Shark depredation: future directions in research and management

Abstract

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.

Depredation rates and spatial overlap between Great Hammerheads and Tarpon in a recreational fishing hot spot

“…2020b; Mitchell et al. 2022). Depredation is mainly committed by large‐bodied species, including marine mammals (Read 2008; Werner et al.…”

“…Depredation, the full or partial consumption of a hooked fish before it is landed, is a socioecological problem raising conservation concerns in fisheries (Tixier et al 2020b;Mitchell et al 2022). Depredation is mainly committed by large-bodied species, including marine mammals (Read 2008;Werner et al 2015), sharks (MacNeil et al 2009;Mitchell et al 2018a), and other fishes like groupers (Shideler et al 2015).…”

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

“…Human-shark conflicts are multidimensional and complex (Simpfendorfer et al, 2021). Notable among these conflicts is shark depredation, the partial or complete removal of a hooked species by a shark (Gilman et al, 2007;Mitchell et al, 2023). 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).…”

“…The recently reported increases in depredation may be the result of several factors, including changes in fishing practices, learned behavior of sharks, reductions in natural prey, and environmental shifts; however, many anglers believe depredation is increasing because of increasing shark populations (Mitchell et al, 2023). Therefore, the goal of this work was to characterize the frequency and impact of coastal shark depredation in the United States GoM based on recreational anglers' perceptions and knowledge of shark management and conservation.…”

The 8th World Fisheries Congress: sharing our oceans and rivers, a vision for the world’s fisheries

“…Straddling high sea fisheries for squid are the focus of the Arkhipkin et al ( 2023 ) paper which identified large increases in fishing pressure due to uncontrolled harvest in the high seas as an issue for the sustainability of the resource. Shark depredation affects a range of fisheries worldwide with Mitchell et al ( 2023 ) posing that integrated approaches across fishery stakeholders (fishers, scientists, and fishery managers), social scientists, educators and other stakeholders will be required to manage shark depredation. Goethel et al ( 2023 ) review challenges, advances and interdisciplinary developments in modelling approaches related to fisheries models, management strategy evaluation and advice related to the science-policy interface.…”