The Spatial Distribution Dynamics of Shark Bycatch by the Longline Fishery in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean

Authors
Xia, S., Wang, J., Gao, X., Yang, Y. and Huang, H.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Volume (Issue #)
13(2)
Page #s
17
Contact information
Jiaqi Wang, Shanghai Ocean University, China- jq-wang@shou.edu.cn
Xiaodi Gao, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China- gaoxiaodi@ecsf.ac.cn
Summary

 

The authors analyzed data regarding shark bycatch in western & central Pacific longline fisheries from 2013-2021, and the influence of environmental and spatial factors. Results suggest that several environmental factors- including oxygen concentration, sea surface temperature, and chlorophyll-a concentration- impact shark bycatch per unit effort (BPUE) for multiple shark species. Hotstops of bycatch were identified for bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus), longfin mako (Isurus paucus), silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus), blue shark (Prionace glauca) and shortfin mako (sIsurus oxyrinchus). All species exhibited annual variations in BPUE, and bycatch risk trended eastward toward equatorial waters, likely due to a higher concentration of fishing effort in those areas.