Alarming news about sharks
In Cook Islands waters, it is estimated that 1 shark is caught to every 1,000 longline hooks compared to 50 per 1,000 hooks in the northern hemisphere.
That low number does not mean we should not do our bit to protect the shark. However, how we go about that is debatable. Visiting shark expert Dr Shelly Clarke told an attentive audience at the Parekura Conference Centre on Thursday afternoon that she is not in favour of sanctuaries as they will only cause fishing fleets to go “underground,” going after sharks in the open seas of international waters where enforcement is difficult. She posed the question whether sanctuaries were the best way to advance conservation.
Dr Clarke’s talk was attended by persons from various backgrounds and was organized by the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR). MMR Secretary Ben Ponia also attended as did MMR’s Josh Mitchell.
Dr Clarke is a Senior Fishery Researcher from MRAG Asia Pacific based in Japan.
Her visit is of interest to those keen to establish a Shark Sanctuary in Cook Islands waters.
Dr Clarke spoke of the status of sharks globally and regionally and the session concluded with a discussion on suggestions for science and policy relating to fishery management to protect sharks and also prevent the overfishing of sharks. During the course of her presentation some alarming news was conveyed about the status of sharks.
Globally 1,083 shark and ray species have been assessed and 181 species have been found to be under threat. 2 species are endangered and 16 are vulnerable. The threats to sharks comes from trade in shark fins, meat and shark products such as liver oil and cartilage. Sharks are also threatened by being caught alongside other fish for example tuna.
It has been estimated that 26-73 million sharks are killed each year for their fins. Dr Clarke said the key is how many is too many? And does the number threaten sustainability of shark populations.
Endangered sharks are; Basking shark, Whale shark (which is also in Cook Islands waters) and the Great White shark.
Sharks vulnerable because of trade in shark products are; Mako sharks, Porbeagle sharks and Spiny Dogfish (Nthrn Hemisphere).
In terms of management of the shark catch, there is an international rule which originated in the USA which is based on a ratio of 5% of fins to carcass. This rule is observed by the five international organizations involved in tuna fishing including the WCPFC (Western and Central Pacific Fishing Conference) which covers the Cook Islands. Under WCPFC retention of Oceanic White Tip sharks is not permitted.
As to shark sanctuaries, they exist in Palau, Marshall Islands, Tokelau, Honduras, Bahamas and the Maldives.
Sanctuaries are under consideration in FSM, Guam, Fiji and Commonwealth of Northern Marianas.
As to our region, Clarke said the WCPFC had the best data in the world on sharks. There is a 3 year programme underway to study 8 shark species. They are; Silky, Oceanic White Tip, Blue, Threshers, Mako (2 types), Hammerhead and Porbeagle.
Clarke said the WCPFC longline data from 1990-2010 was spectacular. There was also good data from the purseiners. (Not in Cook Islands waters).
In our region said Dr Clarke, the Oceanic White Tip was in severe decline, the Blue shark was in major decline in the north and the Silky shark was in moderate decline. There were no trends identified for Makos and Threshers. There were no measures for retention. Survival varied by species said Dr Clarke.
Mortality could be reduced by 76% for Oceanic White Tips said Dr Clarke. She said 69% of Silky sharks died during haul back of longlines. However, more research was necessary.
According to the WCPFC, in the three years up to 2009, finning among longliners has increased while it has decreased among the purseiners according to observer statistics.
For the Cook Islands fishery, Ben Ponia and Josh Mitchell gave a presentation on the tuna fishing industry, catches, licences, observers. This year, 67 fishing vessels are licensed to fish in our EEZ. 40 in the north, 10 in the south and there are 17 exploratory licenses. Mitchell advised that MMR has 8 observers for the 45 vessels currently fishing in our EEZ. It’s about a 20% coverage. In response to a question about effectiveness, Mitchell said personnel at ports also checked Captain’s log sheets and the catch being unloaded.
Among the suggestions for science and policy it was recommended;
-implement strict protection for Basking and Great White sharks.
-require shark fins to remain attached.
-clarify whether wire traces are banned.
-prevention of overfishing by:
- ban fishing in reef areas by set mileage
-ban retention of certain species; Oceanic White Tip, Silky, all Ray species, all Hammerheads.
-set catch limits per vessel for other species, esp. Blue sharks.
-be specific about expected total catch limits.
-set guidelines for release of non-retention species.
-maximise use of observer data to understand survival rates. -Charles Pitt

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