Reproductive and energetic consequences of fishing capture on chondrichthyan species

Given the poor conservation status of chondrichthyans (sharks, rays and chimeras) and the severe impairments caused by fishing activity in animals that are released, the aim of my research was to investigate energetic and reproductive consequences of fishing-capture stress in chondrichthyans. Results show that animals invest more energy to face the stress and survive, but, when the stress is too severe, a prolonged metabolic depression is triggered, saving the little energy left for life sustenance. However, this reduces energy allocation to pregnancy in viviparous species and, in turn, causes impairments in neonates, possibly impacting neonate survival and population abundance.