Ecological risk assessment of elasmobranchs caught in the Gulf of Papua prawn fishery. Issue 11 (17th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baje, Leontine; Chin, Andrew; White, William T.; Simpfendorfer, Colin A.
• Is Part Of: Aquatic conservation. Volume 31:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: 3100
• Page End: 3110
• Publication Date: 2021-09-17
• Subjects: bycatch -- ecological risk assessment -- elasmobranch -- fisheries -- Papua New Guinea -- trawling; Aquatic ecology -- Periodicals; Conservation of natural resources -- Periodicals; Aquatic resources -- Periodicals; 333.95216
• DOI: 10.1002/aqc.3692
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1052-7613

Abstract

Abstract: One‐third of all elasmobranch species currently known to occur in Papua New Guinea are taken as bycatch in the Gulf of Papua trawl fishery. An ecological risk assessment was conducted on the 16 species of sharks and 23 species of rays caught by the fishery. Eight species were classified to be at low risk, 28 species were at medium risk while three species – Rhynchobatus palpebratus (eyebrow wedgefish), Carcharhinus coatesi (Australian blackspot shark) and Maculabatis astra (blackspotted whipray), all endemic to New Guinea and northern Australia – faced the highest level of risk from the fishery at current fishing levels. There is potential for more vessels to enter the fishery in future, which is likely to elevate the risk for a greater proportion of elasmobranch species. Ongoing monitoring of bycatch levels, supported by biological and ecological studies on frequently caught species, is required to assess and manage risk in the future. The development and use of trawl excluder devices or bycatch reduction devices in this fishery have the potential to reduce bycatch levels and reduce risk levels.