English

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GFCM:SAC13/2011/Dma2
Few elasmobranchs species occurred in the Black Sea and some data on biology and ecology
are available mainly for three common species; Raja clavata, Dasyatis pastinaca and Squalus
acanthias. Many papers in Russian, on the issue, were not analyzed in this document.
Protection currently granted to chondrichthyan fish species under various regional and
international conventions where generally few species were considered. An amendment of
some convention lists and action plans should be undertaken in parallel with developing
knowledge on this fish group.
Few countries developed their own legislation on species protection which is generally
elaborated implementing CITES Convention and/or Bern convention and SPA –Biodiversity
protocol of Barcelona Convention. In Israel all Cartilaginous Fishes are protected. National
action plans should be elaborated and generalised in the Mediterranean and Black Sea
countries
According information available, there are no MPAs established specifically for
Elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The lack of legislation in this issue
would come mainly from lack of knowledge on critical habitats of this group. Marine
protected area can be efficient to manage sharks fisheries (protection of nursery areas,
parturition zone….).
As fining activities don’t take place generally in Mediterranean countries, there are few
national regulations of shark fining but this activity is likely to interest more and more
fishermen. National legislations should be also developed in many countries.
Following the present bibliographic analysis and the diagnostic of the situation of
elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, research programmes and conservation
Priorities for Sharks of the region are as follow:
- Developing research programs on systematic, general biology, ecology and population
dynamics for species of concern.
- Identifying and mapping critical habitat.
- Taking action to collect reliable statistics on landings and Bycatch of elasmobranchs
- Initiating fisheries management strategies for commercially exploited species.
- Developing research programs to reduce elasmobranchs bycatch
- Developing National Action Plans as recommended by the FAO IPOA-Sharks.
Bibliographic references (See Appendix 1)