Attitudes and perceptions influence recreational angler support for shark conservation and fisheries sustainability

Despite the perilous status of many shark populations, rallying support for their conservation has been challenging, due in part to both long held negative perceptions and desire for shark fisheries. Recreational anglers are often advocates of conservation and can act as valuable partners with resource managers in developing fisheries management and conservation strategies. However, understanding their attitudes and perceptions, particularly towards resource status and management, is essential to developing successful management strategies and predicting outcomes. As a case study for assessing the complex challenges of sustainable shark fisheries, Florida recreational anglers were surveyed to understand how attitudes and perceptions influenced their willingness to donate for shark 1) conservation and protection or 2) fisheries sustainability. Overall, recreational angler willingness to donate was 25.5%, but attitudes and perceptions helped explain dramatic divides. For instance, willingness to donate was only 6% among the subset of anglers that perceived a growing large coastal shark population as a threat to recreational fishing opportunities. Highest support for shark conservation was shown by anglers who value seeing sharks in the wild (41.4%), and even more so among individuals who occasionally target sharks while fishing recreationally (65.8%). Pervasive among anglers unwilling to donate was a perception that shark populations were increasing, and thus not in need of further protection. These findings illustrate attitudes and perceptions that challenge shark conservation and fisheries management, as well as the critical importance of engaging anglers when developing strategies that rely on the recreational angling community for support.     

Molecular research on the systematically challenging smoothhound shark genus Mustelus: a synthesis of the past 30 years

The species-rich genus Mustelus (smoothhounds) of the shark family Triakidae is one of the most bio-economically important groups of elasmobranchs in the world’s oceans. Despite the commercial value of Mustelus, the systematics of the group remains largely unresolved and there is no global review or synthesis of knowledge about the conservation status and conservation genetics of smoothhounds across all oceanic regions. Here, we analysed published studies as well as grey literature to gain insight into the biogeographic, ecological and behavioural factors that shape genetic diversity in smoothhounds, and we identify critical knowledge gaps. From a series of molecular phylogenetic studies it can be inferred that the genus Mustelus is paraphyletic and that the aplacental species evolved secondarily from the placental species of the genus. The increasing availability of genetic data aids in disentangling systematic issues, such that more meaningful morphological characters can be chosen for use in practical field-identification keys for co-occurring smoothhounds. An integrative taxonomic approach to the genus Mustelus may offer the best chance of recording and protecting the biodiversity of these sharks. Furthermore, it is evident that different smoothhound species exhibit unique gene-flow patterns, suggesting varying rates within species and hence that species-level conservation approaches would be most appropriate. Molecular studies have advanced our understanding of smoothhound biology (including reproductive traits), ecology and evolution. While many knowledge gaps remain, a crucial lesson from this review is that, when doing assessments on a molecular level, it is important to place genetic results in a broader context, by assimilating biological and ecological data, if definitive conclusions are to be drawn.     

Keeping the lead: How to strengthen shark conservation and management policies in Canada

Internationally, shark conservation is now being recognized as a major environmental challenge, but management efforts to halt the overexploitation of sharks have lagged behind. This review examines the state of knowledge for shark species in Canadian waters and analyzes the role of existing management and legislation in ensuring shark conservation. Despite Canada's early leadership, the present management framework reveals major shortcomings with regard to legal protection, bycatch and finning regulations. These problems are not unique to Canada but illustrate broader issues pertaining to the global management of endangered fish species. To strengthen the conservation and management of sharks, this paper recommends a set of key policies and management priorities, which exemplify proper precautionary management of endangered shark species in Canada and could serve as a blueprint for improving conservation efforts internationally. A structured approach for grading progress in shark conservation efforts against best practices is also presented and could be used as a goalpost elsewhere.     

东海近岸带鱼(Trichiurus japonicus)线粒体控制区序列的群体遗传变异研究

带鱼(Trichiurusjaponicus)是广泛分布于东亚大陆架海域的暖温性近底层经济鱼类,也是东海区最重要的海洋渔业捕捞对象。然而,目前的研究报道对东海近岸带鱼群体遗传变异特性认识不足,不利于其种群的遗传资源保护和管理。本研究利用线粒体控制区序列对东海近岸带鱼6个群体191个个体的遗传多样性、遗传分化和历史动态进行分析。在577 bp长的控制区序列中共检测到70个多态位点,定义了121个单倍型。群体总的单倍型多样性较高(0.9911),但总的核苷酸多样性较低(0.0092),群体间遗传多样性水平差异较小。单倍型遗传学关系、Fst值和分子方差分析结果均表明群体间的遗传分化不显著,存在广泛的基因交流。历史动态分析结果表明东海近岸带鱼群体在更新世中晚期可能经历了瓶颈效应和随后的群体快速扩张,这是导致群体遗传多样性较低的主要原因。带鱼较强的扩散能力、洄游行为、海洋环流以及近期的群体扩张可能是造成东海近岸带鱼缺乏显著的系统地理种群结构的原因。研究结果提示,在线粒体DNA水平上,东海近岸带鱼群体是一个随机交配的种群,在遗传资源管理上可作为一个单元进行管理。     

White shark and other chondrichthyan interactions with the beach-seine (treknet) fishery in False Bay,South Africa

Public perception has been that an apparent increase in the nearshore occurrence of white sharks Carcharodon carcharias in False Bay, on the south coast of South Africa, can at least be partly attributed to beach-seine (treknet) operations attracting sharks into this coastal area. To assess the merit of these concerns, all available beach-seine catch-and-effort data from the False Bay fishery over a 32-year period were analysed. A total of 27 cartilaginous species from 15 families was recorded in around 11 400 hauls from 1974 to 2006. Most (98%) of these comprised small benthic invertebrate feeders such as smooth houndshark Mustelus mustelus and lesser guitarfish Rhinobatos annulatus. Large sharks such as C. carcharias and ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus were rare, occurring in <0.2% of hauls. The only medium to large sharks that occurred frequently (15% of hauls) in any appreciable numbers (0.3 per haul) were bronze whalers Carcharhinus brachyurus. The relatively high numbers of C. brachyurus compared with C. carcharias, their overlapping size distributions and the difficulty of identifying sharks from a distance, suggests that many of the sharks observed following beach-seine nets are the bronze whalers. Overall, the frequency of occurrence of C. carcharias in the nets is much lower than would be predicted from the high number of observations in the nearshore region. Furthermore, beach-seine fishing rights in False Bay have been reduced from around 170 in the 1970s to five at present. There has been no corresponding decrease in shark incidents. On the contrary, shark incidents have increased from two in the 1970s to six during the period 2000–2005. Overall, there appears to be no strong link between beach-seine activity and human incidents with white sharks in False Bay.     

Socio-economic aspects of the tiger shark diving industry within the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area,South Africa

Understanding socio-economic aspects of the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier diving industry, including information on participant expectations, experiences and expenditure, is necessary for the effective management of the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area on the east coast of South Africa. Between January and December 2007, a total of 2 133 tiger shark dives was conducted by 1 065 divers (95% CI = 946-1 198). Data were collected by means of the administration of a semi-structured survey questionnaire to 197 (18.6%) dive participants. Respondents indicated that the direct value of tiger shark diving to the Aliwal Shoal region was R12 405 274 (95% CI = R10 777 324-14 228 541). A total of 1 000 Monte Carlo simulations was used to estimate confidence intervals. On a ranking from one (poor) to five (excellent), the average participant response to overall quality of dive and standard of dive operator was 4.6 and 4.7 respectively. The majority of divers (98.0%) observed a tiger shark, at an average of four per dive. Although tiger sharks approached to an average distance of 1.6 m from divers, the majority (95.9%) felt safe and enjoyed the experience. The majority of interviewees (88.5%) supported the use of chumming for a closer ‘tiger shark experience’.     

Growth of spotted ragged-tooth sharks Carcharias taurus (Rafinesque) in captivity

Eight spotted ragged-tooth sharks Carcharias taurus (95–248,4 cm total length TL), ranging in known age from 0 to 16,6 years, were used to investigate the growth of the species in captivity. Total length was measured by a standard technique in some cases and estimated from photographs in others. The accuracy of the photographic technique was evaluated and found adequate for captive growth studies in sharks. Parameters of various growth models were estimated by non-linear regression and the special Von Bertalanffy growth model provided the best fit to the age-length data of the combined sexes. The parameters of the special Von Bertalanffy model are L _∞ = 249,8 cm TL, K = 0,233·year^?1, t ₀ = ?2,238 years. Longevity of captive C. taurus is greater than 16,6 years.     

Composition of elasmobranch landings in Bahrain

The first detailed elasmobranch fisheries data for the Kingdom of Bahrain are presented, based on surveys of fish markets in April 2012. At least 25 species were recorded, including undescribed taxa. The milk shark Rhizoprionodon acutus was the most frequently recorded species; together with the Arabian smoothhound Mustelus mosis and banded eagle ray Aetomylaeus nichofii, these species comprised 53% of individual abundance. Sharks were almost entirely small individuals <1 m total length (TL). Males of small shark species were largely mature, whereas nearly all individuals of larger sharks were immature. For several elasmobranch species, landings were significantly biased towards males, which were largely mature. The species assemblage showed some notable differences in composition to that of adjacent Qatar, sampled at the same time of year, highlighting the importance of local data collection.     

Concordance of microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers in detecting genetic population structure in the boring giant clam Tridacna crocea across the Indo‐Malay Archipelago

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a single, usually non‐recombining locus, and often uniparentally inherited. Therefore, its ability to reveal recent gene flow among populations is usually questioned. In this study, the genetic population structure of 16 populations of Tridacna crocea (n = 366) from the Indo‐Malay Archipelago (IMA) was examined with 10 microsatellite markers and compared to previous studies using mtDNA, in order to test if the revealed population structure was congruent between the two marker systems. The results showed that the genetic population structure revealed by the two marker systems was mostly congruent, with a high correlation between cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and microsatellites. The studied populations could be divided by both marker systems as follows: (i) Eastern Indian Ocean, (ii) Central IMA, and (iii) Western Pacific. Populations in the Central IMA showed high gene flow. However, populations in the Java Sea (Karimunjava, Pulau Seribu) were grouped into a separate cluster by mtDNA analysis, while this grouping was not detected by microsatellites. It was also noteworthy that there is obvious heterozygosity deficiency in most of the populations, which may be caused by null alleles, inbreeding or population expansion. Overall, these results indicate that the mitochondrial COI gene is applicable for population genetic analysis and precise recovery of connectivity patterns of giant clams. Therefore, the combination of mtDNA and nuclear DNA markers can lead to a more complete understanding of population genetics. Moreover, this study is expected to facilitate fully displaying the population genetic structure of giant clams combining with other researchers' results.     

Characterizing and predicting essential habitat features for juvenile coastal sharks

The successful management of shark populations requires juvenile recruitment success. Thus, conservation initiatives now strive to include the protection of areas used by pre‐adult sharks in order to promote juvenile survivorship. Many shark species use inshore areas for early life stages; however, species often segregate within sites to reduce competition. Using a fisheries‐independent gillnet survey from the Northern Gulf of Mexico (2000–2010) we describe distribution patterns and preferred habitat features of the juveniles of six shark species. Our results suggest that multiple shark species concurrently use the area for early life stages and although they overlap, they exhibit distinct habitat preferences characterized by physical variables. Habitat suitability models suggest that temperature, depth, and salinity are the important factors driving juvenile shark occurrence. Within each site, across the sampled range of physical characteristics, blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) preferred higher temperature (>30 °C) and mid‐depth (~5.5 m); bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) preferred higher temperature (>30 °C) and mid‐salinity (30–35 PSU), finetooth shark (Carcharhinus isodon) preferred low salinity (<20 PSU) with mid‐depth (~4 m), scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) preferred high temperature (>30 °C) and salinity (>35 PSU), Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) preferred high temperature (>30 °C) and deep water (>6 m), and spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) preferred deep water (>8 m) and high temperature (>30 °C). The other investigated factors, including year, month, latitude, longitude, bottom type, inlet distance, coastline and human coast were not influential for any species. Combining habitat preferences with the sampled environmental characteristics, we predicted habitat suitability throughout the four sites for which physical characteristics were sampled. Habitat suitability surfaces highlight the differences in habitat use between and within sites. This work provides important insight into the habitat ecology of juvenile shark populations, which can be used to better manage these species and protect critical habitat.     

The elasmobranch fisheries of the Azores

In the Northeast Atlantic, elasmobranchs are a common bycatch in many fisheries, including demersal trawls, longlines, or gillnets and many countries do not have regulations or any control over the amount taken. In the Mid Atlantic, the Azores EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), small-scale fishing operations, artisanal and hook-and-line fishing methods are responsible for part of local total landed elasmobranch biomass, although some species are specifically focused and severely harvested by international large-scale fleets. This work provides a review and analysis of the commercial elasmobranch fisheries in the Azores EEZ, and its evolution over the last two decades, highlighting management priorities, taking into account the Northeast Atlantic elasmobranch fisheries status. In the Mid-Atlantic, elasmobranch fisheries mainly target 4 species, that are usually landed as bycatch: the tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) and the thornback ray (Raja clavata), captured mainly by local demersal artisanal fisheries, the blue shark (Prionace glauca) and the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) captured by a more industrialised fleet, including those from foreign nations. Considering elasmobranchs life history traits and fishery history, caution is advised in the development of a management strategy focusing on these species, considering the Northeast Atlantic context and regional, local and national interests.     

基于线粒体控制区的中国东南沿海黄鳍棘鲷群体遗传多样性和遗传分化

本研究通过对线粒体控制区序列进行分析的技术手段,对中国宁德（ND）、厦门（XM）、漳浦（ZP）、南澳岛（NAD）、湛江（ZJ）、海口（HK）与北海（BH）的7个野生黄鳍棘鲷（Acanthopagrus latus）群体的遗传多样性和遗传分化进行比较分析。结果表明：中国东南沿海的野生黄鳍棘鲷群体呈现出中等以上的遗传多样性特征,48个黄鳍棘鲷样品的控制区序列长度为580 bp,单倍型数目为44个,总体的单倍型多样性指数（Hd）和核苷酸多样性指数（Pi）分别为0.996和0.017 30。7个野生黄鳍棘鲷群体间的遗传分化程度较低,各群体间的遗传距离为0.010 28~0.029 87。群体间的遗传分化系数（FST）为-0.068 41~0.545 86,北海群体和其他群体间存在一定程度的遗传分化。AMOVA分析显示群体内的遗传变异占比为83.34%,大部分遗传变异发生在组群内;但北海群体与其他6个群体分为两个组群后,组群间的遗传变异占比为42.66%,两个组群间存在较大程度的遗传变异。基于Kimrua距离法构建的系统进化树中显示北海群体聚为一个分支,另外6个群体聚为一支。基于TCS network构建的单倍型网络图中44个单倍型混杂在一起,未按照水系格局和地理距离进行分布,表明黄鳍棘鲷群体间未形成多个单系群。本研究可为中国东南沿海野生黄鳍棘鲷群体的种质资源利用和保护提供科学依据。     

Shark fishing effort and catch of the ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus in the South African competitive shore-angling fishery

An integrated telephone and on-site questionnaire survey was used to estimate total shark fishing effort and specific catch of the ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus by coastal club-affiliated shore-anglers, primarily along the east coast of South Africa. Mean total shark fishing effort was estimated to be 37 820 fisher-days year^?1 (95% CI = 28 281–47 359 fisher-days year^?1) with a mean cpue of 0.073 C. taurus fisher^?1 day^?1 (95% CI = 0.068–0.078 fisher^?1 day^?1). Cpue for C. taurus varied significantly along the coast and ranged from a high of 0.260 fisher^?1 day^?1 in the Eastern Cape to zero fisher^?1 day^?1 on the West Coast. The total number of C. taurus caught annually by coastal club anglers was estimated at 1 764 fish year^?1 (95% CI = 321–3 207 fish year^?1). The majority (92.1%) of young-of-the-year sharks (<1.2m total length, TL) were recorded between East London and Jeffreys Bay, suggesting that this may be the primary nursery area for C. taurus. Post-release mortality ranged from 3.8% for young-of-the-year sharks to 18.5% for adult sharks (>2.4m TL). The majority (76.2%) of anglers interviewed stated that they now fished less for sharks since the banning of vehicles on beaches in December 2001. As a result of this ban, almost half (49.2%) of interviewed anglers stated that they now fished more for non-cartilaginous species.     

Increased knowledge about sharks increases public concern about their conservation

Gaining support for shark conservation has been extremely difficult due to the negative preconceived notions the general public holds toward sharks. In order to achieve public support for conservation initiatives the factors that will change an individual’s attitude and behavior toward sharks must first be determined. Using structured questionnaire interviews (n=186), indices were created that rated an individual’s knowledge, attitude, and potential behavior toward sharks and shark conservation. Generally public knowledge levels about sharks were low. However, people with more knowledge pertaining specifically about sharks had potential behaviors more supportive of their conservation. Therefore, it would seem that increases in public knowledge on sharks would help gain support for shark conservation. Males, members of environmental groups, and viewers of shark documentaries and “Shark Week” all showed significantly higher levels of knowledge about sharks. The media (such as “Shark Week” ) can play a significant role in promoting conservation, but unfortunately media coverage of sharks has been controversial recently with the airing of several non-factual, fake documentaries. To promote shark conservation the media’s message has to be unbiased, non-sensationalized, and accurate to ensure people are receiving the information necessary to build strong pro-shark conservation behaviors.     

中国鲎基因组微卫星富集文库的构建及分析

本研究旨在从DNA分子水平上研究中国鲎(Tachypleus tridentatus)种群遗传多样性及种群结构等相关信息,以期为保护其野生群体种质资源提供科学依据。本研究通过生物素—磁珠富集法筛选微卫星标记,构建中国鲎基因组微卫星文库。基因组DNA经Fast Digest Tru1I酶切后,选取400 bp~1000 bp片段,用生物素标记的(GT)15、(CT)15混合探针与其杂交,杂交复合物与链霉亲和素磁珠结合,捕获含有重复序列的微卫星片段,纯化后连接PMD19-T载体克隆,构建基因组微卫星文库。从334个阳性克隆中随机选取196个片段大于400 bp的阳性克隆进行测序,共获得127个微卫星序列,其中完美型占69.3%、非完美型占11.0%、复合型占19.7%。除探针使用的GT和CT的重复序列外,还筛选到多碱基GCT、TGG、AAAC、ACAA、GATTT、TTTTA的重复序列。根据微卫星序列设计选择合成40对引物,结果显示其中3对具有较高多态性,可作为进一步评价中国鲎野生种质资源等遗传信息的有效遗传标记。     

The frequency and effect of shark-inflicted bite injuries to the reef manta ray Manta alfredi

Shark bite injuries on reef manta rays Manta alfredi off the coast of Inhambane, Mozambique, were examined over a three-year period (2003–2006). The frequency and seasonality of attacks, the rate of wound healing, and the possible identities of attackers were explored. This study presents the first examination of bite wounds on manta rays in the wild and the role sharks may play in the natural mortality of this species. The reported incidence of shark-inflicted injuries is high with over three-quarters of the sampled population affected. In total, 571 bite injuries were observed on 283 identified individuals. The number of bite injuries varied from one to seven, with a mean of 1.54 bite wounds. There was no significant difference in the frequency of bite injuries in male and female rays. The majority (96%) of the observed bite wounds were healed. Fresh wounds occurred throughout the year, with no obvious seasonality. The bull shark Carcharhinus leucas and tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier are suggested as the primary mediators of attacks, although up to 11 other shark species are listed as potential attackers. The majority of the bite marks (96%) occurred to the most posterior region of the body, specifically the posterior edges of the pectoral and pelvic fins, with many injuries likely having a negative impact on the reproductive abilities and fitness of the rays.     

Impact of protective shark nets on sea turtles in KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa, 1981–2008

Shark nets were established along the KwaZulu-Natal coast in 1952 to protect bathers against shark encounters. Sea turtle bycatch data for the period 1981–2008 in these shark nets indicated that loggerheads Caretta caretta were caught most frequently at 40.9 y^–1 or 1.11 km-net^–1 y^–1, followed by green turtles Chelonia mydas at 0.32 km-net^–1 y^–1 and leatherbacks Dermochelys coriacea at 0.14 km-net^–1 y^–1. Catch rate of loggerheads increased throughout the study period, and was positively correlated with the increase in the number of nesting females from the recovering population in Maputaland, South Africa (r = 0.52, p < 0.05, n = 28). This increase is ascribed to successful nest conservation. Leatherback bycatch remained stable, following their nesting trends, although they receive similar conservation efforts on nesting beaches as loggerheads. Bycatch of green turtles, although not a nesting species in South Africa, was stable over time. Mortality varied between species (from 53.2% to 70.6%) with loggerheads being the most hardy, followed by leatherbacks and green turtles. Few hawksbills Eretmochelys imbricata and olive ridleys Lepidochelys olivacea were caught in the shark nets. Fewer sea turtles are caught by shark nets than by longlines and because the nesting populations of loggerheads, green turtles and leatherbacks are either stable or increasing in the South-West Indian Ocean, shark net bycatch was considered negligible and sustainable.     

Genetic and meristic variation in black and smooth oreos in the New Zealand exclusive economic zone

Meristic and genetic methods were used to determine the stock relationships of black Allocytus niger (James, Inada & Nakamura, 1988) and smooth oreo Pseudocyttus maculatus (Gilchrist, 1906) in the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Samples were collected from four management areas—OEO 1 (south‐west), OEO 3A (Chatham Rise west), OEO 4 (Chatham Rise east), and OEO 6 (subantarctic) during the 1998 October‐December spawning period. Lateral line scale counts and pyloric caeca counts revealed differences between black oreo samples from OEO 6 and the other three OEO management areas. Lateral line scale counts in smooth oreo showed no significant differences between areas. Genetic analyses of four non‐coding regions of nuclear DNA and mitochondrial (mt) DNA haplotypes in black oreo showed no significant differentiation among the four management areas. Likewise for smooth oreo, genetic analyses of five non‐coding regions of nuclear DNA and mtDNA haplotypes showed no overall regional differentiation, although there was weak evidence at one locus for a difference between OEO 3A and OEO 6. The data do not reject the null hypothesis of a single genetic stock in New Zealand waters, and are typical of marine species with long pelagic juvenile stages.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of the golden cuttlefish,Sepia esculenta (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) indicated by microsatellite DNA variations

The golden cuttlefish, Sepia esculenta Hoyle, 1885 (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) is a valuable and important fishery resource for China, Japan and Korea. This fishery has experienced severe population decline largely due to overexploitation in past decades. To provide guidelines for fisheries management, we estimated genetic diversity and population structure across four locations along the coast of Japan and one location in China (a total 281 individuals) using nine microsatellite DNA loci. Sepia esculenta showed high genetic variability with mean allele richness ranging from 15.8 to 21.4, and mean heterozygosity from 0.80 to 0.90. Weak but significant genetic differentiation was present and the F_ST value was 0.020 across all five populations. The useful information obtained in this study will offer insights into how to fine‐tune conservation and fishery management measures for this species and resource in the future.