The pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) is a highly migratory species found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, often known for its long, whip-like tail. Despite its wide distribution, the pelagic thresher is facing significant population declines, with some estimates showing a reduction of up to 79% in the last three generations. This decline is especially notable in Indonesia, the world’s largest shark fishing nation, where thresher shark populations have plummeted by over 83% from 2002 to 2014 due to both targeted and incidental catches in fisheries. Today, the pelagic thresher is classified as globally endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, and it has been listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species since 2016.
In response to the pelagic thresher’s plight, a shift in both regulatory and community-driven conservation efforts is underway. One of the more innovative approaches to shark conservation? The introduction of alternative livelihoods for local fishers. This not only reduces fishing pressure on shark populations, but it offers sustainable income sources that are socially acceptable and economically feasible for communities dependent on shark fishing. This approach was tested in Indonesia’s Alor Archipelago between 2018 and 2023, aiming to reduce the economic dependency on pelagic thresher sharks. By providing fishers with alternative income-generating activities – such as small-scale chicken farming, alternative fisheries like tuna and red snapper, and local business opportunities like kiosks for selling goods – the intervention sought to reduce fishing pressures on the sharks.
Did it work?
According to a newly published study, the results of the intervention were mixed but largely positive! Six out of nine participating fishers reported substantial increases in income, with some experiencing more than 500% growth compared to their pre-intervention earnings. The success of the program, particularly in a women’s group that produced marketable goods like tuna floss and shark-themed woven textiles, showcases that there is a potential for economic diversification to support conservation. However, despite these successes, a few participants experienced decreased income due to personal challenges, showing that external factors can still impact the effectiveness of such programs.
Beyond direct economic interventions, the researchers found that political engagement and policy changes also played a crucial role in advancing conservation goals. In 2020, the district government signed a decree aimed at enhancing the capacity of fishers to manage marine resources sustainably. This was followed by the creation of a formal action plan for thresher shark conservation in 2022, which was supported by a revised marine protected area in 2023. Although the regulations did not impose a full ban on shark fishing, they indicated a shift in government priorities toward marine conservation. These measures, combined with community-driven actions, helped strengthen the overall conservation framework for the pelagic thresher.
Co-Founders and Directors of Thresher Shark Indonesia Rafid Shidqi and Dewi Ratna Sari led the newest work that showed community engagement also proved to be a cornerstone of the initiative’s success. In 2021 and 2022, 36 young ‘champions’ were trained to promote shark conservation across Alor; they ended up reaching over 1,000 people through outreach activities like school visits and radio broadcasts. The impact was clear — 100% of those reached reported increased knowledge about the species, and local pride in protecting pelagic threshers grew. However, despite these efforts, some fishers continued to catch sharks, driven by socio-cultural pressures and economic needs. These violations were addressed through community discussions and new agreements, which included sanctions for violators and compensation mechanisms for those facing economic hardship.
Although the intervention showed promising reductions in thresher shark catches, the long-term sustainability of the effort remains uncertain. Data collected from shark catch records revealed that participants in the intervention caught significantly fewer thresher sharks than non-participants, indicating a successful reduction in mortality. However, economic pressures and socio-political factors led to a resurgence of catches in the latter stages of the project. This, the scientists point out, highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining long-term compliance with conservation measures, especially when economic incentives are tied to resource extraction.
The team believe that one of the key lessons from this project is the importance of tailoring conservation strategies to local needs and contexts. This “alternative livelihoods” approach was most effective because it integrated community input, ensuring that the interventions were not only economically feasible but also socially acceptable. But for similar initiatives to be successful elsewhere, they must be backed by ongoing support, including financial assistance, training, and strong governance. Projects must also address underlying social conflicts and ensure there are reliable income sources to achieve lasting change.
While the regulatory measures put in place by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (or RFMOs) and the Indonesian government have contributed to reducing overfishing, much of the focus has been on industrial fisheries. With more than 90% of Indonesia’s fishing fleet consisting of small-scale artisanal fishers, Shidqi and Ratna Sari believe conservation efforts thus far have not sufficiently addressed the root causes of overfishing in these communities. For a truly effective strategy, their team believes it is essential to integrate small-scale fishers into the management process and provide them with viable, alternative livelihoods.
As with any conservation effort, challenges remain, and continued support and adaptive strategies will be necessary to ensure long-term success. But the multi-faceted approach shows great promise… and hopefully is a platform many can build off of.