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Recreational Harvest of Sharks and Rays in Western Australia Is Only a Minor Component of the Total Harvest

Author

Listed:
  • Matias Braccini

    (Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development of Western Australia, P.O. Box 20, North Beach, WA 6920, Australia)

  • Eva Lai

    (Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development of Western Australia, P.O. Box 20, North Beach, WA 6920, Australia)

  • Karina Ryan

    (Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development of Western Australia, P.O. Box 20, North Beach, WA 6920, Australia)

  • Stephen Taylor

    (Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development of Western Australia, P.O. Box 20, North Beach, WA 6920, Australia)

Abstract

Sharks and rays are a global conservation concern with an increasing number of species considered at risk of extinction, mostly due to overfishing. Although the recreational harvest of sharks and rays is poorly documented and generally minimal, it can be comparable to the commercial harvest. In this study, we quantified the recreational harvest of sharks and rays in Western Australia, a region with a marine coastline greater than 20,000 km. A total of 33 species/taxonomic groups were identified, with the harvest dominated by dusky and bronze whalers, blacktip reef sharks, gummy sharks, Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs, and rays and skates. Eighty-five percent of individuals were released with an unknown status (alive or dead). We found a latitudinal gradient of species composition, with tropical and subtropical species of the genus Carcharhinus dominating in the north and temperate species from a range of families dominating in the south. Overall, our findings showed that the recreational harvest was negligible when compared with commercial landings.

Suggested Citation

  • Matias Braccini & Eva Lai & Karina Ryan & Stephen Taylor, 2021. "Recreational Harvest of Sharks and Rays in Western Australia Is Only a Minor Component of the Total Harvest," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6215-:d:566633
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daryl P. McPhee, 2017. "Urban Recreational Fisheries in the Australian Coastal Zone: The Sustainability Challenge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-12, March.
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