Using citizen science to understand the recreational fishing impact on elasmobranchs along the Italian Northern Adriatic coast

Marine recreational fishing has significantly increased in recent years, especially in the Northern Adriatic Sea, where it accounts for equivalent up to 45% of artisanal fishery catches. Despite its relevance, few studies have investigated the potential impact of recreational fishing, particularly on vulnerable elasmobranch species, some of which are commercially targeted but face significant conservation problems. In this study, through online questionnaires administered to recreational fishers, we collected information on recreational fishing activities and their interaction with the most common demersal elasmobranchs along the western coast of the Northern Adriatic Sea. The responses revealed an intense fishing effort throughout the coastal area, especially around port entrances. The target species resulted primarily in those with high commercial value, while elasmobranchs are mostly bycatch, particularly Mustelus spp. Although 83% of fishers claimed to release them alive, the lack of studies on post-release survival rates makes it difficult to assess the impact of this fishing activity on elasmobranch populations.