Biology subjects

Simpfendorfer, C. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Simpfendorfer, C. A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2019

Untangling the Indonesian tangle net fishery: describing a data-poor fishery targeting large threatened rays (Order Batoidea)

O_LIShark-like rays (Order Rhinopristiformes) are among the most threatened families of marine fish. Yet little is known about their populations, as these rays are normally taken as opportunistic catch in fisheries targeting other species and are thus poorly reported. One exception is the Indonesian tangle net fishery, which targets shark-like rays. C_LIO_LIMarket surveys of Muara Angke landing site in Jakarta, north-western Java (including one frozen shipment from Benoa Harbour, Bali), were conducted between 2001 and 2005, and recorded landed catch for this fishery. Recent catch data from Indonesian Capture Fisheries (2017 - 2018) were also examined to provide contemporary information about landed catch. C_LIO_LI1,559 elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) were recorded, comprised of 24 species of rays and nine species of sharks. The most abundant species landed were the pink whipray Pateobatis fai and the bottlenose wedgefish Rhynchobatus australiae, the latter being the main target species. C_LIO_LICatch composition varied based on differences in species catchability and may also be indicative of localized declines. The fishery was highly selective for larger sized individuals, however smaller size classes of target species were also caught in other Indonesian fisheries resulting in fishing pressure across all age classes. C_LIO_LIEvidence of substantial declines in global landings of wedgefish species, and the observed shift in catch composition in the Indonesian tangle net fishery, increases concerns about the status of shark-like rays and stingrays in Indonesia. C_LI

zoology↗

bioRxiv2019

The thin edge of the wedge: extremely high extinction risk in wedgefishes and giant guitarfishes

O_LIThe process of understanding the rapid global decline of sawfishes (Pristidae) has revealed great concern for their relatives, the wedgefishes (Rhinidae) and giant guitarfishes (Glaucostegidae), not least because all three families are targeted for their high-value and internationally-traded white fins.\nC_LIO_LIThe objective of this study was to assess the extinction risk of all 10 wedgefishes and 6 giant guitarfishes by applying the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories and Criteria, and to summarise their biogeography and habitat, life history, exploitation, use and trade, and population status.\nC_LIO_LIWedgefishes and giant guitarfishes have overtaken sawfishes as the most imperilled marine fish families globally, with all but one of the 16 species facing an extremely high risk of extinction due to a combination of traits - limited biological productivity, presence in shallow waters overlapping with some of the most intense and increasing coastal fisheries in the world, and over-exploitation in target and bycatch fisheries driven by the need for animal protein and food security in coastal communities and trade in meat and high-value fins.\nC_LIO_LITwo species with very restricted ranges, the Clown Wedgefish (Rhynchobatus cooki) of the Indo-Malay Archipelago and the False Shark Ray (Rhynchorhina mauritaniensis) of Mauritania may be very close to extinction.\nC_LIO_LIOnly the Eyebrow Wedgefish (Rhynchobatus palpebratus) is not assessed as Critically Endangered, due to it occurring primarily in Australia where fishing pressure is low, and some management measures are in place. Australia represents a lifeboat for the three wedgefish and one giant guitarfish species occurring there.\nC_LIO_LITo conserve populations and permit recovery, a suite of measures will be required which will need to include species protection, spatial management, bycatch mitigation, and harvest and international trade management, all of which will be dependent on effective enforcement.\nC_LI

ecology↗

bioRxiv2019

Population productivity of shovelnose rays: inferring the potential for recovery

Recent evidence of widespread and rapid declines of wedgefishes, guitarfishes, and banjo ray populations (Order Rhinopristiformes), driven by a high demand for their fins in Asian markets and the quality of their flesh, raises concern about their risk of over-exploitation and extinction. Using life history theory and incorporating uncertainty into a modified Euler-Lotka model, maximum intrinsic rates of population increase (rmax) were estimated for nine species from the four families of rhinopristiforms. Estimates of median rmax varied from -0.04 to 0.60 year-1 among the nine species, but generally increased with increasing maximum size. In comparison to 115 other species of chondrichthyans for which rmax values were available, the families Rhinidae and Glaucostegidae are relatively productive, while most species from Rhinobatidae and Trygonorrhinidae had relatively low rmax values. If the demand for their high value products can be addressed, then population recovery for this species is likely possible but will vary depending on the species.

zoology↗