Linking sensory biology and fisheries bycatch reduction in elasmobranch fishes: a review with new directions for research

Jordan, Laura K.; Mandelman, John W.; McComb, D. Michelle; Fordham, Sonja V.; Carlson, John K.; Werner, Timothy B.

doi:10.1093/conphys/cot002

Cited by 74 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 142 publications

(212 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…One approach to develop effective BRDs for set net fisheries involves taking into account the factors that lead sea turtles to interact with the fishing gear. The knowledge of turtles' behaviour and reaction to different stimuli (auditory, chemosensory, and visual abilities; Jordan et al, ; Southwood, Fritsches, Brill, & Swimmer, ), is key to minimizing interactions. Since marine turtles actively react to visual cues (Swimmer et al, ), over the past few years, an appreciable decrease in turtle bycatch rates (ranging from 39.7% to 63.9%), has been achieved along the coasts of the northern and southern Pacific Ocean by illuminating set nets both with green (Ortiz et al, ; Wang, Fisler, & Swimmer, ) and UV light (Wang, Barkan, Fisler, Godinez‐Reyes, & Swimmer, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sea turtles bycatch in the Adriatic Sea set net fisheries and possible hot‐spot identification

Lucchetti

Vasapollo

Virgili

2017

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bycatch resulting from fishing activities is the main threat for the conservation of sea turtles in the Mediterranean Sea. Fixed nets are a matter of concern for sea turtles mainly in coastal areas during the neritic stage when both juvenile and adult life stages are affected. Mortality caused by entanglement in set nets is related to forced apnoea due to the high soak time of the nets and consequent drowning. This study investigated the loggerhead turtle bycatch in set net coastal fisheries in the northern Adriatic Sea (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean Geographical Sub‐Area 17, [GSA 17]) through an interview‐based approach, to understand the potential contribution of these fisheries to the general decline of the sea turtle population. A second goal was to identify a possible hot‐spot turtle bycatch area through on‐board observations. The study estimates that more than 5400 turtles are caught in the west GSA 17 each year with the largest number in the summer. A hot‐spot for entanglement was also identified in an area located south of the River Po delta (41.5–69 m depth) during the summer. Sixty‐four turtles were caught over a period of 30 fishing days by either trammel nets and gillnets (0.7 and 0.5 turtle per km of net respectively) and was the greatest number that has been observed anywhere in the Mediterranean. Possible management strategies to reduce bycatch include technical modification to gear setting (such as reducing netting slack and using small meshes), bycatch reducer devices (such as LED UV), and area and seasonal gear restrictions to small‐scale fisheries in areas of greatest concern in the northern Adriatic Sea.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sea turtles bycatch in the Adriatic Sea set net fisheries and possible hot‐spot identification

Lucchetti

Vasapollo

Virgili

2017

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, fishing depth, bait, time of day, season and environmental conditions ( e.g ., sea surface temperature) can all influence the likelihood of encountering bycatch (Watson & Kerstetter, ). Implementing bycatch reduction devices can (theoretically) reduce the incidence of bycatch species without affecting that of the target species (Jordan et al ., ). Some studies, for example, have tested the efficacy of devices generating electromagnetic fields to deter electroreceptive fishes (O'Connell & He, ).…”

Section: Field Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethical considerations in fish research

Sloman

Bouyoucos

Brooks

et al. 2019

Journal of Fish Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Fishes are used in a wide range of scientific studies, from conservation research with potential benefits to the species used to biomedical research with potential human benefits. Fish research can take place in both laboratories and field environments and methods used represent a continuum from non‐invasive observations, handling, through to experimental manipulation. While some countries have legislation or guidance regarding the use of fish in research, many do not and there exists a diversity of scientific opinions on the sentience of fish and how we determine welfare. Nevertheless, there is a growing pressure on the scientific community to take more responsibility for the animals they work with through maximising the benefits of their research to humans or animals while minimising welfare or survival costs to their study animals. In this review, we focus primarily on the refinement of common methods used in fish research based on emerging knowledge with the aim of improving the welfare of fish used in scientific studies. We consider the use of anaesthetics and analgesics and how we mark individuals for identification purposes. We highlight the main ethical concerns facing researchers in both laboratory and field environments and identify areas that need urgent future research. We hope that this review will help inform those who wish to refine their ethical practices and stimulate thought among fish researchers for further avenues of refinement. Improved ethics and welfare of fishes will inevitably lead to increased scientific rigour and is in the best interests of both fishes and scientists.

show abstract

“…Other devices with similar modes of operation are either in development or commercially available, including the Electronic Shark Defense System, although as yet no independent testing appears to have been conducted on this device. Devices such as the Shark Shield were designed primarily for personal protection against sharks, but one of the challenges now is to explore ways of using electric repellents to reduce shark bycatch and depredation in fisheries, perhaps through miniaturization of electrical devices for deployment on nets or longline gear (Jordan et al 2013), and for protection of humans over larger spatial scales such as beaches. Previous attempts to provide area-level protection, such as the anti-shark electrical cable that was deployed in the St. Lucia estuary (employing a pulsed d.c. field of 3-7 V·m −1 ) and off Margate Beach in South Africa, proved effective at deterring a variety of shark species, including C. leucas (Smith 1974).…”

Section: Active Electrical Repellentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sharks senses and shark repellents

Hart

Collin

2015

Integrative Zoology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite over 70 years of research on shark repellents, few practical and reliable solutions to prevent shark attacks on humans or reduce shark bycatch and depredation in commercial fisheries have been developed. In large part, this deficiency stems from a lack of fundamental knowledge of the sensory cues that drive predatory behavior in sharks. However, the widespread use of shark repellents is also hampered by the physical constraints and technical or logistical difficulties of deploying substances or devices in an open-water marine environment to prevent an unpredictable interaction with a complex animal. Here, we summarize the key attributes of the various sensory systems of sharks and highlight residual knowledge gaps that are relevant to the development of effective shark repellents. We also review the most recent advances in shark repellent technology within the broader historical context of research on shark repellents and shark sensory systems. We conclude with suggestions for future research that may enhance the efficacy of shark repellent devices, in particular, the continued need for basic research on shark sensory biology and the use of a multi-sensory approach when developing or deploying shark repellent technology.

show abstract

Linking sensory biology and fisheries bycatch reduction in elasmobranch fishes: a review with new directions for research

Cited by 74 publications

References 142 publications

Sea turtles bycatch in the Adriatic Sea set net fisheries and possible hot‐spot identification

Sea turtles bycatch in the Adriatic Sea set net fisheries and possible hot‐spot identification

Ethical considerations in fish research

Sharks senses and shark repellents

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About