Ocean-wide tracking of pelagic sharks reveals extent of overlap with longline fishing hotspots

This paper used satellite tracking data from six oceanic shark species (blue shark, shortfin and longfin mako sharks, tiger shark, great and scalloped hammerheads) across the North Atlantic, and showed that pelagic sharks occupy predictable habitat hotspots of high space use. The movement model indicated that these sharks preferred using habitats with strong sea surface-temperature fronts. However, The study also collected GPS data of the Spanish and Portuguese longline-vessel fishing fleets showing an 80% overlap of fished areas with hotspots, potentially increasing shark susceptibility to fishing exploitation.

Because the major points of this Topic is about shark management and conservation, the section ‘Discussion’ has to be read carefully, particular the last two paragraphs. The study has devoted considerable effort to demonstrate the habitat and key hotspots of six species of oceanic sharks in relation to longline fishing operations in the Atlantic Ocean. However, in order to truly contribute to addressing the issue of (shark) overfishing, it is necessary to be able to provide useful recommendations. Therefore, the paper has also proposed some feasible methods for further management.

Please use the question below to help you understand： -What suggestions do you have for improving future research based on this report? -Please explain how to use approaches of the paper applying to Taiwan’s (shark) fishery. Give an example.