English

16
GFCM:SAC13/2011/Dma2
Figure 4: Mediterranean and Black Sea trend of elasmobranchs catches in the last 30 years
Countries report generally shark statistics without distinction between species or, worse still,
the species are not recorded at all. Moreover, FAO data only report official landings and
therefore bycatch returned to the sea is not included. About 50% of the estimated global catch
of elasmobranchs fish species is gathered as bycatch and these are not mentioned in official
fishery statistics.
In the way to improve statistics, the workshop on selectivity improvement and bycatch
reduction (Tunis, Tunisia, 23-25 September 2009) suggested that a protocol should be
developed to collect and promote the collection of basic data on species of conservation
concern. The aim of the protocol is to collect data which can then be fed into existing
databases. The data collection is notably aiming to characterise and assess captures of species
of conservation concern including unwanted species and size classes. The data is required by
operational unit in order to fit into the GFCM Task I data matrix.
Triakidae and the group Rajiiformes (without distinction of species) represents on average
70% and 87 % respectively of sharks and batoïdes captured during the last 30 year in the
Mediterranean and the Black Sea (Figures 5 and 6).
Tonnes
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Year
ALOPIIDAE
CARCHARHINIDAE
CETORHINIDAE
LAMNIDAE
SCYLIORHINIDAE
SPHYRNIDAE
SQUALIDAE
SQUATINIDAE
TRIAKIDAE
Figure 5: Mediterranean and Black Seas trend of catches of sharks in the last 30 years