Fishery Interactions, Capture Stress, and Post-Release Survival of Three Prohibited Shark Species in the Northeast U.S.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 10:00am to 11:00am

Department of Fisheries Oceanography

PhD Dissertation Proposal Defense

"Fishery Interactions, Capture Stress, and Post-Release Survival of Three Prohibited Shark Species in the Northeast U.S."

By: Lindsay L. Graff

Advisor

Dr. Lauran Brewster (UMass Dartmouth)

Committee Members

Dr. Steven X. Cadrin (UMass Dartmouth), Dr. Geoffrey Cowles (UMass Dartmouth), Dr. Tobey Curtis (NOAA), and Dr. Gregory Skomal (MA DMF)

Wednesday May 20, 2026

10:00 AM

SMAST East 101-103

836 S. Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford

and via Zoom

Abstract:

Incidental capture in non-target commercial and recreational fisheries can contribute to mortality of prohibited dusky (Carcharhinus obscurus), sand tiger (Carcharias taurus), and white (Carcharodon carcharias) sharks. Slow growth, late maturity, low reproductive output, and prolonged recovery make these species especially sensitive to even modest levels of fishing-related mortality, particularly when mortality occurs during immature life stages or through delayed post-release effects. Fishery interactions, capture stress, and post-release outcomes will be examined across the Northeast U.S. by integrating commercial fishery observer data, blood-based indicators of capture stress, and satellite telemetry. Fleetwide bycatch and at-vessel mortality in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic commercial gillnet and trawl fisheries are quantified using long-term observer records (Chapter 1). The physiological effects of recreational rod-and-reel capture in the New York Bight will be evaluated using blood-based indicators of capture stress and associated capture metadata (Chapter 2), and post-release behavior, recovery, and apparent survival after recreational capture will be evaluated using satellite telemetry, with emphasis on short-term recovery trajectories, delayed mortality, and variability in vertical behavior after release (Chapter 3). Together, these chapters are intended to provide a more complete understanding of how incidental capture affects prohibited sharks by integrating fishery interactions, capture stress, and post-release outcomes across commercial and recreational fisheries, while generating information directly relevant to mortality estimation, handling guidance, and conservation management in the Northeast U.S.

Join Meeting

https://umassd.zoom.us/j/91339993877

Note: Meeting ID and passcode required. Please email contact to obtain.

For additional information, please contact Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu

SMAST East 101-103 : 836 S. Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford MA 02744
Callie Rumbut
c.rumbut@umassd.edu
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/91339993877