Reproductive aspects of seven threatened shark species captured by artisanal fisheries in the southern Caribbean Sea

Tagliafico, Alejandro; Rangel, María Salomé; Ehemann, Nicolás; Rago, Néstor; Broadhurst, Matt K.

doi:10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101646

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The southern Caribbean Sea is known to have several areas of high primary productivity (up to 1860 mg C −1 m −2 day −1 ) (Ginés et al ., 1972), increasing food availability for planktivorous species like manta and devil rays, and supporting an abundance of marine life (Castellanos et al ., 2002; Gade, 1961; Gómez, 1996; Ljoen & Herrera, 1965; Monente, 1997). Indeed, based on the high number of pregnant elasmobranchs and neonates landed at Margarita Island, including two mobulid species, Venezuelan waters appear to provide critical reproductive habitat for many elasmobranch species (Tagliafico et al ., 2021). Consequently, the findings of this study concur with the Delgado et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(2018) study, which proposed the creation of the first southern Caribbean Island marine ecological corridor, stretching from La Orchila Island in Venezuela to Curaçao and Bonaire (Dutch Antilles). In addition, based on recent chondrichthyan fisheries studies from eastern Venezuela (e.g., Cordovés et al, 2009;Giménez-Hurtado et al, 2010;Marquez et al, 2019;Tagliafico et al, 2012Tagliafico et al, , 2016Tagliafico et al, , 2017Tagliafico et al, , 2019Tagliafico et al, , 2021, there is enough scientific information to consider adding the islands of La Tortuga, Margarita and Cubagua to this marine ecological corridor polygon.…”

Section: Citizen Science Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Manta and devil ray species occurrence and distribution in Venezuela, assessed through fishery landings and citizen science data

Ehemann

Acosta-Rodríguez

Tagliafico

et al. 2022

Journal of Fish Biology

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Manta and devil rays (collectively mobulids) belong to the monogeneric Mobulidae, which currently comprises 10 species, including a putative third manta ray species (Mobula cf. birostris). These large planktivorous rays are distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical oceans of the world. To date, six mobulid species are reported for the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, three of which had previously been reported in Venezuela (Mobula birostris, Mobula tarapacana and Mobula hypostoma). A preliminary assessment of fishery landings and citizen science data was conducted to further the scientific knowledge of mobulid species in Venezuela. Fisheries landing data were collected at Margarita Island between 2006 and 2007, and again in 2014. Data mining of internet search engines and social media platforms spanning the past two decades was also conducted. A total of 117 individuals of five mobulid species were recorded: Mobula sp. (n = 27), M. birostris (n = 36), M. tarapacana (n = 3), Mobula mobular (n = 26),Mobula thurstoni (n = 14) and M. cf. birostris (n = 11). The latter three species are the first confirmation of these species in Venezuela. The authors found no records of the previously reported M. hypostoma during this study. Although the occurrence of M. hypostoma in Venezuela remains possible because of the broad regional range of this species, its current presence in Venezuela is invalidated given the repeated misidentifications which have occurred in previous publications. The results of this study increase the number of reported mobulid ray species in Venezuela to five (excluding M. hypostoma). The overall data from juvenile manta rays and pregnant M. mobular and M. thurstoni recorded in this study, combined with the occurrence of all but one species of mobulid ray found in the western Atlantic Ocean, suggest Venezuela provides important habitat for this threatened family of rays.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Citizen Science Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Manta and devil ray species occurrence and distribution in Venezuela, assessed through fishery landings and citizen science data

Ehemann

Acosta-Rodríguez

Tagliafico

et al. 2022

Journal of Fish Biology

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“…Even at low levels of effort, small‐scale fishing can significantly reduce the biomass and affect critical life stages (e.g. juveniles in possible nursery habitats; Tagliafico et al, 2021) of slow‐growing fishes such as sharks and rays (Pinnegar & Engelhard, 2008). In the WCA, the size, economic contribution and catch of small‐scale fleets have been increasing for decades (Baremore et al, 2021; Canty et al, 2019), and overfishing is occurring in nearly double the percentage of small‐scale fisheries (46%) as it is in commercial fisheries (28%; Singh‐Renton & McIvor, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extinction risk, reconstructed catches and management of chondrichthyan fishes in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean

et al. 2022

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Chondrichthyan fishes are among the most threatened vertebrates on the planet because many species have slow life histories that are outpaced by intense fishing. The Western Central Atlantic Ocean, which includes the Greater Caribbean, is a hotspot of chondrichthyan biodiversity and abundance, but has been characterized by extensive shark and ray fisheries and a lack of sufficient data for effective management and conservation. To inform future research and management decisions, we analysed patterns in chondrichthyan extinction risk, reconstructed catches and management engagement in this region. We summarized the extinction risk of 180 sharks, rays and chimaeras, including 66 endemic and 14 near-endemic species, using contemporary IUCN Red List assessments. Over one-third (35.6%) were assessed as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered, primarily due to overfishing. Reconstructed catches from 1950 to 2016 peaked in 1992, then declined by 40.2% thereafter. The United States, Venezuela and Mexico were responsible for most catches in the region and hosted the largest proportions of the regional distributions of threatened species, largely due to having extensive coastal habitats in their Exclusive Economic Zones. The quantity and taxonomic resolution of fisheries landings data were poor in much of the region, and national-level regulations varied widely across jurisdictions. Deepwater fisheries represent an emerging threat, although many deepwater chondrichthyans currently have refuge beyond the depths of most fisheries. Regional collaboration as well as effective and enforceable management informed by more complete fisheries data, particularly from small-scale fisheries, are required to protect and recover threatened species and ensure sustainable fisheries.

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“…Pertaining to the Venezuelan bramble shark specimens, their capture within close geographical proximity but separated by a decade implies a potential recurrence of E. brucus in this area. Moreover, this region offers distinctive bathymetric conditions and a rich diversity of prey sources for elasmobranchs Hurtado et al, 2010;Tagliafico et al, 2016;Tagliafico et al, 2021). Such conditions have been acknowledged as critical factors for elasmobranch biodiversity, serving as crucial areas for mating, transition, and nursery activities Tagliafico et al, 2021).…”

Section: Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%

Echinorhinus brucus (Bonnaterre, 1788) in the Caribbean Sea: A recurrent visitor, or are the artisanal fisheries exploiting deeper waters?

Ehemann,

Zambrano‐Vizquel

2023

Journal of Fish Biology

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Documentation of Echinorhinus brucus, (Bonnaterre, 1788) in the Western Atlantic primarily relies on chance observations. Georeferenced records in this area remain notably scarce. This study contributes the second Venezuelan and seventh Caribbean Sea specimens, increasing the Western Atlantic count to fifteen individuals. All specimens gathered here were sexually mature, with a slight dominance of females. Our bramble shark record appears to be driven more by the interplay of its biology and environmental factors than being a deliberate deep‐sea fishery activity, which likely occurs in the Southern Caribbean area.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Reproductive aspects of seven threatened shark species captured by artisanal fisheries in the southern Caribbean Sea

Cited by 7 publications

References 47 publications

Manta and devil ray species occurrence and distribution in Venezuela, assessed through fishery landings and citizen science data

Manta and devil ray species occurrence and distribution in Venezuela, assessed through fishery landings and citizen science data

Extinction risk, reconstructed catches and management of chondrichthyan fishes in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean

Echinorhinus brucus (Bonnaterre, 1788) in the Caribbean Sea: A recurrent visitor, or are the artisanal fisheries exploiting deeper waters?

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