Life history of Mustelus mustelus in the Langebaan Lagoon marine protected area

Abstract

Mustelus mustelus from the Langebaan Marine Protected Area (LMPA) has been largely protected from fishing activities for the past 30 years; therefore, its biology represents those of an unfished stock. The reproductive biology, diet, growth and maturity of M. mustelus was studied in the Langebaan Lagoon region in the south-western Cape Coast of South Africa between 2007 and 2009. In total, 217 sharks (females: 381-1734 mm total length (TL); males: 467-1267 mm TL) were examined. Sharks in the Bay represented the largest specimens among six regions, globally. Female parturition, ovulating and mating occurred between November and December after a gestation period of 10-11 months. No ontogenetic shift in diet was evident, with the diet predominantly consisting of the following three species of crustaceans; Hymenosoma orbiculare, Upogebia africana and Callichirus kraussi. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for combined sexes were L∞ = 1594 mm TL, k = 0.15 year-1, t0 = -2.01 year (n = 95). Possible age over-estimation was investigated using micro-computed tomography, which highlighted the existence of false check marks. This study indicated that the LMPA represents a pupping, nursery and feeding ground as well as a refuge area for the largest and oldest recorded smoothhound sharks globally, emphasising its importance in spatial conservation of this species.