AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course Lesson

AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course - Lesson Guides This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non. Commercial-No. Derivs 3. 0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http: //creativecommons. org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3. 0/ Product No. 72003 (Rev. 09/12) Version 1. 02

Welcome to your course l l Welcome Introductions Course goals Course overview Class requirements AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 2

Click to view the Sharks in Peril video AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 3

We’ll talk about. . . SECTION 1: Sharks in Peril and why we should care l l Unique physical attributes of sharks Conservation status of sharks Life history traits that make sharks vulnerable Importance to marine ecosystems SECTION 1 Sharks in Peril Continued. . . Welcome AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 4

We’ll talk about. . . SECTION 2: Managing threats and recognising values l l Threats to sharks Management strategies to protect sharks Value to local economies Misperceptions of sharks SECTION 2 Managing Threats Continued. . . Welcome AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 5

We’ll talk about. . . SECTION 3: Taking action and joining the Project AWARE movement l l Personal actions to protect sharks Your local sharks Responsible environmental guidelines for diving with sharks Join the Project AWARE movement SECTION 3 Taking Action Welcome AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 6

SECTION 1: Sharks in Peril and why we should care AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course

What are the unique physical attributes of sharks? l l l First sharks over 400 mya Modern sharks around 100 mya Found in every marine environment Roughly 500 species Most sharks have: l a streamlined, torpedo shaped body l rigid dorsal and pectoral fins Most predators, some scavengers or filter feeders Continued. . . S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 8

What are the unique physical attributes of sharks? l l Sharks have unique physical attributes that make them different from other fish: l Skeleton made from cartilage l Large oiled filled liver l Exposed gill slits Share these attributes with rays, skates and chimaeras S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 9

What is the conservation status of sharks? 30% of 1044 assessed sharks, rays and chimaeras are Threatened or Near Threatened with extinction International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Review of 1044 Shark, Ray and Chimaera Species Critically Endangered 2% Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild Endangered 4% Very high risk of extinction in the wild Vulnerable 11% High risk of extinction in the wild Near Threatened 13% Close to qualifying or likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future Least Concern 23% Not qualifying as Threatened including widespread and abundant species Data Deficient 47% More information required for assessment Continued. . . S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 10

What is the conservation status of sharks? More alarming estimates l Species Location More alarming estimates: Pelagic Sharks and rays Hammerhead sharks (open ocean) Status One third threatened with extinction NW & W Central Declined by 89% since 1986 Atlantic Great hammerheads E Atlantic Declined by 80% Porbeagle and spiny dogfish sharks NW Atlantic Reduced by 90% Sharks 14 species of sharks and rays S 1: Sharks in Peril Europe Mediterranean One third Threatened with extinction Critically Endangered AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 11

What life history traits make sharks vulnerable? l l l Sharks vulnerable to overfishing because: l Long time to sexual maturity l Long gestations l Small number of offspring l Breed only every 2 nd or 3 rd year Strategy works under natural conditions Fails when fishing removes many individuals Continued. . . S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 12

What life history traits make sharks vulnerable? l l l Compare shark reproductive strategy with bony fish that: l Release millions of eggs in a lifetime, so l More likely to recover from fishing impacts Most fisheries management based on bony fish strategy Sharks tend to form groups based on age, gender and maturity l Removal of older breeding age females Continued. . . S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 13

What is the importance of sharks to marine ecosystems? Crucial to maintain health of marine ecosystems l l Keep a balance among prey species l Often the apex predator l Top of many food chains l Feed on many different species l Change food when one prey animal is hard to find Remove sick, injured and diseased animals S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 14

What is the importance of sharks to marine ecosystems? Food chains describe how energy moves among species Starts with plants that use the sun’s energy to make their body parts Plants consumed by herbivores (plant eaters) Herbivores consumed by carnivores (meat eaters) Small carnivores consumed by large carnivores until apex predators reached Continued. . . S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 15

What is the importance of sharks to marine ecosystems? Removing animals from a food chain can have repercussions throughout an ecosystem: Fewer apex predators more lower-level carnivores fewer herbivores more macroalgae (e. g. seaweed, base of food chain) Continued. . . S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 16

What is the importance of sharks to marine ecosystems? Relatively untouched reefs can show the impact of removing apex predators (including sharks) l l l Study at NW Hawaii Islands Apex predators: l More than 50% of fish biomass l Less than 10% on fished reefs Sharks are bigger Populations of all species are far greater A larger variety of other species Continued. . . S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 17

What is the importance of sharks to marine ecosystems? Sharks found to protect seagrass beds from over-grazing by dugongs and green sea turtles: l l l Prefer to eat in the middle of sea grass bed Stay on outside when sharks present Seagrass beds important habitat for many species Sharks keep marine environments healthy Important for all marine animals and for humans! S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 18

We’ve talked about SECTION 1: Sharks in Peril and why we should care l l Unique physical attributes of sharks Conservation status of sharks Life history traits that make sharks vulnerable Importance to marine ecosystems Any Questions? S 1: Sharks in Peril AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 19

SECTION 2: Managing threats and recognising values AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? It is mostly due to overfishing that many shark species are threatened with extinction l l Targeted fisheries and as bycatch Mainly caught for: l Fins: to make shark fin soup l Meat: strong demand from Europe Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 21

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? l Total of annual shark catch: l Nearly 80% - top 20 shark catching nations l More than 35% - top 4 shark catching nations The top 20 shark catching nations in order of size of catch, greatest take first Rank Country 1 Indonesia 6 Mexico 11 Thailand 16 Portugal 2 India 7 Pakistan 12 France 17 Nigeria 3 Spain 8 USA 13 Brazil 18 Iran 4 Taiwan 9 Japan 14 Sri Lanka 19 UK 5 Argentina 10 Malaysia 15 New Zealand 20 S Korea Source: The Future of Sharks: A Review of Action and Inaction Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course Continued. . . 22

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? Some of the many uses of shark body parts Species Part Where How Most sharks Fins Global, but centered on Asia Spiny dogfish Meat Europe Spiny dogfish Meat UK Fish and Chips Spiny dogfish Meat Germany To make Schillerlocken Porbeagle Meat France Known as veal of the sea Mako, thresher and Meat blacktip America Shark steaks Greenland basking shark Iceland Greenland Used to produce hákarl Meat Shark fin soup Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 23

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? Some of the many uses of shark body parts Part Where How Meat Australia Known as flake, often used in fish and chips Meat Global Products called fish may contain shark i. e. fish fingers Liver oil Global Many industrial uses Shark skin A delicacy and also used to make leather products Liver oil and cartilage Said to have health benefits, though unproven Jaws and teeth sold as souvenirs Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 24

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? Difficult to estimate annual shark take Countries have different reporting requirements, or none at all l l Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA) estimate of shark, ray and chimaera catch: l 2003: 0. 90 million tonnes l 2006: 0. 75 million tonnes Unknown if decline due to: l Better fisheries management l Less sharks l Combination of both Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 25

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? l l Study of shark fin trade records shows FAO figures an underestimate Found annual shark catch to support global shark fin trade to be: l Between 1. 21 to 2. 29 million tonnes, with a median of 1. 70 million tonnes l Equivalent to between 26 and 73 million sharks Therefore 38 million sharks per year is the best estimate for the global shark catch This figure does not include: l Sharks killed for domestic fin markets l Sharks discarded dead at sea l Sharks killed for their meat only Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 26

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? Shark Fin Soup l l Status symbol in Chinese culture Demand fast outpacing supply Driving the global depletion of shark populations Among the most valuable fisheries products l Bowl of soup can cost US$100 Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 27

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? Shark Finning l l Removing a shark's fins at sea l Often still alive Body dumped overboard Why do fishers do that? l High value of fins / low value of meat Why is this allowed to happen? l Finning banned by many countries, but l Poor monitoring and regulations Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 28

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? Bycatch l l l Part of a catch that is: l not the target species, or l undersized Can not be landed in many regions Often dumped overboard Tens of millions of sharks killed as bycatch every year Usually not recorded in fishery records Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 29

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? Other Impacts l l Habitat Loss l 75% coral reefs threatened from local pressures and climate change l 1/5 th mangroves removed since 1980 Coastal Development l Damages shark habitats and nurseries S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 30

What major threats contribute to declines in shark populations? Other Impacts l l Marine debris l Our rubbish in the ocean l Sharks eat marine debris or become entangled l Ghost nets Swimmer protection devices l Beach nets and baited drumlines l Kills harmless sharks l Kills other species: dolphins, rays and turtles etc S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 31

What key management strategies can protect sharks? For shark fisheries to be sustainable, shark fisheries management should: l l Be well-enforced, with sciencebased catch limits Have conservation measures consistent throughout the range of each species Be science-based and take a precautionary approach Aim to minimise waste We will now look at some management strategies that can help protect sharks Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 32

What key management strategies can protect sharks? International Plan of Action-Sharks (IPOA-Sharks) l l Shark fishing nations to implement a National Plan of Action (NPOA) for the conservation and management of sharks Aims to make shark fisheries sustainable by: l Assessing threats such as overfishing l Protecting critical habitats l Minimising waste and discards (e. g. finning bans) l Encouraging the full use of dead sharks Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 33

What key management strategies can protect sharks? International Plan of Action-Sharks (IPOA-Sharks) l l l Should implement a Shark NPOA by 2001: l Voluntary l As of 2011 only 13 of the Top 20 nations have a plan IPOA process has raised the profile of sharks Led to some improvement in shark fisheries management Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 34

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) l l Facilitate management of multination fishing: l In international waters, or l For highly migratory species Aims to conserve fish populations through agreements Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 35

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) l l l Slow to address shark overfishing Management based on fast breeding bony fish Most RFMOs banned shark finning l But did not set international shark fishing quotas for the high seas Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 36

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Finning Bans l l l Finning banned by most RFMOs and nearly 30 countries Does not stop sharks being caught l Aims to ensure shark carcasses are kept after fins removed Stipulates a maximum fin to carcass ratio allowed onboard l Dump the carcass = exceed the ratio Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 37

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Finning Bans l l l IUCN recommends ratio not exceed 5% of dressed weight l Dressed weight = heads and guts removed Using whole weight creates a loophole l Allows 2 to 3 sharks to be finned for every carcass kept Europe and Brazil bans specify whole weight l Sets a bad example Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 38

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Finning Bans Most effective way to enforce finning bans is to require that carcasses are landed with fins naturally attached l Finning bans could dramatically reduce shark mortality if properly enforced Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 39

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) l l International agreement among 175 countries Regulates or bans international trade in Threatened species Binding on member countries Resistance to listing sharks due to commercial value Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 40

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) l l As of 2011 only three sharks included under CITES Appendix II: l Basking Shark l Whale Shark l Great White Shark Proposals to list porbeagle, hammerhead and oceanic whitetip sharks rejected Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 41

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) l l Protect from extractive industries l Fishing l Mining l Collecting for aquariums Known by variety of names l marine parks l aquatic reserves l marine reserves l sanctuary zones l etc Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 42

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) l Different levels of protection: l Fully protected no-take zones (all extractive activities banned), or l Multiple uses through a system of zoning Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 43

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) l l l Benefits of MPAs: l Bony fish recover from overfishing l More fish in surrounding areas l Economic advantages through marine tourism Only around 1% of the world’s ocean protected by MPAs Less than 0. 1% of these MPAs are no-take zones Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 44

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) l l l Protects sharks when positioned over key habitats: l Where sharks congregate to mate l Nursery grounds Works best for sharks with limited range Migratory sharks? l If a network of MPAs covers the range of habitats through which the sharks migrate Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 45

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) l Dive tourism can lead to the creation of shark sanctuaries: l Palau, 2009: entire ocean territory l Maldives, 2010: entire ocean territory l Bahamas and Honduras, 2011: territorial waters Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 46

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) l l To be effective shark sanctuaries need: l Management and monitoring l Funding l Patrols and enforcement l Compensation for fishers, or an alternate income Dive tourism is leading to local and even national protection for sharks Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 47

What key management strategies can protect sharks? Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing l l l Result of fisheries management failures Level of illegal shark fishing may not be high l Few rules to break! Lack of species-specific reporting a huge hindrance to shark conservation S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 48

What is the value of sharks to local economies? Sharks provide economic benefits as a source of food and as tourist attractions l Continue to provide income and protein for many people if fished at a sustainable level The problem is not that we are fishing for sharks; the problem is that in most cases we are overfishing sharks Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 49

What is the value of sharks to local economies? Sharks at popular dive centres have a greater value as tourist attractions than when fished Value of shark dive tourism to Palau Value of shark dive tourism to the Maldives $18 million per year US$3, 300 one reef shark per year US$1. 9 million one reef shark over its lifetime US$33, 500 one reef shark per year at the most popular sites US$108 one shark when fished US$32 one shark when fished Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 50

What is the value of sharks to local economies? Value of shark dive tourism to the Bahamas US$800 million over a twenty year period US$250, 000 one reef shark over its lifetime US$50 -60 one shark when fished Value of global whale shark tourism US$47. 5 million in 2004 Value of shark and ray tourism to the Canary Islands € 17. 7 million annually 429 jobs supported Value of shark dive tourism to South Africa US$4. 1 million diving with great white sharks, 2003 US$1. 8 million diving with tiger sharks, 2007 Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 51

What is the value of sharks to local economies? l l Dive tourism can: l Improve appreciation of sharks l Create shark conservation advocates This can lead to protection for shark species not associated with diving, such as those in international waters S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 52

How do we remove common misperceptions of sharks that are a barrier to conservation? l l Undeserved reputation as a mindless killer Often portrayed as man-eaters Media often greatly exaggerates shark attack stories 1975 film Jaws portrayed sharks as vengeful hunters of humans Continued. . . S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 53

How do we remove common misperceptions of sharks that are a barrier to conservation? l l l The reality? l Unlikely to attack International Shark Attack File 2010: l 79 unprovoked shark attacks l Only 6 were fatal Shark attacks levelled off over last 30 years to average 63. 5 per year Growing human population means number of attacks should increase Falling shark populations the possible explanation S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 54

How do we remove common misperceptions of sharks that are a barrier to conservation? Not understanding the variety of shark species another barrier to protection l l Only about 10 species implicated in unprovoked attacks l Mostly bull, tiger, and white sharks Most attacks thought to be mistakes or explorations Ocean the shark's home l We choose to accept the risk when we swim S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 55

We’ve talked about SECTION 2: Managing threats and recognising values l l Threats to sharks Management strategies to protect sharks Value to local economies Misperceptions of sharks Any Questions? S 2: Managing Threats AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 56

SECTION 3: Taking action and joining the Project AWARE movement AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course

What personal actions can I take to protect sharks? Everyday Actions l l l l Get involved Make personal changes to protect sharks Join campaigns Support Marine Protected Areas Tell others Respond to alarmist media stories Support Project AWARE l www. projectaware. org Tread lightly on the planet Continued. . . S 3: Taking Action AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 58

What personal actions can I take to protect sharks? Purchase Decisions l l If you choose to eat seafood l Look for sustainable fisheries l Sustainable Seafood Guides l Avoid products that contain sharks Choose not to eat shark fin soup Avoid purchasing items that contain shark products Support genuine ecotourism operations Continued. . . S 3: Taking Action AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 59

What personal actions can I take to protect sharks? Be an AWARE Diver l l Make your dives count l Dive Against Debris Be an AWARE diver l Ten Ways A Diver Can Protect The Underwater Environment l Ten Tips for Underwater Photographers S 3: Taking Action AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 60

What sharks are found in our local area and what is their conservation status? Continued. . . S 3: Taking Action AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 61

What sharks are found in our local area and what is their conservation status? S 3: Taking Action AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 62

Environmental Guidelines for diving with sharks These guidelines will help you minimise your impacts when diving with sharks l Be an AWARE diver l l Do not block their movement by swimming in front of them, allow them to move away Do not descend on top of sharks l Do not get close to sharks l Be familiar with and follow local regulations and protocols l Do not block their exit if they are inside a cave or overhang Always seek safety advice from a dive professional familiar with sharks found at the dive site before diving with sharks S 3: Taking Action AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 63

Join the Project AWARE movement Project AWARE’s powerful movement for ocean protection starts with you l l Ocean fighting for its life! 2 major issues where divers can make a difference l Shark decline l Marine debris Dive Against Debris: underwater survey of rubbish in our ocean Your data will: l Cause changes that stop rubbish from entering the ocean l Reduce marine life death and injuries S 3: Taking Action AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course Continued. . . 64

Join the Project AWARE movement My Ocean – unique eco-networking site for ocean protection l l Dive Centres and AWARE leaders l Manage local conservation events Your l Report data Profile l Connect with volunteers Explore My Ocean l Create a profile l Volunteer for events l Find new dive buddies Your Buddies Blogs Continued. . . S 3: Taking Action AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 65

Join the Project AWARE movement Be an AWARE Diver l l l Calls to action, petitions and activities centered on our ocean planet Think ocean protection every time you dive Join the movement to protect our ocean planet – one dive at a time www. projectaware. org S 3: Taking Action AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 66

We’ve talked about SECTION 3: Taking action and joining the Project AWARE movement l l Personal actions to protect sharks Your local sharks Responsible environmental guidelines for diving with sharks Join the Project AWARE movement Any Questions? S 3: Taking Action AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty Course 67

Join the Movement www. projectaware. org