Shark Savers - From South Africa: URGENT! PLEASE HELP US SAVE OUR SHARKS!

From South Africa: URGENT! PLEASE HELP US SAVE OUR SHARKS!

One of our beautiful Tiger Sharks at Aliwal Shoal. Photo: Roger Horrocks

Recently in Durban, South Africa, 3 non-aggressive adult Tiger Sharks were killed by a fisherman. These majestic animals are a massive eco-tourist attraction in the area and killing them can be compared to the slaughter of lions - a tragic loss of one of nature's awesome creations.

Tiger Sharks have limited protection in the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Aliwal Shoal where divers from around the world come to see them. Although the fisherman claims he caught the sharks outside the MPA (he was seen earlier that day fishing within the MPA area), he landed them in the MPA, which is against the law. As a result of eye witness reports, followed by public outcry, the fisherman has been officially charged (charges still to be announced).

Patrolling of MPAs and enforcement of the law is considered inadequate in South Africa and it is suspected that a further 5 Tiger Sharks were killed previously this year. This is a serious blow as dive operators report identifying only about 20 to 30 different large Tiger Sharks during a season. In addition to this tragedy there are also reports that the number of Blacktip Sharks in this MPA are declining. This charismatic species is another major attraction in the area, especially since the number of Raggedtooth Sharks formerly viewed has declined. Yet Blacktip Sharks have no protection, not even within the MPA. Instead Blacktip Sharks, including Bronze Whaler Sharks and Dusky Sharks are commercially targeted species and current annual quotas are based on inadequate scientific research.

Raggedtooth Shark. Photo: Photo: Marc Montocchio

South Africa is considered a shark diving Mecca of the world and Aliwal Shoal is one of the shark diving hotspots of the country. Every year thousands of tourists come to South Africa to have a unique diving experience with some of the oceans top predators. This eco-tourist industry brings in millions of Rands of revenue, and provides job opportunities to a country with a high unemployment rate. Sharks most frequently viewed are White Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Raggedtooth Sharks, Bull Sharks, Blacktip Sharks, Bronze Whaler Sharks (prime species of the Sardine Run), Hammerhead Sharks, Whale Sharks, and Cow sharks. It is estimated that Tiger Shark diving in Aliwal Shoal generated over R18 million (USA$2.5 million) during 2007, while White Shark cage diving in Gansbaai alone generates approximately R289 million per annum (USA$40 million). One Raggedtooth Shark is estimated to be worth R50 000 per annum (USA$7000) and can live for 40 years or more. In its lifetime it is therefore worth approximately R2 250 000 (USA$310 000). This same shark if slaughtered will fetch only R1000 once off (USA$140 - shark meat, depending on size and species, is worth only between R3-R18 per kilogram - USA$40c -2.5). Quite evidently the socio-economic value of a live shark far outweighs the value of a dead shark and the loss of any one of these species will therefore have severe impacts.

Blacktip Sharks. Photo: Lesley Rochat

Despite this, of the over 200 different species of sharks found in South African waters, only White Sharks, Whale Sharks and Basking Sharks are fully protected. All other species may be legally caught and killed. Raggedtooth Sharks, Tiger Sharks and Bull Sharks have limited protection within MPAs. This limited protection of so few species is of little help since these animals know no boundaries and therefore remain vulnerable outside MPAs. Added to this, this protection is of little use when the existing laws are not adequately enforced.

Since sharks play such a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of the marine ecosystems there is growing concern as many species worldwide are being driven to the brink of extinction due to unsustainable fishing practices. Given all these facts, it is deplorable that these majestic animals of such high eco-tourist value are still allowed to be slaughtered. The South African government owes it to its citizens, the world and future generations to protect its natural resources, as well as to support the lucrative and high profile shark ecotourism industry, including those who depend upon it for their livelihood.

Bull Shark. Photo: Mike Fraser

We therefore demand that the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, ensures that Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) immediately improve protection of the following sharks of high eco-tourist value in the following ways:

Tiger Sharks, Ragged tooth Sharks, Bull Sharks, and Cow Sharks may not, under any circumstances, recreational or commercial, be slaughtered and if caught they must be released - this protection to apply not only in all MPAs but in all South African waters;
Hammerhead Sharks are given MPA protection (they may not be caught or landed in all MPAs);
Blacktip Sharks, Bronze Whaler Sharks and Dusky Sharks are given protection within the Aliwal Shoal MPA (they may not be caught or landed in the Aliwal Shoal MPA);
Scientific research is implemented in order to set sustainable quotas that will ensure the conservation of the Blacktip Shark, Bronze Whaler Shark and Dusky Shark, added to this;
the Demersal Longline Fishery may never be allowed to extend beyond East London in order to restrict catches of the Blacktip Shark, Bronze Whaler Shark and Dusky Shark;
Drumlines, or any similar baited device that aims to target, catch and/or kill any large shark are declared illegal fishing devices throughout South African waters;
MCM's compliance department immediately launches tangible measures to adequately enforce laws for currently protected shark species both in and out of MPAs.

How to Support this Petition

We cannot wait for government to do something - it will simply be too late. We therefore implore you to help us save our sharks. Our power collectively must not be underestimated if we are to ensure the survival of the rest of our Tiger Shark population as well as that of other species we are privileged to still be seeing. If you support this petition then please take the following simple steps - your signature will help:

Copy and paste this entire email and address it to the Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Or copy and paste only the section highlighted in red and write your own comments.
cc This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it - this is very important in order for me to keep a record of all signatures.

In the Subject copy and paste: Demand to Minister M van Schalkwyk for Protection of South African Sharks!

Thank you for taking the time to help save our sharks - please forward this petition to as many people as possible - with over 100 million sharks being slaughtered annually they need all the help they can get!

Lesley Rochat
Founder, AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (AOCA)

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Lupo Dion said:

I informed the minister that "My wife and I are going to the area for the sole purpose of shark watching. That means we will be spending money in your country. Do you want that to continue or do we go somewhere else? Somewhere where there are living sharks."
My wife was devastated to hear about these slaughters.
Is it happening because the other fish are so depleted by commercial vessels that the locals need to do this or is it the shark fin trade influence?

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March 05, 2008
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Ila France Porcher said:

	I was profoundly sad to learn of the killings of the majestic tiger sharks of Aliwal Shoal, and thank you for your spirited and creative initiatives in coming to their protection. I will certainly help in all ways that I can, and will send in the letter to Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk right away. Keep up the good work, and your courage. Ila
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March 04, 2008 | url
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Wolfgang Leander said:

These last weeks have been a disaster for the shark world. First the slaughter of eight (!) beautiful tiger sharks at Aliwal Shoal, and shortly thereafter the tragic death of Markus Groh, who was bitten by a bull shark in the Bahamas.

When I heard the sad news of the tiger shark killings in Aliwal Shoal I became depressed, literally, so much so that I had to take anti-depression pills... Few people will understand this, except those who love sharks. I felt like losing friends as I am sure I dived last year with some of the sharks that were killed.

I will be going to Umkomaas / Aliwal Shoal soon, and know that once there the disappearance of all those majestic tigers and playful black tips that have been slaughtered recently will make a strong emotional impact on me. I just hope not to run into the fisherman who mindlessly killed the sharks as I would have difficulties to control my rage....

We have to do everything within our reach to help save the sharks of the Aliwal Shoal protected area AND beyond. To not even try would make us tacit accomplices of the killers.

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March 04, 2008 | url
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terryg said:

	Hunting sharks isn't just morally & ethically wrong, it's stupid - the logic & the economics don't support it. Better arguments can be made for commercially hunting humans than can be made for hunting sharks.
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March 04, 2008 | url
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Lupo Dion said:

Ila France Porcher said:

Wolfgang Leander said:

terryg said: