According to a global study conducted by Dalhousie University, sharks are now “functionally extinct” at nearly 20% of the world’s coral reefs.

Professor Aaron MacNeil (“MacNeil”), the lead author of the study, said:-

"To find 20 per cent of the reefs that we surveyed didn't have sharks is very concerning."

First launched in 2015, the study utilised a network of underwater cameras to record sharks and other marine life on coral reefs- in the western Atlantic, the western Indian Ocean, the Indo-Pacific and the Pacific. With over 15,000 hours of video footage, the team studied 371 reefs in 58 countries. Around 34 of the 58 countries that were surveyed reported that shark numbers were half of what was expected. In particular, no sharks were found on any of the reefs among these six countries – the Dominican Republic, the French West Indies, Kenya, Vietnam, Qatar and some of the Windward Islands.

While many countries have banned the shark fin trade, around 100 million sharks are still being killed each year for consumption. The decline in shark population plays a vital role in our ecosystem. Other than keeping the balance of the food chain in marine life- in which humans rely heavily on for food, they are also pertinent to a countries economy especially in the tourism sector. For example, in Palau, 8% of the nation’s GDP is generated through shark tourism.Researchers have found that coral reefs closest to human population suffered the greatest with a sharp decline in shark population, whereas higher shark population were found in places where fishing nets and catch limits on sharks were better enforced.

Despite the declining numbers, MacNeil found 20 countries in which shark population was doing well, these included Australia, the Bahamas, French Polynesia, the Maldives and the United States.

Dr. Mark Meekan of the Australian Institute of Marine Science commented that the waning shark population is concerning, but it can be fixed. He commented:-

“Stopping destructive fishing practices and getting some good governance into these fisheries could change the situation almost overnight,” Meekan said. “These are very doable things.”

Demian Chapman, a biology professor at Florida International University, said there are a few ways countries can do to protect reef shark populations, including:-

• establishing shark sanctuaries in areas where commercial shark fishing and trade is banned;

• warrant catch limits on shark fishing so ecosystems can replenish;

• closing off large, designated areas of water where fishing is banned; and

• prohibiting or redesigning shark fishing gillnets and longlines.

There are many ways to drive conservations efforts for sharks. The good news is that this ‘extinction’ can be prevented if countries are able to implement effective policies and enforcing them diligently.  

In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Shark Foundation (“HKSF”) is a charity that advocates for the conservation of sharks in the world. Over the years, HKSF has spread awareness by speaking to youths at different school campuses, partnering with online wedding planning platforms/ companies to educate people to say no to shark fin soup and other shark products. HKSF do amazing work both domestically and internationally in relation to the protection of sharks. If you would like to offer a helping hand to HKSF, visit their website to see how you can take action.

Courtesy of Arial Ng

Main resource: BBC