Activities and Catch Composition of Artisanal Elasmobranch Fishing Sites on the Eastern Coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico

Abstract

Eighty–three artisanal fishing sites were documented from seasonal surveys of the Gulf of California coast of Baja California Sur conducted during El Niño (1998) and La Niña (1999) conditions. The direct targeting of elasmobranchs was observed at approximately half (48.2%) of these sites. Sharks numerically dominated sampled landings (71.3%, n = 693), and exceeded those of batoids during all seasons. Among the primary species in observed landings were the scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini (15.2%, n = 148), Pacific angel shark, Squatina californica (11.6%, n = 113), blue shark, Prionace glauca (11.4%, n = 111), Pacific sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon longurio (11.3%, n = 110), and pygmy devil ray, Mobula munkiana (8.6%, n = 84).