silky shark, the dominant shark species, and swordfish, striped marlin and yellowfin tuna. There was less than a 5% chance that the ARE would exceed 0.2 for most weight categories of these species, even at the lowest sampling frequency. For all but the large weight category of striped marlin, there was only a 2% chance (or less) that the ARE would exceed 0.3. These results suggest that a single sampling design can be implemented for this fleet component to obtain estimates of the size composition of common shark and non-shark species, alike, in landings with sharks. For relatively uncommon shark species in the landings, such as hammerhead and the pelagic thresher sharks, the same sampling designs generally resulted in higher ARE, except for the dominant weight categories (small hammerhead sharks and large pelagic thresher sharks). However, the level of error itself associated with these designs may still be acceptable, depending on management needs; ARE can provide an overly pessimistic evaluation of performance for uncommon species. For landings of the avanzada fleet component, the performance of the shark-only sampling scenarios for the silky shark was generally similar to the results obtained for the mediana escala fleet component, except for the large weight category, although performance for this weight category, as measured by error, might still be acceptable. However, differences in performance between the shark-only and the all-fish scenarios for the silky shark raise the concern that the number of landings of avanzada vessels available for this analysis may be too small to make a definitive statement about sampling design performance for this fleet component. Development of sampling designs for the avanzada fleet component would benefit from an increase in sample size for analysis and a more detailed study of landing characteristics.

Fisheries and Biological Aspects of Dusky Shark Carcharhinus obscurus (Lesueur, 1818) in Muncar Fishing Port, Banyuwangi, Indonesia

The high of catching intensity or overfishing of dusky whaler shark, Carcharhinus obscurus (Lesueur, 1818), has threatened its sustainability. Even though fisheries and biological aspects of C. obscurus are important as a basic assessment for making regulation of shark fisheries management. However, those studies never been reported in Indonesia. The aim of this study is to identify the number of catches and biological aspects of C. obscurus. This study was conducted from January to March 2018 at Fishery Port Technical Implementation Unit (FP-TIU) Muncar, Banyuwangi, Indonesia. 54 C. obscurus individuals were obtained using random sampling survey method. Here, we found that the number of C. obscurus landed in 2018 was higher compared to 2014 and 2017. The shark length ranged from 172 to 394 cm. Percentages of male and female adults of C. obscurus were 22.22 and 46.30%, respectively. Whilst in the juveniles were 20.37% males and 11.11% females. The maturity rate based on clasper length, male landed sharks was 82.61% classified within full calcification and 17.39% non-full calcification level. The sex ratio of C. obscurus sharks that are landed was 1:1.34 (M: F).

The role and value of science in shark conservation advocacy

Many species of sharks are threatened with extinction, and there has been a longstanding debate in scientific and environmental circles over the most effective and appropriate strategy to conserve and protect them. Should we allow for sustainable fisheries exploitation of species which can withstand fishing pressure, or ban all fisheries for sharks and trade in shark products? In the developing world, exploitation of fisheries resources can be essential to food security and poverty alleviation, and global management efforts are typically focused on sustainably maximizing economic benefits. This approach aligns with traditional fisheries management and the perspectives of most surveyed scientific researchers who study sharks. However, in Europe and North America, sharks are increasingly venerated as wildlife to be preserved irrespective of conservation status, resulting in growing pressure to prohibit exploitation of sharks and trade in shark products. To understand the causes and significance of this divergence in goals, we surveyed 155 shark conservation focused environmental advocates from 78 environmental non-profits, and asked three key questions: (1) where do advocates get scientific information? (2) Does all policy-relevant scientific information reach advocates? and (3) Do advocates work towards the same policy goals identified by scientific researchers? Findings suggest many environmental advocates are aware of key scientific results and use science-based arguments in their advocacy, but a small but vocal subset of advocates report that they never read the scientific literature or speak to scientists. Engagement with science appears to be a key predictor of whether advocates support sustainable management of shark fisheries or bans on shark fishing and trade in shark products. Conservation is a normative discipline, and this analysis more clearly articulates two distinct perspectives in shark conservation. Most advocates support the same evidence-based policies as academic and government scientists, while a smaller percentage are driven more by moral and ethical beliefs and may not find scientific research relevant or persuasive. We also find possible evidence that a small group of non-profits may be misrepresenting the state of the science while claiming to use science-based arguments, a concern that has been raised by surveyed scientists about the environmental community. This analysis suggests possible alternative avenues for engaging diverse stakeholders in productive discussions about shark conservation.

Shark fisheries management as a sustainable development implementation in Indonesia fishery sector

The challenge of ensuring shark resource preservation is the main issue in fisheries management of Indonesia. Therefore, appropriate fisheries management needs to be developed. This paper aims to explain the shark fisheries condition in Indonesia based on ecological, social, and economic aspects following the sustainable development approach. The research was conducted through academic literature study and fisheries statistic reports. Data were analysed through the graphical approach and tabulation data trends based on the availability of time-series data that have been publish. The result shows that there are about 116 species of sharks in Indonesia ocean waters. One shark species was categorized as critically endangered, 5 species are endangered, 23 species are vulnerable, and 35 species are near-threatened category. Legislation in Indonesia has given enough serious attention to shark protection. To achieve the goal of sustainable shark fisheries management, several strategies can be implemented, namely: (i) preparation of regulations and their implementation to support the management of shark fisheries; (ii) strengthening of scientific database and review of shark fishery in Indonesia as well as at international level; (iii) institutional strengthening, and; (iv) increasing the HR capacity of fisherman and fishery personnel.

Using fisher-contributed secondary fins to fill critical shark-fisheries data gaps.

Developing-world shark fisheries are typically not assessed or actively managed for sustainability; one fundamental obstacle is the lack of species and size-composition catch data. We tested and implemented a new and potentially widely applicable approach for collecting these data: mandatory submission of low-value secondary fins (anal fins) from landed sharks by fishers and use of the fins to reconstruct catch species and size. Visual and low-cost genetic identification were used to determine species composition, and linear regression was applied to total length and anal fin base length for catch-size reconstruction. We tested the feasibility of this approach in Belize, first in a local proof-of-concept study and then scaling it up to the national level for the 2017-2018 shark-fishing season (1,786 fins analyzed). Sixteen species occurred in this fishery. The most common were the Caribbean reef (Carcharhinus perezi), blacktip (C. limbatus), sharpnose (Atlantic [Rhizoprionodon terraenovae] and Caribbean [R. porosus] considered as a group), and bonnethead (Sphyrna cf. tiburo). Sharpnose and bonnethead sharks were landed primarily above size at maturity, whereas Caribbean reef and blacktip sharks were primarily landed below size at maturity. Our approach proved effective in obtaining critical data for managing the shark fishery, and we suggest the tools developed as part of this program could be exported to other nations in this region and applied almost immediately if there were means to communicate with fishers and incentivize them to provide anal fins. Outside the tropical Western Atlantic, we recommend further investigation of the feasibility of sampling of secondary fins, including considerations of time, effort, and cost of species identification from these fins, what secondary fin type to use, and the means with which to communicate with fishers and incentivize participation. This program could be a model for collecting urgently needed data for developing-world shark fisheries globally. Article impact statement: Shark fins collected from fishers yield data critical to shark fisheries management in developing nations.

An overview of shark fisheries in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia

The biology of sharks makes them very vulnerable to fishing pressure. Globally, sharks are threatened because of uncontrolled fishing due to the increasing demand for their fins. In Indonesia, shark fishing occurs in almost all marine areas, and each area has different characteristics and conditions. Understanding the conditions and characteristics of each area will help to define strategies for the sustainable management of shark fisheries. This paper aimed to provide an overview of the condition of shark fisheries in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. This study used a qualitative method to get information about fishing techniques, catch composition, utilization, and trading. The data were collected through observation, interviews, and literature review. The result showed that fishermen in Kupang caught sharks as a fishing target using longline fishing gear. Almost all sharks were landed in pieces after being chopped up in the vessel. They were chopped off into some pieces, such as the fin, meat, skin, and cartilage. Sharks species could be identified by their fins, but their total length, weight, sex ratio, and adult size were difficult to identify. That makes it difficult to plan reasonable management strategies. Shark fins are more expensive than other parts, and the price depends on the fin size. Shark products are traded to Surabaya, Manado, Bogor, and Jakarta. Trade of shark products is regulated by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation number 61/PERMEN-KP/2018. Based on this study, management intervention must be undertaken to ensure sustainable shark fisheries in Kupang.

Ethnotaxonomy of sharks by expert fishers from South Bahia, Brazil: Implications for fisheries management and conservation

Historically, Brazilian fisheries management has not considered the knowledge of fish taxonomy from within fishing communities. This study points out processes of recognition, classification and nomenclature of sharks achieved by fishermen from South Bahia, Brazil. Data were obtained through semistructured interviews visually stimulated by exhibiting images of 30 species of elasmobranch fishes. Regionally, elasmobranch species are inserted into the folk taxon called “leather fishes" and in a category known as “cação" (shark) family. In addition to hierarchical classification, the fishermen organize shark species by adopting an ethnodimorphic and sequential model based on ethnoontogeny. Ethnodiagnostic characteristics are mainly related to the morphology, ecology and even physiology of a species. A total of 144 epithets is recorded, with a mean value of 4.8 ethnospecies for each scientific correspondent. Richness of vernacular names impedes species-specific information gathering regarding shark landings if fisher knowledge is not considered and applied in the improvement of fisheries data. Thus, this study encourages the employment of fishermen as parataxonomists in order to assist in the identification of sharks to specific levels. This study further emphasizes the potential of using ethnotaxonomic knowledge of fishing communities in initiatives related to participative management of shark fisheries in developing countries.

DNA Zip‐coding: identifying the source populations supplying the international trade of a critically endangered coastal shark

AbstractThere is an urgent need for population‐specific trade information for overexploited sharks, as international trade regulations are becoming an important tool for their conservation [i.e., listings on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)]. We tested a genetic stock identification (GSI) workflow to quantify the relative contributions of different source populations of the CITES‐listed scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini to international trade hubs for products such as dried fins. We grouped published mitochondrial control region sequences from wild‐captured sharks sampled in 15 locations into 9 differentiated populations that provide broad coverage of the species global distribution. GSI simulations established that these populations are highly identifiable and we trialed this approach to assess the provenance of processed fin trimmings collected randomly from the retail market of Hong Kong, one of the world’s largest shark fin trade hubs in 2014–2015 (N = 72). In this pilot survey, we found over 75% of scalloped hammerhead fin trimmings came from two Pacific Ocean populations, but mostly from the Eastern Pacific (61.4%, of all trimmings; se 7.1%) where this species is listed as ‘Endangered’ under the United States Endangered Species Act. Six of the nine populations were found in this sample of the market, indicating near global sourcing of scalloped hammerhead fins in Hong Kong. We suggest technical and sampling considerations for employing GSI at fin trade hubs in the future to investigate regional sourcing of scalloped hammerheads and other coastal sharks in international trade. Random GSI in trade hubs could revolutionize our understanding of global shark trade dynamics and provide critical information required to effectively implement shark fisheries management and trade restrictions.

Fins and (Mis)fortunes: Managing shark populations for sustainability and food sovereignty

Sharks are simultaneously a subsistence food and a luxury item. Shark fins are consumed during special occasions among primarily the East Asian elite, whereas shark meat is consumed by many globally, including by fishers and their families. Policies guiding the management of shark fisheries vary globally, with inconsistent protections for sharks across their ranges and insufficient consideration of the multifaceted demands for shark products. Banning shark fishing is a popular management strategy; however, a full ban on shark fishing has the potential to threaten both food security and food sovereignty of small-scale fishing communities. In this paper, we investigate the tension between the subsistence and commercial value of sharks, examining the history and current status of shark fishing practices in Madagascar. From this case study, we analyze how current management strategies contribute to shark conservation and food sovereignty. Ultimately, we argue in favor of a rights-based approach to shark fisheries policy in Madagascar, and in other food insecure nations in the process of evaluating and expanding their shark conservation efforts, that considers (a) the end use of the sharks (e.g. implement policies favoring fishers who land sharks for subsistence), (b) the mode of access fishers use to harvest sharks (e.g. imposing greater restrictions on industrial vessels), and (c) direct and ongoing participation of local fishers in decision-making occurring at all scales of governance. While these suggestions pertain to shark fisheries globally, they are especially pertinent to fisheries-dependent countries with high rates of food insecurity in the Global South.

Rebuttal to “Response to ‘A United States shark fin ban would undermine sustainable shark fisheries’ I.F. Porcher et al., Marine Policy 104 (2019) 85–89”

Porcher et al.'s 2019 response to Shiffman & Hueter's 2017 paper, which concluded that a USA ban on the domestic shark fin trade would be misguided and ineffective, presents irrelevant data and statements, misrepresents the facts, and ignores national and international progress in shark fisheries management and conservation. The response's premise that non-artisanal shark fisheries cannot be sustainable is false. Pending legislation in the USA Congress to prohibit imports of shark products from nations practicing unsustainable shark fishing provides a more reasonable and effective path forward for domestic and global shark conservation. Shiffman & Hueter's findings stand and are helping to inform this better path.

Analysis of The Shark Fisheries Sustainability in Cilacap Regency, Central Java

In terms of supporting sustainable fisheries management for sharks, information is needed so that the goals of sustainable management can be realized. In this case the management covers the ecological, economic, social and technological dimensions. The purpose of this study is to determine the sustainability status of Shark Fish based in Cilacap Regency based on ecological, economic, social and technological dimensions, determining the right strategy in sustainable shark fisheries management based in Cilacap Regency. This research was conducted from March to June 2018 in Cilacap Regency, this study used a survey method. Data collected related to the sustainability aspects of shark commodity fisheries in Cilacap Regency included ecological, technological, economic and social dimensions using questionnaire tools. Analysis for the sustainability of the Shark fisheries in Cilacap Regency The sustainability of shark fisheries in Cilacap Regency uses the Rapid Appraisal for Fisheries (RAPFISH) method. RAPFISH (Rapid Appraisal for Fisheries) was developed by Fisheries Center, University of British Columbia in 1999; Rapid Appraisal for Fisheries (RAPFISH) is a fisheries sustainability assessment method based on a multidimensional scaling approach. The dimensions in RAPFISH concern aspects of sustainability from ecology, economics, technology, social and ethics. Sustainability Status Multidimensional Shark Fisheries is less sustainable with a score of 43.28. The ecological dimension (56.56) and technology (55.51) is quite continuous, the economic dimension is less sustainable (45.63) and social conditions are unsustainable (15.42). The strategy for managing shark fisheries in Cilacap Regency is the W-T (Weakness-Threat) strategy.

The shark by-catch of tuna longline fisheries in Southern Indian Ocean of Java, Indonesia

In relation to the achievement of the target SDG’s No. 14, the sustainable shark fisheries management need to implement. As a part of the tuna fisheries by-catch, a high number of shark resources have been caught in the Indian Ocean waters. One of the main vessels of tuna catchers in the Southern Indian Ocean of Java is the tuna longline from Cilacap. This paper aims to analyze the shark by-catch of tuna longline in the Indian Ocean in the south Java that landed in Cilacap. The research data was obtained from daily recording activities of fishing vessel loading activities by Cilacap Ocean Fisheries Port staff during the period of 2013-2017. The analysis was done through data tabulation, graphical approaches, and data trend analysis through the availability of time series data. The data analyzed include fleet development, fishing ground, catch composition and CPUE value. The results of the analysis show that there are about eight species of sharks that are by-catch of tuna longline from Cilacap. The highest shark by-catch occurred in April with CPUE averaging 9 kg/day/vessel. The blue shark (Prionace glauca) is the dominant shark catch which reaches 66% of the total sharks catch.

A United States shark fin ban would undermine sustainable shark fisheries

A proposed nationwide ban on the sale of shark fins within the United States would undermine sustainable shark fisheries, would have little effect on global shark mortality, and would perpetuate the misconception that the shark fin trade is the only threat facing sharks. Instead, placing a priority on policies focusing on sustainable shark fisheries management is preferred for meeting the goals of shark conservation.

Fisheries management and conservation of sharks in Indonesia

Indonesian waters have a high diversity of sharks and rays, with at least 118 species belonging to 25 families found throughout the vast archipelago. Indonesia also has the highest shark landings globally and nearly all high‑value shark species are overexploited and could be considered threatened. This situation is of international concern, especially among conservationists and elasmobranch scientists. Most of the shark catch in Indonesian waters is taken as bycatch of fisheries deploying various types of gear, including longlines, driftnets, handlines and purse‑seines. However, sharks are also targeted in several regions of eastern and southern Indonesia, where they are often the main source of livelihood for many artisanal fishers. Shark fishing, whether targeted or bycatch, occurs throughout most of Indonesia's waters, and the large size of the EEZ, which encompasses nearly 6 million km2, is a primary constraint regarding the effective management of shark fisheries. In 2009, 11 fisheries management zones were established through the gazetting of a regulation on regional fisheries, facilitating management by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Here, we discuss how the implementation of a number of regulations gazetted by the Indonesian government to ensure sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources should take into account shark resources. We also examine recent elasmobranch conservation efforts by the government, including the recent designation of whale sharks Rhincodon typus and manta rays Manta alfredi and M. birostris as fully protected species, and a prohibition on exports of products of hammerhead Sphyrna spp. and oceanic whitetip sharks Carcharhinus longimanus.

Give Shark Sanctuaries a Chance

Several developing nations have established shark sanctuaries, most commonly in the form of a moratorium on both commercial shark fishing and the export of shark products in Exclusive Economic Zones ([ 1 ][1]). In her Letter Shark sanctuaries: Substance or spin? (21 December 2012, p. [1538][2]), L. N. K. Davidson raises concerns that this ambitious strategy might be doomed to exist only on paper and could discourage investments in other types of shark fisheries management. We agree that enforcement will determine whether these shark sanctuaries live up to their promise, as is true of any new management regime. We disagree, however, with the argument that shark sanctuaries are more challenging to enforce or are less likely to be successful than typical fisheries management strategies, especially considering that even basic information such as fishery catch is often unknown and underestimated in developing countries ([ 2 ][3]). Shark fisheries management is notoriously difficult and resource intensive, owing to the extreme vulnerability of sharks to over-exploitation ([ 1 ][1]). The countries that have successfully managed shark fisheries all possess substantial research, assessment, monitoring, and enforcement capacity devoted to fisheries management ([ 1 ][1]). Developing nations typically have much smaller fisheries management capacity; what they do have is national capacity to detect illicit trade of contraband items (i.e., police, maritime authority, port authority, and customs). By making all shark products illegal, national authorities can work with their fisheries agencies to enforce the moratorium. Enforcing catch or size limits on shark fisheries is more complicated and will generally fall almost entirely under the purview of the fisheries agency on its own. There is cause for optimism about the conservation potential of well-enforced shark sanctuaries nested within broader international management efforts. Smaller-scale marine protected areas have been shown to benefit certain inshore shark species, while other species tend to return to certain areas on a regular basis ([ 3 ][4]–[ 6 ][5]). These studies suggest that large protected areas may benefit these populations and match biological and governance scales. Well-enforced shark sanctuaries clearly have great potential for shark conservation, and we suggest that the international community and funding agencies should help those developing nations that pursue this approach to ensure that this promise is realized. 1. [↵][6] 1. C. A. Ward-Paige 2. et al ., J. Fish. Biol. 80, 5 (2012). [OpenUrl][7] 2. [↵][8] 1. K. Kelleher , Discards in the world's marine fisheries: An update (FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 470, Rome, 2005); [www.fao.org/docrep/008/y5936e/y5936e00.htm][9]. 3. [↵][10] 1. M. E. Bond 2. et al ., PLoS One 7, 3 (2012). [OpenUrl][11] 4. 1. W. D. Robbins 2. et al ., Curr. Biol. 16, 23 (2006). [OpenUrl][12][CrossRef][13] 5. 1. R. E. Hueter 2. et al ., J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci. 35, 239 (2005). [OpenUrl][14] 6. [↵][15] 1. C. A. Ward-Paige 2. et al ., PLoS One 5, 8 (2010). 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Identification of Shark Species in Seafood Products by Forensically Informative Nucleotide Sequencing (FINS)

The identification of commercial shark species is a relevant issue to ensure the correct labeling of seafood products, to maintain consumer confidence in seafood, and to enhance the knowledge of the species and volumes that are at present being captured, thus improving the management of shark fisheries. The polymerase chain reaction was employed to obtain a 423 bp amplicon from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The sequences from this fragment, belonging to 63 authentic individuals of 23 species, were analyzed using a genetic distance method. Nine different samples of commercial fresh, frozen, and convenience food were obtained in local and international markets to validate the methodology. These samples were analyzed, and sequences were employed for species identification, showing that forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS) is a suitable technique for identification of processed seafood containing shark as an ingredient. The results also showed that incorrect labeling practices may occur regarding shark products, probably because of incorrect labeling at the production point.

Evidence of Philopatry in Sharks and Implications for the Management of Shark Fisheries

Evidence of philopatric behavior in diverse species of sharks is accumulating through various sources of data, including studies of shark behavior, genetics and fisheries. If sharks display natural tendencies to return to a home area, birthplace or another adopted locality during portions of their life cycles, as opposed to roaming and dispersing throughout their overall ranges, the impact of fisheries removals and habitat alterations on shark populations and stocks could be profound, and the use of shark catch data to assess stocks could be complicated. We review the accumulating evidence for philopatry in sharks and discuss its implications for fisheries management and conservation of shark species.