Age and growth estimates of Squalus megalops were derived from the first dorsal fin spine of 452 sharks, ranging from 274 to 622 mm total length. Age bias plots and indices of precision indicated that the ageing method was precise and unbiased. Edge analysis of the enameled surface of whole spines and similarities in the banding pattern deposited in the enameled surface of spines and in spine sections supported the hypothesis of annual band formation. Multiple versions of two growth models were fitted to length-at-age data, from which a two-phase von Bertalanffy model produced the best fit. For males, the change in growth rate corresponded with size-at-maturity, whereas for females, the change was slightly before size-at-maturity. Regardless of the growth model used, growth rate of females (0.034 to 0.098 years–1) was very low, making S. megalops highly susceptible to overexploitation by fisheries.

We develop a potentially widely applicable framework for analysing the vulnerability, resilience risk and exposure of chondrichthyan species to all types of anthropogenic stressors in the marine environment. The approach combines the three components of widely applied vulnerability analysis (exposure, sensitivity and adaptability) (ESA) with three components (exposure, susceptibility and productivity) (ESP) of our adaptation of productivity–susceptibility analysis (PSA). We apply our 12‐step ESA‒ESP analysis to evaluate the vulnerability (risk of a marked reduction of the population) of each of 132 chondrichthyan species in the Exclusive Economic Zone of southern Australia. The vulnerability relates to a species’ resilience to a spatial (or suitability) reduction of its habitats from exposure to up to eight climate change stressors. Vulnerability also relates to anthropogenic mortality added to natural mortality from exposure to the stressors of five types of fishing and seven other types of anthropogenic hazards. We use biological attributes as risk factors to evaluate risk related to resilience at the species or higher taxonomic level. We evaluate each species’ exposure to anthropogenic stressors by assigning it to one of six ecological groups based on its lifestyle (demersal versus pelagic) and habitat, defined by bathymetric range and substrates. We evaluate vulnerability for 11 scenarios: 2000–2006 when fishing effort peaked; 2018 following a decade of fisheries management reforms; low, medium and high standard future carbon dioxide equivalent emissions scenarios; and their six possible climate–fishing combinations. Our results demonstrate the value of refugia from fishing and how climate change exacerbates the risks from fishing.

No abstract

Significant differences in the length–frequency composition of catch samples, mass–length relationships and length-at-maturity found between Heterodontus portusjacksoni from western and far-eastern Victoria, suggest the presence of at least two separate breeding populations off south-eastern Australia, with some mixing between these regions. In each region females attain a larger size than males, and collectively those sharks in western Victoria are smaller, present higher mass-at-length, and lower length-at-maturity than those in far-eastern Victoria. These regional differences might be a result of sampling bias, length-selective fishing mortality, environmental conditions, or genetic differences. However, tagging evidence from previous studies and the presence of two bio-geographic provinces in the region support the hypothesis of two separate breeding populations. The essential reproductive parameters for H. portusjacksoni population analysis in far-eastern Victoria were determined, using a novel method to estimate fecundity and the ovarian cycle of an egg-laying species. In this region, females have between 6 and 20 pre-ovulatory oocytes (average = 14, n = 29, standard deviation = 3.71) before the reproductive season. The species has an annual reproductive cycle correlated with water temperature, with ovulation starting during late winter to early spring and a ~6 month egg-laying period. The period from the onset of vitellogenesis to ovulation of oocytes is ~18 months.

A prospective model of dorsal-fin spine growth in chondrichthyans is devised by studying the growth of spines from captive and wild Heterodontus portusjacksoni injected with several fluorochromes. Evidence was found for only two dentine layers in the spine trunk of H. portusjacksoni, contrasting with conjectures about the presence of a third middle dentine layer in some squalids. The spines have three simultaneous growth zones. The first growth zone is along the internal edge of the inner trunk dentine layer, where growth bands are deposited towards the centre (centripetally), increasing spine length and width by pressure against the cartilage rod. The second growth zone is along the external edge of the outer trunk dentine layer at the spine base, where growth bands are deposited in an opposite direction to the centre (centrifugally), increasing spine width. A third growth zone at the base of the cap enables downward expansion over the trunk. The model of concentric cones describes correctly the inner dentine layer growth pattern, whereas the outer dentine layer growth increments appear to be related to the external bands on the surface of the trunk. Growth increments from the three growth zones of the spine are all potentially useful for age estimation.

International trade in vulnerable marine species is regulated once they are listed in CITES Appendices (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Parties to the Convention submit proposal(s) 150 days prior to the CITES Conference for voting on the inclusion of new species in Appendices I and II, making a case for why CITES listing criteria are met in each case. Before the vote, Parties receive advice from (a) the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, (b) the International Union for Conservation of Nature—TRAFFIC and (c) the CITES Secretariat, among others. This paper offers an expert review of listing processes, which are the subject of much debate in fishery and environment‐protection communities, looking at two specific cases: silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis, Carcharhinidae) and bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus, Alopiidae). The reviewers determine that the evidence made available to voting Parties is substantial, but suffers from non‐standard presentation across assessments. The best available data are not always presented or described transparently in relation to CITES criteria. An extension of the assessment period, as well as the opportunity to refute evidence, has been suggested as ways to support more informed and effective decision‐making by CITES Parties, whose composition of delegations varies greatly in their experience of marine species management and trade. Experts welcomed a greater coherence of advice between fishery and non‐fishery sources in the long term, and proposed a range of suggested improvements for the delivery of information and advice to CITES Parties.

No abstract

A rapid semi-quantitative ecological risk assessment method (productivity and susceptibility analysis) indicated that, despite its low biological productivity, the Port Jackson shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni is at low risk to all fishing methods in far-eastern Victoria, Australia, under the present fishing practices, because of its low catch susceptibility. The risk to this population, however, would increase if the shark gillnet fishery operating in the region were to retain the species as a by-product. Demographic analysis indicated that the species has medium intrinsic population growth rate and potential rebound in comparison with other chondrichthyan species, juveniles have higher elasticity than mature females and both juvenile and mature females have higher elasticities than hatchlings. Because of its low biological productivity and moderate resilience to the effects of fishing, cautious management measures will be necessary to ensure the sustainable use of H. portusjacksoni if its marketing increases in the future. Information on the dynamics of a population that is valuable to provide management advice can be obtained through demographic methods, but rapid assessment methods can also provide complementary information on the effects of fishing by considering the catch susceptibility of the population to each fishing method.