Occurrence and Bycatch of the Critically Endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini Griffith & Smith, 1834) in the Coastal Waters of the Gaza Strip, Palestine
Abdel Fattah N. Abd Rabou *
Department of Biology & Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Islamic University of Gaza, P.O. Box 108, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Jehad Y. Salah
General Directorate of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Ola A. Abd Rabou
Department of Smart Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Asmaa A. Abd Rabou
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Mazen T. Abualtayef
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Khalid A. Qahman
Environment Quality Authority, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Eman A. Amodi
Department of Biodiversity, Environment Quality Authority, Ramallah, Palestine.
Norman A. Khalaf
Department of Environmental Research & Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Abdel Fattah A. Qaraman
Scientific Research and Libraries, Israa University, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Ghassan I. Abuhajjaj
Department of Alternative Medicine, Al-Modawy Medical Center, Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Amal A. Abu Shammala
Department of Islamic Faith, Faculty of Fundamentals of Religion, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Othman A. Abd Rabou
Department of Journalism and Media, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Rajaa H. Nashwan
Department of Curricula and Teaching Methods, Faculty of Education, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Sohaib M. Olwan
Department of Curricula and Teaching Methods, Ministry of Education, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Mosab M. Olwan
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Hatem Y. Abu Zaydeh
PALM Imitative Center, Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Mohammed R. Al-Agha
Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Kefah F. Al-Sofy
Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Azhar H. Abumghaiseeb
Department of Curricula and Teaching Methods, Faculty of Education, Al-Azhar University, Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Rimel M. Benmessaoud
National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia, 43Av. Charles Nicolle, Tunis 1082, Tunisia.
Mourad M. Cherif
National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies (INSTM), La Goulette Port, Tunis, Tunisia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini Griffith & Smith, 1834) is a large, migratory, Critically Endangered species with a rare and sporadic occurrence in the Mediterranean. This study documents its presence and bycatch in the coastal waters of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, based on field surveys, fish market observations, and collaboration with local fishermen and the General Directorate of Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture. Over the past two decades, only 16 specimens (1.35–4.2 m) were recorded, primarily as bycatch in purse seines, gillnets, trawls, and longlines. Locally, the species is occasionally consumed but is not considered dangerous to humans. Seasonal near-surface observations suggest transient use of the Gaza Strip's waters, potentially linked to migration or reproduction. Given its rarity and vulnerability, these findings highlight the need for monitoring, awareness programs, and regional conservation measures to safeguard this apex predator in the southeastern Mediterranean.
Keywords: Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, Sphyrna lewini, fishing gear, incidental capture, consumption, conservation status, Gaza Strip, Palestine, Eastern Mediterranean