Talking sharks
With the Shark Trust about to host an influential conference – Sharks International – Paul Cox talks about the importance of bringing together scientists and advocates
The bottom line
The Dogger Bank , Britain ’ s largest sandbank , has been protected from bottom trawling following years of lobbying . The famously destructive and indiscriminate fishing method has tripled in the marine protected area ( MPA ) since Brexit , despite the area being declared an MPA . Bottom trawling is carried out in many of the UK ’ s MPAs , leading campaigners to question the value of their status . The practice and ban are both discussed in BSAC Heritage Advisor Jane Maddocks ’ column Taking It Further , overleaf . In addition to the Dogger Bank , three other MPAs are introducing a similar ban on bottom trawling . They are Inner Dowsing , Race Bank and North Ridge Special Area of Conservation . However , experts have pointed out there are 64 MPAs , most of which have few protections from such destructive fishing .
When , in 2018 , we threw our hat in the ring to host the follow-up event to the hugely successful Sharks International conference in Brazil , how were we to know what was about to happen ? Covid threw a massive spanner in the works , as we lost two years and gained a huge amount of uncertainty about what sort of event we could put on . But now , SI2022 is just around the corner and we ’ re excitedly beavering away , putting together what is effectively two conferences in one – an in-person conference in Valencia and a five-day online event .
Our desire in taking on Sharks International was to bring together the Science community with advocates and communicators to explore how we can produce better outcomes for sharks this decade .
It ’ s vital . Shark and ray populations worldwide are being decimated by the excesses of fisheries and we need to use all the tools at our disposal to turn the tide . Science is a powerful ally . It provides the language and the evidence base that we need to successfully advocate for stronger management . It can also assess the success ( or otherwise ) of our action . Research has shown signs that recovery of populations can happen , given the right level of fisheries restrictions and sufficient time . This approach works . But we need to engage more science , and more scientists , in providing the data that can make the difference .
Good communication is also a key weapon . This should be straightforward . But it ’ s not , and in the ever more crowded information space , we need to get smarter if we want to cut through . For the last year , I ’ ve been working with communication experts to look at how shark conservationists can be more impactful and get more support for the cause . The result is a toolkit that we ’ ve now published with some very basic do ’ s and don ’ ts for anyone communicating to make a difference . You can find it on our website if you ’ re keen to learn more . So , after a period of uncertainty , we ’ re thrilled at the prospect of finally bringing Sharks International to Europe . Keep an eye on our social channels and website as there ’ ll be something for everyone interested in sharks this autumn . www . sharktrust . org
Marine Park Authority was reporting water temperatures up to 4 ° C above the seasonal average . Scientists are now fearful of the damage that could be caused by the next El Niño .
Lemon sharks in the Bahamas , by Simon Rogerson
47