Mohammed Ibrahim Abudaya
Other projects
27 Jun 2016
Assessment of the Gaza Fishery of the Giant Devil Ray (Mobulamobular) in the Wider Context of its Protection Status in the Mediterranean II
The urgent need for this project has arisen due to the images and reports that uncovered a specific targeted fishery in Gaza for the giant devil ray. Any such targeted fishery on this already endangered species will constrain their ability to recover from a depleted state and possibly result in their extinction. Until now this species appears to have been caught only as bycatch; however these recent reports indicate that a well-established and specific target fishery exists. It is vital that data is collected now before the species is pushed to the brink of extinction. With pressure faced from bycatch fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea, this already vulnerable species will not be able to endure the added stresses of a target fishery.
This project will be carried out to obtain a clearer understanding of the current status of the mobulid fishery in Gaza and is in response to the reports and images obtained from Gaza displaying a mass culling of Mobula mobular. Our understanding is that this was not an unusual or sporadic event and that an established fishery for this particular species exists and therefore data obtained through surveys from this project will provide us with information required to conduct long-term research and conservation objectives for this region.
Given that this species is listed as Endangered by the IUCN, any such targeted fishery is likely to have a drastic effect on their populations. This project aims to assess the scale of this fishery, confirm the species being landed and make management policy recommendations.
Major activities:
1- Collect data on mobulid rays and other elasmobranchs from fish landing sites in Gaza.
2- Estimate the scale and sustainability of the Gaza mobulid fishery.
3- Collect data on shark fish landing sites in Gaza.
4- Conduct comprehensive awareness raising campaigns and education programs targeting consumers, fishermen and fish dealers.