An informational summary on elasmobranchs in Elkhorn Slough
1994
Spratt, Jerome D.
Shark angling derbies have been held in Elkhorn Slough since 1946, and archery derbies since about 1973. Elkhorn Slough is an important pupping and breeding area for leopard sharks, Triakis semifasciata, and bat rays, Myliobatis californica, and a spawning or nursery area for many other species of fish. With the establishment of the Monterey BayNational Marine Sanctuary, these derbies, especially the archery derby, have become somewhat controversial.Leopard sharks pup in late spring to early summer, peaking in June.Bat ray pupping peaks in July. Both species breed shortly after pupping.Since 1988, most sharks and rays caught in the angling derbies have been tagged and released under a program developed by Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. No tags have been recovered, suggesting a large population in the area. Prior to the tagging program most sharks and rays taken in the angling derby were rendered at the local tallow works.All sharks and rays that are taken in the archery derby are killed, but relatively few sharks and rays are taken by archers. In 1993,43 sharks and rays were kept by anglers and 13 by archers.The commercial catch of leopard sharks in California averaged 43,000 pounds from 1990 to 1992, and the estimated sport catch of leopard sharks is about 270,000 pounds annually. In comparison, the take during Elkhorn Slough shark derbies is not significant and is not considereda threat to the resource. However, the moral or ethical issue of conducting shark derbies in a marine sanctuary remains. (7pp.)
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