Andrew Chin

James Cook University

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Colin A. Simpfendorfer

James Cook University

William T. White

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Leontine Baje

Micronesia Conservation Trust

Michelle R. Heupel

Australian Institute of Marine Science

Peter M. Kyne

Charles Darwin University

J. J. C. Smart

University of Adelaide

Michael I. Grant

James Cook University

Rory B. McAuley

University of Western Australia

Ralph Mana

University of Papua New Guinea

Cassandra L. Rigby

James Cook University

Cooperative Institutions

James Cook University

Instituto Politécnico Nacional

University of Papua New Guinea

University of Tasmania

Charles Darwin Foundation

Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines

National Department of Health

AIMS@JCU

ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere

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State of the Reef Report 2006: Initial survey of the impact of Tropical Cyclone Larry on reefs and islands in the Central Great Barrier Reef

Andrew Chin Johnston Davidson Guillermo Javier Díaz Villavicencio

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The scientist abroad: Maximising research impact and effectiveness when working as a visiting scientist

Biological Conservation (2019)

Andrew Chin Leontine Baje Terrance Donaldson Karin Leeann Gerhardt Rima W. Jabado

Commit

Conservation science

Compromise

Reciprocity

10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108231

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Citations (8)

Ontogenetic movements of juvenile blacktip reef sharks: evidence of dispersal and connectivity between coastal habitats and coral reefs

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems (2013)

Andrew Chin Michelle R. Heupel Colin A. Simpfendorfer AJ Tobin

ABSTRACT Connectivity between coastal habitats and mid‐shelf and offshore coral reefs is a topical issue in the conservation and management of fishes and coastal ecosystems. Coastal habitats provide a range of ecosystem functions for sharks and rays and the use of coastal ecosystems by these species affects conservation and management outcomes. There is a growing need to better understand movement and habitat use patterns given recorded declines of many shark and ray species around the world. This study presents evidence of connectivity of blacktip reef sharks between coastal and offshore habitats, with juveniles dispersing from natal grounds at the onset of maturity and moving to new locations including offshore coral reefs. These dispersal patterns differ from previous accounts of reef shark movements and provide new evidence of connectivity among coastal habitats and offshore coral reefs. These large‐scale movements may help to maintain genetic diversity of populations, and could increase the resilience of blacktip reef shark populations to localized pressures. These movement and connectivity patterns also illustrate the potential importance of coastal habitats to reef shark conservation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aquaculture of coral

Nursery habitat

Coral reef organizations

10.1002/aqc.2349

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Citations (73)

Intraspecific demography of the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis): implications for fisheries management

ICES Journal of Marine Science (2019)

Michael I. Grant J. J. C. Smart Cassandra L. Rigby William T. White Andrew Chin

Abstract The silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is one of the most heavily fished tropical shark species globally, and currently there is increasing concern for its conservation status. However, large differences and ambiguity in life history parameter estimates among regions complicates its conservation and fisheries management. Using a Leslie matrix model that incorporated stochastic effects, we analysed the intraspecific demography of C. falciformis using available life history data from seven regions. Among regions, large differences were observed in generation time and age-specific reproductive contributions. Carcharhinus falciformis generally had low resilience to fishing mortality (F) throughout its distribution. Age-at-first-capture and age-at-last-capture management approaches resulted in substantial differences among regions. This was largely influenced by age-at-maturity. However, in scrutinizing some regional life history studies, it is likely that sampling design and methodological differences among regions have resulted in inaccuracies in life history parameter estimates and subsequent demographic attributes. This implies that age and life-stage-dependent management approaches using these possibly inaccurate life history parameters may be inappropriate. We suggest that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on eliminating human sources of error in elasmobranch life history studies to ensure management for wide-ranging species, such as C. falciformis, is most effective.

Carcharhinus

Leslie matrix

10.1093/icesjms/fsz196

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Citations (11)

Effects of Including Misidentified Sharks in Life History Analyses: A Case Study on the Grey Reef Shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos from Papua New Guinea

PLoS ONE (2016)

J. J. C. Smart Andrew Chin Leontine Baje Madeline Green Sharon A. Appleyard

Fisheries observer programs are used around the world to collect crucial information and samples that inform fisheries management. However, observer error may misidentify similar-looking shark species. This raises questions about the level of error that species misidentifications could introduce to estimates of species’ life history parameters. This study addressed these questions using the Grey Reef Shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos as a case study. Observer misidentification rates were quantified by validating species identifications using diagnostic photographs taken on board supplemented with DNA barcoding. Length-at-age and maturity ogive analyses were then estimated and compared with and without the misidentified individuals. Vertebrae were retained from a total of 155 sharks identified by observers as C. amblyrhynchos. However, 22 (14%) of these were sharks were misidentified by the observers and were subsequently re-identified based on photographs and/or DNA barcoding. Of the 22 individuals misidentified as C. amblyrhynchos, 16 (73%) were detected using photographs and a further 6 via genetic validation. If misidentified individuals had been included, substantial error would have been introduced to both the length-at-age and the maturity estimates. Thus validating the species identification, increased the accuracy of estimated life history parameters for C. amblyrhynchos. From the corrected sample a multi-model inference approach was used to estimate growth for C. amblyrhynchos using three candidate models. The model averaged length-at-age parameters for C. amblyrhynchos with the sexes combined were L¯∞ = 159 cm TL and L¯0 = 72 cm TL. Females mature at a greater length (l50 = 136 cm TL) and older age (A50 = 9.1 years) than males (l50 = 123 cm TL; A50 = 5.9 years). The inclusion of techniques to reduce misidentification in observer programs will improve the results of life history studies and ultimately improve management through the use of more accurate data for assessments.

Carcharhinus

DNA Barcoding

10.1371/journal.pone.0153116

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Citations (33)

Age, growth and maturity of the Australian sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon taylori from the Gulf of Papua

PLoS ONE (2018)

Leontine Baje J. J. C. Smart Andrew Chin William T. White Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Coastal sharks with small body sizes may be among the most productive species of chondrichthyans. The Australian sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon taylori) is one of the most productive members of this group based on work in northern and eastern Australia. However, life history information throughout the remainder of its range is lacking. To address this knowledge gap, the age, growth and maturity of R. taylori caught in the Gulf of Papua prawn trawl fishery in Papua New Guinea, were studied. One hundred and eighty six individuals, comprising 131 females (31-66 cm TL) and 55 males (31-53 cm TL) were aged using vertebral analysis and growth was modelled using a multi-model approach. The lack of small individuals close to the size at birth made fitting of growth curves more difficult, two methods (fixed length at birth and additional zero aged individuals) accounting for this were trialled. The von Bertalanffy growth model provided the best fit to the data when used with a fixed length-at-birth (L0 = 26 cm TL). Males (L∞ = 46 cm TL, k = 3.69 yr-1, L50 = 41.7 cm TL and A50 = 0.5 years) grew at a faster rate and matured at smaller sizes and younger ages than females (L∞ = 58 cm TL, k = 1.98 yr-1, L5o = 47.0 cm TL and A50 = 0.93 years). However, none of the methods to account for the lack of small individuals fully accounted for this phenomenon, and hence the results remain uncertain. Despite this, the results reaffirm the rapid growth of this species and suggest that the Gulf of Papua population may grow at a faster rate than Australian populations. Rhizoprionodon taylori is possibly well placed to withstand current fishing pressure despite being a common bycatch species in the Gulf of Papua prawn trawl fishery. However, further research needs to be undertaken to estimate other key life history parameters to fully assess the population status of this exploited shark species and its vulnerability to fishing in the Gulf of Papua.

Chondrichthyes

New guinea

10.1371/journal.pone.0206581

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Citations (19)

Crossing lines: a multidisciplinary framework for assessing connectivity of hammerhead sharks across jurisdictional boundaries

Scientific Reports (2017)

Andrew Chin Colin A. Simpfendorfer William T. White Grant Johnson Rory B. McAuley

Abstract Conservation and management of migratory species can be complex and challenging. International agreements such as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) provide policy frameworks, but assessments and management can be hampered by lack of data and tractable mechanisms to integrate disparate datasets. An assessment of scalloped ( Sphyrna lewini ) and great ( Sphyrna mokarran ) hammerhead population structure and connectivity across northern Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) was conducted to inform management responses to CMS and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species listings of these species. An Integrated Assessment Framework (IAF) was devised to systematically incorporate data across jurisdictions and create a regional synopsis, and amalgamated a suite of data from the Australasian region. Scalloped hammerhead populations are segregated by sex and size, with Australian populations dominated by juveniles and small adult males, while Indonesian and PNG populations included large adult females. The IAF process introduced genetic and tagging data to produce conceptual models of stock structure and movement. Several hypotheses were produced to explain stock structure and movement patterns, but more data are needed to identify the most likely hypothesis. This study demonstrates a process for assessing migratory species connectivity and highlights priority areas for hammerhead management and research.

Stock assessment

CITES

10.1038/srep46061

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Citations (18)

Elasmobranch bycatch in the demersal prawn trawl fishery in the Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea

Scientific Reports (2019)

William T. White Leontine Baje Colin A. Simpfendorfer Sharon A. Appleyard Andrew Chin

Abstract The elasmobranch bycatch of the Gulf of Papua Prawn Fishery is investigated in detail for the first time. Fisheries observers collected data on the elasmobranch bycatch from a total of 403 trawl sets (1,273 hrs) in the Gulf of Papua. A total of 40 species of elasmobranchs were recorded ranging in size from a 12 cm disc width stingray to a 350 cm total length sawfish. High mortality rates were recorded (>80%), attributed to the long trawl durations (up to 4 hours). The future inclusion of bycatch reduction devices would likely reduce the number of larger elasmobranchs being caught, based on evidence from the prawn trawl fisheries of northern Australia, and is being investigated by the PNG National Fisheries Authority. Differences in catch compositions were detected across the management zones as well as between the two monsoonal seasons (SE Monsoon and NW Monsoon). Increased monitoring and additional research is required and management plans should address the elasmobranch bycatch and in particular their high mortality rate.

Bycatch

Demersal zone

New guinea

Carcharhinus

10.1038/s41598-019-45715-w

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Citations (22)

Clashing conservation values: The social complexities of shark depredation

Biological Conservation (2022)

Kristin Hoel Andrew Chin Jacqueline Lau

Distrust

Human–wildlife conflict

10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109658

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Citations (10)

Ecological risk assessment of elasmobranchs caught in the Gulf of Papua prawn fishery

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems (2021)

Leontine Baje Andrew Chin William T. White Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Abstract One‐third of all elasmobranch species currently known to occur in Papua New Guinea are taken as bycatch in the Gulf of Papua trawl fishery. An ecological risk assessment was conducted on the 16 species of sharks and 23 species of rays caught by the fishery. Eight species were classified to be at low risk, 28 species were at medium risk while three species – Rhynchobatus palpebratus (eyebrow wedgefish), Carcharhinus coatesi (Australian blackspot shark) and Maculabatis astra (blackspotted whipray), all endemic to New Guinea and northern Australia – faced the highest level of risk from the fishery at current fishing levels. There is potential for more vessels to enter the fishery in future, which is likely to elevate the risk for a greater proportion of elasmobranch species. Ongoing monitoring of bycatch levels, supported by biological and ecological studies on frequently caught species, is required to assess and manage risk in the future. The development and use of trawl excluder devices or bycatch reduction devices in this fishery have the potential to reduce bycatch levels and reduce risk levels.

Bycatch

Carcharhinus

10.1002/aqc.3692

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Citations (4)