International Initiatives for Shark Conservation Prepared by Prof. Steve Oakley Tropical Research and Conservation Centre Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Prof.mauri@rocketmail.com May 2011 Over the past two years several nations have enacted new laws and initiatives to help protect sharks. These include: Palau National Shark Sanctuary Maldives National Shark Sanctuary Hawaii Shark Retention Ban Honduras/Palau Shark Sanctuary Challenge Northern Mariana Islands Shark Retention Ban Guam Shark Retention Ban The efforts to protect sharks are growing. In 2010, Honduras enacted a moratorium on commercial shark fishing and also joined Palau at the United Nations General Assembly in challenging other countries to follow suit. In January 2011, the U.S.A. government passed the Shark Conservation Act which closed loopholes in the U.S.'s shark finning prohibition, and protects most species. In March 2011, Guam and the Marshall Islands, (small island nations in the west Pacific), became the latest countries to ban the sale, possession and distribution of shark fins. These are major fishing hubs that now protect a large area of the Pacific Ocean with their support of shark conservation. Also in March 2011, Costa Rica protected large populations of hammerhead sharks by an expanded marine park and increased restrictions on commercial fishing near Cocos Island. Even traditional fisheries bodies such as the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas introduced protective measures for eight shark species in November 2010. In The Bahamas, a 20 year-old ban on longline fishing gear has left its waters as one of the few places in the world with relatively healthy shark populations. This has considerable economic benefit. The Bahamas Diving Association estimate that diving tourism has contributed up to $800 million to the Bahamian economy since the longline ban. There are, however, no laws there that specifically protect sharks. The Pew foundation and The Bahamas National Trust are working to gain permanent protection for sharks in all of The Bahamas' Exclusive Economic Zone area encompassing approximately 630,000 square kilometers of ocean. The Bahamas provides a unique opportunity to conserve healthy populations for sharks before it is too late. Protecting sharks in The Bahamas would bolster the country's economy and environment and continue the conservation trend that the Pacific Islands launched. Despite the huge numbers harvested each year, few countries involved in the shark trade manage their fisheries. This year, the Pew Environment Group and TRAFFIC (Jan 2011) found that only 13 of the top 20 shark-catching countries have developed national plans of action to protect these animals--one of the primary recommendations from a 2001 United Nations agreement on sharks. It remains unclear how most of those plans have been implemented or if they have been effective. Malaysia has a NPOA- Sharks which was completed in 2006. This action plan attempts to address & update some of the recommendations. The summary of impacts and recommendations of the
NPOA-Sharks is in Appendix 2. As shark populations continue to plummet, the need for action in all corners of the world remains imperative. The healthy ocean surrounding The Bahamas right now is the exception; it is our hope that in time it will become the rule. The countries enacting shark protection are leading the way but to ensure their long-term future, additional work is needed. There are more than 400 species of sharks in our oceans. They serve as vital apex predators, helping to maintain balance in the ecosystem. They also play another useful role: as economic engines for communities that cater to divers and others seeking wildlife-related recreational activities. The situation in Sabah East Malaysia is currently similar to other SE Asia countries, there are very few locations with any sharks. The data from expeditions, scientists, dive masters and divers in Sabah was collected from January 2011 to April 2011. The data is simple, numbers of sharks seen, number of dives done, where and when. The combined results are however impressive, results like: 2050 hours underwater in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and no sharks seen. Sharks only occur at 5 locations in Sabah. Shark numbers have fallen by 50% at the two best reefs in Sabah (Sipadan & Layang Layang) over the past 10 years Comparisons of 100+ locations over 15 years, from 1996 & 97 to recent surveys have shown a 98% fall in populations. These trends for Sabah can be reversed. It is possible to increase the numbers of divers visiting Sabah but we need to be better than the competition. It may not be possible for Sabah to advertise as the shark diving capital of the world but it is possible for Sabah to be the best shark diving in SE Asia.
Summary of Action plan items to protect sharks in Sabah 1. Add sharks to the protected species list – Ongoing on website & Facebook 2. Develop a demonstration Shark Sanctuary Marine Protected Area to protect sharks and other marine life. 3. Develop proposals to protect the worlds rarest shark. draft proposal 4. Protect shark aggregation sites in Sabah. 5. Improve awareness of the threats and the legal status. 6. Reduce shark mortality by fisheries 7. Implement methods to reduce sharks caught accidentally 8. Update the recommendations of the National Action Plan for Sharks 9. Eliminate CITES violations Learn more about our diving volunteer project or the Global Shark survey