Shark Fishing

Shark fishing involves targeting various species of sharks for sport, commercial purposes, or as a bycatch in other fisheries. It's a practice that requires careful management due to the vulnerability of many shark species to overfishing. Here are the primary types of shark fishing:

1. Recreational Shark Fishing:
   • Sport fishermen often target sharks for their fighting ability and size. Popular species include Mako, Blue, and Tiger sharks.
   • This type of fishing usually involves catch and release practices, but in some cases, anglers keep their catch.
   • It's regulated in many areas to ensure sustainable practices, with limitations on the species, size, and number of sharks that can be caught.
2. Commercial Shark Fishing:
   • Done for meat, fins, liver oil, and other shark products.
   • Species like the Blue, Shortfin Mako, and Porbeagle are commonly targeted.
   • This practice has raised significant conservation concerns, particularly regarding shark finning (the practice of removing shark fins and discarding the rest of the shark at sea).
3. Artisanal Shark Fishing:
   • Involves smaller-scale fishing operations, often in coastal communities.
   • Primarily for local consumption and sometimes part of traditional fishing practices.
   • Can impact local shark populations and requires management to ensure sustainability.
4. Bycatch:
   • Sharks are often unintentionally caught in fisheries targeting other species, such as tuna and swordfish.
   • Bycatch can significantly impact shark populations, especially as they generally have slow growth and low reproduction rates.
5. Shark Tagging and Research Fishing:
   • Conducted by scientists to study shark behavior, biology, and ecology.
   • Involves catching sharks, tagging them, and releasing them back into the ocean.
   • Provides valuable data for shark conservation efforts.
6. Shore-based Shark Fishing:
   • Involves fishing for sharks from the shoreline or piers.
   • Popular in some coastal areas, but it has raised concerns about the safety of swimmers and the impact on near-shore shark populations.
7. Deep-sea Shark Fishing:
   • Targeting deep-water shark species.
   • Often involves longer fishing expeditions.
   • Includes species not typically found in coastal waters.

Due to the vulnerability of many shark species, shark fishing is subject to a variety of regulations and restrictions worldwide. These regulations may include licensing requirements, catch limits, size limits, gear restrictions, and closed seasons or areas. Conservation concerns have also led to increased advocacy for shark protection, with some areas establishing shark sanctuaries where all shark fishing is banned. It's crucial for anyone engaging in shark fishing to be aware of and comply with these regulations and to practice sustainable and ethical fishing methods.