Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Julia Evans
Published on 2024-03-12 20:50:56
The article titled “Decline or shifting distribution? A first regional trend assessment for white sharks in South Africa” published in the journal Ecological Indicators in September 2023 presents a contrasting view on the status of white shark populations in South Africa. The study challenges the notion that white shark populations have remained stable since 1991 when they were officially protected from exploitation in the country. The research, authored by marine biologists and researchers from several institutions, explores the disappearance of white sharks from traditional aggregation sites in the Western Cape, attributing their movement to the Eastern Cape to predation by two orcas.
A rebuttal article in the same journal disputes the claims of population stability and calls for increased conservation efforts for white sharks. Dr. Enrico Gennari, the lead author of the rebuttal article and a marine ecologist from the Oceans Research Institute, expresses concerns about the potential implications of assuming the stability of white shark populations in South Africa. He highlights the need for immediate action rather than waiting for additional years of data collection.
The debate also delves into the factors influencing the migration patterns of white sharks, with a focus on natural threats like orca predation and human-induced threats such as the lethal shark control program by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board and the demersal shark longline fishery. The article emphasizes the need for urgent attention to these threats, which have a significant impact on white shark numbers and could ultimately lead to their decline.
The controversy surrounding the status of white shark populations serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between conservation efforts and human activities that pose a threat to these apex predators. The need for ongoing research, management efforts, and conservation measures is underscored by experts in the field, who stress the importance of protecting vulnerable species like white sharks.
Despite differing views on the stability of white shark populations, researchers and conservationists agree on the critical need for continued efforts to preserve these majestic creatures. The ongoing debate and research on the status of white sharks in South Africa shed light on the challenges faced by marine ecosystems and the urgent need for sustainable conservation practices to ensure the survival of these iconic marine species.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
