Article

The shark fishery in the United Arab Emirates: An interview based approach to assess the status of sharks

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  • Elasmo Project
  • Free lance Ottawa, Canada
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Abstract

Anecdotal evidence suggests that sharks are being targeted in the United Arab Emirates artisanal fishery. However, little information is available on this fishery and baseline information is essential for understanding its impact on shark populations in the Arabian/Persian Gulf, and for managing sharks in this region. The aim of this study was to investigate the artisanal shark fishery and gain an insight into the social, motivational and economic drivers behind it. Fishery characteristics were examined and the effect of fishing on local shark stocks assessed by interviewing Emirati fishermen across the country (n = 126). Sharks were found to be increasingly targeted owing to their high value in the global fin trade industry. The majority of fishermen (80%) confirmed that changes in species composition, abundance and sizes of sharks have been continuing for more than two decades, mainly because of overfishing, raising concerns about the sustainability of this fishery. Results suggest that sharks are likely to be overexploited and that management measures will need to take into account the precautionary principle. There is an urgent need to formulate long‐term and effective conservation and management plans to prevent further declines in a number of species. Additional efforts should be directed to quantify the ecological implications of the observed changes and determine if these are aggravated by the life‐history traits of the fished species. Such implications should be considered when assessing the sustainability of local fisheries. The data gathered can now serve as a reference to managers, fisheries scientists and other stakeholders to prioritize future research as well as lay foundations for the development and implementation of national management plans for the protection and conservation of sharks. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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... To overcome challenges in data collection and address knowledge gaps, scientists have increasingly drawn on new approaches to systematically collect data on bycatch from fisheries and understand the impact of SSF on various marine megafauna species (e.g. Jabado et al., 2015;Moore et al., 2010). Many studies have focused on using community-based social science interview and survey techniques (e.g. ...
... Many studies have focused on using community-based social science interview and survey techniques (e.g. Colloca et al., 2020;Jabado et al., 2015;Seidu et al., 2022b). ...
... Between November 2018 and October 2019, we used a questionnaire adapted from Moore et al. (2010) and Jabado et al. (2015) to conduct one-on-one interviews using semi-structured questions at markets, beach landing sites and fisher associations. We acquired permission from the village chief's prior to conducting the interviews. ...
Article
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.
... Overall, an understanding of how local fishing communities interact with species, what their uses and values of species are, their perception of conservation, and their willingness to change their fishing and consumptive behaviour, can be gained through interviews (e.g. Moore et al. 2010, Jabado et al. 2015, Tyabji et al. 2022. Such information is needed to determine how various conservation measures might impact fishers and their livelihoods and provide an opportunity for holistic and equitable approaches to management (Haque et al. 2021). ...
... A semi-structured questionnaire (see Supplement at www.int-res.com/articles/suppl/n053p049_supp.pdf), adapted from Moore et al. (2010) and Jabado et al. (2015) was used to collect information on the status of rhino rays across the 5 study sites. Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee at the United Arab Emirates University (Jabado et al. 2015). ...
... adapted from Moore et al. (2010) and Jabado et al. (2015) was used to collect information on the status of rhino rays across the 5 study sites. Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee at the United Arab Emirates University (Jabado et al. 2015). For the purpose of this study, although sawfishes (family Pristidae) and banjo rays (family Trygonorrhinidae) are considered rhino rays, sawfishes were excluded since they have mostly disappeared from the region (Yan et al. 2021), and banjo rays do not occur in the region (Last et al. 2016). ...
Article
Full-text available
Rhino rays (order Rhinopristiformes) are among the most threatened marine species. India is one of the world’s top shark and ray fishing nations and harbours a high diversity of these species, but research on them has been limited. This study provides insights on rhino ray status, utilisation, and conservation across 5 large fishing harbours in India (Porbandar, Mumbai, Chennai, Ganjam, and Digha) by describing fishers’ ecological knowledge of fisheries interactions, patterns of catches and utilisation, and perceptions and attitudes towards rhino ray conservation. Interviews (n = 161) revealed that rhino rays are considered bycatch (99.3% of respondents), with catch declines of up to 95% in the last decade (85%, n = 137) and unsustainable fishing noted as the leading cause of declines. Primary use was for local consumption (71%, n = 114), mostly as fresh meat. Large-bodied individuals (>1 m total length [TL]) could reportedly be sold for the fin trade or locally consumed. Small-bodied individuals (<1 m TL) were reportedly discarded at sea, consumed, or considered trash fish. Knowledge of products, prices, and trends in utilisation was mostly anecdotal, and it was evident that respondents’ concern for rhino ray conservation was very low. The lack of ecological knowledge was assessed to be due to population declines. Overall, 78% of respondents (n = 126) had higher use-oriented attitudes towards rhino rays than conservation-oriented attitudes. Hence, conservation actions need to be complemented with policies to protect rhino ray species and critical habitats. Our findings demonstrate the urgency of immediate conservation actions for and recording ecological knowledge of these species.
... Semi-structured questionnaires were adapted from Jabado et al. [39] to the local context to include sharks and rays. Interviews with fishers included questions on (1) demographics and experience, (2) fishing practices and interactions with sharks and rays, (3) utilization and trade of products, and (4) awareness and perceptions of existing regulations and future management. ...
... Small-sized sharks were preferred along with juvenile hammerhead sharks on peninsular India due to softness of the meat and various cultural beliefs. This preference has been observed in several coastal communities worldwide including in many countries across the Indian Ocean [12] including Madagascar [49], the United Arab Emirates (UAE) [39], and the northwest region of India [35]. It is often attributed to the lower urea concentrations and mercury content of the flesh and it being easier to process than larger sharks [12]. ...
... It is often attributed to the lower urea concentrations and mercury content of the flesh and it being easier to process than larger sharks [12]. However, in the UAE, demand and consumption has also been influenced with the increasing migrant population from India [39]. It is clear that to inform interventions aimed at changing consumer behaviour on the Andaman Islands, a comprehensive assessment of the culture and traditions behind the local consumer and its market characteristics is required. ...
Article
Overfishing is recognized as the most pervasive threat to sharks and rays globally. While there is increasing emphasis on ecological aspects of shark and ray fisheries, socio-economic considerations are often poorly incorporated into management policies. Here, we assess the utilization and trade of sharks and rays across the Andaman Islands by conducting semi-structured interviews with 87 fishers and eight traders. Sharks and rays were exported to supply the meat market in peninsular India and contribute to the international trade in products such as fins, gill plates, and liver oil. A large proportion of fishers (n = 38, 43.67%) consumed sharks and rays due to declines in reef fish, as an accessible and cheap protein source. Small-sized sharks (<1 m total length), juvenile hammerheads, and uniformly coloured rays were preferred for local consumption. Fishers (n = 43, 49.42%) noted the difficulty of relying on profits from shark fishing due to declines in shark populations. However, it was easier to fish and trade rays due to their perceived abundance, few regulations, and increased demand for their products. Traders (n = 7, 87.5%) mentioned a rising demand for ray meat from peninsular India, leading to the development of a targeted ray fishery. Expanding and targeted shark and ray fisheries benefit the stakeholders who have the resources to invest, while affecting the livelihoods of others due to declining local fisheries resources. Our results highlight the need to revise and improve legal frameworks to consider the conservation needs of threatened species and likely impacts on local communities.
... Thereby, LEK should be analyzed as any other information and applied where it makes a difference in the quality of research and in the involvement of fishers in decisions that will affect them (Huntington, 2000). Previous pilot studies conducted around the world focused on fishers' perceptions about reef degradation (Bunce et al., 2008) and status of sharks (Jabado et al., 2015) and were based on a small number of interviews that were not representative of the country fishers' population but provided useful information. In the case of shark fishery, the interviews provided insights into local fishers' perception and a muchneeded baseline for future investigations (Jabado et al., 2015). ...
... Previous pilot studies conducted around the world focused on fishers' perceptions about reef degradation (Bunce et al., 2008) and status of sharks (Jabado et al., 2015) and were based on a small number of interviews that were not representative of the country fishers' population but provided useful information. In the case of shark fishery, the interviews provided insights into local fishers' perception and a muchneeded baseline for future investigations (Jabado et al., 2015). LEK was also assessed to identify shark habitats and fishers were a rich source of information that confirmed the presence of sharks (Rasalato et al., 2010). ...
... Fishers may have the perception that catch information could eventually be used as a tool against them to place restrictions and regulations (Jabado et al., 2015) which may be related to the demonstration of lack of concern regarding sharks' exploitation status and protection needs. ...
Article
Full-text available
The high economic value of fisheries was historically associated to commercial teleost fishes. Since the 1970s, despite some elasmobranchs becoming an important target or a bycatch, relatively little research has been carried out on this group because of their low economic value. Due to their specific life history characteristics, sharks and rays are particularly vulnerable to overexploitation, taking several decades to recover after reaching an overexploitation status. In Portugal elasmobranch fishery results mainly from targeted longlining and bycatch from different fishing gears. During the last decade, the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) of rays have been decreasing, the European Union (EU) banned the capture of some ray species, the Portuguese government implemented both a closed season and a minimum landing size for some rays, and the EU prohibited target fishing for sharks. All these measures may have been highly responsible for the national and local landings reduction. Official landings from the last decade were analyzed, the landed species conservation status was consulted, and structured interviews using a questionnaire were conducted in the most important fishing port in the Portuguese mainland, the port of Sesimbra. Results led us to conclude that fishers’ answers and landings data did not match. It also revealed a lack of awareness by fishers about the state of shark and ray populations, and about some aspects of their biology and ecology, like reproduction season and method. The present study highlights the need to fill in this existing gap in knowledge through the transfer of scientific knowledge and sharing of management responsibilities. Also, we aimed to demonstrate the necessity for awareness and education activities within fishing communities, an essential step to elasmobranch conservation.
... In addition, the WCSA, 2012 protects 29 species of elasmobranchs (Haque et al., 2018) in Bangladesh's territorial waters. Yet, conservation actions and management policies, for them to be effective, need accurate species-specific catch and trade data (Jabado et al., 2015;White et al., 2013;O'Bryhim et al., 2017;Cardeñosa et al., 2019) andmarket understanding (McNamara et al., 2016) involving different actors and mechanisms (Oyanedel et al., 2021). This data gap has restricted the quantitative and qualitative understanding of the market character, actors' involvement, product flow, and management needs of the elasmobranch trade in Bangladesh (Dent and Clarke, 2015). ...
... Liver oil factory owners and fish feed workers were identified during visits at liver oil factories in Cox's Bazar and fish feed factories in Dhaka. Stakeholder-specific semi-structured questionnaires were designed for traders (n = 57) and fish feed workers (n = 10) partially based on Jabado et al., 2015. Before each interview, verbal permission to conduct the interview and use the data for scientific purposes was obtained from each interviewee. ...
... The most sought-after and most valuable species (i.e. hammerhead sharks, pigeye sharks, bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, sawfishes, wedgefishes and guitarfishes) (Okes and Sent, 2019;Clarke et al., 2007;Jabado et al., 2015;Jabado, 2018;Kyne et al., 2020;Haque et al., 2020) are also the most vulnerable, globally, based on IUCN Red List criteria (IUCN, 2021). Our study showed that, based on interviews with elasmobranch traders, the majority of elasmobranch products were exported to Myanmar between 2014 and 2017 as a conduit to China and Hong Kong. ...
Article
Trade in elasmobranch products is a circum-global practice negatively impacting elasmobranch populations. Although Asia is at the centre of the shark fin trade, countries like Bangladesh, remain data-poor regarding trade dynamics. In the Bay of Bengal region, Bangladesh has a long-standing history of producing and trading products from vulnerable and protected elasmobranchs both nationally and internationally. A limited understanding of trade currently precludes Bangladesh from enforcing regulations effectively and taking timely conservation actions. To address this knowledge gap, we characterized elasmobranch trade by identifying stakeholders involved in national and international trade, routes used, trade hubs, and ports in Bangladesh. We found that most of the trade remains unreported and violates the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012 and CITES mandates. We identified the south-eastern region as a trade hub with a syndicate of traders annually exporting elasmobranch products predominantly to China via Myanmar. High-quality fins and dried meat drive international trade, including products from Critically Endangered sawfish (Pristidae), guitarfishes (Glaucostegidae, Rhinobatidae), wedgefishes (Rhinidae), hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae), and large requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae). Also prevalent is a substantial national demand for elasmobranchs for consumption and traditional medicinal uses. Apart from limited alternatives, a low efficiency of acquiring maximum profits in trading other fishery products, an inequality of profit sharing and limited awareness of laws amongst traders results in their non-compliance towards the Wildlife Act, 2012. Along with amendments to this national Act, it is essential to protect threatened species beyond just legal regimes. Enhanced monitoring and inclusive policies are essential for disincentivizing traders to trade such products.
... Currently observed declines precede previous reported collapses of coastal-and pelagic sharks by several decades, and the magnitude of species decline is increasing globally [12]. Similarly, shark populations in the Gulf are severely threatened due to unregulated fisheries and international trade in shark products [13,14]. ...
... fisheries are largely driven by shark fin export markets and that the U.A.E. act as a global export center for the international shark fin trade with reports of exports up to 500 metric ton annually to Hong Kong [13]. Nonetheless, much of the shark trade remains unregulated, and because different species have various natural capacities to adapt to anthropogenic pressures, management and conservation efforts will necessitate accurate species-specific capture and trade data. ...
... U.A.E. fishermen have also reported a general decline in shark catches, abundance, and species size [13]. This strongly suggests that the shark fishery is currently been overexploited. ...
Article
Full-text available
Challenges that relate to shark conservation may well be a combination of the intersection of people's livelihoods and the ineffectiveness of management strategies. Given the current protection initiatives as well as the implementation of tighter laws restricting hunting and trade, shark conservation is still recognized as a major environmental challenge. The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) is used as an export hub and is one of the primary exporters of shark fins to Hong Kong, with a large proportion of fins traded to be from species at high risk of global extinction. The present-day management of shark fisheries also shows shortcomings concerning lawfulness, specifically those relating to regulatory compliance, fishing techniques, and control of finning occurrences. These concerns are not unique to the U.A.E. but emphasize the fact that there are far-reaching problems related to shark conservation. Even in a milieu of strengthened conservation measures and revised legislature, existing information on the effectiveness of a shark finning ban may still be misleading when viewed in the light of over-exploitation and global species abundance. It is therefore important that proper management must be implemented at the inception of shark fisheries. For the U.A.E., this has not always been the case. Instead, the trend was one of limited control and lack of compliance, unfortunately, resulting in a rapid decline in shark abundance, to the point where sharks struggle to recover. This paper focuses on the importance of the species, reviews the current monitoring framework, and seeks to enhance shark protection.
... The most valued product is the fins sold at a very high price in the international fin markets. Several other Asian countries are involved in the fin trade, including; Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, and Thailand, with China the dominant importer and exporter (Clarke et al., 2006;Jabado et al., 2015;Dent and Clarke, 2015;Steinke et al., 2017;Spaet and Berumen, 2015;Cardeñosa et al., 2017;Haque et al., 2018Haque et al., , 2019Fischer et al., 2012). In Bangladesh, highly desirable elasmobranch products, including those of rhino rays, have been traded after targeted fishing or by-catch for more than four decades. ...
... The solution has to be within a sustainable fisheries model (Jabado et al., 2015). A logical first step to guide and prioritize actions for these species is a global conservation planning exercise. ...
... In data-poor regions, fishers' knowledge can act as tremendous proxies for scientific information (Jabado et al., 2015;Bonfil et al., 2018;Liao et al., 2019;Patankar, 2019;Braulik et al., 2020). Perceived knowledge from fishers can provide valuable insights into the impacts of fishing communities on the marine ecosystem (Jabado et al., 2014). ...
Article
Rhinopristioid rays are among the most globally threatened cartilaginous fishes, almost all of which are Critically Endangered. Fishery pressure and lack of knowledge, especially where these elasmobranch fish overlap their habitats off developing countries in the Indo-West Pacific, impede their biological conservation which in turns result in unnoticed population depletion. Rhino rays are an important component of the Bangladeshi artisanal fishery; however, an understanding of these fisheries and their trade is limited. Fishers and traders were interviewed between June 2018 and June 2019 in four areas of southeast Bangladesh to characterize rhino ray fishing, trade and fishers' perception of population trends. All interviewed fishers reported lifelong rhino ray catch in sizable numbers and noted a steep decline in the catch over time, especially for Rhynchobatus spp. Seven species were documented-not only targeted by un-baited longlines but also by-caught in gillnets and set-bag nets. Unregulated and undocumented catch fuelled by substantial international trade to Myanmar on high-quality skin, meat and fins; and national usages of meat, liver, cartilages and intestines. Between 9000 and 33000 kg (avg. 23000 kg) of rhino rays were bought annually by each trader during 2015-2018. Southcentral shallow-water char (sand island) areas are perceived as essential habitats, hence providing important fishing grounds. The predominant threats are overexploitation by unselective gear use, bottom trawling, target catch, international trade and source of protein and income. Compliance with international trade control treaties or the Bangladeshi law was low, with most fishers (78%) unaware of specific regulation regarding rhino rays. It is crucial to adopt precautionary principles to prevent further rhino ray population declines. We propose a combination of actions rooted in sustainability and inclusiveness in this regard; e.g. a) trade mitigation, monitoring and enforcement, b) need for sustainable fisheries management regimes, c) need for habitat protection; finally, d) the importance of fishers' inclusiveness in conservation decision making.
... In some cases, fishers had some understanding that certain shark species were less likely to survive after catch and release fishing, and tried to release sharks in a good condition to improve their chances of survival (Lynch et al., 2010), while in others, these attitudes were not accompanied by fishing gear to improve shark survival (Heard et al., 2016). In many cases, people fishing for sharks as part of their livelihoods (e.g., commercial or industrial fishing, depending on the terminology used, or recreational fishing businesses), are not doing so as part of a "target" shark fishery; instead, they are seeking other species, such as tuna, but also catch sharks, which they might then turn into a commodity (e.g., if there is a market or dealer to whom they can sell shark meat or fins, whether or not it is legal to do so) (Jabado et al., 2015). Recreational fishing businesses may market several different species-focused expeditions, one of which may be sharks (Shiffman and Hammerschlag, 2014). ...
... In regions where fisheries monitoring data is limited or lacking, fishers can be a source of knowledge for long-term population trends; this knowledge has been recognized by researchers through the surveys of traditional or local ecological knowledge (TEK or LEK). In the Gulf Region of the United Arab Emirates, artisanal or industrial fishers have for decades been catching sharks for some part of their income, which was leveraged by Jabado et al. (2015) through LEK surveys to establish baseline information on the abundance and sizes of sharks. Similar to other long-term users of marine areas (Suman et al., 1999;Gray et al., 2010;Nayak, 2017), participating fishers felt that their knowledge was not sufficiently consulted during management planning, which in turn affected their ability to access fish (sharks and otherwise). ...
... However, the value of this partnership may go unacknowledged by fishery managers, presenting an untapped resource for gathering ecological data, while fostering stewardship through acknowledging the expertise of fishers. In developing nations, researchers associated with academic institutions are gathering experiential knowledge such as shark abundance, size trends, and market values through questionnaires, interviews, or by employing community members as data collectors (Jabado et al., 2015, Jabado, 2018Jaiteh et al., 2016a;Humber et al., 2017). These findings are shared with the academic community and others with access to scientific journals, however, pathways on how to use this in management are not explicit. ...
Presentation
Full-text available
Sharks occupy unique roles in human society: objects of conservation campaigns, fishery and tourism resources, maligned predators inciting fear in beach-goers, and subjects of inquisitive scientists. There are more than 1250 species of sharks and their relatives, which have persisted on Earth in some evolutionary form for over 420 million years and now occupy countless environments - from arctic waters and tropical coral reefs, to deep seabeds and inland rivers. Sharks range in size from 20 centimeters (the dwarf lanternshark) to 20 meters (the whale shark), performing an array of functions in their natural habitats and in human society. For conservation purposes, sharks have generally been framed as having either intrinsic or instrumental value, that is value simply by merit of their existence or value for the sake of human use. This presentation will examine them in terms of relational values - that is, human values derived from a relationship with sharks, such as self- or community-identity, moral obligation to conserve non-human species, notions of well-being, and stewardship. We propose that efforts to rebuild or sustain shark populations through regulating human activities are more likely to succeed through assessing and considering relational values of all stakeholders, and mediating conflicting value frameworks (e.g., fishers versus environmentalists). We also discuss how relational values through sharks have manifested in the scientific community, fishers, indigenous groups, tourists, and the public, the unique roles held by each in ‘valuing’ sharks, and how policies targeting these groups’ behavior are well suited to include relational value assessments.
... These changes revolve around the effort, fishing gear, target species, and volume of catches (Ferretti et al., 2018(Ferretti et al., , 2008Selgrath et al., 2018;Sguotti et al., 2016). For sharks, all of these changes are reflected in the vulnerability of their populations, especially for coastal species with a long history of exploitation due their proximity to human communities (Ferretti et al., 2008;Jabado et al., 2015;Lotze et al., 2006), resulting in a decrease in their capture, but not necessarily in their fishing-related mortality (Ferretti et al., 2018;Nadon et al., 2012;Roff et al., 2018). ...
... When historical data are used to evaluate shark populations, it can determine their decrease and highlight which species have been affected the most by human pressures (Ferretti et al., 2010(Ferretti et al., , 2008Ward-Paige et al., 2010). Historical information may come from a variety of sources (Thurstan et al., 2015), such as LEK, which has already been used in fisheries to assess population trends when there are no quantitative data (Early-Capistrán et al., 2018;Sáenz-Arroyo and Revollo-Fernández, 2016;Turvey et al., 2013) and to establish baselines through the characterisation of fisheries (Jabado et al., 2015). ...
... The methodology used by Jabado et al. (2015) was modified to determine which of the 20 commercial shark species registered for the state of Campeche (Bonfil, 1997) and could be easily recognised by the fishers from photographs. For this purpose, pilot interviews were conducted in four communities by asking the interviewees to identify the shark species from unlabelled photographs by its common name in Mayan or Spanish. ...
Article
Shark populations have declined worldwide. However, the lack of data for most species makes it difficult to use conventional population assessments to estimate their status. The productivity and susceptibility analysis (PSA) has been recommended for elasmobranchs as it is a data-poor assessment that uses the best available information of the species and their fisheries to determine their vulnerability. A historical characterisation was performed to define the most important periods for the shark fishery in Campeche, southern Gulf of Mexico, and a PSA was conducted to determine the vulnerability of the eleven most important commercial shark species in each three periods. The periods were defined as: local commercialisation (1940–1979), when all species had their lowest vulnerability values, and Carcharhinus leucas, Negraprion brevirostris, and Sphyrna mokarran were classified as highly vulnerable; developed industry (1980–1998) when there was an increase of the fishing pressure, and most small species changed from low to moderate vulnerability and the large coastal sharks scored their highest vulnerability values; and declining industry (1999–2018), when all species had lower vulnerability values than in the developed industry period. However, Carcharhinus brevipinna, Ginglymostoma cirratum, N. brevisrostris, C. leucas, and S. mokarran were still classified as highly vulnerable and could be suffering the accumulative effects of decades of fishing pressure. This multidisciplinary approach serves to identify the most vulnerable species throughout the history of the fishery and to understand the vulnerability values within a historical context, avoiding the shifting baseline syndrome.
... Estimates suggest that a quarter of shark and ray species are now threatened with extinction primarily driven by unsustainable fisheries, unprecedented bycatch, habitat destruction and illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) practices globally [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Despite their threatened statuses, elasmobranchs still represent a large component of global fisheries [11][12][13][14]. ...
... Estimates suggest that a quarter of shark and ray species are now threatened with extinction primarily driven by unsustainable fisheries, unprecedented bycatch, habitat destruction and illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) practices globally [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Despite their threatened statuses, elasmobranchs still represent a large component of global fisheries [11][12][13][14]. Fisheries target elasmobranchs for their meat and fins [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. ...
... Many Asian countries, and especially China, have become a hub for elasmobranch trade [3], in part due to a lack of national legislation that would protect threatened shark and ray species. China, along with an array of other Asian countries (Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) are either importing, exporting, or both [13][14][15][16][17][18][19], thus making Asia and adjacent areas the trade hub for elasmobranchs. Unfortunately, these fisheries are largely unregulated and data on species composition is extremely limited [20]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Trade involving elasmobranch products in Bangladesh is a four-decade-long practice in large scale and there is little understanding of its impact on species composition, population, and subsequent conservation. Capacity for monitoring and identification is lacking in landing and shark processing centres. A rapid survey and collection of tissue samples were performed in three landings and nine shark processing centres between 2016 and 2017 in the south-eastern coastal region of Bangladesh. Sequencing for a 707-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was used to assess the taxonomic status and species composition from 71 elasmobranch tissue samples collected from the shark processing centre only. Good quality COI sequences were obtained for 34 specimens representing 21 species—the majority of which are threatened with extinction. A total of ten species of sharks (Carcharhinus brevipinna, C. amboinensis, C. leucas, C. sorrah, C. amblyrhynchoides, Chiloscyllium burmensis, Galeocerdo cuvier, Rhincodon typus, Scoliodon laticaudus, and Sphyrna lewini), eleven species of rays (Aetomylaeus maculatus, Gymnura poecilura, Mobula mobular, M. kuhlii, Neotrygon indica, Pateobatis uarnacoides, Rhinoptera javanica, and R. jayakari), including three species of guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus, G. obtusus, and G. typus), were identified. Four species (14.7% of samples) were found to be listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Appendix II. Sixteen species (59% of the specimens) were threatened with extinction according to IUCN Red List, whereas 41% were data deficient or not assessed. The results have important implications for the management of regional fisheries and the conservation of elasmobranchs as they 1) represent a preliminary understanding of elasmobranch diversity in trade; 2) depict a lack of awareness and monitoring; and 3) demonstrate a need for urgent monitoring and regulation of elasmobranch trade in Bangladesh.
... While every attempt was made to achieve an evenly represented sample size, in the absence of clear data regarding ownership and consolidation, the actual representation of the sample is unknown. A semi-structured questionnaire, including pictures of species and modified from Jabado et al. (2015) to suit the local context, was administered to boat captains and crew (one from a sample of each of the companies) in Porbandar and Malvan in the local language (i.e. Gujarati and Marathi, respectively) (Appendix S1). ...
... It is critical to note that these reported declines of large-bodied sharks are from fisheries where, other than the Gujarat fishery for whale sharks during the 1980s-1990s (Vivekanandan and Zala 1994), no significant targeted shark fishery has existed. This is consistent with trends reported from the northwest Indian Ocean, China, and Madagascar, where landings of large sharks have been reduced with a simultaneous increase in landings of smallbodied animals (McVean et al. 2006;Henderson et al. 2007;Lam and Sadovy de Mitcheson 2011;Jabado et al. 2015). Simultaneously, it is interesting to note that while fishers noted declines in the overall abundance of sharks irrespective of body size, declines in catches of smallbodied sharks was relatively less discussed by respondents, despite scientific evidence that some small-bodied sharks are also currently being overexploited (e.g. ...
... Fishers and traders were only able to identify and name the most common shark species landed but were unable to separate between morphologically similar species like in many parts of the world (e.g. Jabado et al. 2015). Except for the whale shark and sawfishes listed in 2001, respondents were unaware of other national protections under the Indian Wildlife Act 1972 (Table 3). ...
Article
This study evaluates local-scale drivers of shark harvests in India, one of the world’s largest shark fishing nations. Focusing on key harbours in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, which together contribute 54% of India’s shark harvest, this study uses a semi-structured survey to examine the practices of shark fishers and traders, their knowledge of shark trade and policy, and perceptions of shark declines. Findings indicate that a domestic market for shark meat is presently the main local driver for harvests rather than the global trade in shark fins. Sharks are mostly non-target catch, landed whole, contributing to the protein needs of coastal communities. Consumer demand is the greatest for small-bodied and juvenile sharks. Perceived steep declines in shark numbers and sizes have had economic impacts on fishers and traders. The unregulated domestic market for shark meat is a key challenge requiring nuanced local approaches that diverge from global shark conservation priorities.
... In some cases, fishers had some understanding that certain shark species were less likely to survive after catch and release fishing, and tried to release sharks in a good condition to improve their chances of survival (Lynch et al., 2010), while in others, these attitudes were not accompanied by fishing gear to improve shark survival (Heard et al., 2016). In many cases, people fishing for sharks as part of their livelihoods (e.g., commercial or industrial fishing, depending on the terminology used, or recreational fishing businesses), are not doing so as part of a "target" shark fishery; instead, they are seeking other species, such as tuna, but also catch sharks, which they might then turn into a commodity (e.g., if there is a market or dealer to whom they can sell shark meat or fins, whether or not it is legal to do so) (Jabado et al., 2015). Recreational fishing businesses may market several different species-focused expeditions, one of which may be sharks (Shiffman and Hammerschlag, 2014). ...
... In regions where fisheries monitoring data is limited or lacking, fishers can be a source of knowledge for long-term population trends; this knowledge has been recognized by researchers through the surveys of traditional or local ecological knowledge (TEK or LEK). In the Gulf Region of the United Arab Emirates, artisanal or industrial fishers have for decades been catching sharks for some part of their income, which was leveraged by Jabado et al. (2015) through LEK surveys to establish baseline information on the abundance and sizes of sharks. Similar to other long-term users of marine areas (Suman et al., 1999;Gray et al., 2010;Nayak, 2017), participating fishers felt that their knowledge was not sufficiently consulted during management planning, which in turn affected their ability to access fish (sharks and otherwise). ...
... However, the value of this partnership may go unacknowledged by fishery managers, presenting an untapped resource for gathering ecological data, while fostering stewardship through acknowledging the expertise of fishers. In developing nations, researchers associated with academic institutions are gathering experiential knowledge such as shark abundance, size trends, and market values through questionnaires, interviews, or by employing community members as data collectors (Jabado et al., 2015, Jabado, 2018Jaiteh et al., 2016a;Humber et al., 2017). These findings are shared with the academic community and others with access to scientific journals, however, pathways on how to use this in management are not explicit. ...
Article
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Relational values (RV) are values that arise from a relationship with nature, encompassing a sense of place, feelings of well-being (mental and physical health), and cultural, community, or personal identities. With sharks, such values are formed by diverse groups that interact with these animals and their ecosystems, either physically or virtually, whether a scientist, student, fisher, or media-viewer. Further, these user groups may overlap or come into conflict over management plans, media portrayals of sharks, and their conservation status. Although scientists have not explicitly aimed to assess RV through sharks, qualitative studies of shark fishers, tourism operators, tourists, and the public, as well as historical and archeological accounts, can be interpreted through an analytical lens to reveal values which can also be defined as relational. To this end, this review considers studies capturing RV alongside those of economic value (increasingly, the value of a shark is appraised by their financial value in shark tourism) and the social and cultural roles of sharks. Based on these studies and the broader RV literature, we then outline a workflow for how RV can be leveraged in scientific inquiry, equitable resource management, and education. We conclude that via collaborative assessments of RV, with implicit inclusion of multiple values of sharks and by acknowledging their importance to all parties involved in user conflicts, the RV framework can lead to a constructive dialog on polarizing conservation and management issues. By illuminating shared values, and/or revealing dichotomies of values ascribed toward certain areas or objects, this framework can provide inroads to mediation, seeking to conserve or even restore relationships with nature, and their derived values as much as is possible. This approach can yield unexpected knowledge, solutions, and compromises in an increasingly complex conservation landscape.
... When removing C. arabicum and Himantura spp. from our analysis, species known to be discarded by fishers in the UAE 18,22 , our CPUE is reduced by more than half and ranges closer to the alarmingly low CPUE results from the northern Saudi Arabian Red Sea 21 . While there are few historical baselines of elasmobranch abundance from the Arabian Gulf, several studies have already highlighted the increasing fishing pressure on these species in the region with population declines as well as changes in the species composition and sizes of individuals landed (e.g. ...
... These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that sharks and rays in the Arabian Gulf and broader Arabian Sea and adjacent waters region are amongst the most threatened in the world 17 . Despite the UAE having developed legislation to regulate shark fishing (including species-specific protections), most species (especially sharks) are still landed as bycatch due to an overlap between the seasonal shark fishing ban and open gillnet fishing season 22 . Unsustainable fishing and overexploitation of elasmobranch resources, coupled with weak enforcement of fishing policies, are widespread in the region and these low CPUE numbers are likely a reflection of stocks that have been depleted from over two decades of overfishing 21,23 . ...
... Firstly, our BRUVS recorded during the day and some elasmobranch species exhibit diel changes in behavior and activity 28,29 . For example, many shark species are less active during the day than at night when fishers set various fishing gear (e.g., gillnets or longlines) and catch large quantities of sharks 22,29,30 . Furthermore, fishers tend to have much longer soak times (often over 12 hours) and cover large areas and therefore are more likely to capture sharks and rays during foraging trips 27 . ...
Article
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Data on the diversity and relative abundance of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) in the Arabian Gulf have been limited to fishery-dependent monitoring of landing sites. Understanding the diversity and abundance of sharks and rays is, however, crucial to inform policy and management plans. Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (BRUVS) were conducted in 2015–2016 across the United Arab Emirates Arabian Gulf waters encompassing a range of depths and habitat types. Data from 278 BRUVS (757 hours soak time) were analysed to gather information on diversity, relative abundance, species distribution, and habitat associations. Surveys recorded 213 individuals from 20 species of sharks and rays at 129 stations. The frequency of occurrence of species usually discarded by fishers such as the Arabian carpetshark (Chiloscyllium arabicum) and stingrays (Himantura spp.) was high, accounting for 60.5% of observed elasmobranchs. Despite the large survey area covered and extensive sampling effort, the relative abundance of sharks and rays was low at 0.28 elasmobranchs per hour, 0.13 sharks per hour, and 0.15 rays per hour. This CPUE was reduced to one of lowest recorded abundance on BRUVS from around the world when removing the two discarded species from the analysis (0.11 elasmobranchs per hour). These results likely reflect the intense fishing pressure and habitat loss contributing to population declines of many elasmobranchs in the Arabian Gulf. Findings provide a baseline for future work and can support the design of conservation strategies for sharks and rays in the UAE.
... The apparent uncommonness and overall lack of records of some species is either a reflection that fishermen are not retaining them, or suggests that these species are rare, with potentially limited distributions, or that they have simply not been able to withstand fishing pressure. Interviews with fishermen and traders in the UAE (Jabado et al., 2015b) and Oman (unpub. data) highlight the value of shark-like batoids for the fin trade and it is therefore unlikely that fishermen discard them. ...
... In western Africa, there was a preference for adult blackchin guitarfish (R. cemiculus) with juveniles usually discarded (Seck et al., 2004) while in more recent years, even fins from embryos are removed for sale . Specifically, reports indicate that wedgefishes have become increasingly targeted due to their fins which are considered the most valuable and highest quality for consumption, worth twice the value of any other species (e.g. the bottlenose wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae) in Zanzibar, Tanzania (Barrowclift et al., 2017;Schaeffer, 2004); Rhynchobatus spp. in the UAE (Jabado et al., 2015b)). Recent work in Kuwait and Qatar also suggests that rhinids are of some value both as meat and for fins (Moore et al., 2012). ...
... Recent work in Kuwait and Qatar also suggests that rhinids are of some value both as meat and for fins (Moore et al., 2012). Anecdotal data from interviews with fishermen and traders in the UAE suggests that sawfishes have been replaced by guitarfishes as the most sought after species for the fin trade and are increasingly targeted and retained due to the high value of their fins (Jabado et al., 2015b(Jabado et al., , 2017a. The existing strong economic incentive to target and retain sharks and rays will continue driving the overexploitation of rhinopristoids and requires urgent action (Dent and Clarke, 2015). ...
Article
Shark-like batoids (Rhinopristiformes) represent of some of the most threatened families of sharks and rays. In certain regions, they are a relatively important component of elasmobranch fisheries, commonly taken as by-catch in gillnets and longlines, but also increasingly targeted for their high value fins and meat. This demand, combined with intense fishing pressure, has resulted in global population declines as well as localized extinctions of many rhinopristoids. Yet, information on the life-history, ecology, and conservation status remains scarce for most species. From 2010-2012, data was opportunistically collected from thirteen rhinopristoid species, including four endemic to the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters, landed from fisheries in the United Arab Emirates or transported from Oman. Four taxa dominated and comprised 92% of total shark-like batoid landings by number, namely Rhynchobatus spp., the Halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi), bowmouth guitarfish (Rhina ancylostoma), and Bengal guitarfish (Rhinobatos annandalei). Details of the biological characteristics, including size composition and sex ratios, are presented for each species. While there remain identification challenges related to some unresolved taxonomic issues, with several likely undescribed species occurring in the region, the first regional checklist of rhinopristoids is provided. Evidence of significant declines in landings combined with increasing fishing effort over a short time period raises concern about the status and long-term persistence of many species. Increased research to understand the biology, ecology, diversity, and resilience to harvest by fisheries is critical to the effective management of these species and an urgent precautionary approach to their conservation is warranted.
... Fisheries in the UAE are artisanal and typically multi-species and multi-gear (Grandcourt 2012, Jabado et al. 2015a. Fishers operate 2 types of boats: small fiberglass dories ('tarad') and traditional wooden dhows ('lansh') with the primary fishing gear including drift nets, gill nets, hand lines, traps, longlines, and trolls (Grandcourt 2012, Jabado et al. 2015a. ...
... Fisheries in the UAE are artisanal and typically multi-species and multi-gear (Grandcourt 2012, Jabado et al. 2015a. Fishers operate 2 types of boats: small fiberglass dories ('tarad') and traditional wooden dhows ('lansh') with the primary fishing gear including drift nets, gill nets, hand lines, traps, longlines, and trolls (Grandcourt 2012, Jabado et al. 2015a. During a comprehensive fishery-dependent study of elasmobranchs in the UAE between 2010 and 2012 (Jabado et al. 2015b), only 1 sawfish (green sawfish) specimen was encountered at the Al Jubail landing site in Sharjah (R. Jabado unpubl. ...
... data). However, informal discussions and interviews with fishers across the country have suggested their continued occurrence in certain areas offshore of Dubai and in coastal Abu Dhabi waters, especially around the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve (Jabado et al. 2015a). Furthermore, citizen science reports submitted to the Gulf Elasmo Project between 2011 and 2016 photographically confirmed 5 encounters with green sawfish in Abu Dhabi, Dibba, and Sharjah (www. ...
Article
Full-text available
The sawfishes (Pristidae) represent one of the most threatened groups of marine fish around the world. Between October 2015 and June 2016, interviews (n = 82) were conducted to assess the occurrence of sawfish in United Arab Emirates waters and gain insight from fishers’ traditional ecological knowledge regarding the status, uses, and cultural significance of sawfish. Almost all respondents (95.1%) had previously seen a sawfish, and 92.6% confirmed that their numbers had declined in the last 20 yr. Most respondents reported encounters in the last 5 to 10 yr, with 18.3% (n = 15) having seen a sawfish in the last 2 yr. Sawfish were not perceived as a culturally significant resource (76.8%) and when caught were primarily used as food, their high-value fins sold to traders, and rostra retained as decorations. The consensus was that while sawfish were previously targeted, they are now caught primarily as bycatch in gill nets. Based on pictures and rostra encountered (n = 19), it appears that the green sawfish Pristis zijsron is more common in United Arab Emirates waters than the narrow sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata, which is likely to be present off the Ras Al Khaimah coast. While the results of this study provide evidence of a large decline in sawfish, they hint at the possible importance of Abu Dhabi waters as a region where sawfish are still encountered and where research and monitoring, as well as conservation and recovery efforts, should be focused to avoid local extinction and recover their populations.
... The conservative life-history traits of many shark species render them vulnerable to fishing pressure, and their exploitation in recent years has led to increasing international concern (Stevens et al. 2000;Dulvy et al. 2014). Although the shark fishery in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is considered artisanal, recent studies investigating the status and diversity of the exploited species in Arabian/ Persian Gulf waters (hereafter referred to as the 'Gulf') have emphasised gaps in knowledge with respect to their biology (Moore 2012;Jabado et al. 2015aJabado et al. , 2015b. Artisanal fisheries represent a considerable portion of global shark landings and can greatly affect the abundance and size composition of species (Pinnegar and Engelhard 2008). ...
... Recent reports of large declines in abundance, catches and sizes of sharks in the UAE emphasises the need to address the lack of local knowledge, and the limited regional knowledge, of life-history characteristics (Jabado et al. 2015a(Jabado et al. , 2015b. Baseline biological information, including size composition, sex ratio and, where possible, reproduct ive status, of species found in landings along the Gulf coast of the UAE, is presented here. ...
... However, across all landings, the high proportion of juveniles is of major concern. The fishery in the UAE uses a combination of fishing gear, i.e. nets, handlines and longlines, which allow the targeting of all sizes of sharks (Jabado et al. 2015a Although most maximum sizes recorded in the current study are consistent with earlier described ranges, several species were either much smaller or larger than reported from other studies in the region. For instance, C. leucas reached a maximum size of 2 430 mm for females and 2 977 for males (Table 1), sizes that exceed the maxima reported earlier in the Gulf for both sexes (1 830 mm and 1 580 mm, respectively; Moore et al. 2012). ...
Article
Full-text available
Landing site and market surveys of sharks landed along the Arabian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates were undertaken between October 2010 and September 2012 to obtain biological data from this artisanal fishery. Data were collected on the size and sex of 12 482 individuals representing 30 species. Maximum sizes of Carcharhinus sorrah, C. amblyrhynchoides and Hemipristis elongata were extended by at least 300 mm total length (TL) compared with published global maxima. The size at 50% maturity was determined for males of five species and this indicated that the males of smaller shark species (<1 000 mm maximum TL) in the fishery were largely mature. For many species, including Loxodon macrorhinus and Mustelus mosis, overall sex ratios were male-biased, indicating that sexual segregation is likely in those species. Furthermore, sex ratios for several species, such as Rhizoprionodon acutus, showed differences across seasons. Overall, the landings contained a high proportion of juveniles, causing concerns about the sustainability of this fishery. Biological parameters of a number of species differed from those recorded earlier for the region, demonstrating a need for additional local data collection to support the development of management measures.
... While kūlī is a general word in Kumzari for 'shark', Kumzari also has a number of words to refer to different types of sharks, from dībē 'great white shark' to various types of sharks still undefined in English (nāwukō, qāẓum, jmēs, jubbē, xiṣwānī, manqab, pēčak, qrādī, rējimī, tirxēnit). In her research she found that "sharks were found to be increasingly targeted owing to their high value in the global fin trade industry" and "the majority of fishermen (80%) confirmed that changes in species composition, abundance and sizes of sharks have been continuing for more than two decades, mainly because of overfishing, raising concerns about the sustainability of this fishery" (Jabado et al. 2014) In addition to further work needed on identifying specific fish species in Kumzari, more attention must also be paid to bird terminology and the cultural place of birds in Kumzari culture. The general term in Kumzari for bird is ṭēr, and other Kumzari words for birds in the Musandam region include ḥaqm 'domestic pigeon', murwa barrō 'domestic chicken ', alʾul 'heron', būm 'owl', murwa kōʾō 'sandgrouse', ḥāmamō 'dove', šāʾin 'eagle, hawk, vulture', xrō 'rooster', ṣuqr 'osprey, falcon', bībī mattō 'parrot', baǧbaǧa 'parrot', nābī 'gull', bišram bēšir 'gull', ǧrāb 'crow', ǧuwwē 'white tern', ṣufṣuf 'sparrow', and other types of birds still not yet defined, such as saqqa and ṣufrit. ...
... While the Kumzari word for 'octopus ink' has been documented as mādad, other terms related to the effects or productions of sea creatures have yet to be studied in detail.Today, there are 32 shark species in the Persian Gulf. Fishermen in Kumzar catch a variety of sharks: blacktip, hammerhead, whitetip reef, and some whale sharks(Jabado et al. 2014; ...
Chapter
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This edited volume brings together a diverse and rich set of contributions on the Arabian Peninsula. Ranging from history, field linguistics, and cultural studies these essays address the diversity of languages, ways of life, and natural environments that have marked the region throughout its history. The book stems from the intellectual exchange and collaboration fostered by a virtual workshop that met regularly in 2020-21 and which drew participants from within and beyond the academy. The contributions gathered in this volume highlight the need for a better understanding of a region that hosts a vast amount of culturally and linguistically diverse material, often in a precarious state of conservation. Diversity Across the Arabian Peninsula argues for the importance of holistic, community-based, and interdisciplinary approaches to linguistic endangerment and deep social and cultural changes: there is no documentation of language without attention to language use, the material lifeworld and its ecology, and social and cultural setting. Such research is enriched and made more impactful through collaboration with communities and scholars from the Global South. The essays in this volume thus spearhead a contextualized study of South Arabian linguistic varieties and their connection with the natural and cultural world they inhabit.
... Fishers' local ecological knowledge is a valuable source of data for management. Information collection through interactions with coastal communities can provide insights into local conditions, vulnerabilities, and can assist and redefine objectives and strategies in fisheries management plans (Figus and Criddle, 2019;Jabado et al., 2015;Pascoe et al., 2014;Schemmel et al., 2016). This study aims to understand the value of oyster bed fisheries in the UAE northern Emirates based on fishers' knowledge. ...
... These areas were utilised weekly with similar fishing efforts as in other critical marine habitats (e.g., coral reefs). Considering the mixed-species fisheries in the UAE, target fish species and catches reported from these habitats were not surprising and included key commercially important and overexploited species (De Young, 2006;Grandcourt, 2012;Jabado et al., 2015). While most fishers did not alter their fishing gear or effort to compensate for changes observed in oyster beds, some respondents confirmed an increase in the number of traps used and an increase in fishing time required to catch the same volume of fish compared to previous years. ...
Preprint
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There is scarce information on the current importance of oyster beds as fishing grounds in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aims to understand the socioeconomic value of oyster bed fisheries through questionnaire based surveys with fishers. Of 106 Emirati fishers interviewed, 67 % use oyster beds due to the proximity to shore, better catch quality, and species abundance. Oyster bed fisheries are recreational and commercial, with handline and fish traps the most common used gears. They provide food for local consumption and cash income. All respondents noticed a fish abundance and size decrease throughout the last decade. Fishers suggest establishing marine protected areas and updating fishing regulations to improve fishing stock status. During the Covid-19 pandemic, oyster fisheries increased, highlighting the value of these fishing grounds for food availability. These fisheries support the local economy and heritage, and urgently need management to ensure the protection of these often-overlooked habitats.
... Similar to other parts of the world [33,38], fishers in Ghana were unable to taxonomically differentiate between morphologically similar species pairs such as G. cemiculus and R. rhinobatos, as well as R. albomaculatus and R. irvinei. Thus, the inability of fishers to distinguish morphologically similar species of guitarfishes prompted their responses to focus on the two categories of large-bodied individuals and small-bodied individuals, which seems to be well-known to most fishers in the study communities. ...
... Most traders then slice the fresh meat, salt and sun-dry or smoke them before they are destined for the local Ghanaian markets to be sold for local consumption. The high consumption of rhino rays in the various fishing communities reflects the consumption patterns of shark meat in other localities in Indian Ocean [82], United Arab Emirates [38], Madagascar [16], and the other West African countries [50]. ...
Article
Rhino rays, such as guitarfishes, are increasingly targeted or retained as incidental catch and have become an economically important component in fisheries worldwide. Despite their importance, information about the catch and socioeconomics of these fisheries are virtually non-existent in West Africa. We address a significant knowledge gap about the characteristics and drivers of guitarfish fisheries in four key ray-fishing communities in the Western and Central Regions in Ghana. We conducted landing and market surveys of guitarfishes over 80 days from November 2020 to August 2021. We also interviewed 51 fishers actively involved in the guitarfish fishery across the four communities during this period using semi-structured interviews. The findings confirm the likely disappearance of sawfishes Pristis spp., as most fishers have not captured any in their lifetime. We also confirm no known catches of the African wedgefish Rhynchobatus luebberti. Our surveys documented 537 individuals from four guitarfish species across the various landing and market sites. The spineback guitarfish (Rhinobatos irvinei) was the most frequently landed species comprising 71 % (n = 383) of all guitarfishes, with 57 % of the specimens not yet sexually mature. Most fishers (71 %) stated that catches of the two larger guitarfishes (blackchin guitarfish Glaucostegus cemiculus and common guitarfish Rhinobatos rhinobatos) have declined by 80–90 % based on their recollection. At the same time, over half (59 %) of the fishers indicated that the catches of the smaller guitarfishes (spineback guitarfish and whitespotted guitarfish Rhinobatos albomaculatus) have declined by 40–60 %. The main drivers for the catch or retention of guitarfishes were for both international trade of their fins, and meat which are both traded locally (45 % of 51 fishers) and used as a source of food for local consumption (37 %). While we know high economic value drives the catch and trade of giant guitarfishes and wedgefishes, we show that this trade extends to the other guitarfish species. The interviews and contemporary pattern of catches are consistent with a serial depletion of rhino rays from the largest, most valuable species to the remaining smaller-bodied, less valuable guitarfishes. We recommend the development of national regulations for their protection complemented by education programs to ensure that fishers are aware of the threatened status of guitarfishes.
... Even in developed countries like Oman sharks are widely consumed and have formed the basis of many traditional food dishes (Henderson et al., 2006). Further, in the United Arab Emirates, fishers confirmed that the consumption of sharks has been integrated in their culture and has traditionally been consumed (Jabado et al., 2015). ...
... For example, species such as Mako sharks, Thresher sharks, and Hammerhead sharks are considered high quality and priced higher by fishers and traders, which concurs with the international shark meat market (Hanfee, 1999;Lehr, 2015;Rose, 1996). Similarly, fishers in the United Arab Emirates reported several species of sharks they considered most valuable, which included Hammerhead Sharks (Jabado et al., 2015). In contrast to the sale prices in Ghana, Bull shark were reported to fetch the highest price, resulting from their larger sizes in Zanzibar (Barrowclift et al., 2017). ...
Article
Small-scale shark fisheries support the livelihoods of a large number of coastal communities in developing countries. Shark meat comprises a cheap source of protein and is traded locally in many parts in developing countries, while the skins, oil, and fins are exported to the international market. This study addresses a gap in literature regarding the importance of elasmobranchs to key shark-fishing communities and the degree to which trade in shark products (meat and fins) vary in time and among fishing communities in Ghana. We interviewed 85 fishers and traders involved in shark fisheries in Axim, Dixcove, and Shama communities using semi-structured questionnaires. Fishing was the primary source of income and accounted for 58.5% of the total household income of respondents. Other important economic activities were fish processing (16.0%), fish retailing (13.3%), and small businesses (2.5%). One-third and often two-thirds of respondents generated between 80% and 100% of their income from shark fisheries: Axim (65%), Dixcove (68%), and Shama (35%). Shark meat consumption was common among fishers and traders and represents a substantial source of protein in the diet of the study communities. Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp) and Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) have the most valuable fins and meat. Further, 75% and 95% of fishers and traders, respectively, see fishing and trading of shark meat as their last safety-net and, therefore, tend to be satisfied with their jobs. Non-fishing related livelihood streams including small businesses and transportation were the major fallback activities both fishers and traders preferred to rely on if there is a ban on the exploitation of sharks in Ghana. Overexploitation of these species will compromise food ecosystem functionality and security. Thus, any shark management strategy needs to urgently restraint mortality to sustainable levels, which, in the short-term, must take into consideration the preferred livelihood fallback options outlined by fishers and traders, and implement them to ensure the long-term benefits of the intervention.
... Past field studies in the region have focused on elasmobranch populations [10,36,37,43,55,68], however these have all been conducted on time scales of a few years at most. While two interview-based studies in the region have indicated shark declines, these were either limited to a single country or not focused exclusively on sharks [44,70]. ...
... This finding adds to and supports the global body of evidence for dramatic declines in shark abundance, such as that reported elsewhere from conventional scientific and fisheries data (e.g. [24,27,28,78]) as well as LEK studies reporting shark declines in waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula [44,70]. ...
Article
Scientific knowledge is lacking on marine species of economic and conservation importance, hindering their sustainable management. Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) has the potential to provide valuable insights on large (spatial and temporal) scales, by drawing on the collective experiences of those who work closely with the taxa of interest. This study explored the status of shark population over time in four countries across eastern and southern Arabia (i.e. Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen). Results indicate strong declines, with highly experienced fishermen reporting greater perceived declines (80%) in the abundance of sharks (in general), with mean year of perceived decline starting in the late 1990s to early 2000s. For three specific taxa investigated, hammerhead sharks (e.g. Sphyrna mokarran) had the greatest mean perceived decline (80%), while even the group with the least decline (small carcharhinids) had mean perceived declines of 50%. Management measures are urgently required in the region to ensure sustainability of historic shark fisheries that provide food security and coastal livelihoods (e.g. Yemen and Oman), and to prevent regional extinctions (e.g. hammerhead sharks). Older and more experienced fishermen who are both; witness to the greatest declines and may have local standing and influence could be valuable resources in developing more community-based sustainable fisheries, especially given the apparent lack of success of formal management measures.
... In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 15 MPAs cover almost 12% of the UAE's Exclusive Economic Zone aiming to protect and conserve marine biodiversity (MPAtlas, 2018;Mateos-Molina et al., 2021). Furthermore, in an attempt to halt elasmobranch population declines in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the government has issued a series of legislations and Ministerial Decrees to regulate the fishing and trade in sharks and rays (Jabado et al., 2015a;MOCCAE, 2020). While these serve as a robust legal framework to regulate fisheries and reduce pressure on these populations in UAE waters, as well as suggest political will to support elasmobranch conservation, monitoring and enforcement remain a challenge as with other countries globally. ...
... Yet, it is improbable that the SBN MPA would have had low abundances of elasmobranchs prior to its establishment in 2000. Interviews with fishers in the UAE have consistently pointed to this location as being one of the hotspots for many elasmobranch species, including sawfishes (family Pristidae) which are one of the most threatened groups of marine fish around the world (Jabado et al., 2015a(Jabado et al., , 2015bJabado et al., 2017). Therefore, it is likely that the low abundances recorded here are a true reflection of the present state of declining elasmobranch stocks in the region as previously reported (Jabado et al., 2018a). ...
Article
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are increasingly advocated for the protection of key functional groups like elasmobranchs (sharks and rays). However, substantial uncertainty remains regarding which species can benefit from MPAs, crucial information to support policy and management plans. Using Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (BRUVS), a study was conducted on Sir Bu Nair Island in the United Arab Emirates encompassing a range of depths and habitat types within the MPA borders. A total of 96 deployments with 117 video hours recorded were analysed to assess the diversity, relative abundance and habitat associations of elasmobranchs. Surveys recorded 40 elasmobranchs including two species of sharks and seven species of rays. Overall, catch per unit effort for elasmobranchs was slightly higher overall, lower for sharks, and higher for rays compared to a similar study using BRUVS across United Arab Emirates waters. Two reef-associated species in early life stages, blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and Halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi) listed as Near Threatened and Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species respectively showed the highest frequency of occurrence of species representing 44.4% of all sightings. These results show the value of this MPA in protecting critical habitats for elasmobranchs while suggesting its limitation in protecting adult life stages and other elasmobranchs with wider ranging movements that are likely threatened by fishing in waters adjacent to the MPA. This study provides critical information to support the development of a Sir Bu Nair management plan and highlights further research needs around the island. Finally, it reinforces the need of additional management measures to protect and promote the recovery of elasmobranchs in the United Arab Emirates and broader Arabian Gulf.
... Although the concepts of elasmobranch research and conservation are relatively new in this region (Haldar, 2010;Hussain & Hoq, 2010), fishers hold decades of local knowledge, which, in the absence of historical data, can serve as a tremendous source of longterm trends and patterns. In many cases, declines and regional extinctions of marine species often go undocumented, but can be inferred from local knowledge (Dulvy & Polunin, 2004;Jabado et al., 2015;Abudaya et al., 2018;Mason et al., 2020). Additionally, fishers are key stakeholders and can provide socio-ecological perception and knowledge on natural resource conservation needs (McNeill, Clifton & Harvey, 2018), existing legislation and trade, which are all essential for developing effective conservation strategies (Jabado et al., 2015;Liao, Huang & Lu, 2019;Patankar, 2019;Mason et al., 2020;Ward-Paige, Brunnschweiler & Sykes, 2020). ...
... In many cases, declines and regional extinctions of marine species often go undocumented, but can be inferred from local knowledge (Dulvy & Polunin, 2004;Jabado et al., 2015;Abudaya et al., 2018;Mason et al., 2020). Additionally, fishers are key stakeholders and can provide socio-ecological perception and knowledge on natural resource conservation needs (McNeill, Clifton & Harvey, 2018), existing legislation and trade, which are all essential for developing effective conservation strategies (Jabado et al., 2015;Liao, Huang & Lu, 2019;Patankar, 2019;Mason et al., 2020;Ward-Paige, Brunnschweiler & Sykes, 2020). ...
Article
1. Devil rays (Mobula spp.) are globally threatened cartilaginous fishes that have attracted global conservation concern owing to their high extinction risk and lack of protection in many countries. Limited resources and data on threatened marine species, including devil rays, impede conservation actions, particularly in developing countries, many of which have high biodiversity. 2. Devil ray catch is a component of artisanal fisheries in Bangladesh, but data on their fisheries and trade are limited. To characterize devil ray fishing practices, fishers’ perception and trade, 230 fishers and traders were interviewed between 4 June 2018 and 22 June 2019, in four areas of south-east Bangladesh. Catch data were also opportunistically collected at landing sites. 3. Six devil ray species were documented, caught in an array of gill nets, set-bag nets and longlines. All interviewed fishers reported life-long devil ray bycatch in some numbers, and also noted a decline in catch over the last decade. Bottom trawling, increased bycatch levels, increased demand for devil ray products and, in some cases, ecosystem changes were identified by fishers as threats to devil ray populations. 4. Unregulated and undocumented trade and retained bycatch, especially by gill nets and set-bag nets, are fuelled by local consumption of devil ray meat and international trade in meat and gill rakers. Compliance with international trade control treaties for all Mobula spp. or the Bangladeshi law protecting Mobula mobular was low, with the majority of fishers (87%, n = 174) unaware of their existence. 5. To manage devil ray fisheries, and prevent possible population declines, we propose a combination of legally enforced gear modifications, and catch and trade control through community-owned implementation strategies. Additionally, we propose the simultaneous implementation of inclusive, community-based awareness and stewardship projects in conjunction with a coast-wide ray monitoring programme. Finally, we emphasize that more research and action rooted in a sustainable fishery model is urgently needed to protect Bangladeshi devil ray populations.
... USA, NMFS 2001), no country in the region has so far undertaken any such studies on sharks and rays (De Young, 2006;IOTC 2013). While some fishery dependent surveys, and interviews with fishermen indicate that certain areas may be nursery grounds and large numbers of juveniles are reported from landing sites, research has not been undertaken to investigate critical habitats (Bonfil & Abdallah, 2004;Hariri et al., 2002;Henderson et al., 2004;Jabado et al., 2014;. There is the possibility of localized depletion, stock collapse or local extirpations, unless appropriate measures are put in place to better manage vulnerable, coastal species. ...
... superciliosus) form a major part of the trade in the UAE, comprising nearly 6% of all shark and ray species traded and are reportedly landed in significant numbers in Oman during potential inshore migrations(Jabado, Al Ghais, Hamza, Henderson, et al., 2015). Furthermore, guitarfishes seem to be relatively unimportant for the regional fisheries, although there appears to be a growing market as they are valued both for their fins and meat(Jabado, Al Ghais, Hamza, & Henderson, 2014;Moore et al., 2012;. ...
Article
The Arabian Seas Region plays an important role in the global landings and trade of sharks and rays. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen, two countries with stark socioeconomic differences, serve as major regional trade hubs for shark and ray products and four countries (Oman, Pakistan, UAE and Yemen) supply nearly 11% of dried fin exports to Hong Kong. Yet, little information is available on the characteristics of this trade and the fisheries contributing to it. Here, we review the fisheries characteristics , trade, utilization and distribution chain of sharks and rays in 15 countries of the Arabian Seas Region based on published and grey literature, landing surveys, field observations and interviews with fishermen and traders. Although regional shark fisheries remain mostly artisanal, reported shark and ray landings represent 28% of the regional total fish production, reaching 56,074 mt in 2012 (7.3% of total world catches), with Iran, Oman, Pakistan and Yemen ranking as the primary catchers. Utilization and distribution patterns are complex, vary between landing sites and countries, and remain unmonitored. Based on widespread over-exploitation of most teleost fisheries, current exploitation levels for most sharks and rays are potentially unsustainable. The situation is exacerbated by limited research and political will to support policy development, the incomplete nature of fisheries data, as well as insufficient regulations and enforcement. A better understanding of shark and ray fisheries will be key for regulating trade, promoting conservation and developing management initiatives to secure food security, livelihoods and biodiversity conservation in the region. K E Y W O R D S chondrichthyans, conservation, extinction risk, fin trade, fisheries management, sustainability
... We used anecdotal information gathered systematically from fishers (hereafter fishers' knowledge) [23] to infer marine finfish disappearances [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] because this is the only available information source on catch trends of the ca. 1658 Philippine reef fish species over the past 40-60 years. ...
... This paper contributes to the growing evidence for dramatic declines of vulnerable reef fish species in a highly species-rich but data-depauperate setting [30,35,38,88]. Fishers' knowledge provides evidence of local extinction vulnerability of many finfish species [24,28,32,33,37,79,[130][131][132] and the links of this to life-history traits [27,[44][45][46][47][48][49], overexploitation [27,43,44] and socio-economic drivers [50,51] of depletions. Our robust modelling [31,[133][134][135] of these data is novel for this global epicentre of coastal species diversity and highlights the value of fishers' knowledge in providing evidence for declines in vulnerable species in abundances at large spatial and temporal scales. ...
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In the Philippines, very high fishing pressure coincides with the globally greatest number of shorefish species, yet no long-term fisheries data are available to explore species-level changes that may have occurred widely in the most species rich and vulnerable marine ecosystem, namely coral reefs. Through 2655 face-to-face interviews conducted between August 2012 and July 2014, we used fishers’ recall of past catch rates of reef-associated finfish to infer species disappearances from catches in five marine key biodiversity areas (Lanuza Bay, Danajon Bank, Verde Island Passage, Polillo Islands and Honda Bay). We modeled temporal trends in perceived catch per unit effort (CPUE) based on fishers’ reports of typical good days’ catches using Generalized Linear Mixed Modelling. Fifty-nine different finfish disappeared from catches between the 1950s and 2014; 42 fish were identified to species level, two to genus, seven to family and eight to local name only. Five species occurring at all sites with the greatest number of fishers reporting zero catches were the green bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), African pompano (Alectis ciliaris), giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) and mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus). Between the 1950s and 2014, the mean perceived CPUE of bumphead parrotfish declined by 88%, that of humphead wrasse by 82%, African pompano by 66%, giant grouper by 74% and mangrove red snapper by 64%. These declines were mainly associated with excess and uncontrolled fishing, fish life-history traits like maximum body size and socio-economic factors like access to market infrastructure and services, and overpopulation. The fishers’ knowledge is indicative of extirpations where evidence for these losses was otherwise lacking. Our models provide information as basis for area-based conservation and regional resource management particularly for the more vulnerable, once common, large, yet wide-ranging reef finfish species.
... Interviewers explained how the results would be used and shared, and that data would be de-identified. To conduct the interviews, the study utilised non-probability sampling techniques, such as convenience, opportunistic, and snowball sampling methods, as described in previous research (Jabado et al. 2015;Liao et al. 2019;Patankar 2019). To enhance data reliability, different questions were repeated strategically to confirm key data and to identify potential response biases. ...
Article
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The Mobulidae family comprises nine extant manta and devil ray (mobulid) species in the monogeneric genus Mobula, of which five occur in Peruvian waters. In this study, we assessed mobulid ray landings and trade along the coast of Peru by analysing historical captures, monitoring landing sites, and conducting interviews with fishers (n = 37) and traders (n = 21). A total of 7444.9 tons of mobulids were reported from 2000 to the end of 2023 in artisanal fisheries through data collected by the Marine Institute of Peru. Between 2013 and 2023, mean yearly mobulid ray landings for northern Peru were approximately 11,520 individuals (7414 M. munkiana, 3126 M. mobular, and 981 M. thurstoni) based on species-specific estimates of weight at maturity. This ranks Peru among the top mobulid fisheries globally. Of great concern was a 75.05% decline in mobulid ray landings between 2013 and 2023 relative to 2000–2012. Additionally, six key mobulid landing sites in the Tumbes and Piura region were monitored between April 2017 and February 2019, sampling 257 mobulid ray specimens for detailed morphometric data. In these surveys, the most abundant species was M. mobular (n = 156, 60.7%), followed by M. thurstoni (n = 47, 18.3%), M. munkiana (n = 24, 9.3%), and M. birostris (n = 4, 1.6%). Interviews suggest the highest mobulid landings occur during the warm season (December to May). Although M. birostris has been protected in Peruvian waters since 2016, and recent legislation extends protection to all mobulid species, this study reinforces that all mobulid species are globally threatened. Therefore, the large number of mobulid rays landed in Peru annually is a major concern and requires urgent attention by fisheries management authorities to determine the necessary regulations required to conserve these highly vulnerable species.
... Unfortunately, elasmobranchs have been heavily fished throughout the region and many species have experienced notable declines (Henderson et al. 2008;Jabado et al. 2014a;Jabado and Spaet 2017;Moore 2012). Shark and ray flesh has been utilised in local dishes for generations and this has resulted in targeted fisheries throughout the Arabian Gulf and neighbouring bodies of water. ...
Chapter
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The waters of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are home to a wide variety of shark and ray species, many of which are unique to the region and about which relatively little is known. Research efforts to date have focused primarily on identifying the species that occur locally and their importance to fisheries, but further research is required to understand their inherent biological and ecological traits. Decades of heavy fishing pressure and coastal development have impacted shark and ray populations to the extent that some, once common species, are now considered rare. Encouragingly, the UAE has adopted a National Plan of Action for the Conservation of Sharks to guide researchers and policy makers in their efforts to ensure that the nation’s shark and ray populations are effectively managed and conserved.
... Therefore, the questionnaire was designed with indirect indicators to understand the bycatch potential of certain fishing practices, net types and operations. The final questionnaire was largely based upon that developed for the coast of the northwestern Spain (Goetz et al., 2014) supplemented with questions used in published studies from the Black, Mediterranean, Caspian Seas and the Persian Gulf (Dmitrieva et al., 2013;Jabado et al., 2015;FAO, 2019). Taking into account the completeness and comprehensiveness of the questionnaire developed by Goetz et al. (2014), its structure and principles of the interview were used in this survey. ...
Article
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Incidental catch in fishing gear (often known as bycatch) is a major mortality factor for the Black Sea harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta), an endemic subspecies listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List. The primary gear, responsible for porpoise bycatch in the Black Sea are bottom gillnets and trammel nets targeting turbot (Scophthalmus spp.), the most valuable commercial fish species in the Black Sea. From 2019 to 2021, a study was conducted in Bulgaria, Romania, Türkiye and Ukraine, to estimate the bycatch level in light of new information on porpoise distribution and abundance obtained from aerial surveys (CeNoBS) undertaken in 2019 as part of ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative (ASI). Bycatch data were collected by independent observers onboard turbot fishing boats (Bulgaria and Romania), complemented by questionnaire surveys and examination of stranded carcasses (in all countries). Some 48 monitoring trips took place (63 hauls by 11 different vessels). Cetaceans were caught on just over half of the trips (55%): 182 harbour porpoises, 4 bottlenose dolphins and 3 common dolphins. The median number of porpoises bycaught per trip was 1 (maximum 41) and the number of porpoises per km of net varied between 0 and 3.66 (median 0.1). Bycatch rates showed seasonal variation with marked increase in summer, compared to spring. The total annual bycatch of harbour porpoises in the Black Sea was roughly estimated as between 11 826 and 16 200 individuals. These numbers were the product of median values for effort (days/trips and vessels) and bycatch rate. Given the new estimates of porpoise abundance based on the CeNoBS survey of 2019 and reconciling abundance and bycatch estimates, harbour porpoise bycatch in the Black Sea represents between 4.6% - 17.2% of the estimated total population, depending on assumptions used. Even the most conservative estimate is among the highest worldwide and far exceeds the probable sustainable levels of around 1.0-1.7%. This study confirms that bycatch poses the most serious threat to the Black Sea harbour porpoises and that all riparian countries engaged in turbot fisheries must implement urgent measures to reduce it immediately, if the population is to survive in the long-term.
... There has been a surge on the studies focused on fisheries of elasmobranch in the Arabian Sea and contiguous sea (Chen, 1996;Dent and Clarke, 2015;Dulvy et al.,2014;Haque et al., 2018;Henderson et al., 2004;2016;Jabado and Spaet, 2017;Jabado et al., 2014Jabado et al., , 2015Jabado et al., , 2018Karnard et al., 2020). Jabado and Spaet (2017) have given a detailed description of shark fisheries including stingrays of the Arabian Sea including Pakistan. ...
Article
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Stingrays belonging to Family Dasyatidae are commercially exploited in Pakistan (Northern Arabian Sea) since long and mainly landed as bycatch of trawling and bottom-set gillnet fishing, In some areas along Sindh and Balochistan coast target stingrays fisheries based on fixed gillnet used to main source of their landings. It is estimated that their commercial landings ranged between 42,000 m. tons in 1979 to 7,737 metric tons in 2019. Analysis of the landing data from Karachi Fish Harbor (the largest fish landing center in Pakistan) revealed that 27 species of stingrays belonging to 14 genera are regularly landed (January 2019-December 2019). Smooth coloured stingrays (Himantura randalli/M. arabica/M.bineeshi) contributed about 66.94 % in total annual landings of stingrays followed by cowtail and broadtail stingrays (Pastinachus sephen and P. ater) which contributed 24.42 %. Spotted/ocellated/reticulated stingrays (Himantura leoparda, H. tutul, H. uarnak and H. undulata) contributed and 5.71 % in total annual landings of stingrays. Scaly whipray (Brevitrygon walga) and aharpnose stingray (Maculabatis gerrardi) contributed about 1.95 % and 0.98 % in total annual stingray landings of stingrays respectively. Three species leopard whipray (Hiamntura undulata), round whipray (Maculabatis pastinacoides) and Indian sharpnose stingray (Telatrygon crozieri) are reported for the first time from Pakistan coast. There is an important aimed fisheries for stingrays based in some coastal villages along Balochistan coast where fixed bottom set gillnet placed in shallow waters (15-20 m.), however, these fishes are also caught as by-catch of gillnetting and shrimp trawling. The paper discusses about commercial landings and conservation aspects of stingrays in Pakistan. It urges for enactment of national and provincial legislation for protection of stingrays as well as for placing some of the species which are either critically endangered, vulnerable or near threatened to be placed CITES appendices. It also urges for evaluation of a large number stingrays which have not been assessed for their IUCN Red List listings.
... These include placing sharks, rays and guitafishes on CITES Appendices or on IUCN Red List (Dulvy et al., 2014;Jabado et al., 2018;Last et al., 2016). There has been a surge on the studies focused on fisheries of elasmobranch in the Arabian Sea and contiguous sea (Chen, 1996;Dent and Clarke, 2015;Dulvy et al.,2014;Haque et al., 2018;Henederson et al., 2004;Jabado, 2018Jabado, , 2019Jabado and Ebert, 2015;Jabado and Spaet, 2017;Jabado et al., 2014Jabado et al., , 2018Karnard et al., 2020;Kyne et al., 2019;Moore, 2017). Some of these studies specifically dealt with fisheries guitarfish and wedgefish (Jabado, 2018;2019;Jabado and Spaet, 2017;Kyne et al., 2019;Moore, 2017). ...
Article
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Guitarfish and wedgefish are commercially exploited in Pakistan (Northern Arabian Sea) since long. It is estimated that their commercial landings ranged between 4,206 m. tons in 1981 to 403 metric tons in 2011. Analysis of the landing data from Karachi Fish Harbor (the largest fish landing center in Pakistan) revealed that seven species of guitarfish and wedgefish are landed (January 2019-February 2020 data). Granulated guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus) contributed about 61.69 % in total annual landings of this group followed by widenose guitarfish (G. obtusus) contributing about 23.29 % in total annual landings of guitarfish and wedgefish. Annandale's guitarfish (Rhinobatos annandalei) and bowmouth guitarfish (Rhina ancylostoma) contributed 7.32 and 5.97 % in total annual landings respectively. Spotted guitarfish (R. punctifer), Halavi ray (G. halavi), smoothnose wedgefish (Rhynchobatus laevis) and Salalah guitarfish (Acroteriobatus salalah) collectively contributed about 1.73 % in total annual landings. Smoothnose wedgefish (R. laevis) is rarest of all the members of Order Rhinopristiformes. G. granulatus, G. obtusus, R. ancylostoma, G. halavi and R. laevis are critically endangered according to IUCN Red List whereas A. salalah is near threatened and R. annandalei is data deficient. There are no aimed fisheries for guitarfish and wedgefish in Pakistan but these fishes are mainly caught as by-catch of bottom-set gillnetting and shrimp trawling. Some aspects of biology of these species are also presented in the paper.
... Compared to the Red Sea where elasmobranchs have been already assessed as overexploited (Sheppard et al., 2010;Qurban et al., 2012;Naser, 2014;Spaet and Berumen, 2015), knowledge on the status of elasmobranchs in the Gulf are still limited and patchy. An interview-based survey conducted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) showed that sharks have been overexploited in the southern Gulf (Jabado et al., 2015a) and that elasmobranchs are facing the risk of regional extinction in the Gulf (Jabado et al., 2017a;Moore, 2017;Jabado, 2018). The present work was conducted with this concern, and it aims at (i) characterizing the elasmobranch community in the Saudi waters of the Gulf based on fishery-independent and dependent surveys, (ii) reviewing the conservation status of these taxa, and (iii) making recommendations for strengthening management plans for these natural resources. ...
Article
In spite of the ecological services provided by elasmobranchs, their diversity and populations are significantly declining even before appropriate assessments are conducted. This paper presents information on elasmobranch diversity in the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf based on fishery-independent and dependent surveys. A total of 369 individual sharks and batoids were collected from 119 out of 228 trawl stations surveyed between 2013 and 2016. Gymnura poecilura and Carcharhinus dussumieri were the most dominant batoid and shark species, respectively. The catch per unit area indicated the waters around Jana Island as a hotspot of elasmobranchs. A total of 135 surveys at the landing sites and fish markets from 2016 to 2020 showed that 88% of elasmobranchs (out of 4,055 individuals recorded) were caught by gill nets. Sharks were the most abundant (> 80 %) with three dominant species: Carcharhinus sorrah, C. humani, and C. limbatus. In total, 47 species of elasmobranchs (24 sharks and 23 batoids) belonging to 16 families and 5 orders were recorded from a possible 58 total species predicted by species richness extrapolators (Chao 1). High values of Margalef richness (> 2) and Shannon-Wiener index (3-4) suggested rich diversity of elasmobranchs in the study area with homogeneous distribution over the years and seasons as shown by cluster and similarity profile analysis. Of the 47 species recorded, six species were Critically Endangered regionally, six Endangered, and seven species Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, necessitating proper management and conservation measures.
... Some of this effort may be aimed at species outside of the IOTC mandate, including small pelagic fish in estuarine habitats (FAO, 2014;Sekadende et al., 2020). There is also a sizeable bottomset gill net sector that uses slightly larger mesh nets to target sharks and rays, particularly in the northern Indian Ocean (the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and western coast of Indonesia), in eastern Africa and in Western Australia (Henderson et al., 2007;Jabado, Al Ghais, Hamza, & Henderson, 2015;Temple et al., 2018). Standardized gill net subcategories-even if they were broad-would greatly improve our knowledge and understanding of this important sector. ...
Article
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By-catch is the most significant direct threat marine megafauna face at the global scale. However, the magnitude and spatial patterns of megafauna by-catch are still poorly understood, especially in regions with very limited monitoring and expanding fisheries. The Indian Ocean is a globally important region for megafauna biodiversity and for tuna fisheries, but has limited by-catch data. Anecdotal and scattered information indicates high by-catch could be a major threat. Here, we adapt a Productivity Susceptibility Analysis tool designed for data-poor contexts to present the first spatially explicit estimates of by-catch risk of sea turtles, elasmobranchs, and cetaceans in the three major tuna fishing gears (purse seines, longlines, and drift gill nets). Our assessment highlights a potential opportunity for multi-taxa conservation benefits by concentrating management efforts in particular coastal regions. Most coastal waters in the northern Indian Ocean, including countries that have had a minimal engagement with regional management bodies, stand out as high risk for fisheries interactions. In addition to species known to occur in tuna gears, we find high vulnerability to multiple gear types for many poorly known elasmobranchs that do not fall under any existing conservation and management measures. Our results indicate that current by-catch mitigation measures, which focus on safe-release practices, are unlikely to adequately reduce the substantial cumulative fishing impacts on vulnerable species. Preventative solutions that reduce interactions with non-target species (such as closed areas or seasons, or modifications to gear and fishing tactics) are crucial for alleviating risks to megafauna from fisheries.
... The latter provided flexibility to explore subjects important to individual respondents on an informal level, helping to characterize the system qualitatively. Stakeholder-specific semi-structured questionnaires to evaluate: (1) fishing practices; (2) target and by-caught species and their value; (3) legal frameworks governing fishing activities and compliance to these; and (4) the attitude of fishers toward conservation measures were designed partially based on Jabado et al. (2015), ., and Haque, Cavanagh, and Seddon (2021); . In some instances, related questions were grouped together (e.g., questions regarding the value or species) to aid both the information gathering and analysis. ...
Article
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Increasing fishing pressure has negatively impacted elasmobranch populations globally. Despite high levels of historical and current fishing pressure, the Bay of Bengal region remains data‐poor. Focusing on Bangladesh, we conducted a socio‐ecological study to characterize elasmobranch fisheries and evaluate their impact on threatened species. The results demonstrate that several globally threatened elasmobranch species are frequently captured, and some of them have experienced substantial population declines (e.g., wedgefishes, sawfishes, large carcharhinid sharks) over the past decade. A decrease in elasmobranch diversity, abundance, and size of caught specimens was also reported, which was attributed to increased fishing intensity, destructive practices (e.g., bottom trawling), and an accessible elasmobranch market. While catch and trade of more than 90 elasmobranchs are regulated under Bangladesh's law, non‐compliance is widespread. Likely causes include a dearth of awareness, practical alternative livelihoods, and technical facilities, and the complex nature of the fisheries. Encouraging and facilitating the engagement of fishers in science (data collection), local governance (policy‐making), and field implementation (bycatch mitigation) is vital. These interventions must be rooted in sustainable approaches and co‐designed with fishers, with appropriate training available. Development of this work through enhanced engagement with fishers has the potential to transform the elasmobranch fishery situation in Bangladesh and could be used as a model for data‐poor regions.
... Given that the Ministry of Fisheries aims to further develop the fisheries sector and its output, this growth, if not regulated and managed in a sustainable manner, could lead to further declines in giant guitarfish populations, similar to those documented from the east coast of India and neighbouring countries (Directorate General of Capture Fisheries DGCF, 2015; 2017; Kyne et al., 2020;Mohanraj et al., 2009;Haque and Spaet, 2021). While this study did not focus on evaluating the impact of fisheries on giant guitarfishes, studies from Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates have highlighted the impact that artisanal fisheries can have on these species (Jabado et al., 2014;. Given that artisanal fisheries are the most prominent form of fisheries in the Andamans (Advani et al., 2013), they represent a significant threat to giant guitarfish. ...
Article
For elusive, data-poor marine fauna, Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) can be a rich and often underutilised source of biological and ecological data. We used a socio-ecological approach to assess LEK and provide key insights into the distribution, habitat use pattern, and threats facing giant guitarfishes (Glaucostegus spp.) in the Andaman Islands, India. We interviewed 175 fishers and other coastal users (SCUBA divers, coastal residents, researchers etc.), 142 of whom had seen giant guitarfishes. Due to the difficulty in distinguishing between species of this genus, this study did not attempt to collect species specific data. However, data presented here most likely refer to the Giant Guitarfish (Glaucostegus typus) as it is the only species from this family confirmed from the Andaman Islands. Our results show that LEK can be an invaluable asset in understanding the distribution of little-known species. With sightings from over 70 locations, our data indicate that giant guitarfishes occur widely and the frequent sightings of pup-sized (<45 cm) individuals in shallow coastal waters suggests they could be using these habitats as nursery grounds. The identification of several potential nursery areas highlights locations of their range that need urgent protection to aid in their conservation. The only other location where G. typus is reportedly still frequently observed is northern Australia, making the Andaman Island population globally significant. However, rapid coastal transformation and growing fisheries likely threaten the species. With more than 33% of reported observations being over a decade old, our data suggest that populations have drastically declined, highlighting the need to regulate fisheries and coastal development in the Andamans. Including giant guitarfishes under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act would also be an essential step towards managing this globally important population.
... Therefore, the questionnaire was designed with indirect indicators to find bycatch potential of certain fishing practices, net types and operations. The questionnaire developed by Goetz et al. (2013) for the coast of the north-western Spain was used as the basis for design, and additional questions were introduced based on several published studies (Dmitrieva et al., 2013;Jabado et al., 2015) from the Black, Mediterranean and Caspian Seas, the Persian Gulf, the West African coast, as well as previous experience by the authors. Questions on fleet segment, intensity and duration of operations, net types, target and main discard species, cetacean behaviour near the fishing operations, personal attitude of fishermen, depredation by cetaceans, all kinds of bycatch (including fish and birds), survival of bycaught animals, intensity and dynamics of interactions with fisheries were included into questionnaires (Annex A). ...
Technical Report
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Report presenting results of conducted cetaceans' bycatch monitoring and estimation of bycatch levels in the Black Sea
... The growing body of literature from the region suggests that chondrichthyans are declining in abundance, diversity, and sizes (e.g., Bonfil 2003;Henderson et al. 2004;Jabado et al. 2016;Moore et al. 2012;Spaet and Berumen 2015). In fact, signs of depletion were already evident over 17 years ago (Bonfil 2003;Jabado et al. 2015a). Reports stress that the high levels of intense and unregulated fishing activities throughout the region are the primary threats to chondrichthyans. ...
Chapter
A total of 138 chondrichthyan species—11% of the world’s known species—are currently known to occur in the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula, including 68 sharks from 22 families and 41 genera, 68 rays from 14 families and 33 genera, and two chimaeras from one family and one genus. Of these, 29 species are endemic to the region. The chondrichthyan species assemblage in the Arabian Sea and its adjacent waters do not reflect global shark and ray diversity, with some orders (e.g., Carcharhiniformes, Myliobatiformes, and Rhinopristiformes) very well represented, other taxa (e.g., families Squalidae and Rajidae) poorly represented, and Squatiniformes (angel sharks) entirely absent. Almost all chondrichthyan species found in these waters are heavily impacted by artisanal and industrial fisheries as well as coastal development. In fact, a recent regional IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assessment indicated that over half of them were threatened with extinction. These include species listed on the appendices of both the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. The lack of overall fisheries management or enforcement of existing measures is a major issue and actions need to be immediately taken to ensure the long-term survival of most chondrichthyan species in the Arabian seas.
... Given the limited data available on sharks in the region (Jabado & Spaet, 2017;Spaet, Cochran, & Berumen, 2011;Spaet, Thorrold, et al., 2011), increasing evidence of depleted shark populations (Clarke, Lea, & Ormond, 2013;Henderson, McIlwain, Al-Oufi, & Al-Sheili, 2007;Spaet, Nanninga, & Berumen, 2016), and alarming reports of local fishermen revealing declines in shark abundance of up to 80% (Jabado, Al Ghais, Hamza, & Henderson, 2015;Almojil, 2016), there is an urgent need to provide the basic science required for the conservation of these animals. Here, we used microsatellite markers to investigate the population structure of two regionally exploited (Henderson et al., 2007;Jabado & Spaet, 2017; shark species, the spot-tail shark Carcharhinus sorrah and the blacktip shark C. limbatus. ...
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The increase in demand for shark meat and fins has placed shark populations worldwide under high fishing pressure. In the Arabian region, the spot-tail shark Carcharhinus sorrah and the Blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus are among the most exploited species. In this study, we investigated the population genetic structure of C. sorrah (n = 327) along the coasts of the Arabian Peninsula and of C. limbatus (n = 525) along the Arabian coasts, Pakistan, and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using microsatellite markers (15 and 11 loci, respectively). Our findings support weak population structure in both species. Carcharhinus sorrah exhibited a fine structure, subdividing the area into three groups. The first group comprises all samples from Bahrain, the second from the UAE and Yemen, and the third from Oman. Similarly, C. limbatus exhibited population subdivision into three groups. The first group, comprising samples from Bahrain and Kuwait, was highly differentiated from the second and third groups, comprising samples from Oman, Pakistan, the UAE, and Yemen; and South Africa and the Saudi Arabian Red Sea, respectively. Population divisions were supported by pairwise FST values and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC), but not by STRUCTURE. We suggest that the mostly low but significant pairwise FST values in our study are suggestive of fine population structure, which is possibly attributable to behavioral traits such as residency in C. sorrah and site fidelity and philopatry in C. limbatus. However, for all samples obtained from the northern parts of the Gulf (Bahrain and/or Kuwait) in both species, the higher but significant pairwise FST values could possibly be a result of founder effects during the Tethys Sea closure. Based on DAPC and FST results, we suggest each population to be treated as independent management unit, as conservation concerns emerge.
... Also, it is essential to gather information from scientific sources to understand the impacts of fishing activities on local populations and to develop management and conservation strategies that benefit the entire community. These approaches can also offer opportunities to engage local communities in scientific studies and management activities through the developsment of relationships based on mutual trust that help to develop a sense of ownership and representation (Carruthers & Neis, 2011;Jabado, Al Ghais, Hamza, & Henderson, 2015;Leeney & Poncelet, 2015;Moore et al., 2010;Moreno-Báez et al., 2010). ...
Article
• Juvenile white sharks distribute in coastal nursery areas, which are essential for population growth. Bahía Sebastián Vizcaíno (BSV), Mexico, is a white shark nursery area in the north‐eastern Pacific. Despite existing regulations forbidding the capture of white sharks, incidental catches still occur in some areas. • Artisanal fisheries constitute one of the most important economic activities in BSV, yet no formal description of either these fisheries or the incidental catch of juvenile white sharks exists due to the poor data reporting system, thus preventing a clear understanding of the implications of these catches for the white shark population of the north‐eastern Pacific. • Artisanal fishing activities and their interactions with juvenile white sharks in BSV are described based on fishermen's knowledge. Artisanal fisheries in BSV are multi‐specific, targeting mostly bottom‐related species (e.g. white seabass and California halibut) that are also common prey for juvenile white sharks. These activities are the only source of income for the majority of fishermen in BSV and are conducted throughout the year, with gillnets being the main fishing gear. • White sharks are incidentally caught in bottom gillnets mainly during the summer, although another peak in incidental catch was recorded during winter, possibly related to the presence of juvenile white sharks from California, USA. The most common size of juvenile white sharks incidentally caught was <2 m in the nearshore areas close to the mouth of the Ojo de Liebre Lagoon; larger juveniles (~3 m) were caught in areas near Cedros, Natividad, and San Benito Islands. • The multi‐specific nature of BSV artisanal fisheries and their socio‐economic value, and the high post‐release survival of juvenile white sharks suggest that future regulatory actions should focus on the release of incidentally caught live juvenile white sharks and the involvement of the BSV fishing community to increase the effectiveness of management efforts.
... It is important to note that the most landed demersal species, Hamour, Shaari, and Farsh, are being over-exploited by an estimated five times the sustainable limit, while the pelagic kingfish are being over-exploited by up to three times its sustainable limit the report further indicates that in 2015, a more than 90 % decline in the adult (reproductive) stock size in Abu Dhabi Emirate had been estimated for the three key demersal indicator species. A study conducted by Jabado et al., (2015) on shark fishery in UAE suggests that sharks are likely to be overexploited and that management measures will need to take into account the precautionary principle. They noted that there is an urgent need to formulate long-term and effective conservation and management plans to prevent further declines in a number of species. ...
Article
In 2015, the UN member countries, on mutual understanding, identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to be achieved by 2030. According to several reports, some countries are reflecting good progress, but overall, no country is on track towards achieving all the UN SDGs. This paper aims to show the progress and commitment of the UAE towards UN SDGs. A qualitative research approach using a systematic literature review complying with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses and a semi-structured interview was adapted to achieve the aim of this research. The results reflect that the Emirates has achieved only one goal. Most of the remaining goals are not on track to be achieved by 2030. In fact, some of the goals related to energy and climate are becoming riskier. The country under its different initiatives aims to invest a total of US$163·35 billion in different projects that target to achieve 50% clean energy by 2050. It is, however, not clear from the government strategy how these targets will be achieved. Similarly, the government needs to ensure a close relationship between organisations so that the action of one unit does not derail the plans of other organisations.
... These species also share the characteristic that Appendix II listing is not as stringent as the domestic protection these species receive in many jurisdictions (i.e., landing and trade prohibition 4,5 ). Products of these species have generally not been detected in post-listing studies of major shark fin and meat markets, suggesting they are rare in trade [6][7][8][9][10] . (2016), and common thresher shark A. vulpinus (2016) were added to Appendix II. ...
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The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a multilateral environmental agreement to ensure that the international trade of threatened species is either prohibited (Appendix I listed species) or being conducted legally, sustainably, and transparently (Appendix II listed species). Twelve threatened shark species exploited for their fins, meat, and other products have been listed under CITES Appendix II. Sharks are often traded in high volumes, some of their products are visually indistinguishable, and most importing/exporting nations have limited capacity to detect illicit trade and enforce the regulations. High volume shipments often must be screened after only a short period of detainment (e.g., a maximum of 24 hours), which together with costs and capacity issues have limited the use of DNA approaches to identify illicit trade. Here, we present a reliable, field-based, fast (<4 hours), and cost effective ($0.94 USD per sample) multiplex real- time PCR protocol capable of detecting nine of the twelve sharks listed under CITES in a single reaction. This approach facilitates detection of illicit trade, with positive results providing probable cause to detain shipments for more robust forensic analysis. We also provide evidence of its application in real law enforcement scenarios in Hong Kong. Adoption of this approach can help parties meet their CITES requirements, avoiding potential international trade sanctions in the future.
... For instance, over the past several decades, almost one- quarter of all primary production has been appropriated for human consumption (Haberl et al. 2007), one-half of the planet's wildlands have been lost (Ellis et al. 2010), and wildlife populations worldwide have fallen by one- half ( Dirzo et al. 2014). However, these estimates are quite abstract for many people, and discussion on these topics often references personal -usually local-scale - anecdotes and examples of environmental change (Al-Abdulrazzak et al. 2012;Ziembicki et al. 2013;Jabado et al. 2015). Unfortunately, there are reasons to believe that such contextualizing can serve to understate the changes that have taken place. ...
Article
With ongoing environmental degradation at local, regional, and global scales, people's accepted thresholds for environmental conditions are continually being lowered. In the absence of past information or experience with historical conditions, members of each new generation accept the situation in which they were raised as being normal. This psychological and sociological phenomenon is termed shifting baseline syndrome (SBS), which is increasingly recognized as one of the fundamental obstacles to addressing a wide range of today's global environmental issues. Yet our understanding of this phenomenon remains incomplete. We provide an overview of the nature and extent of SBS and propose a conceptual framework for understanding its causes, consequences, and implications. We suggest that there are several self‐reinforcing feedback loops that allow the consequences of SBS to further accelerate SBS through progressive environmental degradation. Such negative implications highlight the urgent need to dedicate considerable effort to preventing and ultimately reversing SBS.
... Moreover, this unique phenomenon of sharks near warm water effluents appears to be increasingly prevalent, especially during the past decade -a surprising fact considering the collapse of many shark populations worldwide, particularly in the Mediterranean (Cavanagh & Gibson 2007). Our findings also contrast those of a study using a similar questionnaire methodology in the Mediterranean which indicated declining shark populations since the middle of the previous century based on the perceptions of fishermen (Maynou et al. 2011), and also a study which used fishermen questionnaires in the Persian Gulf and showed a decline in shark catches, abundances and body sizes over the last 2 decades (Jabado et al. 2015). ...
Article
Sharks in the Mediterranean Sea are at extremely high risk, and their populations are rapidly declining. In the Eastern Mediterranean along the Israeli coastline, anecdotal observations have suggested that sharks aggregate at warm water outflows from coastal power plants. Using interviews, we examined fishermen's perceptions in order to (1) verify the presence of shark aggregations at power plant outflows; (2) examine whether there are differences in sighting frequencies among seasons; and (3) examine whether there is a trend of increased sightings of sharks during the past 2 decades (1993-2013) compared to the previous 20 yr period (1973-1993). A total of 128 fishermen were interviewed at 4 power plants and 4 nearby marinas along the shore: Hadera, Tel Aviv, Ashdod and Ashkelon. Results indicate that (1) sharks are observed much more frequently near power plants where there is a continuous warm water outflow (all except Tel Aviv); (2) shark sightings at the outflows peak during the cold season and are negatively correlated with water temperatures; and (3) there has been a general increase in shark sightings between 1993 and 2013 compared to the previous 2 decades. Shark aggregations occur at power plant outflows most likely due to elevated water temperatures. Further research is needed to understand the process underlying the recent increase in shark abundance at power plants, and its ecological implications on these endangered species and the structure of local communities.
... The operational range of vessels landing into sites in Oman tends to be small, generally limited to within a few kilometers of the landing site (Henderson et al. 2007). Fishermen in the UAE remain in Gulf waters, yet they are known to travel up to 130-185 km from their landing sites to find productive fishing grounds (Jabado et al. 2014b). The majority of Bahrain specimens were caught in local Bahraini waters (Moore and Peirce 2013) although some may have come from nearby Saudi Arabian or Qatari waters. ...
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The northwestern Indian Ocean harbors a number of larger marine vertebrate taxa that warrant the investigation of genetic population structure given remarkable spatial heterogeneity in biological characteristics such as distribution, behavior, and morphology. Here, we investigate the genetic population structure of four commercially exploited shark species with different biological characteristics (Carcharhinus limbatus, Carcharhinus sorrah, Rhizoprionodon acutus, and Sphyrna lewini) between the Red Sea and all other water bodies surrounding the Arabian Peninsula. To assess intraspecific patterns of connectivity, we constructed statistical parsimony networks among haplotypes and estimated (1) population structure; and (2) time of most recent population expansion, based on mitochondrial control region DNA and a total of 20 microsatellites. Our analysis indicates that, even in smaller, less vagile shark species, there are no contemporary barriers to gene flow across the study region, while historical events, for example, Pleistocene glacial cycles, may have affected connectivity in C. sorrah and R. acutus. A parsimony network analysis provided evidence that Arabian S. lewini may represent a population segment that is distinct from other known stocks in the Indian Ocean, raising a new layer of conservation concern. Our results call for urgent regional cooperation to ensure the sustainable exploitation of sharks in the Arabian region.
Article
Many studies indicated that marine habitats and organisms in the Arabian/Persian Gulf (‘Gulf’) are broadly deteriorating. However, this likely results from the generalization of a few declining habitats or organisms in some locations. Here, we conduct a review to evaluate the status of selected habitats (mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs) and organisms (exploited bony fish, sharks, rays, dolphins, whales, and dugongs) and identify major threats to them in each Gulf country (except Iraq and Oman). We show that out of 52 habitats and organisms in the six countries, the predominant status (63.5%) is “Data-deficient”, followed by “Decline” (21.2%) and “Increase- stable” (15.4%). The major threats to these habitats and organisms are coastal development, desalination plants, climate change, and fishing. However, our findings differentiate that some of these threats are causing severe degradation (i.e., have “Observed” impacts) while other threats, such as desalination plants, have potential impacts that are derived from laboratory experiments or modelling work. Our results can be used to guide conservation efforts in the region.
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Sharks are important component of the coastal and offshore fisheries of Pakistan. A total of 79 species of sharks belonging to Infraclass Selachii (Subclass: Elasmobranchii) and 6 orders are recorded from Pakistan. Order Carcharhiniformeswas observed to be most prolific taxon represented by 48 species belonging to 6 families. Commercially important genus Carcharhinus is represented 18 species whereas genus Chiloscyllium by 5 species, genus Sphyrna by 4 species and genus Alopias by 3 species whereas other genera are represented by either 2 or 1 species. Three species namely Pondicherry shark (Carcharhinus hemiodon), Ganges shark (Glyphis gangeticus) and Indian sand tiger (Carcharias tricuspidatus) used to commonly occurring in Pakistan but now seem to be locally extinct as no confirmed record of their occurrence is available far the last about 40 years. The paper reviewed the historical records of shark species occurring in Pakistan resolving some of the issues in their taxonomy.
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Sharks and rays are at risk of extinction globally. This reflects low resilience to increasing fishing pressure, exacerbated by habitat loss, climate change, increasing value in a trade and inadequate information leading to limited conservation actions. Artisanal fisheries in the Bay of Bengal of Bangladesh contribute to the high levels of global fishing pressure on elasmobranchs. However, it is one of the most data-poor regions of the world, and the diversity, occurrence and conservation needs of elasmobranchs in this region have not been adequately assessed. This study evaluated elasmobranch diversity, species composition, catch and trade within the artisanal fisheries to address this critical knowledge gap. Findings show that elasmobranch diversity in Bangladesh has previously been underestimated. In this study, over 160000 individual elasmobranchs were recorded through landing site monitoring, comprising 88 species (30 sharks and 58 rays) within 20 families and 35 genera. Of these, 54 are globally threatened according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with ten species listed as Critically Endangered and 22 species listed as Endangered. Almost 98% juvenile catch (69–99% for different species) for large species sand a decline in numbers of large individuals were documented, indicating unsustainable fisheries. Several previously common species were rarely landed, indicating potential population declines. The catch pattern showed seasonality and, in some cases, gear specificity. Overall, Bangladesh was found to be a significant contributor to shark and ray catches and trade in the Bay of Bengal region. Effective monitoring was not observed at the landing sites or processing centres, despite 29 species of elasmobranchs being protected by law, many of which were frequently landed. On this basis, a series of recommendations were provided for improving the conservation status of the elasmobranchs in this region. These include the need for improved taxonomic research, enhanced monitoring of elasmobranch stocks, and the highest protection level for threatened taxa. Alongside political will, enhancing national capacity to manage and rebuild elasmobranch stocks, coordinated regional management measures are essential.
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The extinction risk of sharks, rays and chimaeras is higher than that for most other vertebrates due to low intrinsic population growth rates of many species and the fishing intensity they face. The Arabian Sea and adjacent waters border some of the most important chondrichthyan fishing and trading nations globally, yet there has been no previous attempt to assess the conservation status of species occurring here. Using IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Categories and Criteria and their guidelines for application at the regional level, we present the first assessment of extinction risk for 153 species of sharks, rays and chimaeras. Results indicate that this region, home to 15% of described chondrichthyans including 30 endemic species, has some of the most threatened chondrichthyan populations in the world. Seventy-eight species (50.9%) were assessed as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable), and 27 species (17.6%) as Near Threatened. Twenty-nine species (19%) were Data Deficient with insufficient information to assess their status. Chondrichthyan populations have significantly declined due to largely uncontrolled and unregulated fisheries combined with habitat degradation. Further, there is limited political will and national and regional capacities to assess, manage, conserve or rebuild stocks. Outside the few deepsea locations that are lightly exploited, the prognosis for the recovery of most species is poor in the near-absence of management. Concerted national and regional management measures are urgently needed to ensure extinctions are avoided, the sustainability of more productive species is secured, and to avoid the continued thinning of the regional food security portfolio.
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Nearshore, shallow water habitats are believed to be highly important for various species of threatened sharks and rays (batoids) around the world. Yet, there is limited information on which batoid species use them. During eldwork on Siniya Island in the Emirate of Umm al-Qaiwain, United Arab Emirates (UAE), rays and guitar sh were observed on twelve occasions in shallow waters or found stranded along the shoreline. At least three species were identi ed from at least 20 individuals (adults and juveniles) consisting of the Arabian banded whipray, Maculabatis randalli, the Halavi guitar sh, Glaucostegus halavi, and cowtail rays, Pastinachus sp. Our observations highlight the importance of shallow water habitats for at least these batoids. Many coastal habitats in the UAE and broader region are currently threatened by development projects and other anthropogenic activities, highlighting the urgent need to better understand their role in maintaining shallow subtidal biodiversity.
Chapter
Reports of marine injuries have increased in recent years as water sports and recreation grow in popularity. Eels, wolf-herring, barracuda, triggerfish, and ribbonfish frequently cause trauma. Sharks play an important role in the animal–human attack game and can render land-based, bipedal primates easy prey. The term shark attack has been considered to be any forceful or injurious exchange between a human and any shark. This frightening incident has always been one of the more thoroughly examined issues of the challenge between human and shark. Because of their feeding mechanisms, including sharp teeth and powerful jaws, and because they can attain very large sizes, sharks are considered to be the top predators of the marine world. Regardless of its size, any shark having both opportunity and physical capacity for injuring humans can be considered dangerous. The incidence of shark attacks in the world could not be said to merit the degree of apprehension or antipathy often expressed towards sharks, but when a shark attack does occur, it is often with an impressive efficiency.
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This report provides an overview of the con- servation status of chondrichthyans (sharks, rays, and chimaeras) in the Arabian Seas Region (ASR) and describes the results of a regional Red List workshop held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in February 2017. It identies those species that are threatened with extinction at the regional level, so that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status. A regional overview of chondrichthyan fisheries, management and conservation is also presented. Although 184 species of sharks, rays, and chimaeras occur in the ASR, only the confirmed 153 species were considered in this project.The geographic scope encompasses the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Sea of Oman and the Gulf.This includes the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 20 countries bordering three Large Marine Ecosystems (i.e., the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Somali Current). This region comprises some of the largest and most important chondrichthyan fishing nations in the world, including India and Pakistan. All assessments followed the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria Version 3.1 and the Guidelines for Application of the IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels Version 4.0. During the workshop, a network of leading international and regional experts on chondrichthyans and fisheries compiled data and knowledge to prepare 30 global (endemic species) and 123 regional species assessments. All assessments were agreed on by consensus at the workshop and any changes to statuses during the review process were agreed on through email correspondence with lead assessors and contributors prior to their submission to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and inclusion in this report.
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The waters of the Gulf are characterized by extreme temperature (11.5–36°C) and salinity (37–50‰) ranges which are likely to at least periodically approach or exceed the tolerance limits of many reef fish species (Coles 1988; Coles and Tarr 1990). The narrow Strait of Hormuz constrains the influx of larvae from adjacent seas which also limits species diversity. Whilst the Gulf is a relatively young sea that originated about 16,000 BP, the sea surface did not reach its current level until around 6,000 BP during the Holocene (Sheppard et al. 1992). The present day fish fauna was thus established by the penetration of species from the Indian Ocean through the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz (Beech 2004). Its small size, limited habitat types and restricted depth also constrain faunal diversity, which is particularly apparent among the families of reef fishes (Randall 1995; Bishop 2003). Consequently, many major shallow water taxonomic groups that are prevalent at similar latitudes throughout the Indo-Pacific and adjacent waters are completely lacking in the area and there are few endemics, with only 16 species of fishes known to occur uniquely within the Gulf (Coles and Tarr 1990; Randall 1995; Carpenter et al. 1997).
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1. Fishing spans all oceans and the impact on ocean predators such as sharks and rays is largely unknown. A lack of data and complicated jurisdictional issues present particular challenges for assessing and conserving high seas biodiversity. It is clear, however, that pelagic sharks and rays of the open ocean are subject to high and often unrestricted levels of mortality from bycatch and targeted fisheries for their meat and valuable fins. 2. These species exhibit a wide range of life-history characteristics, but many have relatively low productivity and consequently relatively high intrinsic vulnerability to over-exploitation. The IUCN}World Conservation Union Red List criteria were used to assess the global status of 21 oceanic pelagic shark and ray species. 3. Three-quarters (16) of these species are classified as Threatened or Near Threatened. Eleven species are globally threatened with higher risk of extinction: the giant devilray is Endangered, ten sharks are Vulnerable and a further five species are Near Threatened. Threat status depends on the interaction between the demographic resilience of the species and intensity of fisheries exploitation. 4. Most threatened species, like the shortfin mako shark, have low population increase rates and suffer high fishing mortality throughout their range. Species with a lower risk of extinction have either fast, resilient life histories (e.g. pelagic stingray) or are species with slow, less resilient life histories but subject to fisheries management (e.g. salmon shark). 5. Recommendations, including implementing and enforcing finning bans and catch limits, are made to guide effective conservation and management of these sharks and rays.
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This field guide covers the major resource groups likely to be encountered in the fisheries of Kuwait, Eastern Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. It includes marine plants, shrimps, lobsters, crabs, bivalves, gastropods, cephalopods, sharks, batoid fishes, bony fishes, sea snakes, sea turtles, sea birds, and marine mammals. In order to serve as a tool for ecological and biodiversity studies, all species know from the Gulf of certain groups are included. These include the sharks, batoid fishes, bony fishes, sea turtles, and marine mammals. Each resource group is introduced by a general section on technical terms and measurements pertinent to that group and an illustrated guide to higher taxonomic groups when relevant. Species are then treated in a subsequent guide that includes scientific nomenclature, common English and Arabic names where available, size information, information on habitat, biology, and fisheries, diagnostic features, and one or more illustrations, some of which are included in colour. The guide is fully indexed and a list of references is appended.
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Recent case studies have highlighted high bycatch mortality of sea turtles and marine mammals in arti-sanal fisheries, but in most countries there are few data on artisanal fishing effort, catch, or bycatch. With artisanal fisheries comprising >95% of the world's fishermen, this knowledge gap presents a major chal-lenge to threatened species conservation and sustainable fisheries initiatives. We report on results from an intensive pilot study to evaluate whether interview surveys can be effective in assessing fishing effort and threatened species bycatch. Fisheries and bycatch data from interviews with >6100 fishermen in seven developing countries were collected in <1 year for approximately USD $47,000, indicating that this approach may rapidly yield coarse-level information over large areas at low cost. This effort provided the first fisheries characterizations for many areas and revealed the widespread nature of high bycatch in artisanal fisheries. Challenges to study design and implementation prevented quantitative estimation or spatial comparisons of bycatch during this pilot research phase, but results suggested that annual sea turtle bycatch may number at least in the low thousands of individuals per country. Annual odontoc-ete bycatch may number at least in the low hundreds per country. Sirenian bycatch occurred in all study areas but was frequent only in West Africa. We discuss lessons learned from this survey effort and pres-ent a revised protocol for future interview-based bycatch assessments.
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The impact of fishing on chondrichthyan stocks around the world is currently the focus of considerable international concern. Most chondrichthyan populations are of low productivity relative to teleost fishes, a consequence of their different life-history strategies. This is reflected in the poor record of sustainability of target shark fisheries. Most sharks and some batoids are predators at, or near, the top of marine food webs. The effects of fishing are examined at the single-species level and through trophic interactions. We summarize the status of chondrichthyan fisheries from around the world. Some 50% of the estimated global catch of chondrichthyans is taken as by-catch, does not appear in official fishery statistics, and is almost totally unmanaged. When taken as by-catch, they are often subjected to high fishing mortality directed at teleost target species. Consequently, some skates, sawfish, and deep-water dogfish have been virtually extirpated From large regions. Some chondrichthyans are more resilient to fishing and we examine predictions on the vulnerability of different species based on their life-history and population parameters. At the species level, fishing may alter size structure and population parameters in response to changes in species abundance. We review the evidence for such density-dependent change. Fishing can affect trophic interactions and we examine cases of apparent species replacement and shifts in community composition. Sharks and rays learn to associate trawlers with food and feeding on discards may increase their populations. Using ECOSIM, we make some predictions about the long-term response of ecosystems to fishing on sharks. Three different environments are analysed: a tropical shelf ecosystem in Venezuela, a Hawaiian coral reef ecosystem, and a North Pacific oceanic ecosystem. (C) 2000 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.
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An investigation of fishermen's knowledge of fish occurrence patterns on various spatio-temporal scales has been realized in the Fatala Estuary (Guinea, West Africa), accompanied by a one-year survey with standardized gill-net sets. Seventy one fishermen distributed in four zones corresponding to gill-net sampling sites were questioned about seasonal variations of species' relative abundances. Longitudinal and seasonal patterns of fish relative abundances were described with correspondence analysis and ANOVA for both approaches. Comparison of results showed a good coherence between fishermen's answers and gill-net sampling results. Thus, it is proposed that investigation of fishermen's ecological knowledge should be used as a preliminary study to help defining fish sampling designs in tropical rivers and estuaries.
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It is now widely accepted that it is important to understand the ‘human dimensions’ of wildlife management issues in order to achieve management goals. This growing field of study was born in the 1960s and involves an examination of societal values, knowledge and behaviours associated with wildlife and wildlife management issues. This paper provides an overview of the history and directions in human dimensions research, focusing specifically on its application for wildlife population management in Australasia (in particular, Australia and New Zealand). It also provides a ‘toolkit’ of methods and approaches for those wishing to undertake, interpret or utilise human dimensions enquiries.
Technical Report
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Sharks and their relatives - the rays and chimaeras - are the diverse group of cartilaginous fishes (Class Chondrichthyes) that have evolved over 400 million years. ... ... ... This report serves as an introduction to the ecology, status and conservation of the sharks and their relatives for a general audience. It draws attention to their unique biology and makes the case for expanded political and financial investment in research, monitoring and precautionary management for all fisheries taking sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras as part of their catch. Shark fisheries cannot be managed sustainably, nor shark populations remain viable, in the absence of new conservation and management initiatives. http://www.iucnssg.org/uploads/5/4/1/2/54120303/camhi_et_al._1998.pdf
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The Arabian Gulf (also known as Persian Gulf and ROPME Sea) represents an extremely important economic, political and strategic aquatic resource. Although the Gulf region is known world wide for its oil-gas deposits and production, very little is known about its ecosystem health, food web dynamics, fisheries, biodiversity and sustainability. The present study reviews and highlights the major anthropogenic stressors which threaten the marine and coastal ecosystems of the Gulf. The Arabian Gulf environment lacks the holistic, ecosystem-based research and monitoring that have been conducted in other marine ecosystems. There is a need for multi-disciplinary, multi-trophic and multi-agency international investigations including the application of emerging technology. Such an integrated strategy is urgently needed to save the rapidly changing marine ecosystems from the impact of rapid and vigorous coastal development across the entire Gulf region. The necessity of developing and implementing ecosystem health agreements between the various riparian countries is emphasized for expeditious protection, conservation and management of this precious but threatened natural heritage.
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Small-scale fisheries contribute to economies and food security of most of the world's rural-poor coastal communities but are poorly documented in national and regional catch statistics. As a result, management of marine commons is inherently biased towards short-term interests of industrial fleets, rather than the long-term maintenance of coastal ecosystem health. Artisanal fishers' knowledge can provide practical information for management, and when shared, can help build trust between fishers and managers. However, until recently, very few studies designed to support fisheries management have incorporated fishers' knowledge. This study was designed to characterize the geography of fishing in the Gulf of Honduras (COW, shared by Belize. Guatemala. and Honduras, from the perspective of artisanal fishers. Data were compiled from semi-formal interviews with key informants, community meetings, mapping exercises, workshops with fishers in the GOH during 1998-1999. and participant observations through July 2011. Data were used to document fishery landings, status and trends in marine resources, the spatial and the temporal dynamic geography of fishing, and fishers' suggestions for improved conservation and management. Many of these suggestions have been implemented in the GOH between 1999 and 2011. This study offers a practical methodology that can be used in other artisanal, data-sparse fishing areas to document the geography of fishing, increase the participation of fishers in management, and lead to better participatory, ecosystem-based management. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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