Trophy fishing for species threatened with extinction: A way forward building on a history of conservation

Shiffman, David S.; Gallagher, Austin J.; Wester, Julia; Macdonald, Catherine; Thaler, Andrew David; Cooke, Steven J.; Hammerschlag, Neil

doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2014.07.001

Cited by 50 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The reported declines of many species of sharks in recent years have made them a popular focus for conservation scientists (Baum et al 2003, Dulvy et al 2008, Gallagher & Hammerschlag 2014. Commercial exploitation is a larger contributor to their overall extinction risk compared to recreational fishing (Worm et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk perceptions and conservation ethics among recreational anglers targeting threatened sharks in the subtropical Atlantic

Gallagher¹,

Cooke²,

Hammerschlag³

2015

Endang. Species. Res.

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Recreational fisheries management has traditionally been more concerned with quantifiable, catch-centric goals than angler-centric perceptions. However, the attitudes of fishers affect their behavior, which can alter the effort they make towards conservation actions, and ultimately, the outcome for exploited or threatened species. We conducted a quantitative human dimensions study into the drivers of conservation attitudes and perceptions of recreational fishers towards sharks. This was accomplished through a targeted online snowball survey on a sample of 158 recreational anglers in the state of Florida, a global hotspot for recreational fishing. Subjective knowledge of shark conservation issues was the most consistent driver for pro-shark conservation attitudes. Anglers ranked the great hammerhead and tiger shark as being the most threatened species, a result that is generally consistent with empirical data. Anglers did not identify speciesspecific differences in capture stress as an important factor in determining survivability, a result that somewhat contradicts available empirical data. In general, fishers were more supportive of management actions that would be the least restrictive to fishing, except in the case of highly threatened species. Anglers believed commercial fishing had the largest impact on shark populations, and recreational fishing the least, which is largely consistent with empirical information but could also reflect angler bias. Taken together, our findings suggest anglers generally care about shark conservation, but are unaware of some potential angling threats to sharks and possible conservation solutions. Further, anglers who consider themselves knowledgeable about shark conservation will be more sympathetic to shark management and more likely to adopt fishing practices that reduce shark mortality and sub-lethal impacts.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk perceptions and conservation ethics among recreational anglers targeting threatened sharks in the subtropical Atlantic

Gallagher¹,

Cooke²,

Hammerschlag³

2015

Endang. Species. Res.

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“…The findings of the current study have conservation implications, since fishing aggregations of gravid females may pose threats to the viability and health of local and regional populations (discussed in Shiffman et al 2014). Tiger Beach is within the boundaries of the Bahamas Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where commercial longlining has been banned for decades and sharks are protected from all harvest due to the establishment of a shark sanctuary in 2011.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…fishing pressure), or protection (i.e. sanctuary) of reproductively active female sharks can have a disproportionate effect on population size (discussed in Shiffman et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal and life-stage variation in the reproductive ecology of a marine apex predator, the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier, at a protected female-dominated site

Sulikowski¹,

Wheeler²,

Gallagher

et al. 2016

Aquat. Biol.

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vation of these marine megafauna is linked to an understanding of how their behaviors relate to important oceanographic and biological processes (e.g. Costa et al. 2012). For example, information on age/size at maturity, gestation length, and seasonal reproductive cyclicity is needed for the construction of population models used in estimating sustainable ABSTRACT: Advancing our knowledge of the reproductive biology and mating systems of freeranging sharks is inherently challenging. The large size and mobility of the specimens are just a few of the problems that make such studies complicated, and in some respects, impractical. The tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier is a large, roving, apex predator found in many oceans throughout the world. Although their nomadic nature is primarily linked to large-scale migrations, these sharks can also display site fidelity. One site where this is known to occur is at Tiger Beach, Bahamas. Unique to the waters of this area is the consistent sighting of large females. While the sex-specific use of the area remains unknown, the shallow, warm environment could represent a critical habitat for reproductive events. To investigate the reproductive biology of tiger sharks at Tiger Beach, 65 individuals were opportunistically sampled between 2011 and 2014. Reproductive status of captured females (n = 59) was assessed with ultrasonography and by measuring circulating sex steroid hormones (progesterone, testosterone and estradiol). Our results indicate that Tiger Beach is a high-use site for female tiger sharks of mixed life stages. The results also suggest that Tiger Beach may function as a refuge habitat, allowing females to reach maturity free from male mating harassment, as well as functioning as a gestation ground where gravid females can benefit from year-round calm warm waters, which may reduce the gestation period and accelerate embryo development.

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“…Based on a rejoinder [1] to our recent paper "Trophy fishing for species threatened with extinction: a way forward building on a history of conservation" [2] from International Game Fish Association (IGFA) conservation director Jason Schratwieser we believe that there may have been some confusion over the central point of our paper. It is the goal of this letter to provide clarity and propose a collaborative means of addressing the current data limitations and practical aspects of ensuring the conservation of threatened fishes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A letter of clarification from the authors of “trophy fishing for species threatened with extinction”

et al. 2015

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Trophy fishing for species threatened with extinction: A way forward building on a history of conservation

Cited by 50 publications

References 23 publications

Risk perceptions and conservation ethics among recreational anglers targeting threatened sharks in the subtropical Atlantic

Risk perceptions and conservation ethics among recreational anglers targeting threatened sharks in the subtropical Atlantic

Seasonal and life-stage variation in the reproductive ecology of a marine apex predator, the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier, at a protected female-dominated site

A letter of clarification from the authors of “trophy fishing for species threatened with extinction”

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