Shark species composition and catch variability in Guatemala’s artisanal Pacific fishery: A call for spatial and temporal management

Artisanal shark fisheries along the Pacific coast of Guatemala operate with minimal regulation, raising concerns about the sustainability of catches and the conservation of vulnerable species. In support of Guatemala’s National Plan of Action for Sharks, Rays, and Chimeras (NPOA-Guatemala), this study aimed to (1) update the inventory of shark species landed in artisanal fisheries and (2) assess seasonal and annual variation in catch rates, size structure, sex ratios, and maturity stages of the most frequently landed species. From 2017 to 2024, 2,386 monitoring days yielded data from 9,527 fishing trips across key communities. A total of 24,987 sharks from 14 species were recorded, with five species, Sphyrna lewini , Rhizoprionodon longurio , Carcharhinus falciformis , Mustelus lunulatus , and C. limbatus , accounting for 98.5% of landings. Notably, 78.5% of the recorded species are classified as threatened by the IUCN, and the catch was heavily dominated by early life stages. Seasonal size trends indicated a consistent presence of these stages in coastal waters (captured in fishing operations conducted within 30 km of the shoreline), with this pattern occurring consistently across years. CPUE and size structure exhibited spatial and seasonal variation patterns, likely influenced by differences in gear selectivity, habitat characteristics, and the non-standardized nature of the CPUE estimates. However, these findings highlight the potential value of spatial and temporal management strategies and the need for further research, community-based monitoring, and co-management initiatives to refine, guide and strengthen their implementation in the artisanal fisheries of the coastal communities studied along the Guatemalan Pacific coast.