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Occurrence and biological characteristics of broadnose sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) in Pacific Northwest coastal estuaries

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Abstract

The broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus) is a high-order marine predator distributed worldwide in shallow coastal waters of temperate seas. Recent reports have suggested it may be a prevalent component of Pacific Northwest coastal estuarine communities, although biological characteristics of the shark population remain undocumented despite growing interest in recreational harvest of the species. Longline sampling was conducted in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, Washington, USA seasonally during 2003–2006 to collect sevengill shark size, maturity, and sex ratio data, and establish some baseline catch rate information. Sevengill sharks were collected on 65% of longline sets and catches were composed of subadult and mature individuals (122–283 cm TL) of both sexes. Most male sevengill sharks were large sexually mature adults, based on external clasper calcification levels, whereas most comparably sized females were considered subadults, based on literature-based size-at–maturity estimates. Neonates and young sharks <120 cm were not collected, nor have they been reported in other historic estuary sampling efforts. Sex ratios were skewed toward males in Willapa Bay and suggest some degree of sexual segregation for the species, as has been shown for populations elsewhere. We suggest sevengill sharks are a largely ignored but potentially important predator in Pacific Northwest estuaries. This study therefore provides some of the first, basic information for guiding management decisions associated with a late-maturing, slow-growing shark species in these coastal habitats.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Norris and Eric Pettit of the F/V Silver Spray, out of North Bend, Washington, for the safe collection of sharks during longlining operations, and Matt Howell, Brad James, Olaf Langness, and Steve West (WDFW) for the data provided from shark specimens during the course of their gillnet sampling. Tom Sand at Arrowac Fisheries in Bellingham WA graciously provided us with dogfish heads from their processing operations to use as bait. We also thank Steve Katz and Mary Moser for their enlightening discussions, field assistance, and fundamental role in the project. Reviews from C. Harvey and several anonymous reviewers greatly improved the quality of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA

    Gregory D. Williams

  2. Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA

    Kelly S. Andrews & Phillip S. Levin

  3. Marine Fish Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 1100, La Conner, WA, 98257, USA

    Deborah A. Farrer

  4. Marine Fish Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capital Way N., Olympia, WA, 98501, USA

    Gregory G. Bargmann

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  1. Gregory D. Williams
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  2. Kelly S. Andrews
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  5. Phillip S. Levin
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Correspondence to Gregory D. Williams.

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Williams, G.D., Andrews, K.S., Farrer, D.A. et al. Occurrence and biological characteristics of broadnose sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) in Pacific Northwest coastal estuaries. Environ Biol Fish 91, 379–388 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9797-z

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