Assigning shark fin origin using species distribution models needs a reality check

Authors

Vincent Raoult, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia
Michael I. Grant, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
Ana Paula Barbosa Martins, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Leonardo Manir Feitosa, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
Matias Braccini, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Diego Cardeñosa, Florida International University, North Miami, USA
John Carlson, NOAA Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Florida, USA
Andrew Chin, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
Tobey Curtis, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Gloucester, MA, USA
Luís Fernando Carvalho Costa, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Maranhão, Brazil
Luís Fernando Rodrigues Filho, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA), Campus Universitário de Capanema, PA, Brazil
Tommaso Giarrizzo, Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Pará, Brazil
Jorge Luiz S. Nunes, Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Maranhão, Brazil
João Bráullio L. Sales, Grupo de Investigação Biologica Integrada (GIBI), Universidade Federal do Pará, Pará, Brazil
Jane E. Williamson, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Colin A. Simpfendorfer, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-14-2021

Journal Title

Biology Letters

ISSN

Electronic: 1744-957X Print: 1744-9561

Keywords

Species distribution models, Shark fin origin, shark population, Shark fisheries

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Marine Biology | Natural Resource Economics | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Sustainability

Abstract

The conservation and management of shark populations have become urgent issues to ensure the future health of our oceans [1]. There are many drivers of the decline of shark populations, with the demand for shark fins being one of the more important [2]. Understanding fin origin can help identify regions for improved management, and hence has been the focus of recent research (e.g. Fields et al. [3], Cardeñosa et al. [4]). In a recent Biology Letters article, Van Houtan et al. [5] contributed to this work using data on species composition of shark fins at four markets and species distribution models (SDMs) to predict the probability of fin origin. Their purpose was to address knowledge gaps in source and trade routes of shark products, which currently limit the effective allocation of management resources. While the broad concept behind their paper is novel, we disagree with the results and conclusions owing to flaws in methodology and interpretation.

Recommended Citation

Raoult Vincent, Grant Michael I., Barbosa Martins Ana Paula, Feitosa Leonardo Manir, Braccini Matias, Cardeñosa Diego, Carlson John, Chin Andrew, Curtis Tobey, Carvalho Costa Luís Fernando, Rodrigues Filho Luís Fernando, Giarrizzo Tommaso, Nunes Jorge Luiz S., Sales João Bráullio L., Williamson Jane E. and Simpfendorfer Colin A. 2021 Assigning shark fin origin using species distribution models needs a reality check Biol. Lett.17: 20200907 https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0907