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Cattano C, Gambardella C, Grancagnolo D, Principato E, Aglieri G, Turco G, Quattrocchi F, Milazzo M. Multiple interannual records of young-of-the-year identify an important area for the protection of the shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 192:106217. [PMID: 37866201 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) is the second most fishery-exploited pelagic shark in the Mediterranean Sea, thus its conservation status is a cause for concern. Despite the species has been listed in fishery and trade regulations to hinder its population decline, the lack of knowledge on its distribution patterns and habitats essential for its persistence still hampers the implementation of sound conservation actions. Combining data from local expert knowledge, opportunistic catch records, and Baited Remote Underwater Videos, we show evidence of the interannual presence of young-of-the-year (YOY) I. oxyrinchus in the Pelagie Archipelago (Central Mediterranean Sea). A total of twenty-one individuals ranging 71-92.5 cm FL were incidentally caught (on average 2.3 YOY/1000 hooks) or documented on BRUVS in July and August over three consecutive years. These data coupled with questionnaires administered to longline fishers identify one specific area used by YOY in the summer months. Our study presents the most abundant record of YOY shortfin makos in the Mediterranean Sea within such a restricted time and limited area providing important information for improving the protection of this critically endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Cattano
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology. Sede Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (Complesso Roosevelt), 90149, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Chiara Gambardella
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology. Sede Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (Complesso Roosevelt), 90149, Palermo, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Desiree Grancagnolo
- Università degli Studi di Palermo, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 20-22, I-90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Elena Principato
- Marine Protected Area 'Isole Pelagie', Via Cameroni, Lampedusa, AG, 92031, Italy
| | - Giorgio Aglieri
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology. Sede Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (Complesso Roosevelt), 90149, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriele Turco
- Università degli Studi di Palermo, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 20-22, I-90123, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Federico Quattrocchi
- Università degli Studi di Palermo, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 20-22, I-90123, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Milazzo
- Università degli Studi di Palermo, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 20-22, I-90123, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
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