Status of White Shark in California Fish & Game Commission Meeting June 4, 2014 Mandy Lewis A. Peter Klimley Presentation Overview Petition History Biology & Range Review Criteria Key Findings Department Recommendation Wikipedia CESA Listing Process Petition to list is submitted to the Fish and Game Commission Department of Fish and Wildlife evaluates the Petition based on 12 specified criteria Commission considers whether to accept or reject the Petition Department conducts a 12-month scientific review Commission makes a listing determination and adopts findings Public input ACCEPT Process ends REJECT CESA Evaluation History August 20, 2012 Commission receives Petition February 6, 2013 Commission determines the petitioned action may be warranted March 1, 2013 Department initiates status review of the species December 19, 2013 Petitioners submit new information April 4, 2014 Department submits status review to the Commission April 16, 2014 Commission receives status review June 4, 2014 Commission considers listing white shark as a threatened or endangered species Paul Kanive A. Peter Klimley Found around the world Northeastern Pacific population genetically distinct Large predators Small population Late to mature, with few offspring Preferred prey changes with maturity Habitat varies by life stage and season White Shark Life History Range of White Shark in the Northeastern Pacific Hawaii Alaska Central California Guadalupe Island, MX Shared Offshore Focal Area Nursery NEP Population Estimates Two Photo-ID studies in Central CA & Mexico (Chapple 2011; Sosa-Nishizaki 2012), which when combined estimate a total of 339 adult & sub-adult white sharks Sal Jorgensen NMFS estimates the total NEP abundance of all life stages and both sexes >3,000 NMFS Population Estimate Accounted for bias in sex ratio and probability of an individuals detection. Leading scientists conducted the NMFS species review. Petitioners critiqued the NMFS estimates and findings. Analyzed expanded Photo-ID datasets & employed other methods to estimate population size. Howard Hall-PRBO Overexploitation Most common fishery interactions occur with commercial set gill net fisheries. The status review analyzed interactions with commercial and recreational fisheries in California waters and in other areas. Gill net fisheries are prohibited in almost all state waters. Wikipedia ** Data from required CDFW gill net logbook data (sets) and commercial landing receipt data. Includes all sets, inside and outside state waters (3 nm). All data are preliminary and subject to further verification and validation. Interactions with California Commercial Gill Net Fisheries DFW Staff Photo Individual White Sharks Sets Fished Population Trends Photo-ID studies at Guadalupe Island show a significant increase in the number of sharks from Increases in white shark attacks on pinnipeds and sea otters have been observed. Lacking historic population estimates, independent trends suggest an increasing population. Increasing incidental catch rates in commercial fisheries are consistent with an increasing population. Joe Tomeleoni CESA Review Criteria & Key Findings A species shall be listed as endangered or threatened, if it is determined that the continued existence of the species is in serious danger or threatened by one or more of the following factors (CCR Title 14, 670.1). Overexploitation Predation Competition Disease Other natural occurrences or human-related activities Present or threatened modification or destruction of its habitat A. Peter Klimley Present or threatened modification or destruction of its habitat Environmental Contaminants Marine Debris Ingestion or Entanglement The habitats utilized by white sharks are potentially threatened by several factors. Climate Change & Ocean Acidification Overexploitation White sharks in the NEP are widely protected through state, federal and international efforts Prohibitions on take of white shark in Mexico are more stringent today Gill net interactions off California declined steadily through the 1990s & remained stable until 2005 Current Regulations & Protections Tom Mason Predation, Competition, Disease & other Natural Occurrences or Human-related Activities These criteria do not pose a significant risk to the NEP population of white shark at any life stage. Apex predators Generalist feeders and resilient to the loss of specific prey items Generalized immune system makes disease a rare occurrence A. Peter Klimley Listing the NEP population of white shark as threatened or endangered is not warranted at this time. CDFW Recommendation Wikipedia Michelle Horeczko Elizabeth Hellmers CPS-HMS Project Staff Leeanne Laughlin Traci Larinto Marine Region Staff A. Peter Klimley Thank You! Questions? A. Peter Klimley Mandy Lewis A. Peter Klimley California Commercial Gill Net Statutes and Regulations A. Peter Klimley Commercial Gill Net Statutes & Regulations in the Southern California Bight Pt. Arguello Research Needs to Better Inform Population Status Support research specifically focused on juvenile and sub-adult white shark movements through the SCB, Mexico and other areas within their range. Encourage the expansion of efforts to determine current population and abundance trends. Support research on the effects of persistent environmental pollutants, and climate change, on large shark species and their preferred prey species. Sal Jorgensen Management Recommendations Increase coordination with other fisheries agencies to establish continuity in management goals, enforcement, and conformance in regulations. Increase observer coverage on commercial fishing vessels, especially those participating in the nearshore gill net fisheries. Implement regulation of recreational tourism (cage diving, viewing, etc.). Implement a public outreach and education program, especially in the shore based sector of the recreational fishery. Wikipedia Authority to Regulate Activity Involving White Sharks Currently only the California legislature has the authority to regulate gill net fisheries in California. Observer coverage is funded and implemented by NMFS National Observer Program. The Commission can regulate recreational fisheries and other activities that may interact with the species. A. Peter Klimley Range of White Shark in the Northeastern Pacific Hawaii Alaska Central California Guadalupe Island, MX Shared Offshore Focal Area Nursery