Management Plan for the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark in Canada [Proposed] 2012: Management

Despite uncertainty regarding species’ biology or conservation needs, management actions that may reduce the risk of population level effects of threats should be undertaken.

The management goal for the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark is to maintain their abundance within Canadian Pacific waters at current or higher levels.

As a main purpose of SARA is to manage species of Special Concern so as to prevent them from becoming Threatened or Endangered, the goal of this management plan focuses on maintaining abundance at current or higher levels. Ensuring that the populations of these species can maintain or improve current levels of abundance is a key priority. There is high uncertainty regarding the numbers of Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark which utilize habitat in B.C.; however, current minimum estimates of biomass for the northeast Pacific include 7,900 individuals of Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Larson et al. 2005) and 1,500 t of Tope Shark (COSEWIC 2007b). As knowledge gaps remain regarding stock structure for both species, it may be important to preserve any unique genetic or behavioural features of these populations. There is limited information on latitudinal movements of the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark; however, Tope Shark move between Canadian and U.S. waters (Herald and Ripley 1952; Walker 1989). Further, the extent of individual migration throughout the distribution range is currently limited, although a recent study in Puget Sound (Andrews et al. 2010) indicates both seasonal and latitudinal movements of some Bluntnose Sixgill Sharks in this area. The role of Canadian management will be to protect the population within Canada, and collaborate on potential research and conservation initiatives with the U.S. Contributions might extend to include research in Mexican waters, since extent of migration throughout the range is currently unknown. It will be necessary to address knowledge gaps regarding each species biology (see Section 1.7) and threats (see section 1.5) in order to achieve the stated goal.

The following statements are objectives (not listed in order of priority) to be met by 2017 to support the management of the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark within Canadian Pacific waters:

1. Improve scientific knowledge of abundance, biology, ecology, stock structure, and threats to these species.
2. Maintain viable populations and prevent a decline to levels at which they would become Threatened or Endangered.
3. Maintain the species’ current range of occupancy and distribution.
4. Enhance communication and outreach of the biology, management, monitoring, research, and enforcement activities of these species.

There are significant knowledge gaps on the general biology and ecological role of the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark, and addressing these knowledge gaps will aid in directing management efforts. Improving scientific knowledge with respect to species’ biology and their threats will help to provide the framework on which to base future management actions. Maintenance of the abundance and distribution of Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark in Canadian Pacific waters over the next three generations will require that these populations be protected within Canada. Enhancing communication and awareness of both the species and conservation activities will assist in proper identification and general conservation of the species.

The following eleven actions (not listed in order of priority) are in support of management goals and objectives outlined in Sections 2.1 and 2.2. Many of the actions listed below are currently underway (see Section 1.6 ‘Actions already completed or underway’). The synchronization of these listed activities for management, research and monitoring and assessment will facilitate a multi-species approach to conservation of the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark populations in Canadian Pacific waters, and allow for the effective use of available resources. Actions have been recommended where implementation is deemed to be practicable and feasible, and most likely to result in successful protection of the population in Canadian Pacific waters.

Where responsibility for actions is determined to fall under DFO or Parks Canada Agency jurisdiction, actions will be implemented directly as availability of funding and other resources permits. However, collaboration with other responsible agencies and organizations will be necessary in some cases to complete actions. If responsibility for actions falls outside of the mandate of DFO, Parks Canada Agency, or outside of their respective jurisdictions, support for implementation of the action(s) and contribution to effort(s) will be a priority where feasible. Participating agencies and organizations as well as implementation timelines for each of the listed actions are presented in Table 6.

No directed fisheries exist within Canadian Pacific waters for Bluntnose Sixgill Shark or Tope Shark. However, both species are incidentally caught within other fisheries, identified as a threat of ‘medium’ concern, and explained in further detail in Section 1.5.2. Management and mitigation efforts for shark bycatch are captured in each fishery’s licence conditions as well as in the Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMPs). Fisheries and Oceans Canada uses IFMPs to guide the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, combining the best available science on a species with industry data on capacity and methods for harvesting that species, which includes requirements for bycatch. The conditions of licence for each fishery further outline prohibited species and requirements for reporting bycatch. As a condition of licence, all commercial groundfish vessels must have 100% at-sea monitoring. For hook and line and trap vessels, this may include either electronic monitoring or a third-party at-sea observer. For Option A trawl vessels (fishing outside of the Strait of Georgia), this includes a third-party at-sea observer; for Option B (fishing in the Strait of Georgia) and mid-water directed Pacific hake trawl vessels, this includes electronic monitoring. Commencing with the 2011/2012 season, no commercial fishery in Canadian Pacific waters is permitted to retain Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark; all fisheries are required to release Bluntnose Sixgill Shark or Tope Shark incidentally caught at sea with the least possible harm. Recreational shark fishing is managed under the finfish recreational fisheries. Through a recent Variation Order to the BC Sport Fishing Regulations, recreational catch limits of shark species were reduced from 20 individuals per day to “no fishing” for all SARA-listed species including Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark. The level of bycatch and entanglement of Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark in Aboriginal fisheries and aquaculture is unknown.

Management actions to address key threats are listed below.

The following areas are those that have been identified as a priority for research actions to address key knowledge gaps surrounding species biology, habitat and stock structure of the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark. Research efforts to address data deficiencies will assist management actions for these species and should also be considered in the context of supporting those topics listed below (See Section 1.7 ‘Knowledge Gaps’). Where feasible, DFO will lead the research efforts listed below.

Catch monitoring data is collected through the at-sea observation programs outlined above. Further to the 100% at-sea observation program for the commercial groundfish fishery, voluntary logbooks exist for the salmon and herring fisheries. The level of bycatch and entanglement of Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark in recreational and Aboriginal fisheries and aquaculture is unknown.

To meet the management goal and objectives outlined in sections 2.1 and 2.2, it is imperative that Fisheries and Oceans Canada foster improved communication networks to increase awareness of Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark conservation initiatives. This includes enhancing public awareness of these species and encouraging responsible fishing practices and accurate reporting in all fisheries. This would include increased communications with other government agencies, First Nations, relevant fishery advisory boards (commercial, recreational, aquaculture, and aboriginal), at-sea observers, environmental non-government organizations (ENGOs), and international partners. Outreach initiatives intended to enhance First Nation, public and stakeholder awareness of these species are currently underway, such as presentations at community events as well as a “Sharks of British Columbia” identification guide intended to increase proper identification and enhance awareness of shark species in Canadian Pacific waters.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada encourages other agencies and organizations to participate in the conservation of the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark through the implementation of this management plan. Table 6 summarizes those actions that are recommended to support the management goals and objectives. The activities implemented by Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be subject to the availability of funding and other required resources. Where appropriate, partnerships with specific organizations and sectors will provide the necessary expertise and capacity to carry out the listed action. However, this identification is intended to be advice to other agencies, and carrying out these actions will be subject to each agency’s priorities and budgetary constraints.

The following recovery plan outlines several proposed actions and research priorities which may assist in addressing some of the knowledge gaps and threats to the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark and Tope Shark in Canadian Pacific waters.

• Recovery Strategy for the Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) in Canadian Pacific waters [Final].