The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) announced last week that researchers will soon be studying the life cycle and growth of large migratory sharks in the northeastern Caribbean.
With support from the World Wildlife Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL), the research will be conducted through the DCNA network organizations - Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), Sint Maarten Nature Foundation and St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation STENAPA - and the international conservation organization “Under the Waves” (BTW).
DCNA Director Tadzio Bervoets said the research will focus specifically on tiger sharks. The first assessment is to be conducted next April, with another shipment scheduled for July.
“We aim to place satellite trackers on various animals and determine if any of them are in the mating or childbirth stage. Hopefully with these data we will be able to make recommendations, both for the benefit of the inhabitants of the islands and for the conservation of a species that faces the imminent threat of extinction, ”stressed T. Bervoets.
The announcement of this study follows the two shark attacks in Orient Bay and St. Kitts.
T. Bervoets said the attacks had led many locals, including several government officials, to speculate on an increase in shark populations in the Caribbean.
“There is absolutely no data to suggest that there is an increase in the shark population in the Caribbean. However, to get an idea of any potential change, a scientific assessment should be conducted to determine if there are any significant changes. This is why we are delighted to be working with WWF-NL and BTW on this research ”, concludes T. Bervoets. _AF
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