ENVIRONMENT
2 December 2020
EXPLORER | 13
Important report on shark conservation Writer Elaine Davie
PHOTO: Dyer Island Cruises
W
hat happens when a pair of apex marine heavyweights muscle their way into the territory of another less powerful predator, in search of a piece of shark liver? If you’re a smart white shark and you’ve seen some of your mates wash up on the shore without theirs, you hit the highway and make for safer waters.
As it is, according to Marine Dynamics, great white shark cage diving companies provide the only official monitoring of this species in the country and this information is provided to DEFF on a monthly basis. In concluding her presentation the Minister was encouraging. “In a recent meeting with the panel and senior officials from our two branches (Environment and Fisheries) I have endorsed these recommendations and I now challenge our officials to urgently process the report’s findings so we can implement the recommendations. The assignment of responsibilities and time lines in the Department has already started.”
In layman’s terms, this is roughly what has been happening in Gansbaai since 2017 when two killer whales (or orcas), named Port and Starboard first made their appearance and began to terrorise the resident great whites. The release on 17 November of the Expert Panel Review of South Africa’s National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (NPOA-Sharks) seems to reach the firm conclusion that this is indeed the main reason for the ‘disappearance’ of these magnificent creatures from this stretch of ocean. Happily, they continue to thrive and play an important role in the marine biodiversity of areas like Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay and Algoa Bay. The point is made, however, that some demersal shark species like smoothhound and soupfin have undergone substantial declines in population through overfishing over the past seven decades and this needs urgent intervention. In May this year a 9-person expert review panel under the Chairmanship of Dr Sven Kerwath was constituted by the Minister of the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), Barbara Creecy, to undertake a critical evaluation of the NPOA-Sharks which had originally been drawn up in 2013. The existing plan had been constituted in line with the provisions of the International Plan of Action (IPOA). Arising from a number of concerns expressed in the public domain, the review panel was given the task of assessing whether the provisions contained in the NPOA remained relevant and to what extent they had, or were still, being implemented. The result is an extremely detailed report with a number of pertinent findings and recommendations. In presenting the review on 17 Novem-
progress around data gathering and reporting, development of regulatory tools and implementation of recommendations for sustainable management.
The large bronze whaler shark is becoming a firm favourite with shark cage divers in the Gansbaai area and helping to sustain the eco-tourism industry in the Overstrand. ber, Minister Creecy emphasised South Africa’s responsibility towards the conservation and management of this iconic species, especially with respect to widespread reports of illegal, unprotected and unregulated shark fishing that poses a long-term risk to species survival and the sustainability of law-abiding fishers. “Our country is blessed with some of the most diverse and richest cartilaginous fish in the world. In fact when it comes to a variety of 188 species of sharks, rays and chimeras, South Africa ranks among the top five nations. Of these, around 30% are considered endemic – and therefore only found around our shores. In fact, since the NPOA was initiated in 2013, at least six new species have been discovered in our waters,” she said. “However,” she warned, “here in South Africa, we know that 14 % of our sharks are endangered or critically endangered. One species, the sawfish, has not been seen in our waters since 1999. Sadly, protection for this species came into effect after the last one was caught. Its loss should serve as a lesson to us of what could happen to others if we don’t take ownership of our biodiversity.” Indeed, she added: “NPOA-Sharks recognises the need to determine and implement harvesting strategies
consistent with the principles of biological sustainability, attained through scientifically- based management.” The Minister emphasised that she was fully cognisant of the role that great white sharks have played in eco-tourism in this area and that their ‘disappearance’ has had a deleterious effect on the shark diving sector. She considered it a priority to find an optimum balance between consumptive and non-consumptive use, with maximum benefits, but low impact on the marine ecosystem. In particular she referred to both fishers (some of whom have been fishing for demersal shark species for generations) and tourism operators. One of the most prominent shark cage diving outfits in this region is Marine Dynamics. Its founder and owner, Wilfred Chivell, a committed marine conservationist, emphasises the increasingly important role played by bronze whaler sharks. “Shark cage diving in Gansbaai attracts thousands of visitors every year and the presence of bronze whaler sharks has enabled shark cage diving operators to sustain their business. It is proving to be very popular with shark cage divers.” He therefore makes the following comment on this aspect of the report: “We have been vocal about our concerns about the bronze whaler sharks
and their importance for the non-consumptive Gansbaai shark cage diving industry, in light of the flight response of white sharks to orca predation. We are pleased with the shark panel’s attention to this matter, as well as addressing the concerns made about shark demersal longliners that are having an impact on soupfin and smooth-hound shark populations. “They have made fair assessments of where lack exists and according to the report will put measures in place to address these over the next year. It’s important that we protect our marine heritage and ensure sustainable fishing practices, as well as appreciate the importance of eco-tourism for the ocean economy. Eco-tourism has a diverse value chain that creates employment, such as accommodation and restaurants, among others. It also plays a critical role in the conservation of species. We will continue to work with the government and other stakeholders and apply pressure, if necessary.” The overall conclusion of the review panel, as reported by the Minister, was that good headway had been made in the classification and assessment of sharks, but less success had been achieved in monitoring populations and in the development of overarching regulatory frameworks. It also expressed some concern on the slow
One of those who attended the release of the review by the Minister was Guy Paulet of the SA Shark Conservancy in Hermanus who was impressed with the rigorous quality of the scientific assessment which had informed the review, as well as its suggestions for future improvement. “All of the research done at SASC focuses on the same goal – to make a meaningful contribution to the knowledge base of our endemic chondrichthyans through collection of baseline data and long-term monitoring in Walker Bay. We have a very productive relationship with both DEFF and CapeNature and our research ties in with their objectives in many respects. In fact, in the preparation of their review, they made use of some of the data we have accumulated through our baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVs). “The feedback from this panel gives us additional insight into what the department would like from private organisations like ours and we will continue to liaise with them. It gives us confidence to know that someone as committed as Minister Creecy is driving the action plan for the conservation and management of our marine biodiversity.” A last word from Wilfred Chivell seems to sum up the sentiments of all concerned: “We are committed to being a voice for the sharks.”
