Multidecadal Management Ensures High Sustainability and Low Risk in a Global Shark Biodiversity Hotspot

Abstract

Overfishing continues to drive the decline of sharks and rays worldwide, contributing to the deterioration of their global conservation status. Effective fisheries management can prevent overfishing, but only a small fraction of the global catch of sharks and rays has been assessed as being sustainable. A weight‐of‐evidence stock assessment framework, incorporating many stock‐specific analyses, is used herein to provide scientific advice and inform the management and conservation of shark and ray species ( n > 100) that interact with fisheries in Western Australia, a global shark and ray diversity hotspot. The rigorous management regime implemented in Western Australia over the last four decades effectively reduced fishing mortality. The current fishing sustainability risk for most species is low, with previously overfished stocks recovered or recovering to sustainable levels. Our study provides optimism and confidence that the application and implementation of effective management arrangements can recover shark stocks and thereby underpin sustainable fishing operations.

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