Most shark and ray bycatch is due to hooking on longlines, but significant bycatch is attributed to capture in purse seine nets (mostly when fishing on FADs) and also to entanglement in netting on FADs. Research into mitigation of shark bycatch is looking at a range of options (for longlines, read Clarke et al 2017). Among these are: the effect of circle hooks on shark catch rates; ‘Eco' or 'Bio' FADs to reduce entanglement and marine debris; electrical and magnetic hook deterrents; selectivity of artificial bait; and ways to lure or release sharks from seine nets. Safe handling and release procedures have been developed which significantly reduce post-release mortality of sharks.
Several recent studies have looked at the factors affecting post-release mortality of sharks, e.g., stationary-respiring shark species have been shown to experience lower post-release mortality rates than obligate ram-ventilators on longlines [1]. Such information helps to understand the vulnerability of different shark species and thus feeds into improved management strategies for shark bycatch.
For detailed biological and distributional data about shark species, refer to FishBase or Shark-References. FAO has published a series of regional catalogues describing shark/ batoid/chimeras, such as this one for the North Atlantic. Look for others in the series here. NOAA's 'Find a Species - Highly Migratory Species' has information on protection status, biology and population status, distribution, threats, conservation measures and research. Handy species ID guides can be found here.
STAGIS, a database of shark tagging FIELD STUDIES conducted in the Pacific Ocean, can be accessed here.
References
- Dapp DR, Huveneers C, Walker TI, et al (2016) Moving from Measuring to Predicting Bycatch Mortality: Predicting the Capture Condition of a Longline-Caught Pelagic Shark. Front Mar Sci 2:126. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2015.00126

Species
3-Alpha Code | Name | Scientific Name |
---|---|---|
ALS | SILVERTIP SHARK | Carcharhinus albimarginatus |
ALV | THRESHER | Alopias vulpinus |
AML | GREY REEF SHARK | Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos |
BAI | RAYS, SKATES AND MANTAS | Batoidimorpha (Hypotrmata) |
BLR | BLACKTIP REEF SHARK | Carcharhinus melanopterus |
BRO | BRONZE WHALER SHARK | Carcharhinus brachyurus |
BSH | BLUE SHARK | Prionace glauca |
BSK | BASKING SHARK | Cetorhinus maximus |
BTH | BIGEYE THRESHER | Alopias superciliosus |
CCA | BIGNOSE SHARK | Carcharhinus altimus |
CCB | SPINNER SHARK | Carcharhinus brevipinna |
CCD | WHITECHEEK SHARK | Carcharhinus dussumieri |
CCE | BULL SHARK | Carcharhinus leucas |
CCF | PIGEYE SHARK | Carcharhinus amboinensis |
CCG | GALAPAGOS SHARK | Carcharhinus galapagensis |
CCL | BLACKTIP SHARK | Carcharhinus limbatus |
CCM | HARDNOSE SHARK | Carcharhinus macloti |
CCP | SANDBAR SHARK | Carcharhinus plumbeus |
CCQ | SPOT-TAIL SHARK | Carcharhinus sorrah |
CCT | GREY NURSE SHARK | Carcharias taurus |
CCU | AUSTRALIAN BLACKTIP SHARK | Carcharhinus tilstoni |
CCY | GRACEFUL SHARK | Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides |
CCZ | CREEK WHALER | Carcharhinus fitzroyensis |
CEM | SMALLFIN GULPER SHARK | Centrophorus moluccensis |
CEU | DUMB GULPER SHARK | Centrophorus harrissoni |
CNX | WHITENOSE SHARK | Nasolamia velox |
CPS | CARPET SHARK | Cephaloscyllium isabellum |
CPU | LITTLE GULPER SHARK | Centrophorus uyato |
CTU | GUMMY SHARK | Mustelus antarcticus |
CVX | GROUND SHARKS | Carcharhiniformes |
CYU | PLUNKETS SHARK | Scymnodon plunketi |
DCA | SHOVELNOSE DOGFISH | Deania calcea |
DGS | SPINY DOGFISH | Squalus acanthias |
DGX | DOG FISHES | Squalidae |
DOP | Spurdog | Squalus megalops |
DUS | DUSKY SHARK | Carcharhinus obscurus |
FAL | SILKY SHARK | Carcharhinus falciformis |
GAG | SCHOOL SHARK | Galeorhinus galeus |
HDQ | BULLHEAD SHARKS | Heterodontiformes |
HEE | SNAGGLETOOTH SHARK | Hemipristis elongatus |
HXT | SHARPSNOUTED SEVENGILL SHARK | Heptranchias perlo |
ISB | COOKIE CUTTER SHARK | Isistius brasiliensis |
LES | LEOPARD SHARK | Triakis semifasciata |
LMA | LONG FINNED MAKO | Isurus paucus |
LMD | SALMON SHARK | Lamna ditropis |
LMP | MEGAMOUTH SHARK | Megachasma pelagios |
MAK | MAKO SHARKS | Isurus spp. |
MAN | MANTA RAYS (UNIDENTIFIED) | Mobulidae |
MTL | SPOTTED ESTUARY SMOOTH-HOUND | Mustelus lenticulatus |
NGA | SICKLEFIN LEMON SHARK | Negaprion acutidens |
NTC | BROADSNOUTED SEVENGILL SHARK | Notorynchus cepedianus |
OCS | OCEANIC WHITETIP SHARK | Carcharhinus longimanus |
ODH | BIGEYE SAND SHARK | Odontaspis noronhai |
ORZ | TAWNY NURSE SHARK | Nebrius ferrugineus |
OSF | ZEBRA SHARK | Stegostoma fasciatum |
PLS | PELAGIC STING-RAY | Dasyatis violacea |
POR | PORBEAGLE SHARK | Lamna nasus |
PPC | LONGNOSE SAWSHARK | Pristiophorus cirratus |
PSK | CROCODILE SHARK | Pseudocarcharias kamoharai |
PTH | PELAGIC THRESHER | Alopias pelagicus |
REM | REMORA SPECIES | Remora spp. |
REO | SHARK SUCKER | Remora remora |
RHA | MILK SHARK | Rhizoprionodon acutus |
RHN | WHALE SHARK | Rhincodon typus |
RHY | AUSTRALIAN SHARPNOSE SHARK | Rhizoprionodon taylori |
RPC | DWARF SAWFISH | Pristis clavata |
RPZ | LONGCOMB SAWFISH | Pristis zijsron |
RSK | REQUIEM SHARKS NEI | Carcharhinidae |
RUZ | GREENBACK STINGAREE | Urolophus viridis |
SBL | COW SHARK | Hexanchus griseus |
SCK | SEAL SHARK / BLACK SHARK | Dalatias licha |
SHK | SHARKS (UNIDENTIFIED) | Elasmobranchii |
SKH | SHARKS NEI | Selachimorpha (Pleurotremata) |
SKX | SHARKS, RAYS, SKATES, ETC. NEI | Elasmobranchii |
SMA | SHORTFIN MAKO | Isurus oxyrhinchus |
SON | PACIFIC SLEEPER SHARK | Somniosus pacificus |
SPK | GREAT HAMMERHEAD | Sphyrna mokarran |
SPL | SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD | Sphyrna lewini |
SPN | HAMMERHEAD SHARKS | Sphyrna spp. |
SPZ | SMOOTH HAMMERHEAD | Sphyrna zygaena |
SSQ | VELVET DOGFISH | Scymnodon squamulosus |
THR | THRESHER SHARKS NEI | Alopias spp. |
TIG | TIGER SHARK | Galeocerdo cuvier |
TRB | WHITETIP REEF SHARK | Triaenodon obesus |
WSH | GREAT WHITE SHARK | Carcharodon carcharias |
WST | WHIP STINGRAY | Dasyatis akajei |