Big boys in town: Occurrences of large male smoothhounds, Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Sea of Marmara
Abstract
On 18 December 2023 and 17 August 2024, two male specimens of Mustelus mustelus (1321 mm and 1425 mm TL) were caught during scientific bottom trawling in the northern Sea of Marmara, the first off, the coast of Prince Islands and the second off Ambarlı. The results of the present study showed that male M. mustelus can grow extremely large (at least 292 mm) than previously published total length (TL) data for specimens caught in Turkish waters. The smaller size of male smoothhounds caught in Turkish waters in recent years is, of course, causing a phenomenon well known to the new generation of shark researchers in Türkiye, known as the “shifting baseline syndrome”. Currently, M. mustelus is not a protected shark species in Turkish waters but is also one of the most sought-after sharks by commercial fishermen. In conclusion, to avoid capturing mega-spawning specimens of M. mustelus in commercial fisheries, an upper size limit can be implemented as a first step towards effectively conserving the species.
Ethical Statement
Since the captured sharks are not included in the list of protected species and they were released alive ethics committee approval is not required
Supporting Institution
Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change / General Directorate of Environmental Impact assessment, Permit and Inspection and coordinated by TUBITAK-Marmara Research Center
Project Number
Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring (DEN-İZ) 2023-2025 Programme
Thanks
We warmly thank the R/V Yunus-S of İstanbul University crew for their kindness and strenuous efforts during our sampling survey. We also thank you for the support provided to us within the scope of the “Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring (DEN-İZ) 2023-2025 Programme” carried out by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change / General Directorate of Environmental Impact Assessment, Permit and Inspection and coordinated by TUBITAK-Marmara Research Center. We are grateful to the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments which improved the content and quality of our article.
References
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- Anonymous (2017). MEDITS-Handbook, Version n. 9, MEDITS Working Group, 106 p.
- Barone, M., Mazzoldi, C., Serena, F. (2022). Sharks, rays and chimaeras in Mediterranean and Black Seas – Key to identification. FAO, 87 p. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc0830en
- Bauchot, M.-L. (1987). Requins. In Fiches FAO d’identification des espèces pour les besoins de la pêche. (Révision 1). Méditerranée et mer Noire. Zone de pêche 37. Vol. II. Vertebrates. Fischer, W., Schneider, M., Bauchot, M.-L., Eds.; FAO, Roma, pp. 767-843.
- Bilecenoğlu, M. (2024). Diversity of fishes along the coasts of Türkiye. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 48(SI-1), 589-616. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0179.3197
- Branstetter, S. (1984). Triakidae. In Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Whitehead, P. J. P., Bauchot, M.-L., Hureau, J.-C., Nielsen, J., Tortonese, E., Eds.; UNESCO, Paris. Vol. I, pp. 117-121.
- Cailliet, G.M., Love, M.S., Ebeling, A.W. (1986). Fishes. A Field and Laboratory Manual on Their Structure, Identification, and Natural History. Wadsworth Publishing Company, Belmont, 194 p.
- Compagno, L.J.V. (1984). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2- Carcharhiniformes. FAO Fisheries Synopsis, 125(4/2), FAO, Rome, pp. 251-655.
- De Maddalena, A., Piscitelli, L., Malandra, R. (2001). The largest specimen of smooth-hound, Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758), recorded from the Mediterranean Sea. Bilješke - Notes, 84, 8 p.
- Ebert, D.A., Stehmann, M.F.W. (2013). Sharks, batoids, and chimaeras of the North Atlantic. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 7. FAO, Rome, 523 p.
- Ebert, D.A., Dando, M., Fowler, S. (2021). Sharks of the World: A Complete Guide. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 608 p.
- Ellis, J.R., McCully Phillips, S.R., Poisson, F. (2017). A review of capture and post-release mortality of elasmobranchs. Journal of Fish Biology, 90(3), 653-722. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13197
- Eronat, E.G.T., Özaydın, O. (2014). Length-weight relationship of cartilaginous fish species from Central Aegean Sea (Izmir Bay and Sığacık Bay). Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 31(3), 119-125. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.2014.31.3.01
- FAO, ACCOBAMS (2018). Good practice guide for the handling of sharks and rays caught incidentally in Mediterranean pelagic longline fisheries. http://www.fao.org/3/i9152en/I9152EN.pdf
- Filiz, H. (2009). Diet composition of smooth-hound, Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758), in Aegean Sea, Turkey. Belgian Journal of Zoology, 139(1), 81-84.
- Filiz, H., Mater, S. (2002). A preliminary study on length-weight relationships for seven elasmobranch species from north Aegean Sea, Turkey. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 19(3-4). 401-409.
- Froese, R. (2004). Keep it simple: three indicators to deal with overfishing. Fish and Fisheries, 5(1), 86-91. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2979.2004.00144.x
- GFCM (2018). GFCM Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF). Version: 23.2., FAO, Rome, 190 p.
- Goosen, A.J.J., Smale, M.J. (1997). A preliminary study of age and growth of the smoothhound shark Mustelus mustelus (Triakidae). South African Journal of Marine Science, 18(1), 85-91. https://doi.org/10.2989/025776197784161072
- Ninni, E. (1923). Primo contributo allo studio dei pesci e della pesca nelle acque dell’Impero Ottomano. Premiate Officine Grafiche Carlo Ferrari, Venezia, 187 p.
- Pauly, D. (1995). Anecdotes and the shifting baseline syndrome of fisheries. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 10(10), 430. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(00)89171-5
- Reiner, F. (1996). Catálogo dos peixes do arquipélago de Cabo Verde. Instituto Portugués de Investigção Marítima, Lisboa, 339 p.
- Saïdi, B., Bradaï, M.N., Bouaïn, A. (2008). Reproductive biology of the smooth-hound shark Mustelus mustelus (L.) in the Gulf of Gabès (south-central Mediterranean Sea). Journal of Fish Biology, 72(6), 1343-1354. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.01801.x
- Serena, F. (2005). Field identification guide to the sharks and rays of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. FAO, Rome, 97p.
- Smale, M.J., Compagno, L.J.V. (1997). Life history and diet of two southern African smoothound sharks, Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Mustelus palumbes Smith, 1957 (Pisces: Triakidae). South African Journal of Marine Science, 18(1), 229-248. https://doi.org/10.2989/025776197784160992
Big boys in town: Occurrences of large male smoothhounds, Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Sea of Marmara
Abstract
Recent catches of very large specimens (1321 mm and 1425 mm TL) indicate that males of Mustelus mustelus can grow extremely large compared to those reported in the available literature. The apparently smaller size of male smoothhounds caught in Turkish waters in recent years is, of course, causing a phenomenon well known to the new generation of shark researchers in Turkey, known as the "shifting baseline syndrome". At present, M. mustelus is not a protected shark species in Turkish waters and is also one of the most sought-after sharks by commercial fishermen. Considering that the aim of the current management regime is to implement a fishing strategy that will result in 0% (none) of megaspawners being caught in fisheries or being injured or killed in case of non-targeted capture, an upper size limit can be implemented as a first step towards conservation.
Project Number
Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring (DEN-İZ) 2023-2025 Programme
References
- Akşıray, F. (1987). Türkiye Deniz Balıkları ve Tayin Anahtarı, 2nd edn. Publication No. 3490. Istanbul: Istanbul University, 811 p.
- Anonymous (2017). MEDITS-Handbook, Version n. 9, MEDITS Working Group, 106 p.
- Barone, M., Mazzoldi, C., Serena, F. (2022). Sharks, rays and chimaeras in Mediterranean and Black Seas – Key to identification. FAO, 87 p. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc0830en
- Bauchot, M.-L. (1987). Requins. In Fiches FAO d’identification des espèces pour les besoins de la pêche. (Révision 1). Méditerranée et mer Noire. Zone de pêche 37. Vol. II. Vertebrates. Fischer, W., Schneider, M., Bauchot, M.-L., Eds.; FAO, Roma, pp. 767-843.
- Bilecenoğlu, M. (2024). Diversity of fishes along the coasts of Türkiye. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 48(SI-1), 589-616. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0179.3197
- Branstetter, S. (1984). Triakidae. In Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Whitehead, P. J. P., Bauchot, M.-L., Hureau, J.-C., Nielsen, J., Tortonese, E., Eds.; UNESCO, Paris. Vol. I, pp. 117-121.
- Cailliet, G.M., Love, M.S., Ebeling, A.W. (1986). Fishes. A Field and Laboratory Manual on Their Structure, Identification, and Natural History. Wadsworth Publishing Company, Belmont, 194 p.
- Compagno, L.J.V. (1984). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2- Carcharhiniformes. FAO Fisheries Synopsis, 125(4/2), FAO, Rome, pp. 251-655.
- De Maddalena, A., Piscitelli, L., Malandra, R. (2001). The largest specimen of smooth-hound, Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758), recorded from the Mediterranean Sea. Bilješke - Notes, 84, 8 p.
- Ebert, D.A., Stehmann, M.F.W. (2013). Sharks, batoids, and chimaeras of the North Atlantic. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 7. FAO, Rome, 523 p.
- Ebert, D.A., Dando, M., Fowler, S. (2021). Sharks of the World: A Complete Guide. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 608 p.
- Ellis, J.R., McCully Phillips, S.R., Poisson, F. (2017). A review of capture and post-release mortality of elasmobranchs. Journal of Fish Biology, 90(3), 653-722. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13197
- Eronat, E.G.T., Özaydın, O. (2014). Length-weight relationship of cartilaginous fish species from Central Aegean Sea (Izmir Bay and Sığacık Bay). Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 31(3), 119-125. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.2014.31.3.01
- FAO, ACCOBAMS (2018). Good practice guide for the handling of sharks and rays caught incidentally in Mediterranean pelagic longline fisheries. http://www.fao.org/3/i9152en/I9152EN.pdf
- Filiz, H. (2009). Diet composition of smooth-hound, Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758), in Aegean Sea, Turkey. Belgian Journal of Zoology, 139(1), 81-84.
- Filiz, H., Mater, S. (2002). A preliminary study on length-weight relationships for seven elasmobranch species from north Aegean Sea, Turkey. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 19(3-4). 401-409.
- Froese, R. (2004). Keep it simple: three indicators to deal with overfishing. Fish and Fisheries, 5(1), 86-91. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2979.2004.00144.x
- GFCM (2018). GFCM Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF). Version: 23.2., FAO, Rome, 190 p.
- Goosen, A.J.J., Smale, M.J. (1997). A preliminary study of age and growth of the smoothhound shark Mustelus mustelus (Triakidae). South African Journal of Marine Science, 18(1), 85-91. https://doi.org/10.2989/025776197784161072
- Ninni, E. (1923). Primo contributo allo studio dei pesci e della pesca nelle acque dell’Impero Ottomano. Premiate Officine Grafiche Carlo Ferrari, Venezia, 187 p.
- Pauly, D. (1995). Anecdotes and the shifting baseline syndrome of fisheries. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 10(10), 430. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(00)89171-5
- Reiner, F. (1996). Catálogo dos peixes do arquipélago de Cabo Verde. Instituto Portugués de Investigção Marítima, Lisboa, 339 p.
- Saïdi, B., Bradaï, M.N., Bouaïn, A. (2008). Reproductive biology of the smooth-hound shark Mustelus mustelus (L.) in the Gulf of Gabès (south-central Mediterranean Sea). Journal of Fish Biology, 72(6), 1343-1354. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.01801.x
- Serena, F. (2005). Field identification guide to the sharks and rays of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. FAO, Rome, 97p.
- Smale, M.J., Compagno, L.J.V. (1997). Life history and diet of two southern African smoothound sharks, Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Mustelus palumbes Smith, 1957 (Pisces: Triakidae). South African Journal of Marine Science, 18(1), 229-248. https://doi.org/10.2989/025776197784160992
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Hydrobiology, Fisheries Management |
| Journal Section | Short Communication |
| Authors | |
| Project Number | Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring (DEN-İZ) 2023-2025 Programme |
| Early Pub Date | March 17, 2025 |
| Publication Date | March 28, 2025 |
| Submission Date | September 8, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | January 7, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025Volume: 8 Issue: 2 |
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