Trauma linked to fishing nets and accidental capture of guitar sharks

What is it?

The guitar shark (also called guitarfish) is a species of ray with an elongated body resembling a shark, today highly endangered in the Mediterranean and in Tunisian waters. Its shape and way of life close to the bottom make it particularly vulnerable to fishing gear. Net-related trauma and accidental capture, called "bycatch" or "bycatch", is one of the main causes of injury and mortality in this species.

It is not an infectious disease but a set of physical injuries and stress caused by interaction with fishing equipment.

The accidentally captured animal may have abrasion marks or deep cuts on the body, fins or tail, caused by the mesh of the net.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Prognosis

The prognosis strongly depends on the speed and quality of the release after capture. An animal released quickly with superficial lesions has a good chance of survival.

On the other hand, prolonged time out of water, significant gill lesions or severe exhaustion clearly worsens the prognosis, with a risk of delayed mortality even after apparent successful release.

The guitar shark is a threatened species, considered among the species of rays and sharks most at risk of extinction in the world; each accidental capture represents an important conservation issue, beyond the individual case.

[{"q": "Can an accidentally caught guitar shark be released without danger?", "a": "Yes, if the handling is quick, gentle and the animal does not present serious injuries. It is recommended to return it to the water as quickly as possible, avoiding removing it completely from the water if possible."}, {"q": "What to do if a hook is deeply planted?", "a": "It is best not to not forcing its removal. Cutting the line as close to the hook as possible and releasing the animal limits further stress and injury; complete removal by a trained professional is preferable if conditions permit."}, {"q": "Why is the guitarfish so vulnerable to fishing nets?", "a": "Its lifestyle near the seabed, in shallow coastal areas often used by artisanal fishing, makes it particularly exposed to gillnets and fishing gear. bottom trawls."}, {"q": "Should an incidental catch of a guitarfish shark be reported?", "a": "Yes, reporting to local fishing authorities or scientific bodies helps monitor this endangered species and can guide conservation measures."}]

References

WOAH — Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (ex-OIE)

FAO — Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture

Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 30 October 2026