Later this year, the Dutch and French governments will formally propose that three species of hammerhead sharks be added to the SPAW Protocol Annex II list at the next Conference of the Parties to the Cartagena Convention (COPS). to be held in Aruba. This increased protection will give the Dutch Caribbean the tools it needs to continue protecting these vital sharks in the future.
Hammerhead sharks, of the genus Sphyrna, are found worldwide. Three of the world's nine species are found in the Caribbean, namely the scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead and great hammerhead. These species have a similar general appearance, making it difficult to identify these sharks to the species level. Management and conservation measures are therefore not all equally successful, allowing unwanted hammerhead sharks to continue to die.
Hammerhead sharks are apex predators, which means they are at the top of their food web and have no natural predators. Sharks help keep their prey population healthy by eating the sick and injured, while influencing the distribution of their prey. In healthy oceans, sharks contribute to the stability of fish stocks and the health of coral reefs and seagrass beds, which is important for fisheries and the economy (tourism) of islands. Hammerhead sharks are vulnerable to human threats. Overfishing, pollution and climate change are all factors that can have a negative impact on these animals.
Many organizations and individuals are working to protect hammerhead sharks and their habitats in the Caribbean. An important step has been taken with the creation of protected areas such as the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, located between the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
However, further efforts are needed to create more marine protected areas, reduce ocean pollution and promote sustainable fishing practices. _AF
3,062 total views
No comments