Considering their biological status, deep-sea sharks have been prohibited for targeted fishing since 2018. However, artisanal deep-sea fisheries for black scabbardfish using longlines have unavoidable by-catches of deep-sea sharks.

Longlines are recognised as a very selective fishing gear in such fisheries; however, even with this selective gear, it has proven difficult to avoid accidental catches of deep-sea sharks. Therefore, a very restrictive total allowable catch for unavoidable by-catches of those species in directed fisheries for black scabbardfish that use longlines was adopted, with additional data collection and avoidance obligations.

The Member State concerned has been asked to further develop regional management measures for the fishing of black scabbardfish with a view to reducing by-catches of deep-sea sharks and to ensure close monitoring of these stocks. The Commission has been communicating with the relevant Member State over the last two years.

The Member State has undertaken some efforts, such as a regional project, which started in 2017 and will last until 2020, to assess the sustainability of by-catch of deep-sea sharks, to contribute to an improved gear selectivity, to implement and promote good practice on board, and to collect spatial information and biometric and biological data in order to ensure close monitoring of deep sea sharks. This is an ongoing project and is the result of a partnership between the Azores Fisheries Federation and the Institute of Marine Research IMAR (1).

The Commission continues to monitor these measures, look at their impacts and works with the relevant Member State to further develop them, also in light of any new scientific advice.

(1) https://federacaopescasacores.pt/projetos/