If you are on your way to Maracas beach tomorrow, and you notice signs highlighting information about sharks as you drive along the winding road, don't worry, they're not warnings that Maracas Beach has a sudden shark infestation. Rather the signs are there to educate you on the role this endangered species plays in keeping the ocean's ecosystem balanced.More importantly, the signs are also there to ask for your support in stopping T&T's contribution to the shark finning industry. Shark finning is the practice of removing the shark's fins while the fish is alive. The shark is then thrown back into the ocean. Marc de Verteuil, of the Papa Bois Conservation group, says T&T is one of the leading exporters of shark fins to Hong Kong, where it is a much desired delicacy, reputed for its aphrodisiac and healing qualities. He said in 2011, the country was the number six exporter based on figures from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department."In 2011, our shark fin export tripled, from more than 100,000 kilograms in 2010, to more than 300,000 kilograms," he said.
De Verteuil who is also a Guardian columnist, added while it was not certain where the country got its supply of shark, the suspicion is that the shark must originate from the Atlantic and is probably caught by the foreign-flagged long-liners which are mostly Asian-owned and based at Sea Lots in Port-of-Spain."These boats would be fishing for months and they mostly target tuna, but one of the biggest by-catches of tuna is shark," he explained."It is not something that many people in T&T know about and we have started the campaign to bring about a higher level of awareness so people can make the individual decision not to support or encourage shark finning by purchasing shark."This method of harvesting shark fins is cruel."Once the fins are cut off, if harvesters do not kill them, their bodies are thrown back into the ocean and they can no longer swim, hunt, or breathe."Sharks also reproduce slowly, so they are unable to recuperate quickly from population losses, hence the fear that many species will be extinct by 2050."
He explained how sharks are vital to the marine ecosystem."Sharks are in crisis. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), numbers of some species have dwindled by more than 95 per cent."It should also be noted that sharks are important as they regulate the quantity and health of other marine life, helping to keep fish stocks in the ocean healthy, but researchers fear if activities such as shark finning and culling continue, by 2050 many species will be extinct."A number of countries have banned shark finning and the trade of shark products and others, like Palau, the Maldives, Honduras, the Marshall Islands and the Bahamas, which recognise the biological and economic value of preserving sharks, have created shark sanctuaries in their waters.
Scientific support
Supporting the Papa Bois campaign is Trinidadian marine biologist Diva Amon, who is based at the University of Hawai and has written extensively on shark conservation. She said via e-mail she backs Papa Bois's efforts 100 per cent.Amon said the number of sharks killed globally each year is estimated at 100 million. This unsustainable catch is fuelled by the demand for shark fins, liver oil and shark meat. Shark liver oil is used in cosmetics and herbal supplements, while fish oil tablets and shark meat are eaten in many countries.Both and Amon and de Verteuil noted that T&T was a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which addresses the issue of shark finning as well as the ivory trade, wildlife enforcement monitory system, wildlife conservation, wildlife management and wildlife smuggling.
De Verteuil acknowledged that the campaign may not be well received by all, especially since shark finning is a viable business for some, but said that action was necessary.He said his group had considered many of the issues surrounding shark-fishery management in T&T and they have concluded that the most effective strategy in reducing shark mortality is to close the fishery and establish a shark sanctuary on the island. But it will take a complete national moratorium to get to this point, as shark fishery management is notoriously difficult to enforce and is resource intensive."The rebuilding of shark populations via management would require strict controls on exploitation rates, the protection of critical habitats, monitoring and substantial research.
"We feel that these measures would be more difficult to implement nationally than a complete moratorium. A moratorium requires a legislative framework and enforcement at landing points," the two agreed.
They are proposing a ban on all shark products (meat, fins, liver oil and other products). And legislation and enforcement at ports will be required."A well-enforced sanctuary in our waters will be beneficial to our marine ecosystems, commercial fish stocks and tourism industry through increased revenue from eco-tourism, as well as promote us globally as an environmentally-conscious nation," said Amon.