Sharks and
rays (elasmobranchs) are typically characterized by slow life history, and
several species are of conservation concern in the North Atlantic. Many stocks
are data-limited, with key gaps in understanding of basic life history
parameters as well as exploitation status. This is the case with almost all those
assessed by ICES Working Group on Elasmobranch Fishes (WGEF). Elasmobranchs are
important bycatch in many fisheries and have the potential to become ‘choke’
species if and when they are included in the CFP landing obligation in 2019.
Current gaps
in basic knowledge of sharks and rays make it difficult to fulfill ICES strategic
goals 1 and 3, concerning understanding and sustainable use of ecosystems. Key
issues for Goal 1 include life history, reproduction, aging and stock identity,
distribution, migrations, and habitat use. Achieving aspects of Goal 3 (for
example estimating or maximizing sustainable yields) is challenging, because
analytical assessments cannot be conducted for most elasmobranchs. A lack of
biological information can restrict the application of assessment methods (such
as length-based indicators, LBI) that require estimates of maturity and growth
parameters.
There is
increasing concern over the state of many elasmobranch species, including
ensuring that depleted stocks can recover whilst also that
commercially-exploited species are being harvested sustainably. Concerted
action is needed to improve management of those fisheries exploiting skates,
rays, and sharks, both in European waters and elsewhere.
Presentations
for this session are invited on the following issues:
- Developments in tools for studying biology/ecology and stock
structure: including tagging and telemetry, (genetic) stock
structure, distribution and habitat models, and stable isotope analysis
- Novel alliances between science, industry, policy and NGOs: including
collaborative work on vitality and post-release mortality of discards,
development of best practices to reduce capture mortality and initiatives
to develop programmes for collecting fishery-dependent data
- Emerging assessment methodologies: including use of life-history
information in developing MSY/proxy reference points, methodologies for
monitoring stock recovery and management decision tools, including spatial
approaches and Management Strategy Evaluations
Key players
from each of the stakeholder groups (e.g. managers, policy makers and
scientists) will be invited to present their views.
The session will
also feature a discussion section. Theme session results will be disseminated in
a peer-reviewed article on new tools and approaches for managing elasmobranch
fisheries.