Advancing Management of the Main Predatory Sharks Along the Argentine Coast: Leveraging Habitat Use Knowledge and Historical Catch Data

Abstract

This study investigates the spatial overlap in habitat use among four key predatory species—school shark (Galeorhinus galeus), broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus), copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus) and sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus)—along the Argentine coast to identify important areas for joint management. Leveraging habitat suitability predictions for these predators, we generated annual and seasonal maps to identify significant regions of habitat overlap. Notably, the coastal zone between the Uruguayan and northern Argentine coasts emerged as crucial for developing fishery management and conservation strategies for these four species. Historical catch data also identified important zones for recreational fishing and potential nursery sites, stressing the need for targeted management of the coastal area between Punta Rasa and Mar del Plata (36.3°–38° S). This highlights the necessity of comprehensive fishing regulations with stronger enforcement in the unregulated provincial waters of Chubut and Santa Cruz, as well as the Uruguayan coast. Our findings underscore the importance of integrating species-specific ecological data in designing marine protected areas and conservation strategies tailored to the unique life history and movement patterns of these sharks. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for adaptive, multijurisdictional management strategies to accommodate the migratory nature of these species across provincial and national waters. The implications of these findings are discussed within the context of current chondrichthyan policy in Argentina, presenting a foundational basis for informing future management strategies aimed at sustaining shark populations in the Southwest Atlantic.