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GFCM:SAC13/2011/Dma2
lifespan and the fact that they are at the top of the food web, making them more vulnerable to
fishing than most teleosts (Stevens et al ., 2000).
Elasmobranchs of the Mediterranean are mainly coastal species (80%) and most benthic
fauna, and this is likely to be affected by fishing activities, concentrated mainly in coastal
areas. Several species (12 species) are pelagic. The species of depths (15 species) are
particularly benthic. Target fishing of these species is unusual in these waters. Only a few
species of elasmobranch are targeted. In the Mediterranean, more than 100,000 sharks are
taken as incidental catch each year. The incidental catch of these species are highly variable in
time and space and using the techniques of fishing. However, the magnitude of these catches
and discards is not well documented.
To this end, the incidental capture of elasmobranchs by commercial fisheries has been subject
to a special attention for a better knowledge of targeted and incidental catch of sharks and
conservation of populations (IPOA-Shark (FAO, 1999),
In this part of the document dealing with elamobranchs bycatch, we analyse the available
bibliographic data on this issue in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Results are given
following geographic fishing areas, fishing gears and species or groups of species.
II-5-3-2 Bycatch definitions
There are several definitions of what bycatch or incidental catch is:
"that portion of the catch returned to the sea as a result of economic, legal or personal
consideration plus the retained catch of non-target species" (McCaughran 1992).
"Animals other than the target species which are unmarketable because they are too
small or for some other reason" (Alverson et al., 1994).
"that portion of the capture that is discarded at sea dead (or injured to an extent that
death is the most likely outcome) because it has little or no economic value or because its
retention is prohibited by law" (Hall, 1996).
all catches of sharks and rays in fisheries targeting other species (Bonfil, 2005)
In simpler words, these definitions say respectively that bycatches are:
All discards plus retained non-target species
Discards of non-target species
All dead discards
General definitions were proposed in the frame of the SAC activities:
“The total catches of unwanted animals including vulnerable and endangered species.
By-catch of commercial species should be reported as associated species.’’ (Report
of the ninth session of the Sub-Committee on Statistics and Information (SCSI),
Antalya - Turkey, 13–16 October 2008). This definition was reported in the draft
glossary of scientific terms of interest for the SAC.
“The part of the catch taken together with the [authorised] target species. In a
broadcontext, this includes all non-targeted catch including (by-product), discards,