Biology and ecology of the African blackspot shark Carcharhinus humani on the east coast of South Africa

• DOI: 10.2989/1814232x.2024.2313544
• Publication Date: 2024-03-20T07:40:29Z
• Authors: G Cliff; NG Booyens; R Daly; GL Jordaan; N Nkabi; D Parker; BQ Mann
• Keywords: Carcharhinus

AbstractThe African blackspot shark Carcharhinus humani (until now commonly known as Human's whaler shark) is a small-sized requiem (family Carcharhinidae) found in tropical coastal waters of the western Indian Ocean far south Port St Johns on east coast South Africa. It was only recently recognised being distinct from C. sealei, which occurs elsewhere Indo-Pacific. This study utilised four datasets to investigate movements, temporal and geographic distributions, life history population status this species waters. The recapture eight individuals 294 that were tagged by shore anglers revealed an average distance moved 33 km (range 1–192 km). Competitive caught 39 per annum along entire KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coast, with no marked trend catch rate over time. Catches KZN bather protection programme extremely low but included 30 pregnant females displayed highly seasonal pattern embryo development. Sightings stereo baited remote underwater video systems (stereo-BRUVS) iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area dominated (7.7:1) mostly deeper water 26–35 m. In all most mature present year-round, clear peak summer autumn, especially catches taken anglers. shore-angling data used conduct risk assessment for population, and, based values probability encounter, sampled satisfies IUCN Red List criteria Least Concern.Keywords: videocatch effortencounter probabilitylength at maturitymovementpopulation statusrecapture datatagging