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Global status and conservation potential of reef sharks

Author

Listed:
  • M. Aaron MacNeil

    (Dalhousie University)

  • Demian D. Chapman

    (Florida International University)

  • Michelle Heupel

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science)

  • Colin A. Simpfendorfer

    (James Cook University)

  • Michael Heithaus

    (Florida International University)

  • Mark Meekan

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science
    The University of Western Australia)

  • Euan Harvey

    (Curtin University)

  • Jordan Goetze

    (Curtin University
    Wildlife Conservation Society)

  • Jeremy Kiszka

    (Florida International University)

  • Mark E. Bond

    (Florida International University)

  • Leanne M. Currey-Randall

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science)

  • Conrad W. Speed

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science
    The University of Western Australia)

  • C. Samantha Sherman

    (James Cook University)

  • Matthew J. Rees

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science
    University of Wollongong)

  • Vinay Udyawer

    (Arafura Timor Research Facility)

  • Kathryn I. Flowers

    (Florida International University)

  • Gina Clementi

    (Florida International University)

  • Jasmine Valentin-Albanese

    (Stony Brook University)

  • Taylor Gorham

    (Dalhousie University)

  • M. Shiham Adam

    (International Pole and Line Foundation)

  • Khadeeja Ali

    (Florida International University
    Marine Resources and Agriculture)

  • Fabián Pina-Amargós

    (Centro de Investigaciones de Ecosistemas Costeros (CIEC), Cayo Coco)

  • Jorge A. Angulo-Valdés

    (Universidad de la Habana
    Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory, Eckerd College)

  • Jacob Asher

    (University of Hawaii at Manoa
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • Laura García Barcia

    (Florida International University)

  • Océane Beaufort

    (Réseau requins des Antilles Francaises, Kap Natirel)

  • Cecilie Benjamin

    (Mahonia Na Dari Research and Conservation Centre)

  • Anthony T. F. Bernard

    (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
    Rhodes University)

  • Michael L. Berumen

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

  • Stacy Bierwagen

    (James Cook University)

  • Erika Bonnema

    (Florida International University)

  • Rosalind M. K. Bown

    (Blue Resources Trust)

  • Darcy Bradley

    (University of California Santa Barbara)

  • Edd Brooks

    (Cape Eleuthera Institute)

  • J. Jed Brown

    (Qatar University)

  • Dayne Buddo

    (Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory)

  • Patrick Burke

    (Macquarie University)

  • Camila Cáceres

    (Florida International University)

  • Diego Cardeñosa

    (Stony Brook University)

  • Jeffrey C. Carrier

    (Albion College)

  • Jennifer E. Caselle

    (University of California Santa Barbara)

  • Venkatesh Charloo

    (Coastal Impact)

  • Thomas Claverie

    (Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, IFREMER)

  • Eric Clua

    (PSL Research University, LABEX CORAIL, CRIOBE USR3278 EPHE-CNRS-UPVD)

  • Jesse E. M. Cochran

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

  • Neil Cook

    (Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville
    Cardiff University)

  • Jessica Cramp

    (James Cook University
    Sharks Pacific)

  • Brooke D’Alberto

    (James Cook University)

  • Martin Graaf

    (Wageningen University & Research)

  • Mareike Dornhege

    (Sophia University)

  • Andy Estep

    (Waitt Institute)

  • Lanya Fanovich

    (Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville)

  • Naomi F. Farabaugh

    (Florida International University)

  • Daniel Fernando

    (Blue Resources Trust)

  • Anna L. Flam

    (Marine Megafauna Foundation)

  • Camilla Floros

    (Oceanographic Research Institute)

  • Virginia Fourqurean

    (Florida International University)

  • Ricardo Garla

    (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte)

  • Kirk Gastrich

    (Florida International University)

  • Lachlan George

    (James Cook University)

  • Rory Graham

    (Independent consultant)

  • Tristan Guttridge

    (Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation
    Saving the Blue, Kendall)

  • Royale S. Hardenstine

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

  • Stephen Heck

    (Stony Brook University)

  • Aaron C. Henderson

    (UAE University
    The School for Field Studies Center for Marine Resource Studies)

  • Heidi Hertler

    (The School for Field Studies Center for Marine Resource Studies)

  • Robert Hueter

    (Mote Marine Laboratory)

  • Mohini Johnson

    (Operation Wallacea)

  • Stacy Jupiter

    (Wildlife Conservation Society, Melanesia Program)

  • Devanshi Kasana

    (Florida International University)

  • Steven T. Kessel

    (Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research, John G. Shedd Aquarium)

  • Benedict Kiilu

    (Kenya Fisheries Service)

  • Taratu Kirata

    (Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Development)

  • Baraka Kuguru

    (Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute)

  • Fabian Kyne

    (University of the West Indies)

  • Tim Langlois

    (The University of Western Australia)

  • Elodie J. I. Lédée

    (Carleton University)

  • Steve Lindfield

    (Coral Reef Research Foundation)

  • Andrea Luna-Acosta

    (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana)

  • Jade Maggs

    (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research)

  • B. Mabel Manjaji-Matsumoto

    (Universiti Malaysia Sabah)

  • Andrea Marshall

    (Marine Megafauna Foundation)

  • Philip Matich

    (Texas A&M University at Galveston)

  • Erin McCombs

    (Aquarium of the Pacific)

  • Dianne McLean

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science
    The University of Western Australia)

  • Llewelyn Meggs

    (Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation)

  • Stephen Moore

    (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions, Parks & Wildlife WA, Pilbara Region)

  • Sushmita Mukherji

    (James Cook University)

  • Ryan Murray

    (Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines)

  • Muslimin Kaimuddin

    (Wasage Divers)

  • Stephen J. Newman

    (Government of Western Australia)

  • Josep Nogués

    (Island Conservation Society Seychelles)

  • Clay Obota

    (CORDIO East Africa)

  • Owen O’Shea

    (The Centre for Ocean Research and Education)

  • Kennedy Osuka

    (University of York)

  • Yannis P. Papastamatiou

    (Florida International University)

  • Nishan Perera

    (Blue Resources Trust)

  • Bradley Peterson

    (Stony Brook University)

  • Alessandro Ponzo

    (Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines)

  • Andhika Prasetyo

    (Ministry for Marine Affairs and Fisheries)

  • L. M. Sjamsul Quamar

    (Universitas Dayanu Ikhsanuddin Bau-Bau)

  • Jessica Quinlan

    (Florida International University)

  • Alexei Ruiz-Abierno

    (Universidad de la Habana)

  • Enric Sala

    (Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society)

  • Melita Samoilys

    (CORDIO East Africa
    University of Oxford)

  • Michelle Schärer-Umpierre

    (HJR Reefscaping)

  • Audrey Schlaff

    (James Cook University)

  • Nikola Simpson

    (SalvageBlue)

  • Adam N. H. Smith

    (Massey University)

  • Lauren Sparks

    (Indo Ocean Project, PT Nomads Diving Bali)

  • Akshay Tanna

    (Blue Resources Trust
    Manchester Metropolitan University)

  • Rubén Torres

    (Reef Check Dominican Republic)

  • Michael J. Travers

    (Government of Western Australia)

  • Maurits Zinnicq Bergmann

    (Florida International University
    Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation)

  • Laurent Vigliola

    (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR ENTROPIE (IRD-UR-UNC-CNRS-IFREMER))

  • Juney Ward

    (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional, Environment Programme)

  • Alexandra M. Watts

    (Marine Megafauna Foundation
    Manchester Metropolitan University)

  • Colin Wen

    (Tunghai University)

  • Elizabeth Whitman

    (Florida International University)

  • Aaron J. Wirsing

    (University of Washington)

  • Aljoscha Wothke

    (Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville)

  • Esteban Zarza-Gonzâlez

    (Universidad del Sinú)

  • Joshua E. Cinner

    (James Cook University)

Abstract

Decades of overexploitation have devastated shark populations, leaving considerable doubt as to their ecological status1,2. Yet much of what is known about sharks has been inferred from catch records in industrial fisheries, whereas far less information is available about sharks that live in coastal habitats3. Here we address this knowledge gap using data from more than 15,000 standardized baited remote underwater video stations that were deployed on 371 reefs in 58 nations to estimate the conservation status of reef sharks globally. Our results reveal the profound impact that fishing has had on reef shark populations: we observed no sharks on almost 20% of the surveyed reefs. Reef sharks were almost completely absent from reefs in several nations, and shark depletion was strongly related to socio-economic conditions such as the size and proximity of the nearest market, poor governance and the density of the human population. However, opportunities for the conservation of reef sharks remain: shark sanctuaries, closed areas, catch limits and an absence of gillnets and longlines were associated with a substantially higher relative abundance of reef sharks. These results reveal several policy pathways for the restoration and management of reef shark populations, from direct top-down management of fishing to indirect improvement of governance conditions. Reef shark populations will only have a high chance of recovery by engaging key socio-economic aspects of tropical fisheries.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Aaron MacNeil & Demian D. Chapman & Michelle Heupel & Colin A. Simpfendorfer & Michael Heithaus & Mark Meekan & Euan Harvey & Jordan Goetze & Jeremy Kiszka & Mark E. Bond & Leanne M. Currey-Randall, 2020. "Global status and conservation potential of reef sharks," Nature, Nature, vol. 583(7818), pages 801-806, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:583:y:2020:i:7818:d:10.1038_s41586-020-2519-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2519-y
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. van der Ploeg, J. & Jupiter, S. & Hughes, A. & Eriksson, H. & Boso, D. & Govan, H., 2020. "Coral reef conservation in Solomon Islands: Overcoming the policy implementation gap," Monographs, The WorldFish Center, number 40902, April.
    2. Booth, Hollie & Mourato, Susana & Milner-Gulland, E.J., 2022. "Investigating acceptance of marine tourism levies, to cover the opportunity costs of conservation for coastal communities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    3. María-del-Pilar Blanco-Parra & Angelli Argaez Gasca & Camila Alejandra Reyes Rincón & Nicte Ha Gutiérrez Martínez & Carlos Alberto Niño-Torres, 2022. "Citizen Science as a Tool to Get Baseline Ecological and Biological Data on Sharks and Rays in a Data-Poor Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-10, May.
    4. Burney, Shaheer & Boehm, Rebecca & Lopez, Rigoberto, 2021. "The impact of the ACA Medicaid expansion on SNAP participation," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    5. C. Samantha Sherman & Colin A. Simpfendorfer & Nathan Pacoureau & Jay H. Matsushiba & Helen F. Yan & Rachel H. L. Walls & Cassandra L. Rigby & Wade J. VanderWright & Rima W. Jabado & Riley A. Pollom &, 2023. "Half a century of rising extinction risk of coral reef sharks and rays," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    6. Matthew J. Smukall & Andrew C. Seitz & Félicie Dhellemmes & Maurits P. M. van Zinnicq Bergmann & Vital Heim & Samuel H. Gruber & Tristan L. Guttridge, 2022. "Residency, Site Fidelity, and Regional Movement of Tiger Sharks ( Galeocerdo cuvier ) at a Pupping Location in the Bahamas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-18, August.
    7. Duro, Juan Antonio & Osório, António & Perez-Laborda, Alejandro, 2024. "Modeling uncertainty in tourism markets," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    8. Manfredi Di Lorenzo & Antonio Calò & Antonio Di Franco & Giacomo Milisenda & Giorgio Aglieri & Carlo Cattano & Marco Milazzo & Paolo Guidetti, 2022. "Small-scale fisheries catch more threatened elasmobranchs inside partially protected areas than in unprotected areas," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.

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