Asian Diver – March 2018

http://www.finsattached.org

Pacific to answer questions of the
effectiveness of the no-take zones
and propose an efficient conservation
policy to decision makers. Migramar’s
researchers now know that sharks only
stay at aggregation sites temporarily,
and that individuals move regularly
from one island to another. The group
also knows that larger no-take areas

are necessary to protect these highly

migratory species during their stay at

aggregation sites, as some species,

including endangered hammerhead

sharks at Cocos Island, venture

considerably beyond the 20-kilometre

no-take area during nocturnal feeding

excursions and are thus vulnerable to

fisheries. Finally, Migramar experts

OPPOSITE PAGE: Scalloped

hammerhead sharks were

the first species of shark

to be protected by the

U.S. Endangered Species Act

IMAGES: Fins Attached

LEFT: Shark populations

are quickly depleting

due to overfishing

IMAGES: Shmulic Blum

know that after aggregating, many of

these highly migratory species follow

defined routes or “swimways” to other

Shark Triangle islands.

Scientific evidence also shows that

larger no-take areas lead to better

protection of highly migratory species

and as a result increase the profitability

of fisheries in surrounding waters

due to the spill-over effect. This case

has been proven with tuna fisheries

in waters surrounding the Galápagos

Islands’ no-take zone.

Thus, saving Eastern Tropical Pacific

sharks is not only going to take larger

no-take zones in waters surrounding

the islands of the Shark Triangle, it

will also take policies that limit and

control fisheries along these defined

swimways. Migramar scientists are

currently calling for the protection of

the “Cocos Galápagos Swimway”, along

the 700-kilometre submerged Cocos

Ridge, a highly magnetic submerged

mountain range, of which Cocos Island

and the Galápagos Islands constitute

summits that break the surface.

Fins Attached Marine Research and

Conservation has been collaborating

with Migramar members since 2005,

and will continue to support not only

the performance and publication of

high quality science that answers

these and other questions, but the

regional political processes that

will lead to science based policy and

efficient protection for the sharks of

the Shark Triangle.