This project falls under SHARKLIFE AIM No. 2: Reduce anthropogenic threats to over exploited marine species by increasing awareness and encouraging sustainable seafood choices. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and South African Marine Protected Area. It would be a prudent, precautionary approach to afford more protection to sensitive marine mega fauna, particularly breeding females, within the site.
The iSimangaliso park coastline stretches 220 kilometers from Maphelane in the south to Kosi Bay on the Mozambique border and approximately 5km seaward, this vast area is a known habitat in which numerous shark species occur and breed.
Sharklife began engaging with the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority in 2010 regarding the increased protection of sharks within the park. Soon after this engagment the park authority prohibited the capture of sharks by fishing charter companies operating within the park boundaries. Sharklife saw this as a positive outcome and applauded the park authority for its action.
Below: This type of wasteful trophy hunting is now prohibited in the iSimangaliso Park.
Later in 2014 sharks were officially afforded broader protection within the iSimangaliso The new park fishing regulation stated that all sharks are “no take” species and must be released immediately when caught. Previous park regulations allowed fishermen to kill 10 sharks per person per day, which unfortunately is still the national bag limit for sharks outside the park.
Shark fishing effort is generally poorly monitored and although not thought to be a regular occurrence in the park, 413 sharks were recorded being caught in the park between 1997-2008 (MAGGS, J.Q. 2008. National Marine Linefish System). This figure however does not include unreported catches and sharks that are killed at sea which would inflate the recordings.
Sharklife is continuing in 2018 to work with the iSimangaliso Park Authority to find ways to limit the impact on pregnant ragged-tooth sharks that spend 4-5 months every year gestating in the warm waters of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Below: Every year fishermen target pregnant ragged-tooth sharks from the shoreline.
