![Bycatch of elasmobranchs reported by vessel group in the GFCM area (2000-2020) [5].](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365327126/figure/fig3/AS:11431281096753321@1668257685797/Bycatch-of-elasmobranchs-reported-by-vessel-group-in-the-GFCM-area-2000-2020-5_Q320.jpg)
Available via license: CC BY 3.0
Content may be subject to copyright.
Selection of our books indexed in the Book Citation Index
in Web of Science™ Core Collection (BKCI)
Interested in publishing with us?
Contact book.department@intechopen.com
Numbers displayed above are based on latest data collected.
For more information visit www.intechopen.com
Open access books available
Countries delivered to Contributors from top 500 universities
International authors and editor s
Our authors are among the
most cited scientists
Downloads
We are IntechOpen,the world’s leading publisher ofOpen Access booksBuilt by scientists, for scientists
12.2%
149,000
185M
TOP 1%
154
6,100
Chapter
Sharks’Status in the Mediterranean
Sea Urgent Awareness is Needed
Mohamed Nejmeddine Bradai, Enajjar Samira and Bechir Saidi
Abstract
Cartilaginous fishes are a very ancient group; Sharks have lived on Earth for about
500 million years, since long before the dinosaurs. They have been able to survive and
overcome five mass extinctions since their appearance. They play in fact a key role in
maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. More than 97% of the shark population
has disappeared in the last two centuries. Currently, a high percentage is threatened,
many are data-deficient. Many menaces face sharks, but fishing pressure seems to be
most critical. This chapter focuses on the current status of cartilaginous fishes and
progress on conservation measures and actions taken mainly through regional plans.
Keywords: Sharks’status, Mediterranean Sea, conservation, action plans
1. Introduction
Sharks, skates, and rays, collectively referred to as elasmobranchs (Class
Chondrichthyans), are a very ancient fish group, they have been able to survive and
overcome five mass extinctions since their appearance. They play in fact a key role in
maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.
The current chondrichthyans fish fauna of the Mediterranean is relatively diverse,
with at least 48 species of sharks, 40 of batoids, and 2 of chimaeras, even if some of
them have to be confirmed.
Chondrichthyans grow slowly, mature late, and give generally few babies. Because
of these features, they are vulnerable to overexploitation and any anthropogenic
disturbance.
More than 97% of the shark population has disappeared in the last two centuries.
Currently, a high percentage is threatened, many are data-deficient. Many menaces
face sharks, but fishing pressure seems to be most critical.
Several species are currently threatened in the Mediterranean; 53% of 73 species
assessed are critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable according to the IUCN
Red List. Thirteen percent are data-deficient to be assessed [1].
Following this bad situation of this fish group, many conventions, RFMOs, and
NGOs are dealing with the conservation of cartilaginous fish, and national and
regional action plans were developed for this issue. This chapter focuses on the
current status of cartilaginous fishes in the Mediterranean Sea and progress on con-
servation measures and actions taken mainly through regional plans.
1
2. Tools applying for the conservation and management of sharks in the
Mediterranean sea
To counteract the high vulnerability of sharks, international legal instruments
applying for the conservation and management of sharks were developped to coordi-
nate the management, conservation, exploration, and exploitation of living resources
of the riparian countries, with respect to the protection and preservation of the marine
environment.
2.1 The Mediterranean action plan (PAM)
On this regard and concerning environemental issue, the Mediterranean Action
Plan (PAM), in the context of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
established the “Convention for the protection of the marine environment and the
coastal region of the Mediterranean Sea”(Barcelona convention). Among their pro-
tocols, the Protocol concerning specially protected areas and biological diversity (SPA/
BD) is of utmost importance for the protection of sharks.
2.2 The general fisheries commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
In the field of fisheries, management and conservation are implemented within the
framework of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). It is
a Regional Fisheries Management Organization whose main objective is the conserva-
tion of living marine resources and its sustainable use, as well as the development of
aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea in a soustainable way to preserve
the environment. The Commission adopted binding recommendations for the conser-
vation and the management of fisheries in the region within its scope. In particular, its
measures may relate, for example, to the regulation of fishing methods, fishing gear
and minimum landing size, the establishment of open and closed fishing seasons and
areas, and the control of fishing effort.
The GFCM plays a decisive role in coordinating the efforts of governments to
effectively manage fisheries at the regional level, in accordance with the FAO Code of
Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The Data Collection Reference Framework
(DCRF) for the collection and submission of data relating to fisheries in the GFCM
area was endorsed by the SAC (Scientific Advisory Committee) as an instrument to
assist Contracting Parties to comply with existing recommendations for the collection
and submission of fisheries data to GFCM.
2.3 The International Commission for the conservation of the Atlantic Tuna
(ICCAT)
Beside the GFCM, the International Commission for the Conservation of the
Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) is dealing with species fished in association with tuna, such as
sharks.
2.4 Other conventions
In addition to the GFCM and ICCAT, the convention on the law of the sea
(UNCLOS), the convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals
2
Sharks - Past, Present and Future
(CMS convention), and the convention on international trade of endangered species
(CITES) contain some provisions that are relevant for the sharks issue.
2.5 Action plans for the conservation and management of sharks
Although, non-binding instruments, Action Plans for the conservation and man-
agement of sharks, contribute usefully for the protection of these species; at global
level, the FAO International Plan of Action (IPOA-Shark) and at regional level, the
Action Plan for the conservation of the cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyans) in the
Mediterranean, managed by a Secretariat of UNEP Regional Seas.
Recently and with the aim of protecting the three Mediterranean angel sharks, the
second most threatened family of sharks in the world and listed in annex II, the Shark
Trust and the IUCN Shark Specialist Group (SSG), with regional and international
experts developed in 2019 for the Mediterranean Angel Sharks, the Regional Action
Plan (RAP).
Taking into accompt recommandations of the International Action Plan (FAO
IPOA-Sharks) and the UN Fish Stocks Agreement, the Barcelona Convention, in the
frame of the Mediterranean Action Plan, elaborated the Action Plan for the conserva-
tion of the cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyans) in the Mediterranean [2].
The Action Plan constitutes a mi-term regional strategy that should be updated
each 5 years based on an evaluation of their implementation at regional and national
levels. The last update dates back to the year 2020 [3].
The objectives of this update are (1) Assess the implementation of the Action Plan
in the Mediterranean sea at regional and national levels and (2) Propose a draft
updating for the Action Plan.
2.6 The International union for the conservation of the nature (IUCN)
The International Union for the Conservation of the Nature (IUCN) is recognized
at international level to provide scientific advice on the conservation status of living
species. Through its “Red List of Threatened Species,”updated as far as it is possible,
the species are classified in nine categories, from Extinct (EX) till Not evaluated (NE).
Species that can be considered as threatened are those classified as Critically Endan-
gered (CR), Endangered (EN), and Vulnerable (VU). Criteria used for this red list are
used also when assessing status of species and examining proposals for amending
Annexes II and III of the SPA/BD Protocol.
3. Progress on shark conservation: review of the implementation of the
shark action plans
This review is based mainly on the report of the implementation of the Action Plan
for the conservation of cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyans) in the Mediterranean
(2014–2019) in the frame of its update [4]. It deals with international implementation
of the IPOA shark and other international tools, SPA/RAC implementation, national
implementation (SPA/RAC focal points and experts’thoughts) and on bibliographic
research.
To update the AP, a large consultation with national focal points of SPA/RAC and
organims involved in the conservation of sharks at regional level was undertaken via
online questionnaire of the Barcelona convention (IG.23/1, CoP20, 2017). The
3
Sharks’Status in the Mediterranean Sea Urgent Awareness is Needed
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108162
questionnaire was sent by the SPA/RAC to their Focal Points, Convention’s Secretar-
iats, the Action Plan Partners, and some experts.
A bibliographic review was also done to collect information on reaserch progress
on the issue and new regulations at regional and national level applicable to sharks
conservation. Actions planned for the period 2014–2019 were described and analyzed
to understand and to review mainly not achieved and ongoing actions.
The implementation focuses on that of the Action Plan for the conservation of
cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyans) in the Mediterranean at national and interna-
tional level, by SPA/RAC and comments of RFMOs working on shark conservation
issues.
Sixteen responses were received; 10 from SPA/RAC focal points and one response
from the IUCN. Five responses were received from experts from four countries.
3.1 Sharks landings through Mediterranean sea
Sharks are generally caught incidentally, while are targeted in some marine areas
by small scale vessel. They represent about 1.7% of the total Mediterranean halieutic
landings (average for the years 2016–2020) [5]. A decline in cartilaginous species
landings has been observed while fishing effort has generally increased. According
FAO statistics of elasmobranchs, the catches show a decreasing trend from about
20,000 tons in 2009 to about 12,000 tons in 2020 (Figure 1).
During these two decades, the major elasmobranch-fishing countries within the
Mediterranean Sea are Libya (since 2009) and Tunisia (Figure 2). Italy and Turkey,
known to be the major elasmobranch-fishing countries within the Mediterranean in
the 1980s, register a dramatic decrease in catch (Figure 2).
Statistical information for many priority species of the GFCM area or of the
annexes II and III of SPA/RAC is absent as Mobula mobular, Carcharodon carcharias,
Figure 1.
Mediterranean trends of elasmobranchs catches from 2000 to 2020 according to FAO statistics.
4
Sharks - Past, Present and Future
Gymnura altavella, Raja miraletus …The species of rays and sharks are usually
grouped together in the same statistical category and not identified by species.
3.2 Conservation status of cartilaginous fish (Chondrichtyens) in the
Mediterranean Sea
Historically, the Mediterranean Sea is a biodiversity hot spot for cartilaginous
species. Currently, the region has the highest percentage of endangered sharks in the
world. This fish group is in fact vulnerable to overexploitation and any anthropogenic
disturbance because of their biological characteristics (very slow growth, late sexual
maturity, low fecundity). Several species are now threatened. The main menaces are:
•Fishing pressure and use of nonselective fishing gears;
•Fin trade “fining”;
•pollution and habitats degradation;
•Other uses.
Experts estimated that about 97% of Mediterranean elasmobranchs population,
expressed in number and catch weight, was lost during the last 200 years [6].
A significant decline in species richness has been confirmed recently due to
increasing of mentioned menaces [1].
According to the last elasmobranchs assessment made by the IUCN [1], there is no
sign of improvement in the status of Mediterranean Chondrichthyans; on the con-
trary, the situation seems to be worsened. The rate of threatened species increases
from 42.25 to 53% during decade (2007–2016).
Figure 2.
Contribution of some countries in the Mediterranean elasmobranch production according to FAO statistics from
2000 to 2020.
5
Sharks’Status in the Mediterranean Sea Urgent Awareness is Needed
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108162
A decrease by 8% of data-deficient species between IUCN assessment of 2007 and
that of 2016 shows the increasingly interest of scientists on this issue [1–7].
3.3 Trainings/multilingual regional and national field identification guides and
sheets
In the context of developing training for capacity building at national and regional
level, mainly in following topics: taxonomy, biology, and ecology, some trainings and
field identification guides were realized:
•The ACCOBAMS-GFCM project on mitigating interactions between endangered
marine species and fishing activities (2016–2017) produced a guideline
distributed mainly to fishermen and observers titled “Good practice guide for the
handling of sharks and skates caught incidentally during pelagic longline fishing.”
•SELPAL and RéPAST projects produced a Responsible Fisherman’s Guide: Best
Practices for Reducing the Mortality of Sensitive Species Incidentally Caught by
French Pelagic Longliners in the Mediterranean (in French);
•In the frame of bycatch project “Understanding Mediterranean multi-taxa
‘bycatch’of vulnerable species and testing mitigation- a collaborative approach”
(2017–2022), jointly implemented by BirdLife (Project coordinator), GFCM,
ACCOBAMS, SPA/RAC, IUCN Med, MEDASSET, and WWF and financed by
MAVA foundation, many useful documents were elaborated dealing with collect
of data on bycatch, species identification (including sharks), bycatch of sharks:
◦Monitoring the incidental catch of vulnerable species in Mediterranean and
Black Sea fisheries: Methodology for data collection (http://www.rac-spa.
org/sites/default/files/doc_bycatch/ca4991en.pdf)
◦Identification guide of vulnerable species incidentally caught in
Mediterranean
Fisheries http://www.rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/doc_bycatch/
final_identification_guide_20_12.pdf
◦Pocket identification guides of main vulnerable species incidentally caught
in fisheries (in each language of countries involved in the project) http://
www.rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/doc_bycatch/medbycatch_pocket_
guide_tn_en.pdf
◦incidental catch of vulnerable species in Mediterranean and black sea fisheries-
a review https://www.fao.org/3/cb5405en/cb5405en.pdf
In the frame of this project, virtual training courses on the identification and handling
of vulnerable species incidentally caught during fishing operations were organized.
•The FAO produced in 2018 Two documents’Species Photographic Plates for sharks
and another for skates, rays and chimaeras [8, 9].
•A manual on the identification of elasmobranchs species was produced by the
NGO ASCOB-Syrtis, the SPA/RAC and the INSTM for the need of training
6
Sharks - Past, Present and Future
courses on taxonomy. http://www.rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/doc_sharks/
requins_fr_web.pdf
•In the frame of MAVA Species Knowledge Project (2019–2021), coordinated by
SPA/RAC in collaboration with ACCOBAMS, BirdLife, MEDDASSET and IUCN,
ASCOB-Syrtis executed an action titled: “Status of elasmobranchs, sea turtles and
cetaceans in purse seine and surface longline fisheries in the gulf of Hammamet
(Tunisia) and produced a manual for mainly identification of sharks and
batoids.”https://aquadocs.org/handle/1834/41741
3.4 Submission of catch, bycatch, and discard data to the GFCM
The incidental capture of vulnerable species in fisheries represents a key conser-
vation issue for a number of taxonomic groups (i.e., sea turtles, marine mammals,
seabirds, and elasmobranchs). Reliable information and reporting, as well as efficient
measures, will allow scientists and decision-makers to obtain a more complete over-
view of the situation and set priorities for management action.
Several goals were set by the AP on sharks toward reaching more sustainable
fisheries in the Mediterranean, notably by decreasing the interaction with shark’s
species mainly bycatch. For this, contracting parties to the Barcelona convention were
requested to develop program to gather information on the catch rate, the amount of
bycatch, marine litter and discard, fishing gears used, and some biologic parameters.
The GFCM recommends mainly to contracting parties, throw GFCM/36/2012/3
recommendation, amended by GFCM/42/2018/2 recommendation:
•To inform on fishing activities (landings, bycatch, release and discard);
•To ban catch of the 24 species of shark listed in annex 11 of the SPA/BD protocol.
Responses were received from nine countries concerning implementation of this
action: two responded by yes, three by no, and the action is under development for
three while it is not applicable for one country. Even if few responses were received,
the implementation seems to be underway with poor progress.
A new analysis of information collected from 2000 to 2020 on incidental catch of
sharks [5] DOI: 10.4060/cb2429en reported incidental catch of the main elasmo-
branch species in the Mediterranean Sea (Figure 3).
Very few species of annexes II and III were reported in this analysis indicating that
submission of shark bycatch data to the GFCM is not well implemented.
Longliners and bottom trawlers are by far the vessel groups with the greatest
impact on conservation priority elasmobranch species in the whole region. Small-scale
vessels and pelagic trawlers generate a minor impact on these vulnerable species.
Purse seine seems to have the lowest impact (Figure 4) [5].
3.5 Legal processes
3.5.1 Species protection
Management of elasmobranchs has been widely emphasized over the past 23 years
in a precautionary way. Since 1999, the international action plan of the FAO has
undertaken various conservative actions to improve exploitation management of this
7
Sharks’Status in the Mediterranean Sea Urgent Awareness is Needed
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108162
fish group. In the period of 2010–2011, the GFCM adopted ad hoc mitigation measures
concerning bycatch of some pelagic sharks such as thresher sharks, shortfin mako
sharks, and hammerhead sharks. Then in 2012, the GFCM banned finning practices
and capture of threatned sharks and rays of the Appendix II of the prtocol on Special
Protected Areas and Biodiversity of the Barcelona Convention.
Species protection is a major objective of the Action Plan. The urgent provision of
legal protection status for endangered species is listed as the first priority; CPs were
asked to establish strict legal protection for species listed in Annex II and GFCM
Recommendation through national laws and regulations as soon as possible.
Although 80% of CPs who responded to the questionnaire reported that they had
protected species or had measures under development, implementation has been
incomplete, with 10% of CPs reporting no action. All the Annex II species have been
Figure 3.
Reported incidental catch of the main elasmobranch species in the Mediterranean Sea, 2000–2020.
Figure 4.
Bycatch of elasmobranchs reported by vessel group in the GFCM area (2000–2020) [5].
8
Sharks - Past, Present and Future
included in legislation of three countries. Some countries protect a smaller number of
Annex II species.
Overall, the level of protection granted to the chondrichthyan fish species listed in
Annex II of the Protocol continues to be disappointingly incomplete.
3.5.2 Finning prohibition
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) and
the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) recommend
respectively in 2004 and 2005 full utilization of these animals and that landed fins do
not exceed 5% of the sharks caught (in weight).
Later, in 2012, The GFCM banned finning practices following recommendation
GFCM/36/2012/3 concerning conservation of elasmobranchs in the GFCM area.
This former recommendation was later, in 2018, amended by Recommendation
GFCM/42/2018/2 mandating that sharks must be landed with their fins attached to the
body. This measure reinforces the ban of “finning”consisting on cutting of fins and
discarding the body.
Following responses to the questionnaire, only 50% of the parties to the GFCM
Support finning prohibition by enacting national regulations and monitoring their
implementation and enforcement and 10% (one CP) have a project on this matter
under development.
Three parties run into difficulties to implement this action due regulation, admin-
istrative and technical matters.
3.5.3 Protection of critical habitats for chondrichthyans
The inquiry shows a poor protection of critical habitats for elasmobranchs in the
Mediterranean. An indirect protection appears may be through the recommendation
GFCM/42/2018/2 of the GFCM dealing with the reduction of the fishing effort of
trawlers in coastal areas aiming protection of coastal elasmobranchs.
3.6 Studying programs
3.6.1 Scientific publishing effort
The parties to the Barcelona convention, having adopted the action plan on carti-
laginous fish, were asked to undertake continuously monitoring programs to elucidate
mainly the status of Mediterranean endemics and Data-Deficient or Near-Threatened
species. To have an idea on the implementation of this recommendation, we under-
take a review and an analysis of the bibliography on this matter during the last decade.
Three hundred papers on elasmobranchs appeared in 2012–July 2022 period in
Mediterranean Sea with an average of about 30 papers/year. They cover different
areas and many topics. The most papers came from the Eastern Mediterranean
followed by the central Mediterranean Sea (Figure 5).
The analysis shows also that the main topics of papers concern biology, ecology,
and fisheries (Figure 6). Few papers were published on stock assessment. Studies on
shark systematic and genetics increased a lot compared with last decades before 2012.
This interest is mainly due to the known identification problems in elasmobranchs.
The increase of papers on fisheries and mainly bycatch seems to be related to the
9
Sharks’Status in the Mediterranean Sea Urgent Awareness is Needed
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108162
implementation of programs on this topic to reduce this phenomenon. Studies
concerning this topic, ranked second, represent about 25% of the available papers.
3.6.2 The Mediterranean large elasmobranchs monitoring
The MEDLEM program was launched in 1985 [10] and adopted by FAO-GFCM
and UNEP-RAC/SPA respectively in 2005 and 2009. The “Shark Specialist Group”of
the International Union of the Conservation of the Nature and the “European Elas-
mobranchs Association”are partners [11]. The main goal of the program is to evaluate
Figure 5.
Geographic distribution of elasmobranchs paper in the Mediterranean Sea between 2012 and 2020.
Figure 6.
Distribution of elasmobranchs paper by topic in the Mediterranean Sea between 2012 and 2020.
10
Sharks - Past, Present and Future
the elasmobranchs bycatch recording the incidental catches, sightings, stranding, and
historical bibliographic references.
Twenty different countries participate in the MedLem program and promote input
and shared access to the database under the appropriate protocol. Records are clearly
increasing (Figure 7).
The MEDLEM database could be a useful tool for organizations involved at
national and international level to manage conservation of elasmobranchs and Medi-
terranean biodiversity.
Observation effort is more important in in the northern sectors than in the south-
eastern ones. No records of some species in one of these regions does not mean their
absence (Figure 8).
Actually, the database is hosted by the GFCM server and continues to be enriched.
To contribute more on the conservation efforts, the database should be open to all
elasmobranch’s species and not only large ones.
3.6.3 Critical habitats for chondrichthyans
Critical habitats should be identified for conservation purposes. In fact, a big lack
of knowledge on critical habitats for this group was noted in the Mediterranean [13].
However, some studies confirm the presence of nursery and spawning areas for some
species such as in the Gulf of Gabes (GSA 14) in Tunisia. These critical habitats
Figure 7.
Number of records of the main species registered between 1990 and 2017.
Figure 8.
Spatial distribution of all MEDLEM records [12].
11
Sharks’Status in the Mediterranean Sea Urgent Awareness is Needed
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108162
concern mainly the sandbar shark, smooth hounds, and guitarfishes [14–17]. The
Tunisian waters provide also a nursery area for the white shark Carcharodon
carcharias (center of Tunisia) [13]. Since the Gulf of Gabès is an important fishery
area in Tunisia and in the aim to have valuable knowledge on this kind of area, many
biologic parameters should be determined. It should also be noted that aggregations of
basking shark have been reported in the Balearic area, the Adriatic, and the
Tyrrhenian Sea [18].
Considering the utility of this kind of habitats for conservation purposes, the AP on
cartilaginous required parties to proceed with inventorying and mapping such habi-
tats and to ensure their legal protection.
Among 10 responses received on this matter, two parties (20%) inventoried criti-
cal habitats, but they are not yet under protection such as nursery areas in the Gulf of
Gabes. More work is needed to delimit such nurseries. Three CPs (30%) did not do so,
for four countries (40%), investigations are under development, and for one CP
(10%), the action is not applicable.
3.6.4 Data collection programs
From 2010 to 2013, the GFCM undertook a research program to evaluate the status
of elasmobranchs and to propose measures reducing populations decline. Then, other
programs were launched. The following programs should be mentioned:
3.6.4.1 ACCOBAMS-GFCM project (2015–2016)
This project dealing with bycatch evaluation and mitigation measures, aimed to
enhance the conservation of endangered marine species, such as cetaceans, sea turtles,
elasmobranches, and seabirds, and to promote responsible fishing practices in the
Mediterranean through six pilot actions in France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia.
For Tunisia, the project was developed in Zarzis (in the Gulf of Gabes) and
focusing on longline fishery, including some experiments with circle hooks and
change of baits. Below, the link for the final report: https://www.accobams.org/wp-
content/uploads/2019/04/07-Tunisie-INSTM-Rapp-final_palangres-Zarzis.pdf
3.6.4.2 MedBycatch project
A bycatch project “Understanding Mediterranean multi-taxa ‘bycatch’of vulnera-
ble species and testing mitigation –a collaborative approach”(September 2017–Octo-
ber 2022), implemented by Birdlife International (as coordinator), SPA/RAC, GFCM,
ACCOBAMS, MEDASSET, and IUCN-Med and financially supported by the MAVA
Foundation in five countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Italy, and Croatia) is inter-
ested, among other taxa, in cartilaginous fishes.
The project focused on five taxa among them elasmobranchs and five fishing gears:
trammel nets, gillnets, bottom trawlers, bottom longline, and purse seine, in more
than 45 ports. More than 50 observers were involved, and more than 1500 observa-
tions were done.
In Tunisia (GSAs 12, 13 and 14), observation effort deployed in phase 2 (2020–
2022) was recorded in Table 1. Data analysis shows that elasmobranchs are the taxa
the most incidentally caught (Figure 9) [18].
12
Sharks - Past, Present and Future
3.6.4.3 MEDITS project (Mediterranean International Trawl survey)
The MEDITS survey program (International bottom trawl survey in the Mediter-
ranean) intends to produce basic information on benthic and demersal species in
terms of population distribution as well as demographic structure, on the continental
shelves, and along the upper slopes at a global scale in the Mediterranean Sea, through
systematic bottom trawl surveys.
The program aims at conducting coordinated surveys from bottom trawling in the
Mediterranean Sea. The surveys intend to include as much as possible all the trawlable
areas over the shelves and the upper slopes from 10 to 800 m depth off the coasts of
the partner countries. Since 2002, the MEDITS survey is included in the European
regulation related to the collection of fishery data.
This survey continues to collect data on many taxa among them cartilaginous
fishes. This program needs to be extended to the North African and Levantine
countries.
Fishing gears Onboard observations Questionnaires Self-sampling
OTB 214 257
SSV 632 1005 27
Purseseiners 38 127 1
Table 1.
Observation effort.
Figure 9.
Total number (%) of bycaught individuals in Tunisia.
13
Sharks’Status in the Mediterranean Sea Urgent Awareness is Needed
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108162
3.6.4.4 MAVA species knowledge project (2019–2021)
The Project aims to improve knowledge on species and habitats affected by
unsustainable fishing practices through nine small Projects covering all megafauna
species executed by NGOs (elasmobranchs, sea turtles, birds, and cetaceans). Among
them two in the Strait of Sicily-Tunisia subregion. Figure 10 gives a picture of the
density map of elasmobranchs in Sicily Canal and Tunisian plateau.
3.6.5 Data submission to FAO and GFCM
3.6.5.1 Data on pelagic shark catches
Pelagic sharks are protected mainly under the Convention on Migratory Species
(CMS) and ICCAT recommendations. The inquiry, carried out for the period 2014–
Figure 10.
Catch per fishing day of elasmobranchs per 10 km by 10 km raster (Strait of Sicily and Tunisian plateau).
14
Sharks - Past, Present and Future
2019, shows that few data on this shark group were submitted to the FAO and the
GFCM; one country among eight did so.
3.6.5.2 Collection and submission data from coastal fisheries
Few countries (four from nine) contributed to such programs for the period
2014–2019.
3.6.6 Capacity building
GFCM, some FAO project, and other organizations (ACCOBAMS, SPA/RAC …)
support expert participation in RFMO and other relevant meetings, training courses,
and workshops, to share expertise and build capacity for data collection, stock assess-
ment, and bycatch mitigation. This action seems to be well implemented and should
be more improved by supporting experts and students to participate mainly to specific
training courses on species identification, data collection, and data analysis.
3.7 Management and assessment procedures
3.7.1 National shark plans
The Mediterranean Action plan recommends to contracting parties the elaboration
of national action Plans. The role of SPA/RAC is fundamental for constantly updating
the MAP and for stimulating Mediterranean countries to produce their own National
Plans.
Until 2021, only countries elaborated National Action Plan for the conservation of
sharks. Three Mediterranean.
4. Proposals of priorities to enhance implementation of action plans on
shark conservation
This review shows that regional action plans and recommendations of regional
conventions and RFMOs seem to be poorly implemented. Since the future of marine
biodiversity in the Mediterranean and of sustainable fishery depends a lot on elasmo-
branchs, more successful conservation of this fish group should be ensured, and
urgent awareness is needed focusing mainly on the following priorities:
•Increase training and awareness of fishermen and controllers of fisheries on
protected species and develop an effective control of fisheries.
•Improve shark conservation in multi-taxa approach, mainly for:
◦Bycatch reducing mainly through species release;
◦Mapping and monitoring of critical habitats.
•Improve data collection at sea and at land for a global map of species distribution
using data obtained in all regional projects;
15
Sharks’Status in the Mediterranean Sea Urgent Awareness is Needed
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108162
•Improve collect of elasmobranches landing statistics;
•Strongly ban fishing and landing of vulnerable species (listed in annex II). The
GFCM binding recommendation on this issue should be applied since legislative
process is long at national level;
•Develop national red lists for elasmobranches
•Improve studies on stock assessment, in fact, analysis of action plans
implementation on this issue shows many gaps. To develop this research field,
experts should focus on (1) some biologic parameters, (2) knowledge on
fisheries, (3) valuable and available statistics, (4) taxonomy and shared stocks,
(5) studies on migration and exchange between populations, and (6) choosing
better evaluation methods.
Author details
Mohamed Nejmeddine Bradai
1
*, Enajjar Samira
1
and Bechir Saidi
2
1 Carthage University, National Institute of Science and Technology of the Sea,
R16INSTM02 Marine Biodiversity Laboratory, Sfax, Tunisia
2 Kairouan University, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Sidi Bouzid, Sidi Bouzid,
Tunisia
*Address all correspondence to: mednejmeddine.bradai@instm.rnrt.tn
© 2022 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of
the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0),
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original work is properly cited.
16
Sharks - Past, Present and Future
References
[1] Dulvy NK, Allen DJ, Ralph GM,
Walls RHL. The Conservation Status of
Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras in the
Mediterranean Sea. Malaga, Spain:
IUCN; 2016
[2] UNEP-MAP RAC/SPA. Action Plan
for the Conservation of Cartilaginous
Fishes (Chondrichthyans) in the
Mediterranean Sea. Tunis: Ed RAC/SPA;
2003. p. 56
[3] SPA/RAC–UN Environment/MAP.
In: Bradai MN, editor. Action Plan for
the Conservation of Cartilaginous
Fishes (Chondrichtyans) in the
Mediterranean Sea. Tunis: Ed SPA/RAC;
2020. p. 18
[4] UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC. 5.1Updating
of the regional strategy and action plans
for the conservation of the
Mediterranean Monk Seal, Marine
Turtles and Cartilaginous Fishes in the
Mediterranean Sea. (UNEP/MED
WG.461/7) Conservation of Species and
Habitats Project. 2019
[5] FAO. The State of Mediterranean and
Black Sea Fisheries 2020. Rome: General
Fisheries Commission for the
Mediterranean; 2020
[6] Ferretti F, Myers RA, Serena F,
Lotze HK. Loss of large predatory
sharks from the Mediterranean Sea.
Conservation Biology. 2008;22:
952-964
[7] Cavanagh RD, Gibson C. Aperçu du
statut de conservation des poissons
cartilagineux (Chondrichtyens) en mer
Méditerranée. UICN, Gland, Suisse et
Malaga, Espagne. 2007. p. VI + 39
[8] FAO. Species photographic plates. In:
Barone M, Serena F, Dimech M, editors.
Mediterranean Sharks. Rome, Italy. 2018
[9] FAO. Species photographic plates. In:
Barone M, Serena F, Dimech M, editors.
Mediterranean Skates, Rays and
Chimaeras. Rome, Italy. 2018
[10] Mancusi C, Baino R, Barone M,
Vacchi M, de Sola LG, Morey G, et al.
MedLem Database, a Data Collection on
Large Cartilaginous Fishes in the
Mediterranean Basin 2-6 June 2014.
Durban: Sharks International; 2014
[11] Serena F, Bradai MN, Mancusi C,
Barone M. The MEDLEM database
application: a tool for storing and sharing
data about by-catch, sightings and
stranding of large cartilaginous fishes in
the Mediterranean basin. (Data update
to September 2009). Paper presented at
the FAO GFCM Transversal workshop
on selectivity improvement and by-catch
reduction. Sub-Committee on Marine
Environment and Ecosystems SCMEE),
Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment
(SCSA), Sub-Committee on
Economic and Social Sciences (SCESS),
Tunis, Tunisia, 23-25 September 2009.
2009
[12] Mancusi C, Baino R, Fortuna C,
De sola l G, Morey G, Bradai MN, et al.
MEDLEM database, a data collection on
large Elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean
and Black seas. Mediterranean Marine
Science. 2020;21(2):276-288.
DOI: 10.12681/mms.21148
[13] Bradai MN, Saidi B, Enajjar S.
Elasmobranchs of the Mediterranean
and Black sea: Status, ecology and
biology. Bibliographic analysis. Studies
and Reviews. General Fisheries
Commission for the Mediterranean.
No. 91. Rome, FAO. 2012. 2012. p. 103
[14] Bradaï MN, Saidi B, Bouaïn A,
Guelorget O, Capapé C. The Gulf of
17
Sharks’Status in the Mediterranean Sea Urgent Awareness is Needed
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108162
Gabès (Southern Tunisia, Central
Mediterranean): A nursery area for
sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus
(Nardo, 1827) (Chondrichthyes:
Carcharhinidae). Annales, Series
Historia Naturalis. 2005;15:187-194
[15] Saidi B. Les requins du golfe de
Gabès: Diversité et écobiologie de trois
espèces à importance économique
Carcharhinus plumbeus, Mustelus
mustelus & M. punctulatus. [Thèse de
doctorat en Sciences biologiques].
Université de Sfax, Tunisie. 2008. p. 192
[16] Enajjar S. Diversité des Rajiformes et
etude eco–biologique de Rhinobatos
rhinobatos et Glaucostegus cemiculus
(Famille des Rhinobatidae) du Golfe de
Gabès (Tunisie). [Thèse de doctorat en
Sciences biologiques]. Faculté des
Sciences de Sfax, Tunisie. 2009. p. 173
[17] Enajjar S, Saidi B, bradai MN. The
Gulf of Gabes (Central Mediterranean
Sea): A nursery area for sharks and
batoids (Chondrichthyes:
Elasmobranchii). Cahiers de Biologie
Marine. 2015;56:143-150
[18] UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC, AAO/
BirdLife in Tunisia, INSTM, DGPAq. In:
Marouane B, Mourad BAM,
Nejmeddine BM, Kamel EH, Samira E,
Wasim G, et al., editors. Rapport
technique, Résultats de la phase 2 des
activités du programme d’observation
des prises accessoires en Tunisie
(novembre 2020- Janvier 2022) dans les
GSA 12, 13 et 14. SPA/RAC, MedBycatch
Project; 2022 (in press)
18
Sharks - Past, Present and Future
