Shark recreational fisheries: Status, challenges, and research needs

Abstract

For centuries, the primary manner in which humans have interacted with sharks has been fishing. A combination of their slow-growing nature and high usevalues have resulted in population declines for many species around the world, and to date the vast majority of fisheriesrelated work on sharks has focused on the commercial sector. Shark recreational fishing remains an overlooked area of research despite the fact that these practices are popular globally and could present challenges to their populations. Here we provide a topical overview of shark recreational fisheries, highlighting their history and current status. While recreational fishing can provide conservation benefits under certain circumstances, we focus our discourse on the relatively understudied, potentially detrimental impacts these activities may have on shark physiology, behavior, and fitness. We took this angle given the realized but potentially underestimated significance of recreational fishing for shark conservation management plans and stock assessments, in hopes of creating a dialogue around sustainability. We also present a series of broad and focused research questions and underpin areas of future research need to assist with the development of this emergent area of research.

Motivation and harvesting behaviour of fishers in a specialized fishery targeting a top predator species at risk

“…Few studies have focused on understanding the perception of marine predators, particularly those that are economically important such as mako sharks. This study contributes to addressing the human dimension research priorities identified in a recent review of the status of science regarding shark recreational fisheries (Gallagher et al, 2017). Participants in hunting and fishing can exert significant influence over the management and sustainability of the resource when they make decisions about harvesting of animals.…”

“…Top predators in the ocean, such as sharks, may be particularly cryptic given the relative inaccessibility of most of the ocean and a lack of understanding can contribute to negative perceptions that trigger persecution. Nevertheless, broad distributions within the oceans, rarity and cryptic biology render many sharks valuable to recreational diving and fishing industries and focus on sharks in conversation plans can drive top‐down management practices in protected areas (Gallagher, Cooke, & Hammerschlag, ; Gallagher, Hammerschlag, Danylchuk, & Cooke, ; Giglio, Luiz, & Schiavetti, ; Topelko & Dearden, ).…”

“…Nevertheless, broad distributions within the oceans, rarity and cryptic biology render many sharks valuable to recreational diving and fishing industries and focus on sharks in conversation plans can drive topdown management practices in protected areas (Gallagher, Cooke, & Hammerschlag, 2015;Gallagher, Hammerschlag, Danylchuk, & Cooke, 2017;Giglio, Luiz, & Schiavetti, 2015;Topelko & Dearden, 2005).…”

Angling records track the near extirpation of angel shark Squatina squatina from two Irish hotspots

“…Fisheries research surveys may lack the power to detect trends in abundance of rare or inshore marine fishes (Maxwell & Jennings 2005), and some rarer shark species may not be observed or monitored effectively by observer programmes on commercial vessels (ICES 2017). Angling records can present alternative insight into longer-term abundance and size-structure of these populations (Gartside et al 1999, Gledhill et al 2015, Gallagher et al 2017. Catch and effort data from Irish charter vessels and specimen angling indicated that most Squatina squatina were reported from Tralee and Clew Bays.…”

“…Some rod-caught S. squatina were retained historically, but angling is now voluntary catch-andrelease. The mortality rate for released elasmobranchs varies among species (Gallagher et al 2017). Reported commercial landings of S. squatina in European Union (EU) Atlantic waters declined steadily prior to its listing as a prohibited species in 2009.…”