BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) are among the most exploited pelagic species in the Eastern Indian Ocean, yet their population dynamics remain poorly documented. The study objectives were to evaluate the status of silky shark populations landed by artisanal fisheries at Tanjung Luar Port, West Nusa Tenggara, by combining length‑based indicators with standardized catch‑per‑unit‑effort modelling to detect early warning signs of overexploitation.METHODS: Data were collected between ۲۰۱۷ and ۲۰۲۳, covering ۳۳,۱۲۹ individuals captured by bottom longline, surface longline, and gillnet gears. Biological parameters included length‑frequency distribution and sex ratio, while operational indicators comprised trip frequency, vessel numbers, and fishing days per trip. Standardization of catch-per-unit-effort was achieved via a dual-component delta framework. The architecture integrated a binomial generalized linear mixed model evaluating encounter probability with a negative-binomial generalized additive model analyzing positive catch rates, while explicitly controlling for provincial fishing grounds, effort duration in fishing days, gear typology, vessel-level random effects, and all potential two-way interactive effects.FINDINGS: Regional Fisheries Management Organization displayed consistent biannual peaks in May and November, reflecting seasonal variation in availability or catchability, but overall abundance declined steadily. Length‑frequency distributions demonstrated truncated population structures heavily skewed toward juveniles fractions, with the majority of individuals falling below published length‑at‑maturity thresholds. A persistent female bias was evident, with females comprising more than half of annual catches and reaching ~۷۱ percent in ۲۰۲۳. Effort dynamics showed declining efficiency; Catch‑per‑unit‑effort decreased as trip frequency increased, while total catch was maintained only through increased fishing trips. Furthermore, the manifestation of fleet growth alongside shortened operational windows exemplifies tactical adaptations capable of temporarily concealing structural biological degradation.CONCLUSION: The convergence of biological and operational signals highlights a fishery increasingly sustained by juvenile recruitment rather than adult spawning biomass, raising precautionary concerns about reduced spawning potential. Precautionary measures are urgently required to safeguard spawning potential and ensure long‑term sustainability. Recommended policy measures entail the enforcement of seasonal closures during critical aggregation phases, restrictions on juvenile removal, technical gear adjustments to curtail retention, and the application of effort constraints calibrated against vessel- and trip-level operational parameters.