Gillnet size selectivity of shark and ray species from Queensland, Australia

Gillnets are size-selective fishing gears commonly used by industrial and small-scale fishers, so understanding selectivity can aid fisheries management identifying suitable mesh sizes to optimize catches of target species while reducing bycatch. Few size parameters have been estimated for sharks, with even fewer rays. Size selection were seven sharks two rays from the Queensland East Coast Inshore Finfish Fishery (ECIFF). frequency data a fishery observer program on ECIFF vessels was fit standard model. Mesh independent parameters, θ1 θ2, each define curves different species. Parameter values compared previous studies that same method. Estimates similar among within genus, such as Carcharhinus, Rhizoprionodon, Sphyrna. Anoxypristis cuspidata had largest θ2 values, likely because its toothed rostrum affected catchability in gillnets. Our findings be other gillnet recommendations risk mitigation.