3.2.3 Target fisheriesTarget fisheries are currently considered less of a threat to<strong>sharks</strong> and rays than in the past. Historically, 15 species wereaffected by targeted fisheries, but this number has nowreduced to six species (8%) (Figure 3.4). <strong>The</strong> reduction innumbers of species affected can be explained by the fact thatsome chondrichthyans, such as angel<strong>sharks</strong> Squatina spp.,have become commercially extinct and are therefore nolonger targeted by fisheries.3.2.4 Anthropogenic activitiesApproximately 32% of all chondrichthyans in theMediterranean are threatened or potentially threatened byanthropogenic activities, such as pollution, disturbance,habitat loss and degradation. Species most affected are thosewith predominantly coastal habitats.3.3 Threatened speciesForty-two percent of Mediterranean chondrichthyans havebeen assessed as threatened (Critically Endangered,Endangered or Vulnerable) in the region. <strong>The</strong> status of all 30of these species must be monitored particularly closely and,crucially, management and recovery plans should beimplemented without delay. Further research and monitoringshould also be conducted to better understand species’biology, threats and conservation needs.Taxa at highest extinction risk in the Mediterranean includeseveral species of bottom-dwelling chondrichthyans highlysusceptible to trawling activities and with vulnerable lifehistories. For example, the three species of angel<strong>sharks</strong>Squatina spp. are all seriously threatened (CriticallyEndangered), having suffered severe declines and rangecontractions, yet all were historically abundant (Walker etal. 2005). <strong>The</strong>ir demise is almost certainly due to intensedemersal fishing pressure from which they have been unableto recover. A number of other demersal species are similarlyaffected, such as the angular rough shark Oxynotus centrina(Critically Endangered), formerly abundant but now rare withlocalised extinctions. Its large spiny dorsal fins and relativelylarge body size make it particularly vulnerable to trawls(Aldebert 1997; Baino et al. 2001; Dulvy et al. 2003). <strong>The</strong>same is true for many of the large skate species, such as thecommon skate Dipturus batis (Critically Endangered), thewhite skate Rostroraja alba (Critically Endangered) and thespiny butterfly ray Gymnura altavela (CriticallyEndangered) whose large size at maturity mean thatexploitation and probable capture before breeding is likelyto be high. <strong>The</strong> Maltese skate Leucoraja melitensis (CriticallyEndangered), a Mediterranean endemic, was formerlycommon within a restricted range (Stehmann et al. 1984).<strong>The</strong> species has a depth range that coincides with that oftrawling activity, however, and is now considered rare withina decreasing area of occurrence.Both species of sawfish in the Mediterranean are seriouslythreatened (Critically Endangered). Smalltooth sawfishPristis pectinata has been wholly or nearly extirpated fromlarge areas of its former range by fishing and habitatmodification. Common sawfish P. pristis was oncecommon in the Mediterranean but is now thought to havebeen extirpated. Sawfishes are extremely vulnerable tobycatch in nets due to their large rostra. Without timelyintervention there is a high probability that both of thesespecies will become extinct in the Mediterranean, if thisis not already the case.Other seriously threatened species include the porbeagleLamna nasus (Critically Endangered), shortfin makoIsurus oxyrinchus (Critically Endangered), sandbar sharkCarcharhinus plumbeus (Endangered), giant devilrayMobula mobular (Endangered), and blue sharkPrionace glauca (Vulnerable). Unsustainable fisheries(target and bycatch, usually by longlines) are the mainthreats to these species.3.4 Near Threatened speciesThirteen species (18%) are assessed as Near Threatened,reflecting concern that they are close to qualifying for athreatened category and could do so in the near future. Forexample, there is concern for several species that are takenas bycatch in fisheries, yet may be unable to withstandcontinued indirect exploitation pressure. <strong>The</strong>se include thesharpnose skate Dipturus oxyrinchus, common stingrayDasyatis pastinaca and common eagleray Myliobatis aquila.It is essential that these species are monitored closely and,where possible, management action should be taken to avoidthem becoming listed as threatened in the future.3.5 Least Concern speciesOnly ten chondrichthyan species (14%) in the Mediterraneanare not considered to be under any threat of extinction nowor in the foreseeable future. <strong>The</strong>se species include some ofthe cat<strong>sharks</strong> (e.g. smallspotted catshark Scyliorhinuscanicula and blackmouth catshark Galeus melastomus)and smaller skate species (e.g. Atlantic starry skate Rajaasterias and spotted skate R. montagui). Many of these speciesare generally abundant and/or widespread with limited fishingpressure; are not particularly susceptible to fisheries; or arerelatively productive and resilient to current pressures. <strong>The</strong>sespecies may still benefit from conservation managementaction, even though they are listed as Least Concern.11
3.6 Data Deficient speciesThis initial effort to produce IUCN Red List assessments forMediterranean chondrichthyans has confirmed that there isa significant lack of information on the status of many speciesin the region. Twenty-six percent of species assessed werecategorised as Data Deficient, indicating there is notenough information to enable accurate assessment of theirextinction risk. This is often due to a lack of research, orbecause species are (or have become) rare, or have a limitedgeographic distribution. <strong>The</strong>refore, they may be especiallyvulnerable to anthropogenic threats, in particular overexploitation.Research efforts focusing on species forwhich there is currently little knowledge must bedramatically increased. A Data Deficient listing does notmean that these 18 species are not threatened. In fact, asknowledge improves, such species are often found to beamongst the most threatened (or suspected as such fromavailable evidence). It is therefore essential to direct researchefforts and funding towards these species as well as thosein threatened categories (Cavanagh et al. 2003). Thisis particularly important when there are apparentthreats yet virtually no available data on populationsizes or biological parameters. In addition, many of thelarge shark species such as the bigeye thresher sharkAlopias superciliosus, copper shark Carcharhinusbrachyurus, dusky shark C. obscurus and spinner sharkC. brevipinna pose a particular dilemma. Are thesespecies rare in the Mediterranean, or just rarely caughtand reported? In most cases it is currently not possible tobe certain. Studies like the Mediterranean LargeElasmobranch Monitoring Project (MEDLEM, http://www.arpat.toscana.it/progetti/pr_medlem_en.html) willprovide more information on the status of such species inthe near future (Walker et al. 2005) and should beencouraged and expanded.12
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