Recent Progress in Analyses of Catch Data from Fishery Observers and In

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Recent Progress in Analyses of Catch Data from Fishery Observers and In Preliminary Results from Analyses of Shark Catches in the Hawaii-based Longline Fishery as Reported by Fishery Observers William A. Walsh University of Hawaii Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Pelagic Fisheries Research Program Keith A. Bigelow NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Background • Ms. Kitty Simonds (Chair, WPRFMC) wrote to Dr. Samuel G. Pooley (Science Director, PIFSC) in January 2006 concerning the need for sharks research in this longline fishery • Sharks comprised most of the officially reported bycatch (ca. 90%) and a substantial fraction of the total catch (ca. 15%) in 2004 • Complexities associated with management measures during study period Objectives • Describe and quantify species composition of the sharks catch of this fishery • Assess the accuracy of species identifications by observers • Model survivorship of sharks taken on longline gear • Estimate catches and catch rates for sharks reported in commercial logbooks • Identify and describe apparent effects (if any) of management measures on self-reporting practices Species of Major Interest: Blue Shark Blue shark (Prionace glauca) Species of Major Interest : Requiem Sharks Silky shark Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) (Carcharhinus longimanus) Species of Major Interest: Thresher Sharks Bigeye thresher Pelagic thresher (Alopias superciliosus) (Alopias pelagicus) Species of Major Interest: Makos Shortfin mako Longfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus)(Isurus paucus) Current Activities: Observer Catch Data • Definition of a corrected sharks species list • Characterization of the importance and relative abundance of shark species taken in this fishery • Determination of set type (i.e., deep vs. shallow) effects on catch patterns for sharks • Investigation of factors that may be related to survivorship of sharks on longline gear Species Identifications Shark Identifications and Observer Experience Shark Catch: Taxonomic Composition • Diversity: 3 orders, 8 families, 13 genera, 23 species • Carcharhiniformes: 2 families, 4 genera, 11 species • Lamniformes: 5 families, 7 genera, 10 species • Squaliformes: 1 family, 2 genera, 2 species Shark Catch: Major Species • Blue shark: 87.0%; 6.3/set; 3.6/1000 hooks • Bigeye thresher shark: 3.8%; 0.3/set; 0.2/1000 hooks • Oceanic whitetip shark: 3.1%; 0.2/ set; 0.1/1000 hooks • Shortfin mako: 2.6%; 0.2/set; 0.1/1000 hooks • Silky shark: 1.5%; 0.1/set; < 0.1/1000 hooks • Crocodile shark: 1.0%; < 0.1/set; < 0.1/1000 hooks Shark Catch: Set-type Effects Shallow Sets • Blue shark: 93.5%; 11.7/set; 14.2/1000 hooks • Shortfin mako: 3.6%; 0.5/set; 0.6/1000 hooks • Oceanic whitetip shark: 1.7%; 0.2/set; 0.3/1000 hooks Deep Sets • Blue shark: 84.0%; 5.1/set; 2.6/1000 hooks • Bigeye thresher shark: 5.5%; 0.3/set; 0.2/1000 hooks • Oceanic whitetip shark: 3.8%; 0.2/set; 0.1/1000 hooks Shark Survivorship: Set-type Effects Shallow Sets Deep Sets • Blue shark 95.0% 96.7% • Shortfin mako 75.8% 80.7% • Oceanic whitetip shark 92.3% 80.6% • Silky shark (N < 50) 74.8% • Bigeye thresher shark 70.0% 82.4% • Crocodile shark (N < 50) 96.7% Soak Time Effect on Survivorship Blue shark ps.out.000 SST Effect on Survivorship Blue shark Blue shark Soak Time Effect on Survivorship Bigeye thresher shark Bigeye thresher sharkBigeye thresher shark SST Effect on Survivorship Bigeye thresher shark Bigeye thresher sharkBigeye thresher shark Bigeye thresherBi shark Near-term Tasks • Complete checks on observer catch data • Complete fitting logistic regressions and check partial residuals • Tabulate biological information for major species (e.g., sizes, sex ratios, maturity) • Compute morphometric regressions for major species Acknowledgments • Christofer Boggs, Dean Grubbs, Kim Holland, Russell Ito, Kurt Kawamoto, Walter Machado, John Naughton and Michael Seki provided useful comments concerning sharks in this longline fishery. S. Joseph Arceneaux, Joseph O’Malley, Thomas Swenarton, and Jeremy Willson commented on the role of fishery observers. Shark photographs were provided by the Hawaii Longline Observer Program archive. Deborah H. Yamaguchi assisted with this PowerPoint presentation. • This work was supported by NOAA Cooperative Agreement No. NA17RJ1230..
Recommended publications
  • Chapter 11 the Biology and Ecology of the Oceanic Whitetip Shark, Carcharhinus Longimanus
    Chapter 11 The Biology and Ecology of the Oceanic Whitetip Shark, Carcharhinus longimanus Ramón Bonfi l, Shelley Clarke and Hideki Nakano Abstract The oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) is a common circumtropical preda- tor and is taken as bycatch in many oceanic fi sheries. This summary of its life history, dis- tribution and abundance, and fi shery-related information is supplemented with unpublished data taken during Japanese tuna research operations in the Pacifi c Ocean. Oceanic whitetips are moderately slow-growing sharks that do not appear to have differential growth rates by sex, and individuals in the Atlantic and Pacifi c Oceans seem to grow at similar rates. They reach sexual maturity at approximately 170–200 cm total length (TL), or 4–7 years of age, and have a 9- to 12-month embryonic development period. Pupping and nursery areas are thought to exist in the central Pacifi c, between 0ºN and 15ºN. According to two demographic metrics, the resilience of C. longimanus to fi shery exploitation is similar to that of blue and shortfi n mako sharks. Nevertheless, reported oceanic whitetip shark catches in several major longline fi sheries represent only a small fraction of total shark catches, and studies in the Northwest Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico suggest that this species has suffered signifi cant declines in abundance. Stock assessment has been severely hampered by the lack of species-specifi c catch data in most fi sheries, but recent implementation of species-based reporting by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and some of its member countries will provide better data for quantitative assessment.
    [Show full text]
  • Sharks in Crisis: a Call to Action for the Mediterranean
    REPORT 2019 SHARKS IN CRISIS: A CALL TO ACTION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN WWF Sharks in the Mediterranean 2019 | 1 fp SECTION 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Written and edited by WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative / Evan Jeffries (www.swim2birds.co.uk), based on data contained in: Bartolí, A., Polti, S., Niedermüller, S.K. & García, R. 2018. Sharks in the Mediterranean: A review of the literature on the current state of scientific knowledge, conservation measures and management policies and instruments. Design by Catherine Perry (www.swim2birds.co.uk) Front cover photo: Blue shark (Prionace glauca) © Joost van Uffelen / WWF References and sources are available online at www.wwfmmi.org Published in July 2019 by WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature Any reproduction in full or in part must mention the title and credit the WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative as the copyright owner. © Text 2019 WWF. All rights reserved. Our thanks go to the following people for their invaluable comments and contributions to this report: Fabrizio Serena, Monica Barone, Adi Barash (M.E.C.O.), Ioannis Giovos (iSea), Pamela Mason (SharkLab Malta), Ali Hood (Sharktrust), Matthieu Lapinksi (AILERONS association), Sandrine Polti, Alex Bartoli, Raul Garcia, Alessandro Buzzi, Giulia Prato, Jose Luis Garcia Varas, Ayse Oruc, Danijel Kanski, Antigoni Foutsi, Théa Jacob, Sofiane Mahjoub, Sarah Fagnani, Heike Zidowitz, Philipp Kanstinger, Andy Cornish and Marco Costantini. Special acknowledgements go to WWF-Spain for funding this report. KEY CONTACTS Giuseppe Di Carlo Director WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative Email: [email protected] Simone Niedermueller Mediterranean Shark expert Email: [email protected] Stefania Campogianni Communications manager WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative Email: [email protected] WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with more than 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Diurnal Patterns in Gulf of Mexico Epipelagic Predator Interactions with Pelagic Longline Gear: Implications for Target Species Catch Rates and Bycatch Mitigation
    Bull Mar Sci. 93(2):573–589. 2017 research paper https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2016.1008 Diurnal patterns in Gulf of Mexico epipelagic predator interactions with pelagic longline gear: implications for target species catch rates and bycatch mitigation 1 National Marine Fisheries Eric S Orbesen 1 * Service, Southeast Fisheries 1 Science Center, 75 Virginia Beach Derke Snodgrass 2 Drive, Miami, Florida 33149. Geoffrey S Shideler 1 2 University of Miami, Rosenstiel Craig A Brown School of Marine & Atmospheric John F Walter 1 Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149. * Corresponding author email: <[email protected]>. ABSTRACT.—Bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries is of substantial international concern, and the mitigation of bycatch in the Gulf of Mexico has been considered as an option to help restore lost biomass following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The most effective bycatch mitigation measures operate upon a differential response between target and bycatch species, ideally maintaining target catch while minimizing bycatch. We investigated whether bycatch vs target catch rates varied between day and night sets for the United States pelagic longline fishery in the Gulf of Mexico by comparing the influence of diel time period and moon illumination on catch rates of 18 commonly caught species/species groups. A generalized linear model approach was used to account for operational and environmental covariates, including: year, season, water temperature, hook type, bait, and maximum hook depth. Time of day or moon
    [Show full text]
  • An Introduction to the Classification of Elasmobranchs
    An introduction to the classification of elasmobranchs 17 Rekha J. Nair and P.U Zacharia Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018 Introduction eyed, stomachless, deep-sea creatures that possess an upper jaw which is fused to its cranium (unlike in sharks). The term Elasmobranchs or chondrichthyans refers to the The great majority of the commercially important species of group of marine organisms with a skeleton made of cartilage. chondrichthyans are elasmobranchs. The latter are named They include sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras. These for their plated gills which communicate to the exterior by organisms are characterised by and differ from their sister 5–7 openings. In total, there are about 869+ extant species group of bony fishes in the characteristics like cartilaginous of elasmobranchs, with about 400+ of those being sharks skeleton, absence of swim bladders and presence of five and the rest skates and rays. Taxonomy is also perhaps to seven pairs of naked gill slits that are not covered by an infamously known for its constant, yet essential, revisions operculum. The chondrichthyans which are placed in Class of the relationships and identity of different organisms. Elasmobranchii are grouped into two main subdivisions Classification of elasmobranchs certainly does not evade this Holocephalii (Chimaeras or ratfishes and elephant fishes) process, and species are sometimes lumped in with other with three families and approximately 37 species inhabiting species, or renamed, or assigned to different families and deep cool waters; and the Elasmobranchii, which is a large, other taxonomic groupings. It is certain, however, that such diverse group (sharks, skates and rays) with representatives revisions will clarify our view of the taxonomy and phylogeny in all types of environments, from fresh waters to the bottom (evolutionary relationships) of elasmobranchs, leading to a of marine trenches and from polar regions to warm tropical better understanding of how these creatures evolved.
    [Show full text]
  • Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay to Detect Illegal Trade of CITES-Listed
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Multiplex real-time PCR assay to detect illegal trade of CITES-listed shark species Received: 29 March 2018 Diego Cardeñosa 1,2, Jessica Quinlan3, Kwok Ho Shea4 & Demian D. Chapman3 Accepted: 23 October 2018 The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a Published: xx xx xxxx 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 fns, 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, feld-based, fast (<4 hours), and cost efective ($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.
    [Show full text]
  • Classification and Systematic Arrangement
    Introduction 13 CLASSIFICATION AND SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT Considering that the purpose of this document is to Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes) provide a simple user-friendly guide for species identification, no reference will be found here to Subclass Holocephali (chimaeras) dichotomy keys for single species. It is important that the classification used in this guide be defined, Order Chimaeriformes (chimaera and silver sharks) as available literature is not always in agreement Subclass Elasmobranchii (sharks) with this presentation. The classification of this group is still under review as no consensus has Superorder Squalomorphi (squalomorph sharks) been found to reconcile different authors’ positions. Order Hexanchiformes (cow and frilled sharks) For more information and further specific details on the taxonomy and biology of cartilaginous fish Order Squaliformes (dogfish sharks) species, refer to Tortonese, 1956; Hureau and Monod 1979; Whitehead et al., 1984; Fischer et al., Order Squatiniformes (angel sharks) 1987; Fredj and Maurin, 1987; Compagno, 1988, 2005; Nelson, 1994; Shirai, 1996; Mould, 1998. The Order Pristiophoriformes (sawsharks) * consultation of FishBase http://www.fishbase.org Order Rajiformes (batoids) (Froese and Pauly, 2000) proved very useful. The most fundamental references are Compagno’s Superorder Galeomorphi (galeomorph sharks) catalogues issued in 1984 and his recent revision partially issued in 2001. Order Heterodontiformes (bullhead sharks) * This guide follows the systematic organization Order
    [Show full text]
  • 1 a Petition to List the Oceanic Whitetip Shark
    A Petition to List the Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) as an Endangered, or Alternatively as a Threatened, Species Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act and for the Concurrent Designation of Critical Habitat Oceanic whitetip shark (used with permission from Andy Murch/Elasmodiver.com). Submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine Fisheries Service September 21, 2015 By: Defenders of Wildlife1 535 16th Street, Suite 310 Denver, CO 80202 Phone: (720) 943-0471 (720) 942-0457 [email protected] [email protected] 1 Defenders of Wildlife would like to thank Courtney McVean, a law student at the University of Denver, Sturm college of Law, for her substantial research and work preparing this Petition. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 4 II. GOVERNING PROVISIONS OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT ............................................. 5 A. Species and Distinct Population Segments ....................................................................... 5 B. Significant Portion of the Species’ Range ......................................................................... 6 C. Listing Factors ....................................................................................................................... 7 D. 90-Day and 12-Month Findings ........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Feeding Habits of the Common Thresher Shark (Alopias Vulpinus) Sampled from the California-Based Drift Gill Net Fishery, 1998-1 999
    PRETI ET AL.: FEEDING HABITS OF COMMON THRESHER SHARK CalCOFl Rep., Vol. 42, 2001 FEEDING HABITS OF THE COMMON THRESHER SHARK (ALOPIAS VULPINUS) SAMPLED FROM THE CALIFORNIA-BASED DRIFT GILL NET FISHERY, 1998-1 999 ANTONELLA PRETI SUSAN E. SMITH AND DARLENE A. RAMON California Department of Fish and Game National Marine Fisheries Service, NOM 8604 La Jolla Shores Dnve Southwest Fisheries Science Center La Jolla, California 92037 P.O. Box 271 sharksharkshark@hotniail coni La Jolla, California 92038 ABSTRACT (Compagno 1984). It is epipelagic, gregarious, and cos- The diet of common thresher shark (Alopius vulpinus) mopolitan, and in the northeastern Pacific seems to be from US. Pacific Coast waters was investigated by means most abundant within 40 miles of shore (Strasburg 1958). of frequency of occurrence, gravimetric and numerical Its known range extends from Clarion Island, Mexico, methods, and calculating the geometric index of im- north to British Columbia; it is common seasonally from portance (GII) of prey taxa taken from stoniachs col- mid-Baja California, Mexico, to Washington state.' It lected by fishery observers from the California-based is the leading commercial shark taken in California, drift gill net fishery. Sampling was done from 16 August where it is highly valued in the fresh fish trade (Holts et 1998 to 24 January 1999, a time when the California al. 1998). It is also sought by recreational anglers for its Current was undergoing rapid change from El Niiio to fighting ability as well as food value, especially in south- La Niiia conhtions. Of the 165 stomachs examined, 107 ern California.
    [Show full text]
  • Seafood Watch Seafood Report
    Seafood Watch Seafood Report Sharks and Dogfish With a focus on: Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) Common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) Dusky smoothhound/smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) Sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) Shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) © Monterey Bay Aquarium Final Report December 21, 2005 Stock Status Update June 9, 2011 Santi Roberts Fisheries Research Analyst Monterey Bay Aquarium SeafoodWatch® Sharks & DogfishReport June 9, 2010 About Seafood Watch® and the Seafood Reports Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch® program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wild-caught and farmed seafood commonly found in the United States marketplace. Seafood Watch® defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, which can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Seafood Watch® makes its science-based recommendations available to the public in the form of regional pocket guides that can be downloaded from the Internet (seafoodwatch.org) or obtained from the Seafood Watch® program by emailing [email protected]. The program’s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conservation issues and empower seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. Each sustainability recommendation on the regional pocket guides is supported by a Seafood Report. Each report synthesizes and analyzes the most current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this information against the program’s conservation ethic to arrive at a recommendation of “Best Choices,” “Good Alternatives,” or “Avoid.” The detailed evaluation methodology is available upon request. In producing the Seafood Reports, Seafood Watch® seeks out research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible.
    [Show full text]
  • 4 Thresher Shark, Alopias Vulpinus
    4 Thresher Shark, Alopias vulpinus Thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus. Photo credit: Dale Sweetnam. History of the Fishery The common thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus, is the most common commercially landed shark in California. They are primarily caught using large mesh drift gill nets and hook and line gear, but are also caught incidentally with small mesh gill nets and harpoon. Prior to 1977, all sharks were reported in one market category and not separated by species, and it is assumed threshers were caught as bycatch in gears at levels similar or greater than today. The first significant fishery for thresher sharks began the late 1970s to early 1980s when drift gill net fishers began to target them close to the southern California coastline. The fishery expanded rapidly and, because of overfishing concerns, the California Department of Fish and Game (Department) as mandated by the State Legislature began an observer program, monitored landings and implemented a logbook program. A limited entry permit program for drift gill net gear was initiated in 1982, with permits issued to fishers rather than boats to prevent false inflation in value. The drift gill net fishery for thresher sharks peaked in 1981 when 113 Status of the Fisheries Report 2008 4-1 drift gill net boats landed nearly 600 tons (544 metric tons). However, total landings using all gears were highest the following year with a total of more than 1700 tons (1542 metric tons) taken by all gears (Figure 4-1). 2000 1500 1000 Landings (short tons) (short Landings 500 0 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 Year Figure 4-1.
    [Show full text]
  • Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo Cuvier) on the East Coast of Australia
    The biology and ecology of the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) on the east coast of Australia. Bonnie Jane Holmes BSc (Hons) A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2015 School of Biological Sciences ABSTRACT The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) (Péron and Lesueur 1822) is the largest of the carcharhinids, with a circumglobal distribution in both tropical and warm temperate coastal and pelagic waters. In the western Pacific, G. cuvier movements are wide-ranging, encompassing the east coast of Australia and south Pacific Islands. Throughout the region, G. cuvier is exposed to a range of commercial, recreational, artisanal and illegal foreign fishery impacts, as both a target and by-product species. Listed as ‘near threatened’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, suitable long term species-specific catch, catch rate and biological data are seldom available for large shark species like G. cuvier, particularly where historical commercial fishery logbook reporting has been poor. Shark control programs targeting large sharks along Australia’s east coast have been in operation for over 60 years, using relatively standardised fishing gear in nearshore waters all year round, with historical catch and effort data recorded by shark contractors. Historical catch, catch rate and biological data collected through the Queensland Shark Control Program (QSCP) since 1993 were investigated, which revealed significant declines (p < 0.05) in catch rates of G. cuvier at some tropical and all sub-tropical locations along the Queensland coast. Significant temporal declines in the average size of G. cuvier also occurred at four of the nine locations analysed (p < 0.05), which could be indicative of fishing reducing abundance in these areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Gill Morphometrics of the Thresher Sharks (Genus Alopias): Correlation of Gill Dimensions with Aerobic Demand and Environmental Oxygen
    JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY :1–12 (2015) Gill Morphometrics of the Thresher Sharks (Genus Alopias): Correlation of Gill Dimensions with Aerobic Demand and Environmental Oxygen Thomas P. Wootton,1 Chugey A. Sepulveda,2 and Nicholas C. Wegner1,3* 1Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 2Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research, Oceanside, CA 92054 3Fisheries Resource Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, La Jolla, CA 92037 ABSTRACT Gill morphometrics of the three thresher related species that inhabit similar environments shark species (genus Alopias) were determined to or have comparable metabolic requirements. As examine how metabolism and habitat correlate with such, in reviews of gill morphology (e.g., Gray, respiratory specialization for increased gas exchange. 1954; Hughes, 1984a; Wegner, 2011), fishes are Thresher sharks have large gill surface areas, short often categorized into morphological ecotypes water–blood barrier distances, and thin lamellae. Their large gill areas are derived from long total filament based on the respiratory dimensions of the gills, lengths and large lamellae, a morphometric configura- namely gill surface area and the thickness of the tion documented for other active elasmobranchs (i.e., gill epithelium (the water–blood barrier distance), lamnid sharks, Lamnidae) that augments respiratory which both reflect a species’ capacity for oxygen surface area while
    [Show full text]