The IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group
Shark News 4: July 1995
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The American Elasmobranch Society's Captive Elasmobranch Census
With its first publication in 1989, the Captive Elasmobranch Census
began documenting the numbers and species of elasmobranchs in
captivity. The first census included 14 institutions located in the mid-
western United States. A total of 137 specimens of 27 species were
counted. In the census's second year those same institutions held 151
specimens of 29 species.
The census went national in
1991, with 47 facilities throughout
the USA, keeping 1,649 specimens
of 65 species. In 1992, the census
went international for the first time,
swelling the number of facilities to
107, holding 7,869 specimens
representing 157 species.
Photo: Sea Life Centres, UK.
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The 1993 and 1994 censuses
included 86 facilities from over 10
countries. A total of 60 species of
sharks, 60 species of ray, and,
although not technically
elasmobranchs, 18 species of
chimaera were documented. The
1995 census is still in press.
The Captive Elasmobranch
Census is published each year
through the generous help of several
coordinators through the world.
Census forms are distributed to each
facility at the end of each calendar
year. These forms are then
compiled, published, and distributed later the following year. The
census is organised by species, with a completed institutional directory
and 'contact person' index following the census documentation.
Each contributing institution is given a copy of the completed census
in return for their participation.
The census is a valuable tool for enhancing captive husbandry,
experimental collaboration, and general information exchange
between individuals with elasmobranch interests. Through the use of
the census, captive breeding programmes have been initiated, and
specimen surplusing and exchanges have been solicited. Advances
have occurred in nutrition, exhibit design, and understanding
behaviour.
With the current efforts to make the economic community aware
of the devastating effects improper management of elasmobranch
populations can have on their futures, the census can be used by
lawmakers to extrapolate the value of elasmobranchs as tourist
attractions. By examining gate attendance records of those institutions
which display elasmobranchs, policy-makers can determine what
effect not displaying elasmobranchs can have on the economy of
states and cities which have institutions exhibiting them. In doing
so the economic importance of these creatures takes on a new dimension
and gives weight to the arguments of conservationists and researchers
working towards proper recognition of these creatures as more than
just a simple protein source or vicious eating nuisance.
The Captive Elasmobranch Census is still not complete. With
each passing year more institutions are added. Eventually, it is
hoped that all institutions holding sharks and their relatives will be
included,. This can only better communication and thus our
understanding of these fascinating creatures.
If your institution would like to take part in the America
Elasmobranch Society's Captive Elasmobranch Census, please forward
your institution's name, address, phone number, and fax number to:
Beth Firchau, Virginia Marine Science Museum, 717 General
Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 USA.
Please include the name of a contact person to facilitate ease in
communications.
Beth Firchau, Virginia Marine Science Museum,
and
Warren W. Pryor, Animal Curator, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
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