Great white junior
Shoring up MPAs
Paul Cox explains how the Shark Trust is maintaining pressure in the face of delaying tactics in the battle to protect mantas in the Atlantic
Great white junior
Researchers in California claim to have filmed the first footage of a new-born great white shark , captured in drone images taken last summer .
A new-born great white has never been recorded in the wild . But in July , the wildlife film-maker Carlos Gauna and Phillip Sternes glimpsed something unexpected in the waters near Santa Barbara on California ’ s central coast .
Gauna ’ s drone camera captured what appeared to be a great white shark pup , about 5ft long and pure white – an atypical colouring as great whites are white on the bottom and grey on top .
“ We enlarged the images , put them in slow motion , and realized the white layer was being shed from the body as it was swimming ,” Sternes said . “ I believe it was a new-born white shark shedding its embryonic layer .”
Shoring up MPAs
The UK Government has announced new byelaws to protect over 4,000km ² of seabed from bottom trawling in 13 marine protected areas in English seas . The update means that an area of precious seabed equivalent to the size of Essex will now be relieved from the devastating drag of bottomtowed fishing gear .
The 13 areas protected by the byelaws brings the total number of offshore MPAs in English seas ( with at least partial protection from bottom trawling ) to 17 . The UK Government has promised protection for a further 28 offshore sites in English waters by the end of 2024 .
PHOTO : CARLOS GUANA
Standing up for Atlantic manta rays
Paul Cox explains how the Shark Trust is maintaining pressure in the face of delaying tactics in the battle to protect mantas in the Atlantic
At the close of 2023 , another ICCAT ( International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ) saw stuttering progress towards better management of high seas shark fisheries . There was some progress ( but not enough ) towards setting appropriate limits on blue sharks ; there was agreement to continue the high level of protection , agreed in 2021 , for shortfin mako , and there was positive step for manta and devil rays .
Led by the UK government , a proposal to ban fisheries retention of manta and devil rays ( mobula rays ) in the Atlantic was co-sponsored by the host country of Egypt as well as the European Union ( EU ), Morocco , Brazil , Gabon , Belize , and Canada . The measure gained broad support from other nations , including the only country reporting manta landings to ICCAT – Venezuela .
Collectively known as mobulid rays , mantas and devil rays are , surprise surprise , exceptionally vulnerable to overfishing . The oceanic manta has one of the slowest reproduction rates of all sharks and rays , only producing one pup every two to three years and having a gestation period of 12-13 months ! They ’ re targeted for their gill rakers for use in traditional medicine , often reaching up to $ 400 USD per kg . Not only are oceanic mantas threatened by fishing , but also by marine pollution . Microplastics and heavy metals accumulate in their tissues , which can lead to serious illnesses like cancers .
All Atlantic mobulids are classed as ‘ Endangered ’ and listed on CITES Appendix II . They ’ re also protected from fishing in other high seas areas . So , the Atlantic ban seems like a nobrainer .
But , sadly the resolution , while passed , was weakened by Japan to take effect only if all Parties agree again after reviewing a 2024 evaluation by ICCAT scientists . So , we have another year to wait , to ensure that scientists can confirm the exceptional vulnerability of these animals and underscore their previous advice .
It ’ s a game of cat and mouse , and we have to maintain steady and consistent pressure through our advocacy . But hope is in sight for these remarkable and intelligent animals .
www . sharktrust . org
49