Fishery indicators for the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) caught by the Portuguese pelagic longline fishery in the Atlantic: nominal CPUEs, catch-at-size and at-haulback mortality

This paper provides an overview of fishery indicators for the shortfin mako shark captured by the Portuguese pelagic longline fishery in the Atlantic, in terms of catch-at-size, nominal CPUEs and at-haulback mortality. The analysis is based on data from fishery observers, port sampling and skippers logbooks (self sampling), from 1997-2015. In general, there was a large variability in the nominal CPUE trends for the north Atlantic, with a slight increase during the period. For the catch-at-size there were no major trends in the time series, but the sizes tended to be larger in the South Atlantic and with a larger variability. The at-haulback mortality was similar between sexes, with a trend for decreasing mortality rates with increasing specimen size. The data presented in this working document should be considered preliminary and is presented in preparation for the 2017 shortfin mako stock assessment in the Atlantic Ocean.