The IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group
Shark News 3: March 1995
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Bibliography: technical reports and publications
Overview of world elasmobranch fisheries
Ramon Bonfil. 1994. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper No. 341. FAO,
Rome. 119pp. ISBN 92-5-103566-0.
This report is an extremely valuable source of information on the
major world elasmobranch fisheries: their importance, recent trends,
problems for assessment and management, conservation and the prospect
for their sustainability. Patterns of exploitation in FAO statistical areas are
considered through an index of relative production, as well as trends and
outlooks. Accounts of fisheries by the major elasmobranch fishing
nations and the high-seas fisheries with significant elasmobranch by-
catches are provided. Estimates for by-catch in former high seas driftnet
fisheries are 3.28 to 4.31 million sharks and rays per annum, (1989-91)
and longline fisheries 8.3 million per annum: a total of about 300,000
tonnes. The world elasmobranch catch was 704,000 tonnes in 1991; if
present trends continue it could reach 755,000 to 827,000 tonnes by the
year 2000. However, the total annual catch inclusive of discards and
unreported catches is estimated at around 1.35 million tonnes.
According to reported catches from the last 15 years, sharks account
for almost 60% of the world elasmobranch catch, and skates and rays for
almost 40%. Major fisheries (annual catches of sharks and rays >10,000t)
occur in 26 countries. Information on species, gear, patterns of exploitation,
research and management of elasmobranchs is summarized for each of
these countries. Elasmobranchs are especially important for the fisheries
of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia. However, of these 26 nations, only
three countries have specific management programmes for shark and
ray fisheries. The general problems in appraising and managing
elasmobranch fisheries sustainably and the need for conservation are
discussed, and possible solutions for some of these problems proposed.
Cetaceans. An Action Plan for the Conservation
of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, 1994-1994
Compiled by Randall R. Reeves and Stephen Leatherwood. 1994.
ISBN 2-8317-0189-9.
The IUCN has recently published the 1994-1998 Action Plan for
the Conservation of Cetaceans, an updated version of the 1988
Action Plan. The publication outlines 51 projects aimed at species
that are already endangered or not presently otherwise protected. It
also covers the major threats to species and populations and discusses
technical and socio-economic changes necessary for species survival.
The order Cetacea has at least 79 representatives in all oceans and
some major river systems. Over-fishing of the great whales, the
ongoing exploitation of the dolphins and porpoises and their capture
as a commercial fishery by-catch has depleted their populations. The
many similarities between the conservation issues faced by cetaceans
and sharks and rays make this a particularly useful reference document.
Copies are available from the following addresses:
IUCN Publications Services Unit, 219c Huntingdon Road,
Cambridge CB3 ODL, UK. (fax. +441223 277894). £15.53 including
postage and packing in UK, £16.20 overseas surface mail, £17.55
airmail to Europe or £18.90 airmail rest of world. Payment by cheque/
international money order made payable to IUCN, or American
Express/Visa.
Island Press, Box 7, Covelo, California 95428, USA. (fax +(1 ) 707
983 6414) for US and Canadian customers only. US shipments are
US$20.00 plus US$4.75 postage for the first book and US$1 extra for
each additional book. Californian residents please add 7.25% tax,
and Washington DC residents please add 5.75% tax. For Canadian
shipments include US$5 for the first and US$3 for each additional
book for International Book Rate or UK$10 & US$3 for UPS
shipment.
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