Malakichthys formosus, a new species of small seabass (Acropomatiformes: Malakichthyidae) from southwestern Taiwan.

A new species of Malakichthys is described based on six specimens collected from deepwaters off southwestern Taiwan, northwestern Pacific Ocean. The new species, M. formosus sp.

Okamejei picta sp. nov., a new rajid skate from the South China Sea (Rajiformes: Rajidae).

A new species of Okamejei is described based on two adult males collected from deep waters in the South China Sea. The new species, Okamejei picta sp. nov.

Redescription of the longnose houndshark Iago garricki (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae), based on specimens recently collected from the South China Sea.

The longnose houndshark, Iago garricki Fourmanoir & Rivaton 1979, was described based on five specimens collected from Vanuatu. Five additional specimens were recently collected from the waters off Dongsha Atoll, South China Sea. A redescription of this species is provided based on the holotype, non-types collected near the type locality and off Dongsha Atoll.

Occurrence of the milk-eye catshark Apristurus nakayai (Carcharhiniformes: Pentanchidae) from the South China Sea.

The milk-eye catshark Apristurus nakayai Iglésias, 2012 was known from three specimens in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Six specimens were recently collected from the South China Sea. It belongs to the brunneus group, and superficially resembles A.

Assessment of the Impact on 20 Pelagic Fish Species by the Taiwanese Small-Scale Longline Fishery in the Western North Pacific Using Ecological Risk Assessment.

Ecological risk assessment (ERA) has been applied on assessing the relative risk of bycatch species in recent years. ERA index is calculated by productivity of species and susceptibility of fisheries on fish species. In this study, a semi-quantitative method was used to evaluate the risks of exploitation for 20 pelagic fish species by the small-scale longline fisheries in the western North Pacific Ocean.

Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Megamouth Shark, , Inferred from over 250 Individuals Recorded in the Three Oceans.

The megamouth shark () is one of the rarest shark species in the three oceans, and its biological and fishery information is still very limited. A total of 261 landing/stranding records were examined, including 132 females, 87 males, and 42 sex unknown individuals, to provide the most detailed information on global megamouth shark records, and the spatial-temporal distribution of was inferenced from these records. The vertical distribution of ranged 0-1203 m in depth, and immature individuals were mostly found in the waters shallower than 200 m.

Half a century of global decline in oceanic sharks and rays.

Overfishing is the primary cause of marine defaunation, yet declines in and increasing extinction risks of individual species are difficult to measure, particularly for the largest predators found in the high seas. Here we calculate two well-established indicators to track progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Sustainable Development Goals: the Living Planet Index (a measure of changes in abundance aggregated from 57 abundance time-series datasets for 18 oceanic shark and ray species) and the Red List Index (a measure of change in extinction risk calculated for all 31 oceanic species of sharks and rays). We find that, since 1970, the global abundance of oceanic sharks and rays has declined by 71% owing to an 18-fold increase in relative fishing pressure.

Profile and consumption risk assessment of trace elements in megamouth sharks (Megachasma pelagios) captured from the Pacific Ocean to the east of Taiwan.

Focusing on 27 rare filter-feeding megamouth sharks (Megachasma pelagios) captured as a by-catch of drift gillnet fishery in the Pacific Ocean to the east of Taiwan, this study analyzes the concentrations of 24 elements in their muscle, discusses the bioaccumulation of each element and the correlation between different elements, and assesses the potential health risks of consuming megamouth shark muscle. Among the 24 elements, mean concentrations of Ga, Ag, Li, Bi, Hg, Co, and Cd were relatively low ranging from 10 to 10 mg/kg, those of Pb, Ba, Mn, Ni, As, Cr, B, Sr, Cu, and Zn ranged from 10-10 mg/kg, and those of Fe, Ca, Al, K, Mg, Ti, and Na were relatively high ranging from 10 to 10 mg/kg. The toxic element content index was most significantly correlated with the concentration of Cu.

Genetic diversity and connectivity of the megamouth shark ().

The megamouth shark () was described as a new species in 1983. Since then, only . 100 individuals have been observed or caught.

Estimating Finite Rate of Population Increase for Sharks Based on Vital Parameters.

The vital parameter data for 62 stocks, covering 38 species, collected from the literature, including parameters of age, growth, and reproduction, were log-transformed and analyzed using multivariate analyses. Three groups were identified and empirical equations were developed for each to describe the relationships between the predicted finite rates of population increase (λ') and the vital parameters, maximum age (Tmax), age at maturity (Tm), annual fecundity (f/Rc)), size at birth (Lb), size at maturity (Lm), and asymptotic length (L∞). Group (1) included species with slow growth rates (0.