Status and characteristics of sharks and rays impacted by artisanal fisheries: potential implications for management and conservation

Abstract

Artisanal fisheries in Kenya face substantial challenges, including inadequate enforcement, absence of tailored regulations for elasmobranch conservation and lack of robust data collection systems, hampering our understanding of fisheries and biological aspects of species. To address these challenges, this study examined the species composition, size, weight and number of shark and ray landings in three sites historically known for large catches of elasmobranchs. This research aimed to characterise Kenyan elasmobranchs fishery and exhibit its overlap with key habitats. Our findings are worrying since 79% of the landed fisheries species are categorised as threatened on the IUCN Red List. This includes the Critically Endangered scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) and white-spotted guitarfish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis), both species frequently caught. Further, 97% of sharks and 46% of rays are landed as neonate and immature individuals. Urgent changes are imperative in national fisheries management to prevent the potential local disappearance of several shark and ray species. We recommend specific conservation measures to reduce the capture of threatened species and juveniles, such as banning the landing of threatened species and establishing minimum size limits. Enforcing fisheries regulations, such as mesh size, and prioritizing the protection of key habitats for the most at-risk species are essential proactive steps.