Threatened, endemic and harvested – two overlooked European skates

Sandy ray Leucoraja circularis and shagreen ray L. fullonica are large-bodied skate species occurring in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean on the edge of the continental shelf and upper slope. These areas are not sampled effectively by fishery-independent trawl surveys, and fisheries-dependent data are also limited, as these species are landed as a bycatch. Consequently, there are no formal assessments or reference points, even though they are harvested as part of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for generic skates and rays. The implementation of data-limited assessment methods is often reliant on robust life-history data, which was lacking. Therefore, biological data were collected from 116 specimens of L. circularis (21–116 cm LT) and 54 specimens of L. fullonica (19–100 cm LT). Length at 50% maturity for L. circularis was estimated at 81 cm LT and 100 cm LT for males and females, respectively. This large size at maturity makes them more biologically vulnerable than other skate species managed under the generic TAC. This inherent vulnerability, low representation of mature individuals in trawl surveys and bycatch risk due to spatial overlap with important commercial fisheries suggests that both species, assessed as Threatened, would benefit from precautionary species-specific management measures. L. circularis and L. fullonica are respectively, the only IUCN listed Endangered and Vulnerable elasmobranchs that are endemic to Europe and also occur in UK waters. Therefore, with the eastern Atlantic being the main part of their distribution, urgent research and management action is of even greater importance to conserve them

WORKSHOP TO REVIEW AND UPDATE OSPAR STATUS ASSESSMENTS FOR STOCKS OF LISTED SHARK, SKATES AND RAYS IN SUPPORT OF OSPAR (WKSTATUS)

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Coherent Assessments of Europe’s Marine Fishes Show Regional Divergence and Megafauna Loss

Europe has a long tradition of exploiting marine fishes and is promoting marine economic activity through its Blue Growth strategy. This increase in anthropogenic pressure, along with climate change, threatens the biodiversity of fishes and food security. Here, we examine the conservation status of 1,020 species of European marine fishes and identify factors that contribute to their extinction risk. Large fish species (greater than 1.5 m total length) are most at risk; half of these are threatened with extinction, predominantly sharks, rays and sturgeons. This analysis was based on the latest International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) European regional Red List of marine fishes, which was coherent with assessments of the status of fish stocks carried out independently by fisheries management agencies: no species classified by IUCN as threatened were considered sustainable by these agencies. A remarkable geographic divergence in stock status was also evident: in northern Europe, most stocks were not overfished, whereas in the Mediterranean Sea, almost all stocks were overfished. As Europe proceeds with its sustainable Blue Growth agenda, two main issues stand out as needing priority actions in relation to its marine fishes: the conservation of marine fish megafauna and the sustainability of Mediterranean fish stocks

Ressources démersales et description des pêcheries des bancs de Saint-Martin et Saint-Barthélemy

An evaluation of the variability of the ciguateric phenomenon leads to the conclusion that it is impossible to draw a precise chart of ciguateric zones in such an extensive area. Taking away dubious species remains the best method to avoid intoxications. The catch rates observed during three series of experimental fishing surveys are presented, in as much as the results of inter-area and seasonal comparative tests. A description of the catches (specific composition, length frequencies distribution of the main species) reveal qualitative indices of a moderate exploitation of these banks.Une évaluation de la variabilité du phénomène ciguatérique est réalisée et montre qu’aucune cartographie précise des zones ciguatériques n’est possible à cette échelle. Le rejet systématique des espèces à « risques » reste la méthode la plus sûre pour éviter des intoxications, mais il ne peut être exclus que quelques poissons appartenant à des espèces présumées saines s’avèrent toxiques.Les rendements obtenus au cours de ces trois séries de campagnes de pêche sont présentés dans ce document ainsi que les résultats des tests comparatifs des secteurs et des saisons (sèche et humide).Une description des captures (composition spécifique, distribution des fréquences de taille des principales espèces) donne des indices qualitatifs d’une exploitation modérée sur ces bancs

Ressources démersales et descriptions des pêcheries des bancs de Saint-Martin et Saint-Barthélémy

Une évaluation de la variabilité du phénomène ciguatérique est réalisée et montre qu'aucune cartographie précise des zones ciguatériques n'est possible à cette échelle. Le rejet systématique des espèces à «risques» reste la méthode la plus sûre pour éviter des intoxications, mais il ne peut être exclus que quelques poissons appartenant à des espèces présumécs saines s'avèrent toxiques. Les rendements obtenus au cours de ces trois séries de campagnes de pêche sont présentés dans ce document ainsi que les résultats des tests comparatifs des secteurs et des saisons (sèche et humide). Une description des captures (composition spécifique, distribution des fréquences de taille des principales espèces) donne des indices qualitatifs d'une exploitation modérée sur ces bancs