From Nets to Knowledge—Fishers Unveil Threatened Guitarfish Catch Drivers and Fishing Grounds

Abstract

The artisanal fishing in the Bay of Bengal has been characterized by complex heterogeneity. A lack of comprehensive data on threatened elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), including guitarfish, hinders evidence-based management. This study evaluated the status of guitarfish, focusing on the effects of artisanal fishing and the socioeconomic circumstances of fishers impacting catch and perceived catch trends. The impacts were assessed spatially and temporally in coastal Bangladesh. Interviews were conducted with 150 artisanal fishers in primary fish landing locations and fishing communities. The analysis showed a notable decrease in the perceived catch of various guitarfish species. Catch decreased significantly for Glaucostegus granulatus, sharpnose guitarfish, and Rhina ancylostoma, bowmouth guitarfish in the past decade. The decrease was linked to overfishing, illegal/harmful fishing techniques and injuries from fishing equipment. Fishing-related (soak time, gear, depth at fishing and vessel length) and socioeconomic drivers (income and debt levels) were found to impact guitarfish catch levels. Socioeconomic factors complicate the situation because these factors influence fishers' fishing habits, perspectives and decision-making. Guitarfish were caught both as a target and incidentally. Most captures occurred in the southcentral region of Bangladesh. Four hotspots of guitarfish catches were identified based on the fishers' knowledge. The critical habitats in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) delta mouth area are vital habitats for guitarfish, highlighting the need to protect these ecosystems using spatial management tools. To tackle the complex issues of guitarfish conservation, the local fishing communities need a holistic strategy combining biological knowledge, socioeconomic factors and specific codesigned initiatives. Although fishers may lack formal education, there is a distinct potential for specialized and bilateral conservation education programmes to empower fishing communities and promote sustainable practices. Conservation measures should focus on mixed methods, such as community engagement, enhanced socioeconomic circumstances and efficient spatial and fishing technique management.