Publication Abstract

Application of an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) to data deficient species: Elasmobranchs of the British Isles

S. R. McCully, J. R. Ellis, J. A. A. De Oliveira, F. Scott, S. P. Northridge and G. M. Pilling

Ecological Risk Assessments (ERAs) can provide a relatively quick way of identifying which species are most at risk in a fishery, even in data deficient situations. This approach has been developed and applied to a number of elasmobranch complexes in Australia and also to some high-seas fisheries. In UK fisheries, elasmobranchs generally comprise the incidental catch, and consequently data are limited and quantitative assessments problematic for even the better-studied species. ERA methodology was therefore appropriate for application to both demersal and pelagic UK fisheries operating around the British Isles. We assumed a species' vulnerability to be related to their biological sensitivity and fisheries susceptibility. We identified four key biological, and six key fisheries parameters that informed on the potential sensitivity and susceptibility of the species. In both pelagic longline and trawl fisheries, porbeagle and shortfin mako sharks ranked as the most vulnerable species. In demersal otter trawl fisheries, blonde, smalleyed and thornback rays were identified as most vulnerable, whilst in demersal gillnet fisheries spurdog was considered to be the most at risk. This approach thus identifies the species and fisheries that should be subject to more detailed assessment and/or to underpin the need for precautionary management.

Reference:

S. R. McCully, J. R. Ellis, J. A. A. De Oliveira, F. Scott, S. P. Northridge and G. M. Pilling (2010) Application of an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) to data deficient species: Elasmobranchs of the British Isles. ICES CM 2010/E