Leaders from eight countries have launched an initiative to prevent the extinction of sharks. Members of the coalition have committed to the development of sanctuaries that end commercial shark fishing in their national waters.
The initiative is supported by the Bahamas, Colombia, Honduras, the Maldives, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia and Palau. Under the group's pledge, up to 6 million additional square kilometres of ocean could become off-limits to commercial shark fishing and designated as shark sanctuaries. By signing the pledge, the signatories are committed to: maintaining or developing shark sanctuaries; working together internationally to ensure healthy shark populations; and advocating for better science-based precautionary protection for sharks.
The announcement comes one year after President Johnson Toribiong of Palau and President Porfirio Lobo Sosa of Honduras launched a global challenge to protect dwindling shark species. Several countries, states and territories have answered that call by committing to a range of conservation policies. Honduras, the Bahamas, the Maldives and Tokelau have created sanctuaries for sharks off their shores, and the countries of Micronesia are committed to establishing them in their waters.
Commercial fishing of sharks is now prohibited in more than 2.7 million square kilometres.
"With each new sanctuary, sharks gain another ally in their fight for survival," said Matt Rand, director of Global Shark Conservation for the Pew Environment Group, which is spearheading efforts to establish shark sanctuaries where targeted fishing for the species is prohibited.
Sharks are especially vulnerable to overfishing because they mature and reproduce slowly. As top predators, their depletion also has risks for the health of entire ocean ecosystems. Up to 73 million are killed each year to support the global fin trade, while 30 percent of all sharks are threatened or near-threatened with extinction. Some populations, such as the scalloped hammerhead, have declined by up to 98 percent.
However, many governments are recognising that sharks are more valuable alive and can be a key economic driver as a tourist attraction.
"The shark sanctuary here supports the health of our ocean environment and economy," said Honduran President Lobo Sosa. "However, these species migrate beyond our waters, so it is necessary for us to work together to ensure that their populations and marine ecosystems are healthy."
Sharks are the intended catch of some fisheries. They are also frequently caught unintentionally as bycatch. In certain fishing operations, including open-sea longliners that target tuna and swordfish, as much as 25 percent of the take can be shark bycatch.
"When I created Palau's sanctuary in 2009, I knew our country's action could not accomplish the task of conserving the ocean's vast biodiversity alone," said Palauan President Toribiong. "Our ocean's health depends on sharks. I am delighted that more countries are pledging to play an active role in ensuring these creatures' survival, not just in our lifetime but for future generations as well."
FIS