Article
Fisheries
Lekelia D. Jenkins
Summary: Fisheries extension programmes often struggle to achieve mandatory or voluntary adoption of bycatch reduction devices and techniques. This paper analyzes extension activities in two prominent bycatch case studies in the United States and applies the diffusion of innovation theory to explain the adoption outcomes. The most effective extension programme involved informative and persuasive efforts, enforced regulations, and commercially practical bycatch reduction devices. The paper concludes with recommendations for how change agents can utilize diffusion theory to improve the adoption of bycatch reduction devices in future fisheries extension programmes.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Alec B. M. Moore, Charlotte Heney, Harriet Lincoln, Charlotte Colvin, Hadley Newell, Rebecca Turner, Ian D. McCarthy, Natalie Hold
Summary: Using onboard observers and fishers' ecological knowledge, the bycatch of fish and larger invertebrates in baited 'pot' fisheries for lobster and edible crab in the NE Atlantic was investigated. The study found that the bycatch varied seasonally and spatially, with a total of 30 fish species and 15 invertebrate species recorded. Two conservation of interest species were observed, along with low numbers of commercially important fish species.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jordyn Truax, Jennifer Vonk, Eness Meri, Sandra M. Troxell-Smith
Summary: Research on the welfare of elasmobranchs in human care is lacking. This study observed the behaviors of four ray species in the presence of aquarium visitors and found that rays spent more time on active behaviors when there were more visitors. However, further research is needed to determine the nature of this response.
Article
Oceanography
Caroline Bousquet, Marion Bouet, Michela Patrissi, Francois Cesari, Jean-Baptiste Lanfranchi, Sebastien Susini, Jean-Laurent Massey, Antoine Aiello, Jean-Michel Culioli, Michel Marengo, Pierre Lejeune, Jessica Dijoux, Coralie Duchaud, Marie-Catherine Santoni, Eric D. H. Durieux
Summary: Small-scale fishery plays a significant role in the Mediterranean fleet, but its evaluation is challenging due to the scattered fishing effort. This study focuses on analyzing the characteristics of small-scale fishery in Corsica, an area with low fishing pressure. The study identifies different fishing techniques, species composition, and factors affecting catch per unit effort. The findings provide valuable knowledge for managing artisanal fishing in the Mediterranean.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Julia Calderwood, C. Tara Marshall, Karl Haflinger, Joanna Alfaro-Shigueto, Jeffrey C. Mangel, David G. Reid
Summary: Avoiding unwanted catches and reducing discards is an important objective of fisheries management. Fishers can improve selectivity of their fishing operations through technical measures, gear modifications, and adjusting when and where to fish. Real-time information sharing within a fleet can help fishers avoid unwanted catches, but there is often reluctance to share catch information with others.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Matias Braccini, Mervi Kangas, Vanessa Jaiteh, Stephen Newman
Summary: There is a lack of reliable catch information for sharks and rays worldwide, with many populations considered Data Deficient. In Western Australia, shark and ray species face extinction threats and commercial catch statistics underestimate the actual extraction level. By reconstructing catch data, it was found that actual catches were 57% higher than officially reported, highlighting the impact of fishing on these species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thevarit Svarachorn, Andrew J. Temple, Per Berggren
Summary: This study provides the first independent catch assessment of marine megafauna in Thailand's small-scale fisheries. The estimated annual catches in Thai small-scale fisheries include 5.66 million rays, 457,864 sharks, 2,400 sea turtles, 790 small cetaceans, and 72 dugongs. Restrictions on gillnet fishing effort, specifically crab gillnets, are necessary to prevent the extinction of threatened megafauna species.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leire Lopetegui-Eguren, Jan Jaap Poos, Haritz Arrizabalaga, Gency L. Guirhem, Hilario Murua, Nerea Lezama-Ochoa, Shane P. Griffiths, Jon Ruiz Gondra, Philippe S. Sabarros, Jose Carlos Baez, Maria Jose Juan-Jorda
Summary: The oceanic whitetip shark, currently classified as Critically Endangered, is often incidentally caught by fisheries targeting other species. This study analyzed observer data from the western Indian Ocean to understand the factors influencing the capture of this species. Sea surface temperature and nitrate concentration were found to be the most important variables predicting the probability of capturing an oceanic whitetip shark. The study also identified higher capture probabilities in fish aggregating devices compared to free schools of tuna.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Fisheries
Maria Soto, Lourdes Fernandez-Peralta, Maria Grazia Pennino, Alexandros Kokkalis, Javier Rey, Francisca Salmeron, Maria Liebana, Beyah Meissa, Laurie Kell
Summary: Recently, various state-space implementations of surplus production models (SPMs) have been developed for data-limited stocks. These models often underestimate catches and fishing effort, and ignore discards, leading to biased estimates of stock status and reference points. This study conducts a sensitivity analysis to examine the effects of different under-reporting scenarios on model estimates for the black hake species in northwest Africa. The results indicate that under-reporting has a significant impact on the ratio of current fishing mortality to the fishing pressure that gives the maximum sustainable yield, and highlight the need for further research on the initial depletion level prior assumption.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elsa Cuende, Manu Sistiaga, Bent Herrmann, Luis Arregi
Summary: This study examines the size selectivity and catch patterns of different gear combinations in the Basque bottom trawl fishery. The results demonstrate the significant impact of design changes in square mesh panels and codends on the size selectivity and catch patterns of hake and blue whiting. The study suggests prioritizing research on codend size selectivity and the addition of selection devices once good selective properties are achieved.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Philip D. Doherty, Godefroy De Bruyne, Baudelaire Dissondet Moundzoho, Emmanuel Dilambaka, Gaston Ngassiki Okondza, Benoit C. Atsango, Appolinaire Ngouembe, Tite R. Akendze, Richard J. Parnell, Morgane Cournarie, Richard Malonga, Antoine Missamou, Brendan J. Godley, Kristian Metcalfe
Summary: The underreporting of global catch rates of sharks and rays in artisanal fisheries hinders the data collection on population status, making it difficult to develop effective management plans. This study conducted a systematic quantitative assessment in the Republic of the Congo and found a diverse range of species, with 81% considered at a high risk of extinction. Immature individuals dominated the landings, especially for conservation concern species. The presence of previously disappeared species suggests that Congolese waters could serve as a crucial sanctuary for these species, highlighting the need for increased protection.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Sarah B. M. Kraak
Summary: The European Union has implemented technical measures to address issues such as overquota catches and juvenile catches of commercial species. However, previous measures were deemed ineffective, and improvements were recommended including regionalization, bottom-up results-based management, and abandoning threshold percentages. Despite the introduction of new policies and regulations, some issues still persist, such as the lack of enforcement of the landing obligation and the limited adoption of innovative bottom-up practices. The industry plays a crucial role in initiating these changes, but new governance structures are needed.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Alfredo Garcia-de-Vinuesa, Francesc Maynou, Montserrat Demestre
Summary: The current EU fisheries policy encourages improving handling practices to increase discard survival. In the Mediterranean upper slope trawl fishery, a high percentage of discards, including Nephrops norvegicus juveniles, are returned to the sea. The survival probability of N. norvegicus discards is related to on-board vitality and varies seasonally, being particularly low in summer. Immersing N. norvegicus in cooled seawater on board during catch selection and discard time can improve discard survival rate.
Article
Fisheries
Kay Khine Soe, Siriporn Pradit, Zeehan Jaafar, Sukree Hajisamae
Summary: This study evaluates the impacts of mesh size of the net, fishing depth, and season on the catches of target, non-target, and discarded species for short mackerel gillnet fishery. The majority of the catches were non-target species, with the target species contributing a small percentage. Temporal and spatial variability were observed in the catches, with seasonal and depth-related effects. The mesh size of the gillnets also significantly affected the number, weight, and sizes of certain species.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Turhan Kebapcioglu
Summary: This study investigates discards in fishery, specifically focusing on elasmobranch discards in shrimp trammel net fishery off the southern coast of Turkey. It discovered 11 elasmobranch species, with 7 classified as threatened in the Mediterranean. Consistent and reliable data is essential for sustainable fisheries management and the protection of endangered species.
CAHIERS DE BIOLOGIE MARINE
(2021)