Marine megafauna catch in southwestern Indian Ocean small-scale fisheries from landings data

Temple, Andrew J.; Wambiji, Nina; Poonian, C. N. S.; Jiddawi, Narriman; Stead, Selina M.; Kiszka, Jérémy J.; Berggren, Per

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2018.12.024

Cited by 42 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Furthermore, exploitation continues across a broad range of adult age and size classes, indicative of a nonselective fishery. Whilst the nonselective nature of catches is not unexpected given the multigear, multispecies nature of SWIO small‐scale fisheries, patterns of pressure across post‐maturity life‐stages is of great concern for the biological sustainability of both Baraka's whipray and numerous other elasmobranch species caught in these fisheries (Kiszka & van der Elst, 2015; Temple et al ., 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vertebrae were extracted from the mid‐disc of 47 specimens to be used for aging and stored at −20°C. Supplementary data for Baraka's whipray ( n = 155) were recorded by trained fisheries observers across Kenya, Zanzibar and northern Madagascar during a 12‐month landings monitoring programme between June 2016 and June 2017 (Temple et al ., 2019) (Figure 1). Disc width, weight, sex and male maturity status were recorded.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, our understanding of the scale and composition of elasmobranch exploitation in SWIO fisheries is extremely poor. Recent vulnerability assessments based on small‐scale fisheries landings suggest that several coastal rays, primarily whiptail stingrays (Family Dasyatidae), may be at risk across the SWIO (Temple et al ., 2019). Many of these species have either limited or no regional life‐history data available.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many of these species have either limited or no regional life‐history data available. Rays contribute nearly half of SWIO small‐scale fisheries landed elasmobranch catch (by weight and number) and originate from many of the same fisheries as sharks (Temple et al ., 2019). Despite this, rays have received little consideration in SWIO elasmobranch management formulation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although only recently described (Last et al ., 2016b), Baraka's whipray ( Maculabatis ambigua ) is the most common ray in Kenyan small‐scale fisheries catch and a common constituent of small‐scale fisheries catch in Zanzibar. Baraka's whipray are primarily caught in bottom‐set gillnets (Barrowclift et al ., 2017; Temple et al ., 2019) and are regularly bycatch in trawl fisheries elsewhere within their range (Last et al ., 2016b). Baraka's whipray was originally thought to be distributed from Zanzibar to the Red Sea and possibly further into the northern Indian Ocean (Last et al ., 2016b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Life‐history, exploitation and extinction risk of the data‐poor Baraka's whipray (Maculabatis ambigua) in small‐scale tropical fisheries

Temple

Stead

Jiddawi

et al. 2020

Journal of Fish Biology

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The Baraka's whipray (Maculabatis ambigua) is a major constituent of small‐scale fisheries catch in the south‐western Indian Ocean. Despite this, little is known of its life‐history or exploitation status. We provide the first estimates of crucial life‐history parameters and the maximum intrinsic population growth rate rmax, using specimens collected from small‐scale fisheries landings in Kenya, Zanzibar and Madagascar (with northern Madagascar representing a range extension for this species). We assess the relative risk of overexploitation by combining rmax with estimates of total Z, fishing F, and natural M mortality, and an estimate of the exploitation ratio E. The data indicate that Baraka's whipray is a medium‐sized, fast‐growing, early maturing species, with a relatively long lifespan. This results in a high rmax relative to many other elasmobranchs, which when combined with estimates of F suggests that the species is not at imminent risk of extinction. Yet, estimates of exploitation ratio E indicate likely overfishing for the species, with full recruitment to the fishery being post‐maturation and exploitation occurring across a broad range of age and size classes. Thus, Baraka's whipray is unlikely to be biologically sustainable in the face of current fisheries pressures. This paper makes an important contribution to filling the gap in available data and is a step towards developing evidence‐based fisheries management for this species. Further, it demonstrates a simple and widely applicable framework for assessment of data‐poor elasmobranch exploitation status and extinction risk.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Life‐history, exploitation and extinction risk of the data‐poor Baraka's whipray (Maculabatis ambigua) in small‐scale tropical fisheries

Temple

Stead

Jiddawi

et al. 2020

Journal of Fish Biology

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Integrating long‐term citizen science data and contemporary artisanal fishery survey data to investigate recreational and small‐scale shark fisheries in Kenya

Wambiji

Kadagi

Everett

et al. 2022

Aquatic Conservation

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1. Shark catches are common in small-scale (artisanal) and recreational fisheries; the magnitudes of these catches remain poorly known and understudied, particularly in developing countries. Data from three sources were used to assess the composition of shark landings in these fisheries in Kenya: boat-based recreational fishery tagging 1987-2016; observed landings from the Bycatch Assessment and Mitigation in the Western Indian Ocean Fisheries Project 2016-2017; and Catch Assessment Surveys landings data 2017-2020.2. Eighteen species were identified among 1,215 sharks recorded in small-scale fisheries between June 2016 and June 2017. Most of them belonged to the families Carcharhinidae (26%), Triakidae (23%) and Sphyrnidae (14%). Longlines (41%), drift gillnets (30%) and bottom-set gillnets (21%) recorded the highest proportions of catches.3. A total of 501 sharks comprising 16 species were recorded in the recreational tagging data between 1987 and 2016, caught using either trolling lines or rods and reels. The families Carcharhinidae (56%) and Sphyrnidae (12%) represented the highest proportion of the catch. 4. A generalized linear model was used to assess the effect of year, gear type, season and vessel propulsion mode on the variation in catches of sharks in smallscale fisheries between 2017 and 2020. Catches were significantly higher in 2017 with high catch rates observed in longlines and handlines.5. Findings from this study highlight the importance of citizen science by recreational fishers in increasing awareness around the risks and threats to shark populations. Strengthening of existing monitoring of shark interactions with smallscale and recreational fisheries is important alongside the implementation of appropriate conservation and management measures such as reductions in fishing effort (e.g. prawn trawling) in nursery areas, prohibiting the capture of CITESprotected species, and enforcing catch-and-release practices by sport fishers to ensure the long-term sustainability of both the affected shark species and the livelihoods of the fishers.

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Fisher perceptions of catch and trade of sharks and rays in Angolan small‐scale fisheries

Soares,

Jabado

2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Small‐scale fisheries ensure food security and employment in Angolan coastal communities. These dynamic, widespread fisheries remain mostly unregulated, with limited data available despite their likely significant impact on marine megafauna. We used an interview‐based survey to investigate local fisher interactions with elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) and gather information on utilization, trade and perceptions. All fishers (n = 83) landed elasmobranchs. Most fishers considered sharks as bycatch (74.7%, n = 62), while 100% targeted rays (Order Myliobatiformes), and 62.8% (n = 52) targeted guitarfishes (Order Rhinopristiformes). Over 80% of fishers reported declining catches and sizes of elasmobranchs over the last 30 years, raising concerns about the sustainability of these fisheries. Utilization and trade routes varied depending on elasmobranch products, with exports to China (fins) and local market sales (meat). Specifically, 8.4% (n = 5) of fishers confirmed meat and fin exports to China (4.8%, n = 3). The protection of sharks was considered by 32.5% (n = 30) of respondents, while 21.7% (n = 18) believed only certain shark species should be protected. Most respondents reported that rays (80.5%, n = 67) and guitarfishes (61%, n = 51) should not be protected. Regarding the ban on fishing, none considered it for ray species, with only 6.1% (n = 5) supporting this idea for guitarfishes. We highlight the lack of elasmobranch‐specific conservation measures and the need for a multi‐pronged approach to inform policy. Considering the scale of these fisheries, management actions need to be urgently developed and implemented to ensure the sustainability of elasmobranch fisheries while securing the livelihoods of coastal communities.

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Marine megafauna catch in southwestern Indian Ocean small-scale fisheries from landings data

Cited by 42 publications

References 20 publications

Life‐history, exploitation and extinction risk of the data‐poor Baraka's whipray (Maculabatis ambigua) in small‐scale tropical fisheries

Life‐history, exploitation and extinction risk of the data‐poor Baraka's whipray (Maculabatis ambigua) in small‐scale tropical fisheries

Integrating long‐term citizen science data and contemporary artisanal fishery survey data to investigate recreational and small‐scale shark fisheries in Kenya

Fisher perceptions of catch and trade of sharks and rays in Angolan small‐scale fisheries

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