Elasmobranchs are often top predators in most marine ecosystems. Considering this, their role in the correct functioning of marine ecosystems is indisputable. Despite these important factors, populations are in decline globally, due in large part to anthropogenic disturbances and changing environmental conditions. Fishing activities have been identified as the primary source of elasmobranch population declines, through overfishing as well as non-target interactions with fisheries. With increasing demand on fisheries and declining fish stocks globally, the impacts from fisheries activities are predicted to increase in the coming decades.
Elasmobranch interactions with fisheries have been extensively recorded in the Mediterranean, with several
hark and ray species declining sharply, attributed mostly to these activities. This Research Topic aims to collate new research on these species, and how fishing activities are impacting elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean Sea, both directly (targeted/non-target catch) and indirectly (ecosystem damage and food-web disturbances). We welcome manuscripts on elasmobranch population and conservation concerns, as well as biological and ecological aspects, and management plans and future perspectives at alleviating the decline of elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean.
The scope of this Research Topic is to publish original and high-quality works on the several aspects of elasmobranchs and fishing activities. We welcome original research articles, as well as review or policy and affairs manuscripts, related to conservation management plans.
Elasmobranchs are often top predators in most marine ecosystems. Considering this, their role in the correct functioning of marine ecosystems is indisputable. Despite these important factors, populations are in decline globally, due in large part to anthropogenic disturbances and changing environmental conditions. Fishing activities have been identified as the primary source of elasmobranch population declines, through overfishing as well as non-target interactions with fisheries. With increasing demand on fisheries and declining fish stocks globally, the impacts from fisheries activities are predicted to increase in the coming decades.
Elasmobranch interactions with fisheries have been extensively recorded in the Mediterranean, with several
hark and ray species declining sharply, attributed mostly to these activities. This Research Topic aims to collate new research on these species, and how fishing activities are impacting elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean Sea, both directly (targeted/non-target catch) and indirectly (ecosystem damage and food-web disturbances). We welcome manuscripts on elasmobranch population and conservation concerns, as well as biological and ecological aspects, and management plans and future perspectives at alleviating the decline of elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean.
The scope of this Research Topic is to publish original and high-quality works on the several aspects of elasmobranchs and fishing activities. We welcome original research articles, as well as review or policy and affairs manuscripts, related to conservation management plans.
