Marine protected areas have long been hailed as sanctuaries for marine life, including the majestic reef sharks. Also known as MPAs, these are areas where fishing is restricted or prohibited, and previously have offered a glimmer of hope in the face of declining shark populations. However, a recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution unveils that the true power in conservation lies not just in MPAs alone, but in combining them with effective fisheries management practices.
Led by Dr. Jordan Goetze from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in Western Australia, the study delved into the intricate relationship between MPAs, shark populations, and fisheries management. Drawing from the extensive data of the Global FinPrint project, funded by The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, researchers poured over 20,000 hours of underwater footage across 58 nations to better understand the fate of reef sharks. The study’s methodology relied on baited underwater video stations strategically positioned to capture reef shark activity. The findings underscored a dual approach to conservation: while MPAs alone showed promise in boosting reef shark populations, their efficacy soared when coupled with stringent fisheries regulations. Reef shark sightings were twice as common in fully protected areas compared to adjacent fished zones.
“Previous studies have shown that fully protected areas – that is MPAs where all fishing is prohibited – can benefit reef sharks. Our study adds a new element; nations can boost these benefits even further,” said Dr. Jordan Goetze, the study’s lead author, and Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin University. By juxtaposing fully protected areas in nations with and without robust fisheries management, researchers uncovered a synergy between MPAs and fisheries regulations as the linchpin of reef shark recovery. “The best outcome for reef sharks occurred when nations used both fully protected areas and effective fisheries management together. […] They can do so by applying restrictions on destructive fishing gear such as longlines and gillnets or limiting shark catches outside the protected areas. These actions reduce shark mortality across the whole nation and supercharge the effect of fully protected areas.”
Reef sharks, besides being ecological linchpins, hold cultural and economic significance. Revered in some cultures as guardians of the sea, they also drive ecotourism in many coastal regions. And this dual approach not only bolsters reef shark populations, but benefits other wide-ranging shark species such as tigers and hammerheads which roam beyond coral reefs and reap the rewards of fisheries management measures. Thus, the ripple effects of conservation extend far beyond the confines of MPAs, safeguarding diverse marine ecosystems.
Yet, not all MPAs proved equally effective. Success hinged on the size and design of the protected areas; those that encompass entire reefs were proven to be the most effective. “If designed correctly, MPAs could even be successful in areas of high human pressure,” said Dr. Demian Chapman, Director of the Sharks and Rays Conservation Research Program at MOTE and Lead Scientist of Global FinPrint.
“Many nations are currently in the process of expanding their protected areas as part of the global 30 x 30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030,” continues Chapman. “This study provides guidance on how nations can expand their protected areas in a way that benefits these ecologically, culturally, and economically important reef sharks. It also highlights that these protected area expansion efforts need to work with national fisheries management efforts to ensure the conservation of as many species of sharks as possible.”
In essence, the message is clear: to save our ocean, we must double down on conservation efforts. The preservation of reef sharks demands a comprehensive strategy and with MPAs and fisheries management working hand in hand, we can help these predators before they slip further into the shadows of extinction.
