Journal article
Connecting post-release mortality to the physiological stress response of large coastal sharks in a commercial longline fishery
PLoS ONE, Vol.16(9), Art. e0255673
2021
Abstract
Bycatch mortality is a major factor contributing to shark population declines. Post-release mortality (PRM) is particularly difficult to quantify, limiting the accuracy of stock assessments. We paired blood-stress physiology with animal-borne accelerometers to quantify PRM rates of sharks caught in a commercial bottom longline fishery. Blood was sampled from the same individuals that were tagged, providing direct correlation between stress physiology and animal fate for sandbar (Carcharhinus plumbeus, N = 130), blacktip (C. limbatus, N = 105), tiger (Galeocerdo cuvier, N = 52), spinner (C. brevipinna, N = 14), and bull sharks (C. leucas, N = 14). PRM rates ranged from 2% and 3% PRM in tiger and sandbar sharks to 42% and 71% PRM in blacktip and spinner sharks, respectively. Decision trees based on blood values predicted mortality with >67% accuracy in blacktip and spinner sharks, and >99% accuracy in sandbar sharks. Ninety percent of PRM occurred within 5 h after release and 59% within 2 h. Blood physiology indicated that PRM was primarily associated with acidosis and increases in plasma potassium levels. Total fishing mortality reached 62% for blacktip and 89% for spinner sharks, which may be under-estimates given that some soak times were shortened to focus on PRM. Our findings suggest that no-take regulations may be beneficial for sandbar, tiger, and bull sharks, but less effective for more susceptible species such as blacktip and spinner sharks.
Details
- Title
- Connecting post-release mortality to the physiological stress response of large coastal sharks in a commercial longline fishery
- Authors/Creators
- N.M. Whitney (Author/Creator) - New England AquariumK.O. Lear (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityJ.J. Morris (Author/Creator) - Mote Marine LaboratoryR.E. Hueter (Author/Creator) - Mote Marine LaboratoryJ.K. Carlson (Author/Creator) - National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationH.M. Marshall (Author/Creator) - Mote Marine Laboratory
- Publication Details
- PLoS ONE, Vol.16(9), Art. e0255673
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Identifiers
- 991005541381707891
- Copyright
- © 2021 Whitney et al.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; Harry Butler Institute
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.2 Marine Biology
- 3.2.92 Fisheries Ecology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Fisheries
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science