High bycatch rates of manta and devil rays in the "small-scale" artisanal fisheries of Sri Lanka.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Expanding fisheries in developing nations like Sri Lanka have a significant impact on threatened marine species such as elasmobranchs. Manta and devil (mobulid) rays have some of the most conservative life history strategies of any elasmobranch, and even low to moderate levels of bycatch from gillnet fisheries may lead to significant population declines. A lack of information on life history, demographics, population trends, and fisheries impacts hinders effective management measures for these species.

Method

We report on mobulid fishery landings over nine years between 2011 and 2020 across 38 landing sites in Sri Lanka. We collected data on catch numbers, body sizes, sex, and maturity status for five mobulid species. We used a Bayesian state-space model to estima

SUBMITTER: Fernando D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8434810 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature