Industrial Fishing Near West African Marine Protected Areas and Its Potential Effects on Mobile Marine Predators

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are increasingly implemented to facilitate the conservation of marine biodiversity and key habitats. However, these areas often less effective conserve mobile species like elasmobranchs (i.e., sharks rays). Industrial fishing near MPA borders possibly impacts vulnerable utilizing protected areas. Hence, we aimed study spatiotemporal patterns industrial fisheries MPAs, in relation bycatch elasmobranchs. Specifically, analyzed effort within West African region, mapped direct vicinity Parc National du Banc d’Arguin (PNBA, Mauritania) Bijagós Archipelago (BA, Guinea Bissau), compared seasonal overlap between elasmobranch MPAs. We combined Automatic Identification System (AIS) data local observer data, determined for each gear type this with found that was dominated by trawling, drifting longlines, fixed types. Although no observed both 72 78% buffer zones surrounding MPAs were fished Bijagós, respectively. Within zone, trawling longlines dominated, mainly being deployed fall. In gears most prevalent. Fisheries Mauritania showed catches increased during recent sampling years (2016–2018). Elasmobranch waters Bissau peaked 2016 decreased following two years. Seasonal countries likely caused migratory species. Catches rays May June Mauritania, October Bissau. Shark highest February July Mauritanian waters, Our indicates border ecologically important may have potentially major implications ecosystem functioning removal (migratory) predatory