The Dorsal Fin

Part 2 of TourismToday’s episode on shark conservation in the Bahamas features Matt Rand of the Pew Environment Group discussing the impact of demand for shark fin soup on shark populations. The environmental effects of declining shark populations are once again discussed, as is the economic importance of sharks to the Bahamas. Rand goes on to say that shark tourism generates $78 million annually. He points out that shark populations are a sustainable resource that could continue to generate income for the Bahamas if shark populations are properly managed.

The video does have some hints of finger-pointing most notably is the implication that sharks might be in trouble due to a “significant Chinese population” taking up residence in the Bahamas, as result of the upcoming Baha Mar project.

TourismToday recently posted a two-part video feature on shark conservation in the Bahamas. Part one of the episode features Pierre Cousteau discussing not only the economic benefits of a healthy shark population but also the environmental benefits. Cousteau also reminisces about his first visit to the Bahamas, which was where he had his very first diving experience as well as his first shark encounter.

Back in September a trailer for “Shiver,” a documentary on the shark fin industry in Mozambique, appeared on online. Chris Scarffe of Moz Images, the company who produced the film, was kind enough to let me know that the entire video is now available on VIMEO (which can viewed in the embedded video above).

“Shiver” is presented in Portuguese and includes English subtitles. The film follows Carlos Macuacua, Mozambique’s first native dive instructor and shark conservationist as he investigates the shark fin trade in Mozambique and its impact on the marine environment. Macuacua is presented as a former fisherman who was originally afraid of sharks until he began diving and gained a better understanding of them. Macuacua went on to found Bitonga Divers which helps to train Mozambican divers and promote conservation of marine life.

Macuacua was recently interviewed by BBC about his campaign against shark finning. You can listen to the interview over at the BBC website.

Spot.us posted an article today about a group of shark fishermen, led by Steve Shirley, who have turned their efforts from killing sharks to promoting catch and release tagging efforts. Team Fish Finders have joined up with researchers and filmmakers in effort to collect data on catch rates and travel ranges of tagged sharks.

A documentary about Shirley’s transformation from shark hunter to shark conservationist was shot by filmmaker David McGuire. According to Spot.us, the documentary, titled “Shark Hunter,” will be screened at aquarium and film events, in addition to being distributed online to reach a wide audience.

The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary has recently posted a draft environmental assessment to analyze the impacts of issuing a permit to Dr. Michael Domeier of the Marine Conservation Science Institute, which would allow the tagging of 11 additional great white sharks (3 males, and 8 females) within the marine sanctuary, using the catch and release method that has been featured on National Georgraphic’s Expedition Great White.

Dr. Domeier was issued a 1-year permit in September of 2009. During the 2009 white shark season, he and his team used the catch and release method to tag 2 male white sharks at the Farallones. However, a bit of controversy stirred up when one the tagged sharks was hooked in the esophagus, and the circle hook had to be cut and left in the shark. According to the draft environmental assessment, “the public and members of the other research teams studying white sharks in the region were concerned that the shark had died and that the tagging was being conducted primarily for a National Geographic television program.”

It should be noted that the hooked shark made its normal migration pattern after the incident, according to data supplied from the tag, and that the tag was still reporting normal data 8 months after it was hooked. (see Southern Fried Science’s interview with Dr. Domeier)

Supporters of Dr. Domeier’s SPOT tagging methods argue that this research provides invaluable data, which cannot be gathered using other methods, and that the data could be beneficial to the species. Those who oppose these tagging methods argue that the potential gains simply do not outweigh the risks.

Regardless of which side of the fence you might be on, if you have genuine interest in this topic and are willing to read the environmental assessment draft, the GFMNS is open to your comments. Comments should be submitted to Carliane.Johnson@noaa.gov until October 12, 2010.