Loss of Large Predatory Sharks from the Mediterranean Sea
Abstract: Evidence for severe declines in large predatory fishes is increasing around the world. Because of its long history of intense fishing, the Mediterranean Sea offers a unique perspective on fish population declines over historical timescales. We used a diverse set of records dating back to t...
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00938.x https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1523-1739.2008.00938.x http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00938.x/fullpdf |
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crwiley:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00938.x 2024-10-13T14:08:50+00:00 Loss of Large Predatory Sharks from the Mediterranean Sea FERRETTI, FRANCESCO MYERS, RANSOM A. SERENA, FABRIZIO LOTZE, HEIKE K. 2008 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00938.x https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1523-1739.2008.00938.x http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00938.x/fullpdf en eng Wiley http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor Conservation Biology volume 22, issue 4, page 952-964 ISSN 0888-8892 1523-1739 journal-article 2008 crwiley https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00938.x 2024-09-17T04:53:02Z Abstract: Evidence for severe declines in large predatory fishes is increasing around the world. Because of its long history of intense fishing, the Mediterranean Sea offers a unique perspective on fish population declines over historical timescales. We used a diverse set of records dating back to the early 19th and mid 20th century to reconstruct long‐term population trends of large predatory sharks in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. We compiled 9 time series of abundance indices from commercial and recreational fishery landings, scientific surveys, and sighting records. Generalized linear models were used to extract instantaneous rates of change from each data set, and a meta‐analysis was conducted to compare population trends. Only 5 of the 20 species we considered had sufficient records for analysis. Hammerhead ( Sphyrna spp.), blue ( Prionace glauca ), mackerel ( Isurus oxyrinchus and Lamna nasus ), and thresher sharks ( Alopias vulpinus ) declined between 96 and 99.99% relative to their former abundance. According to World Conservation Union (IUCN) criteria, these species would be considered critically endangered. So far, the lack of quantitative population assessments has impeded shark conservation in the Mediterranean Sea. Our study fills this critical information gap, suggesting that current levels of exploitation put large sharks at risk of extinction in the Mediterranean Sea. Possible ecosystem effects of these losses involve a disruption of top‐down control and a release of midlevel consumers. Article in Journal/Newspaper Lamna nasus Wiley Online Library Conservation Biology 22 4 952 964 |
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Wiley Online Library |
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English |
description |
Abstract: Evidence for severe declines in large predatory fishes is increasing around the world. Because of its long history of intense fishing, the Mediterranean Sea offers a unique perspective on fish population declines over historical timescales. We used a diverse set of records dating back to the early 19th and mid 20th century to reconstruct long‐term population trends of large predatory sharks in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. We compiled 9 time series of abundance indices from commercial and recreational fishery landings, scientific surveys, and sighting records. Generalized linear models were used to extract instantaneous rates of change from each data set, and a meta‐analysis was conducted to compare population trends. Only 5 of the 20 species we considered had sufficient records for analysis. Hammerhead ( Sphyrna spp.), blue ( Prionace glauca ), mackerel ( Isurus oxyrinchus and Lamna nasus ), and thresher sharks ( Alopias vulpinus ) declined between 96 and 99.99% relative to their former abundance. According to World Conservation Union (IUCN) criteria, these species would be considered critically endangered. So far, the lack of quantitative population assessments has impeded shark conservation in the Mediterranean Sea. Our study fills this critical information gap, suggesting that current levels of exploitation put large sharks at risk of extinction in the Mediterranean Sea. Possible ecosystem effects of these losses involve a disruption of top‐down control and a release of midlevel consumers. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
FERRETTI, FRANCESCO MYERS, RANSOM A. SERENA, FABRIZIO LOTZE, HEIKE K. |
spellingShingle |
FERRETTI, FRANCESCO MYERS, RANSOM A. SERENA, FABRIZIO LOTZE, HEIKE K. Loss of Large Predatory Sharks from the Mediterranean Sea |
author_facet |
FERRETTI, FRANCESCO MYERS, RANSOM A. SERENA, FABRIZIO LOTZE, HEIKE K. |
author_sort |
FERRETTI, FRANCESCO |
title |
Loss of Large Predatory Sharks from the Mediterranean Sea |
title_short |
Loss of Large Predatory Sharks from the Mediterranean Sea |
title_full |
Loss of Large Predatory Sharks from the Mediterranean Sea |
title_fullStr |
Loss of Large Predatory Sharks from the Mediterranean Sea |
title_full_unstemmed |
Loss of Large Predatory Sharks from the Mediterranean Sea |
title_sort |
loss of large predatory sharks from the mediterranean sea |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2008 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00938.x https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1523-1739.2008.00938.x http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00938.x/fullpdf |
genre |
Lamna nasus |
genre_facet |
Lamna nasus |
op_source |
Conservation Biology volume 22, issue 4, page 952-964 ISSN 0888-8892 1523-1739 |
op_rights |
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00938.x |
container_title |
Conservation Biology |
container_volume |
22 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
952 |
op_container_end_page |
964 |
_version_ |
1812815601718001664 |