The Problem Of Incidental Catches Of Sharks And Rays, Its Likely Consequences, And Some Possible Solutions

		Shark Conference 2000 Online Documents Honolulu, Hawaii February 21-24
Sponsored By: The Barbara Delano Foundation The Homeland Foundation The David & Lucile Packard Foundation The AVINA Foundation	Presented By: WildAid Hawaii Audubon Society Pacific Fisheries Coalition
THE PROBLEM OF INCIDENTAL CATCHES OF SHARKS AND RAYS, ITS LIKELY CONSEQUENCES, AND SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Ramón Bonfil Fisheries Centre University of British Columbia 2204 Main Hall Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Canada Email: [email protected] Abstract The incidental capture of non-target species is common in most types of fisheries worldwide. Sharks and rays are taken (sometimes in very large numbers) in many fisheries for other species. This presentation reviews the different types of common fishing gear and their degree of selectivity in addition to highlighting the most important fisheries around the world in terms of their bycatches of sharks and rays. Bottom trawl fisheries for shrimps and groundfish cause the largest bycatches of rays and skates, but actual figures are difficult to estimate due to the diversity of such fisheries worldwide and the little reliable information available on their bycatches. Longline fisheries for tunas and billfishes are responsible for the largest bycatches of sharks in the world. A list of the most well known cases of impacted shark and ray populations due to bycatches is presented. The likely changes in an ecosystem due to the depletion of sharks is analysed using an ecological simulation model (EcoSim) of the French Frigate Shoals in the N Pacific. Ways to ameliorate the rate of bycatch and improve the selectivity of some fishing gears is discussed. The urgent need to transcend our traditional self-centred point of view about marine resources and to shift into a mature and responsible way of fishing is stressed.

Shark Conference 2000
Online Documents
Honolulu, Hawaii February 21-24

Sponsored By:
The Barbara Delano Foundation
The Homeland Foundation
The David & Lucile Packard Foundation
The AVINA Foundation

Presented By:
WildAid
Hawaii Audubon Society
Pacific Fisheries Coalition

THE PROBLEM OF INCIDENTAL CATCHES OF SHARKS AND RAYS, ITS LIKELY CONSEQUENCES, AND SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Ramón Bonfil
Fisheries Centre
University of British Columbia
2204 Main Hall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The incidental capture of non-target species is common in most types of fisheries worldwide. Sharks and rays are taken (sometimes in very large numbers) in many fisheries for other species. This presentation reviews the different types of common fishing gear and their degree of selectivity in addition to highlighting the most important fisheries around the world in terms of their bycatches of sharks and rays. Bottom trawl fisheries for shrimps and groundfish cause the largest bycatches of rays and skates, but actual figures are difficult to estimate due to the diversity of such fisheries worldwide and the little reliable information available on their bycatches. Longline fisheries for tunas and billfishes are responsible for the largest bycatches of sharks in the world. A list of the most well known cases of impacted shark and ray populations due to bycatches is presented. The likely changes in an ecosystem due to the depletion of sharks is analysed using an ecological simulation model (EcoSim) of the French Frigate Shoals in the N Pacific. Ways to ameliorate the rate of bycatch and improve the selectivity of some fishing gears is discussed. The urgent need to transcend our traditional self-centred point of view about marine resources and to shift into a mature and responsible way of fishing is stressed.