Fisher–shark interactions: A loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation

Robinson, Danielle; Newman, Steven P.; Whittingham, Mark J.; Francksen, Richard M.; Adam, M. Shiham; Stead, Selina M.

doi:10.1111/conl.12912

Cited by 8 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…In the GoM, anglers have reported rapid and significant increases in shark depredation during the past 5 years (Drymon et al, 2022), and often attribute the interaction to confirmed depredators like sandbar shark and blacktip shark (Drymon et al, 2019). Increasing shark depredation has the potential to negatively impact recreational anglers' perceptions of, and willingness to support, shark conservation (Robinson et al, 2022). Thus, a broader understanding of the degree to which recreational anglers are experiencing depredation will help inform future management and conservation efforts for sharks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depredation influences anglers’ perceptions on coastal shark management and conservation in the United States Gulf of Mexico

Prasky,

Drymon,

Karnauskas

et al. 2023

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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Overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change have caused declines in shark populations throughout the world’s oceans. However, in the United States Gulf of Mexico (GoM), populations of several coastal shark species are starting to stabilize following decades of successful regulations and enforcement. The stabilization of coastal shark populations, coupled with increases in recreational fishing effort, has the potential to escalate human-wildlife interactions. The most often reported conflict is shark depredation, the partial or complete removal of a hooked species by a shark. Reported increases in shark depredation within the last several years have begun to erode angler support for shark conservation, potentially undermining decades of previous work. To address these concerns, we implemented a GoM-wide online survey to characterize the impact of depredation on recreational reef fish anglers’ fishing satisfaction and perceptions of shark management and conservation. Our results revealed that most recreational anglers in the GoM have witnessed depredation but have not changed their fishing behaviors. In contrast, anglers’ viewpoints on managing shark populations were split between reducing population sizes and maintaining current population levels. As coastal shark populations in the GoM continue to recover, shark depredation is likely to increase. Consequently, efforts to characterize anglers’ satisfaction and perceptions are a critical component of future shark conservation initiatives.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depredation influences anglers’ perceptions on coastal shark management and conservation in the United States Gulf of Mexico

Prasky,

Drymon,

Karnauskas

et al. 2023

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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Applying acoustic telemetry, vessel tracking and fisher knowledge to investigate and manage fisher-shark conflict at Lord Howe Island, Australia

Mitchell,

Camilieri-Asch,

Gudge

et al. 2024

Mar Biol

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Fisher-shark conflict is occurring at Lord Howe Island, Australia due to high levels of Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) depredation (where sharks consume hooked fish) and bycatch. Depredation causes costly loss of target catch and fishing gear and increased mortality of target species, and sharks can be injured or killed when bycaught. This study applied acoustic telemetry and vessel tracking from 2018 to 2021 to identify; (1) how the movements of 30 tagged sharks and activity of six fishing vessels overlapped, and (2) where key ‘hotspots’ of overlap occurred. Fisher surveys were also conducted to collect information about mitigating shark interactions. Residency index analysis indicated that three sharks tagged at a fish waste dumping site had markedly higher residency. Core home ranges of sharks overlapped with higher fishing activity at four ‘hotspots’. Statistical modelling indicated positive linear effects of fishing activity and bathymetric complexity on shark detections and tagged sharks were present for 13% of the total time that vessels were fishing close to acoustic receivers. Spatio-temporal overlaps between shark movements and fishing activity could potentially have occurred because sharks learned to associate fishing vessels with food (i.e. hooked fish) and because fishers and sharks utilise highly productive shelf edge areas, however more research is needed to investigate these relationships. Fishers reported that rotating fishing areas and reducing time at each location, fishing deeper than 100 m, and using electric reels and lures instead of bait, reduced bycatch and depredation. The integrated approach used here identified practical methods for reducing fisher-shark conflict, improving socio-economic outcomes for fishers and conservation prospects for this unique shark population.

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Shark depredation: future directions in research and management

Mitchell

Drymon

Vardon

et al. 2022

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

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Shark depredation is a complex social-ecological issue that affects a range of fisheries worldwide. Increasing concern about the impacts of shark depredation, and how it intersects with the broader context of fisheries management, has driven recent research in this area, especially in Australia and the United States. This review synthesises these recent advances and provides strategic guidance for researchers aiming to characterise the occurrence of depredation, identify the shark species responsible, and test deterrent and management approaches to reduce its impacts. Specifically, the review covers the application of social science approaches, as well as advances in video camera and genetic methods for identifying depredating species. The practicalities and considerations for testing magnetic, electrical, and acoustic deterrent devices are discussed in light of recent research. Key concepts for the management of shark depredation are reviewed, with recommendations made to guide future research and policy development. Specific management responses to address shark depredation are lacking, and this review emphasizes that a “silver bullet” approach for mitigating depredation does not yet exist. Rather, future efforts to manage shark depredation must rely on a diverse range of integrated approaches involving those in the fishery (fishers, scientists and fishery managers), social scientists, educators, and other stakeholders.

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Fisher–shark interactions: A loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation

Cited by 8 publications

References 50 publications

Depredation influences anglers’ perceptions on coastal shark management and conservation in the United States Gulf of Mexico

Depredation influences anglers’ perceptions on coastal shark management and conservation in the United States Gulf of Mexico

Applying acoustic telemetry, vessel tracking and fisher knowledge to investigate and manage fisher-shark conflict at Lord Howe Island, Australia

Shark depredation: future directions in research and management

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