Shark Depredation and Unwanted Bycatch in Pelagic Longline

Shark Depredation and Unwanted Bycatch in Pelagic Longline Fisheries
A3.10. Incentives and Attitudes on Reducing Shark
Bycatch and Depredation
Sokimi (pers. comm., 1996) is of the opinion that currently Pacific
Island fishermen think that it is to their benefit to reduce the size of
shark populations. He explained that fishermen perceive sharks as a
nuisance due to depredation and the danger sharks pose to them if
they ever have to abandon ship. He adds that sharks that are caught
by longliners are perceived by crew as an economic opportunity. He
warns that, unless it can be clearly demonstrated to fishermen that
there is an economic advantage to avoiding catching sharks, they will
not cooperate with avoidance measures. He advised that the industry
is likely to be willing to cooperate with trials if they are subsidised
to do so. The interview results contradicted Sokimi’s comments.
All interviewees, apart from one captain, stated that captains and
crew were interested in reducing shark by-catch and depredation.
The general opinion of the interviewees was that while they provide
good income for the crew, not enough are caught for the return to be
worthwhile. The general opinion is that the time lost in processing
the sharks and the lost bait and target species is not worth the
income generated. Both Managing Directors clearly stated that their
companies do not encourage the catching of sharks as this takes time
away from fishing for the target species and that the shark fishery
should be sustainably managed. All interviewees categorically stated
that they would avoid shark capture if they could as long as this did
not lower their catch of target species.
Somewhat contrarily, the interviewees estimated the opinion that
the cost of shark interaction in terms of gear, bait and lost target
species catch is low. All the interviewees that work as captains or
crew commented that it would be good if a special hold was allocated
on boats for shark meat and a market identified so that the meat does
not go to waste (i.e. currently discarded overboard) and additional
income is generated for the crew. In contradiction one interviewee,
a company Managing Director, commented that if regulations were
put in place that required the entire shark to be retained on the
vessel and/or taxed shark fin trading, crews would be deterred from
catching sharks.
A3.11. References
Anon (1999) Case Studies of the Management of Elasmobranch Fisheries.
FAO Fisheries Technical Paper, no. 378, pt. 1, FAO, Rome.
Bailey, K., Williams, P., Itano, D. (1996) By-catch and Discards in Western
Pacific Tuna Fisheries: A Review of SPC Data Holdings and Literature.
Technical Report of the Oceanic Fisheries Programme, South Pacific
Commission, no. 34, pp. 148. Noumea, New Caledonia.
Bonfil, Ramon (1994) Overview of the World Elasmobranch Fisheries. FAO
Fisheries Technical Paper, no. 341, FAO, Rome.
Catarci, C (2004) World markets and industry of selected commerciallyexploited
aquatic species with an international conservation profile. FAO
Fisheries Circular no. 990, pp. 186, FAO, Rome.
Fiji Department of Fisheries (2004) Annual Report 2004, Ministry of Fisheries
and Forests, Government Printer, Fiji.
Kailoloa, J.P. (1995) Review of Policies and Initiatives to Enhance Fisheries
Management and Development in Fiji. A report prepared for the Government
of Fiji. FAO Technical Report 3, pp.105.
Lawson, T. (2001) Predation of Tuna by Whales and Sharks in the Western
and Central Pacific Ocean. 14 Meeting of the Standing Committee on
Tuna and Billfish, Working Paper SWG-6.
Nakeke, A. 2006. Judge Orders Sale of Illegal Catch, Impounds Ship. Fiji Sun
Newspaper, 27 February 2006.
Swamy, K. (1999) Shark Fisheries in Fiji: their management and issues for
future concern. In: In: FAO. Case Studies of the Management of Elasmobranch
Fisheries. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper,No. 378, part 1, FAO,
Rome.
Williams, P.G. (1999) Shark and Related Species Catch in Tuna Fisheries of the
Tropical Western and Central Pacific Ocean. In: FAO. Case Studies of the
Management of Elasmobranch Fisheries. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper,
No. 378, part 1, FAO, Rome.
Brogan (pers. comm., 1996) advised that in working alongside the
Fiji tuna longlining industry for a number of years, she is not aware
of any strong negative reactions by industry to shark depredation,
rather her perception is of a “stoic acceptance”. She added that this
contrasted strongly with the problem of whale depredation which
fishers regularly voice concern about. When working on a project
relating to whale depredation a number of years ago, she found that
even when she pointed out that shark depredation levels were higher
(based on observer data at the time) fishers remained focussed on the
problem of whale depredation .
Three interviewees advised that the best way to share information
about how to avoid shark by-catch and depredation would be through
picture posters supplied to companies to put up in crew workplaces.
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