Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) of Elasmobranchs Landed by Artisanal Fishery in a Recently-Recognized “ISRA” off the Southeastern Coast of Brazil

Globally, the growing pressure on elasmobranchs presents a significant threat. The Z-13 Fisher Colony, located in Rio de Janeiro’s metropolitan region, is composed of an urban-artisanal fishing fleet operating in a macro-area adjacent to the “Hope Spot - MoNa Cagarras” in “Rio de Janeiro Shelf ISRA”. Locally, elasmobranch fishing has been carried out for over a century. Artisanal fishery poses a potential threat to the populations of this taxon, with more than 1/3 listed globally in IUCN Red List categories. As an attempt to inform fisheries management, a Productivity Susceptibility Risk Analysis (PSA) was applied, as a locally unprecedented approach, to assess the Vulnerability of 31 landed elasmobranch species by the mentioned urban-artisanal fisheries. Analyses indicated that most small to medium-sized elasmobranch species (n = 25; 80.6%) had medium to high Productivity; while 11 (35.5%) species showed high Susceptibility to artisanal fishing. Five species showed higher Vulnerability, and were comprised by 03 sharks (S. lewini, S. zygaena, and I. oxyrinchus) and 02 rays (A. castelnaui and P. horkelii). Seven species showed medium Vulnerability being 05 sharks (S. occulta, R. porosus, C. falciformes, C. obscurus, and S. argentina) and 02 rays (D. hypostigma and P. percellens). The other 19 species (61.3%) presented lower Vulnerability and were comprised by 08 (25.8%) species of sharks and 11 (35.5%) of rays. The species identified as having high Vulnerability or potential risk should be immediately prioritized for fisheries management and administration by the Brazilian responsible agencies, to protect the potential of the taxon for ecosystem functions and prevent further extinctions.