We studied age, growth, and maturity of the oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus in the North Pacific, and the reproduction in the North and South Pacific, captured with tuna longline from Nov. 1967 to Oct. 1995. Vertebral rings were examined from 111 males (precaudal length: 54-172 cm) and 114 females (precaudal length: 50-195 cm). Minimum and maximum numbers of translucent rings wer...

Although marine protected areas (MPAs) are a common conservation strategy, these areas are often designed with little prior knowledge of the spatial behaviour of the species they are designed to protect. Currently, the Coral Sea area and its seamounts (north-east Australia) are under review to determine if MPAs are warranted. The protection of sharks at these seamounts should be an integral com...

Shark take, driven by vast demand for meat and fins, is increasing. We set out to gain insights into the impact of small-scale longline fisheries in Peru. Onboard observers were used to document catch from 145 longline fishing trips (1668 fishing days) originating from Ilo, southern Peru. Fishing effort is divided into two seasons: targeting dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus; December to Februar...

Severe discharge of sewage and industrial effluents into the Persian Gulf leads to the deposition of various types of heavy metals, especially lead and mercury, in the muscles of fish. Total mercury and methylmercury contents were determined in the edible parts (muscle tissue, fillet) of two different most popular frozen fish species from the Persian Gulf to ascertain whether the concentrations...

At the Ninth Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission in 2005, the commission adopted the resolution 05/05 , arising from the work of the Compliance Committee, concerning the conservation of sharks caught in association with fisheries managed by IOTC. It is stipulated that Contracting Parties and Cooperating non-Contracting Parties (CPCs) shall annually report their data for shark catches, r...