Bycatch survival of shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fishery.

ABSTRACT: Severe population declines of shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the Atlantic Ocean have led to the implementation of conservation measures, notably fishing retention bans and live-release regulations, aimed at substantially reducing fishing mortality to allow stock recovery. While retention bans can eliminate harvest mortality, their effectiveness can be reduced if survival of sharks encountered as bycatch and not retained is low. We quantified at-vessel survival (AVS) and post-release survival (PRS) and estimated overall bycatch survival probability of mako sharks for the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fishery. Based on fisheries observer records (n = 7821) between 2000-2020, we found AVS varied regionally from 0.77 (95% CI: 0.74-0.80) in the northmost observation region to 0.65

SUBMITTER: Schultz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12404435 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature