Volume 62

Fishery Production Trends of Elasmobranchs from Venezuela: With Emphasis on Sharks


Authors
Tavares, R,; López, D.
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Date: November, 2009


Pages: 178-183


Event: Proceedings of the Sixty -Second Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute


City: Cumaná


Country: Venezuela

Abstract

Elasmobranchs constitute a fishing resource that has acquired considerable importance in several regions of the Caribbean Sea. The inter-annual production trend of this resource was analyzed on the basis of the national fishery statistics. In recent years, Elasmobranch fisheries have contributed with almost 10% to the total fishery production. Between 1950 and 2008, Elasmobranch landings were characterized by an increasing trend from the beginning to the last years of the time series; with maximum volumes (~18,000 tonnes) registered in 2007 and 2008. Sharks and rays represented 72 and 28%, respectively, of the total Elasmobranch catches during the last two decades. A total of 97 Elasmobranch species have been reported for the Caribbean and Atlantic Venezuelan regions; and the presence of the species and catch composition vary according the fishing areas explored. Although production time series did not show signs of over-exploitation, information obtained from several scientific studies conducted in Venezuela reveal a decline in abundance for some shark populations. Owing to the uncertainty related with the status of Elasmobranch populations, a preliminary management measures, a system for the collection of catch and effort data should be established in the main fishing centres of Venezuela.

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