Artisanal fisheries catch highlights hotspot for threatened sharks and rays in the Republic of the Congo
Abstract Global catch rates of sharks and rays from artisanal fisheries are underreported, leading to a lack of data on population status. This forms a major barrier to developing effective management plans, such is the case in Central and West Africa. Over 3 years, we undertook the first systematic...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Conservation Science and Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13017 |
| _version_ | 1797633962579853312 |
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| author | 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 |
| author_facet | 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 |
| author_sort | Philip D. Doherty |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Global catch rates of sharks and rays from artisanal fisheries are underreported, leading to a lack of data on population status. This forms a major barrier to developing effective management plans, such is the case in Central and West Africa. Over 3 years, we undertook the first systematic quantitative assessment of sharks and rays landed by an artisanal fishery in the Republic of the Congo. During 507 sampling days (mean 14 surveys per month), we recorded 73,268 individuals. These comprised 42 species, of which 81% are considered at an elevated risk of extinction. Landings were dominated by immature individuals, especially for species of conservation concern. Presence of species thought to have largely disappeared from the region such as the African wedgefish (Rhynchobatus luebberti) and smoothback angelshark (Squatina oculata) suggest Congolese waters are a potential stronghold for these species—warranting increased protection. We identified seasonality of catch within years, but not across years. Both inter‐ and intra‐annual trends varied by species, signifying annual fluctuations in catch of each species but consistent catch of all species year‐on‐year. Analysis showed increased catch between the short‐wet and the long‐wet, and the long‐dry seasons (January–February and August–September). Lowest catch was shown to occur during the short‐wet and the short‐dry seasons (October–December), which may provide an opportunity for seasonal closures or gear restrictions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T12:01:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c225863b66974c77b1e4b554671a2f2f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2578-4854 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T12:01:04Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conservation Science and Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-c225863b66974c77b1e4b554671a2f2f2023-11-08T06:13:27ZengWileyConservation Science and Practice2578-48542023-11-01511n/an/a10.1111/csp2.13017Artisanal fisheries catch highlights hotspot for threatened sharks and rays in the Republic of the CongoPhilip D. Doherty0Godefroy De Bruyne1Baudelaire Dissondet Moundzoho2Emmanuel Dilambaka3Gaston Ngassiki Okondza4Benoit C. Atsango5Appolinaire Ngouembe6Tite R. Akendze7Richard J. Parnell8Morgane Cournarie9Richard Malonga10Antoine Missamou11Brendan J. Godley12Kristian Metcalfe13Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, Centre for Ecology and Conservation University of Exeter Cornwall UKWildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Gabon Program Libreville GabonWildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program Brazzaville Republic of the CongoWildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program Brazzaville Republic of the CongoDirection Generale des Peches et de l'Aquaculture, Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Elevage et de la Pêche Brazzaville Republic of the CongoDirection Generale des Peches et de l'Aquaculture, Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Elevage et de la Pêche Brazzaville Republic of the CongoDirection Generale des Peches et de l'Aquaculture, Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Elevage et de la Pêche Brazzaville Republic of the CongoDirection Generale des Peches et de l'Aquaculture, Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Elevage et de la Pêche Brazzaville Republic of the CongoWildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Gabon Program Libreville GabonWildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program Brazzaville Republic of the CongoWildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program Brazzaville Republic of the CongoDirecteur Technique du Direction Départemental de la Pêche et de L'Aquaculture de Pointe‐Noire Pointe‐Noire Republic of the CongoFaculty of Environment, Science and Economy, Centre for Ecology and Conservation University of Exeter Cornwall UKFaculty of Environment, Science and Economy, Centre for Ecology and Conservation University of Exeter Cornwall UKAbstract Global catch rates of sharks and rays from artisanal fisheries are underreported, leading to a lack of data on population status. This forms a major barrier to developing effective management plans, such is the case in Central and West Africa. Over 3 years, we undertook the first systematic quantitative assessment of sharks and rays landed by an artisanal fishery in the Republic of the Congo. During 507 sampling days (mean 14 surveys per month), we recorded 73,268 individuals. These comprised 42 species, of which 81% are considered at an elevated risk of extinction. Landings were dominated by immature individuals, especially for species of conservation concern. Presence of species thought to have largely disappeared from the region such as the African wedgefish (Rhynchobatus luebberti) and smoothback angelshark (Squatina oculata) suggest Congolese waters are a potential stronghold for these species—warranting increased protection. We identified seasonality of catch within years, but not across years. Both inter‐ and intra‐annual trends varied by species, signifying annual fluctuations in catch of each species but consistent catch of all species year‐on‐year. Analysis showed increased catch between the short‐wet and the long‐wet, and the long‐dry seasons (January–February and August–September). Lowest catch was shown to occur during the short‐wet and the short‐dry seasons (October–December), which may provide an opportunity for seasonal closures or gear restrictions.https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13017AfricaAtlantic Oceanbycatchconservationelasmobranchmanagement |
| spellingShingle | 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 Artisanal fisheries catch highlights hotspot for threatened sharks and rays in the Republic of the Congo Conservation Science and Practice Africa Atlantic Ocean bycatch conservation elasmobranch management |
| title | Artisanal fisheries catch highlights hotspot for threatened sharks and rays in the Republic of the Congo |
| title_full | Artisanal fisheries catch highlights hotspot for threatened sharks and rays in the Republic of the Congo |
| title_fullStr | Artisanal fisheries catch highlights hotspot for threatened sharks and rays in the Republic of the Congo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Artisanal fisheries catch highlights hotspot for threatened sharks and rays in the Republic of the Congo |
| title_short | Artisanal fisheries catch highlights hotspot for threatened sharks and rays in the Republic of the Congo |
| title_sort | artisanal fisheries catch highlights hotspot for threatened sharks and rays in the republic of the congo |
| topic | Africa Atlantic Ocean bycatch conservation elasmobranch management |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13017 |
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