This document provides an overview of the global shark fishery and focuses specifically on the shark fishery in Trinidad and Tobago. It discusses the commercial importance of sharks globally and identifies threats to shark populations like overfishing. It analyzes catch data and describes the artisanal and industrial fisheries that catch sharks in Trinidad and Tobago, noting a decline in reported landings. It also lists several shark species found in the waters of Trinidad and Tobago and their conservation status.

1. "A general evaluation of the
shark fishery globally, with a
closer look at the sub-industry
in Trinidad & Tobago."
Christopher C. Kalloo
Post Graduate Seminar
(COOS 6005)

2. Aim
• To focus on the commercial importance of shark
fisheries globally.
• To observe stock assessments and current population
trends.
• Identify threats to the industry.
• Not much focus will be placed on the ecological
importance of sharks and their conservation.
• Special focus on the shark fishery of Trinidad & Tobago.

3. Introduction
• Chondrichthyes are cartilaginous fish with
> 1,100 species.
• They include:
Sharks Batoids Chimaeras
Grey Reef shark
(Carcharhinus
amblyrhynchos)
Spotted eagle ray
(Aetobatus narinari)
Spotted ratfish
(Hydrolagus colliei)

4. Introduction
• Sharks belong to the subclass known as Elasmobranchii that also
include rays, skates and sawfish. There are 8 orders of sharks, that
contain 475 different species (IUCN, 2015).
Chondrichthye Family
Tree

5. Introduction
Most sharks have a K-selected life history
strategy.
Sharks have:
1. Slow growth rates
2. A late age of maturity
3. Low fecundity rates

6. Shark Products
Sharks are important to global fisheries because of
the several by-products derived from them.
Shark fins
Shark fin soup
Shark meat
Bake & Shark
Shark Cartilage pills Shark leather
Shark liver oil pills

7. Shark Fishing History
• The early history of shark consumption, was mainly
limited to localized areas.
• Refrigeration stopped spoilage, resulting in longer
storage periods.
• Shark catches have been able to rise across the world.
Basking Shark
Hammerhead (1950’s)

8. Global Catch Production
• Difficult to obtain nominal catches of sharks and
their relatives by species due to poor record
keeping.
• Many countries do not report catches to the
species level.
• Simply group them as ‘sharks, rays, skates, etc.’
• Developing countries especially have poor
record keeping and monitoring of local fisheries.
• Also in many instances, catches are not
reported.

9. Global Catch Production
• Underreporting of chondrichthyan by-catch and artisanal
landings, may mean that the actual global landings could
be double the reported annual figures. (Barker &
Schluessel, 2005; Fowler, 2005).
• For a fifty year period (1950-2000) reported landings
increased by three times as much.
• Went from 271, 800 tonnes in 1950 to 828, 364 tonnes
in 2000 (Barker & Schluessel, 2005).

10. Global Catch Production
• Current trends from 2000 to 2013 have shown though, a
decline in the annual reported global capture production
of sharks, rays & chimeras.
• Total tonnage caught in 2013 was 772,874.
• Asia has been the leading region where the most
recorded catches have been reported (5,326,992 tonnes
from 2000-2013) (Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations, 2012).

11. Global Catch Production
Source: (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2012)

12. Global Catch Production
• A major driving force for the increase in shark capture
figures is the shark fin trade.
• Shark fins are the most valuable shark product by far.
• Hong Kong has been the primary driver in the shark fin
trade.
• The total quantity of unprocessed imported fins declared
in the country in 2000 was 9,779t. (Fowler, 2005; Musick
& Musick, 2011).
Discarded Hammerhead after being finned

13. Types of Fisheries
Shark fisheries globally can be categorized
into four major types (Musick & Musick,
2011):
1. High seas pelagic
2. Coastal Cold-temperate
3. Coastal Tropical
4. Deep Sea

14. Types of Fisheries
• Shark catches tend to be either targeted (direct
exploitation) or by-catch (indirect exploitation) (Fowler,
2005)
• With targeted fisheries, there tends to be ‘boom and
bust’ cycles e.g. the North Atlantic Porbeagle (Lamna
nasus) fishery in the 1960’s
• Stock assessments identified that the shark species
most vulnerable to direct fishing pressures are already
being overfished

15. Types of Fisheries
• Indirect exploitation is estimated to be responsible for
almost 50% of the reported commercial catches of
sharks.
• High seas longline and driftnet fleets that target tuna and
billfish are key sources of bycatch for pelagic shark
species.
• Include the Blue shark (Prionace glauca), Oceanic
whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) and Silky
shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) (Fowler, 2005).

16. Some of the Most Caught
Species Globally

17. Threats to Shark Fisheries
• Overexploitation of stocks.
• Few nations have regulated catch quotas and selective
fishing apparatus
• Species-specific catch data is severely lacking
• Species catch data that has been combined into higher
classification groups (orders and families) can easily
conceal declines of individual species within the group
(Musick & Musick, 2011).

18. Threats to Shark Fisheries
• Increasing demand in the Asian market, has resulted in
several unregulated, sometimes illegal fisheries
maximizing catch outputs.
• Environmental issues also play a part in adding pressure.
• The life history strategies make them generally unable to
adapt to changing environmental conditions.

19. Threats to Shark Fisheries
• Severe decline in population numbers for nearly the
entire 26 shark species that catch data is available for.
• IUCN Shark specialist group in 2010 assessed that 23%
of Chondrichthyes were Vulnerable, 9% Endangered,
5 % Critically Endangered and almost 50% not having
enough data to be assessed (Data Deficient) (Musick &
Musick, 2011).
Angel shark (Squalus squatina)

20. Management Strategies
Several international and regional fisheries management
plans and agreements between nations for the wise use of
shark species as fishery commodities exists. Examples are:
1. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
2. UN Fish Stocks Agreement
3. FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
4. International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management
of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks)
5. Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)

21. Management Strategies
Problem with the effectiveness include:
• compliance is voluntary for member states in some cases
• Enforcement of the regulations can sometimes be difficult due to
factors such as cost and vast geographic regions.
Another major factor hampering these agreements:
1. Lack of institutional capacity to coordinate fisheries management
2. Lack of funding for research and enforcement
3. Some countries focus economic priority instead on alleviating
poverty

22. Trinidad&TobagoSharkFishery
• Trinidad & Tobago is one of the few Caribbean islands
where several shark species are extensively exploited.
• Lack substantial information about the shark resources
• However Shark data for catch and effort has been
collected in the country since 1962.
• Some studies done to collect biological data on sharks
during the 1980’s (1985-1986; 1987-1989) with some
sporadic follow-up activity from 1999-2000

23. Development of Shark
Fishery
• Shark fisheries were first developed in the Caribbean
region during World War II in response to the U.S based
demand for shark liver oil (as a source of Vitamin A)
• In 1949, expedition by Stewart Springer was done to
evaluate the potential of a shark fishery in Trinidad.
• He explored the Gulf of Paria, as well as the East, North
and South coasts of Trinidad (Tobago not included)
• Observed 18 different species during the voyage. Added
6 more as being observed after. 24 Species in total.

24. Development of Shark
Fishery
• From 1983 to 1986 the Government of Trinidad
& Tobago, initiated a drive to boost shark
fisheries amongst artisanal fishermen in the
country
• The project at the time did bolster production in
shark catches locally
• However, competition from other more lucrative
fishery markets resulted in fishermen moving
away from targeting sharks primarily.

25. Description of Fishery
• Both artisanal and industrial fishing activity
responsible for shark catches on the island.
• The offshore fleet was responsible for catching
mostly large pelagic species.

26. Description of Fishery
• Most sharks caught by artisanal fishers
mainly from by-catch done by gillnet
activity
• Indirect exploitation also from:
1. Beach seining
2. Trolling live bait (a la vive) and banking
3. Demersal longline or palanguing,
4. Semi-industrial pelagic longline fishery

27. Trinidad & Tobago Catch
Production
• For T&T shark catch production average 800 tonnes
between 1962 and 2002,
• Landings peaked in the late 1970’s then dramatically
decreasing in the mid-1990’s.
• Catch production again rose in the early 2000’s, with
record levels of shark, rays and chimaera landings for a
year being reached in 2004 at 1354 tonnes (Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2012)

28. Trinidad & Tobago Catch
Production
• However, current trends show a rapid decline in reported
shark, rays and chimaera landings with the latest figure
for 2013 being 534 tonnes.

29. Why?
Possible reasons could include:
– Decline in shark stocks
– Underreporting of catches
– Improved methods in fishing, reducing by-
catch
– Drop in demand

30. Trinidad & Tobago Catch
Production
Catch production data for 2013

31. Threats to Trinidad & Tobago
Shark Fishery
• Drastic decline in reported landings. There is a need for
further research in shark studies in the country.
• Research is lacking locally for all facets of shark
sciences including biology, ecology and fisheries.
• Globally, according to the IUCN Red list, several species
found in local waters are at different states of being
threatened. Population trends locally are unknown.

32. Species found in Trinidad &
Tobago
Common Name
(Scientific Name)
IUCN
Evaluation
Population
Trends
Scalloped
Hammerhead
(Sphyrna lewini )
Common Name
(Scientific Name)
IUCN
Evaluation
Population
Trends
Smalleye
Hammerhead
(Sphyrna tudes)

33. Species found in Trinidad &
Tobago
Common Name
(Scientific Name)
IUCN
Evaluation
Population
Trends
Smalltail Shark
(Carcharhinus
porosus)
Common Name
(Scientific Name)
IUCN
Evaluation
Population
Trends
Blacktip Shark
(Carcharhinus
limbatus)

34. Species found in Trinidad &
Tobago
Common Name
(Scientific Name)
IUCN
Evaluation
Population
Trends
Brazilian
Sharpnose
(Rhizoprionodon
lalandii)
Common Name
(Scientific Name)
IUCN
Evaluation
Population
Trends
Caribbean
Sharpnose
(Rhizoprionodon
porosus)

35. Species found in Trinidad &
Tobago
Common Name
(Scientific Name)
IUCN
Evaluation
Population
Trends
Blacknose Shark
(Carcharhinus
acronotus)
Common Name
(Scientific Name)
IUCN
Evaluation
Population
Trends
Sandbar Shark
(Carcharhinus
plumbeus)

36. Species found in Trinidad &
Tobago
Common Name
(Scientific Name)
IUCN
Evaluation
Population
Trends
Tiger Shark
(Galeocerdo cuvier)
Common Name
(Scientific Name)
IUCN
Evaluation
Population
Trends
Daggernose Shark
(Isogomphodon
oxyrhynchus)

37. Reference of Pictures and
Videos used
• A Very Curious Tope Shark. (2012, August 22). Tope shark [video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoEDHgX72AI&list=PL3crlNLRe0K9S2kknUe_fU3k1ohFbaX7
G&index=6
• Blacknose Shark - Shark Research Institute. (2013, April 21). Blacknose shark [photograph]
Retrieved from http://www.sharks.org/species/blacknose-shark
• Blacktip shark [photograph]. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacktip_shark#/media/File:Carcharhinus_limbatus_csiro-nfc.jpg
• Blue Shark Encounter in Maltese Waters. (2015, August 13). Blue shark [video file]. Retrieved
from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X7ja9BpPVI&list=PL3crlNLRe0K9S2kknUe_fU3k1ohFbaX7G
&index=1
• Brazilian Sharpnose Shark [photograph]. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_sharpnose_shark
• Caribbean Sharpnose shark [photograph]. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_sharpnose_shark
• EU to ban fish imports from Sri Lanka for illegal fishing. (n.d.) Dead shark [photograph]. Retrieved
from http://www.wwf.eu/?237530/EU-to-ban-fish-imports-from-Sri-Lanka-for-illegal-fishing
• Fried Shark For Bake And Shark. | CaribbeanPot.com. (n.d.) Bake and Shark [photograph].
Retrieved from http://caribbeanpot.com/fried-shark-for-bake-and-shark/

38. Reference of Pictures and
Videos used
• GEERG - Spiny dogfish at Quadra Island, British Columbia. (2010, February 17). Piked dogfish
[video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wQ8WzMfUn4&list=PL3crlNLRe0K9S2kknUe_fU3k1ohFbaX
7G&index=2
• Genuine Black Shark Skin Leather Bifold Wallet WILD HEARTS Leather&Silver (Item ID sw2269).
(n.d.) Shark Leather Wallet [photograph]. Retrieved from http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/auc-
wildhearts/item/sw2269/
• Grey Reef Shark [photograph]. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark#/media/File:Tiburón.jpg
• Hammerhead shark | fish. (n.d.) Scalloped Hammerhead shark [photograph]. Retrieved from
http://www.britannica.com/animal/hammerhead-shark
• Help New York City Ban Shark Fin Soup. (n.d.) Shark fin soup [photograph]. Retrieved from
http://forcechange.com/22281/help-new-york-city-ban-shark-fin-soup/
• Hong Kong Shark Fin Traders Take to the Rooftops | Mission Blue. (n.d.) Shark fins [photograph].
Retrieved from http://mission-blue.org/2013/01/hong-kong-shark-fin-traders-take-to-the-rooftops/
• International Land Based Shark Fishing Association - Leading the Way in Shark Release Fishing
Best Practices and World Records Since 2006 - Sport History. (n.d.) Hammerhead shark from
1950’s [photograph]. Retrieved from http://landbasedsharkfishing.com/sport-history/
• Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus. (n.d.) Daggernose shark [photograph]. Retrieved from http://shark-
references.com/species/view/Isogomphodon-oxyrhynchus

39. Reference of Pictures and
Videos used
• Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf Association Continues. (n.d.) Basking Shark [photograph].
Retrieved from http://brickmanblog.typepad.com/brickman_blog/2014/07/montereys-old-
fishermans-wharf-association-continues-wharf-walks-at-montereys-old-fishermans-wharf-o.html
• Now Foods, Shark Cartilage, 750 mg, 100 Capsules. (n.d.) Shark cartilage pills [photograph].
Retrieved from http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Shark-Cartilage-750-mg-100-Capsules/23502
• Raw shark meat. (n.d.) Shark meat [photograph]. Retrieved from
http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-raw-shark-meat-image5598257
• Shark Ecomorphotypes. (n.d.) Tiger shark [photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.elasmo-
research.org/education/topics/de_ecomorphotypes.htm
• Shark Foundation Projects: Shark nurseries. (n.d.) Angel Shark [photograph]. Retrieved from
http://shark.ch/Projects/Nurseries/index.html
• Shark Identification Guide. (2014, June 17). Sandbar shark [photograph]. Retrieved from
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/sharks/hawaii-sharks/shark-identification-guide/
• Shark Liver Oil Pills [photograph]. Retrieved from
https://www.healthstoreipswich.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=835
• Shark Species - the taxonomy of sharks and rays. (n.d.) Chondrichthye classification
[photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.elasmodiver.com/elasmobranch_taxonomy.htm
• Sharks don't cry - Stop finning! a campaign by www.sharkproject.org. (2011, January 18). Shark
finning [video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaZjmT8mHbU&list=PL3crlNLRe0K9S2kknUe_fU3k1ohFbaX
7G&index=8

40. Reference of Pictures and
Videos used
• Silky Shark Dive Florida Keys. (2014, January 7). Silky shark [video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXDQ8OtSmYU&list=PL3crlNLRe0K9S2kknUe_fU3k1ohFba
X7G&index=4
• Smalleye Hammerhead shark [photograph].Retrieved from
https://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/documents/Sphyrna_tudes.pdf
• Spotted Eagle Ray [photograph]. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batoidea#/media/File:Spotted_Eagle_Ray_(Aetobatus_narinari)2.jpg
• Spotted Rat fish [photograph]. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocephali#/media/File:Hydrolagus_colliei.jpg
• The Fastest Shark in the Ocean | Top 10 Sharkdown - Shark Week 2013. (2013, August 2). Short
fin Mako shark [video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uaF8ERSs7Q&list=PL3crlNLRe0K9S2kknUe_fU3k1ohFbaX7
G&index=5
• UN body acts on destruction of sharks. (n.d.) Finned Hammerhead [photograph]. Retrieved from
http://wwf.panda.org/?208872/UN-body-acts-on-destruction-of-sharks
• Volume 17, Issue 1, 15 January 2011. (2011, January 14). Smalltail shark [photograph] Retrieved
from http://www.aqua-aquapress.com/es/volume-17-issue-1-15-january-2011-3/

41. Thank you
Questions?