Are Fiji's Sharks protected?

Click for detail!

 

Short answer?

I wish - but no, not really! 😞

 

I thought I could happily enjoy my retirement, but no such luck. 

The massive pressure on our marine resources during the pandemic could, and indeed should have led to a moment of reflection and new beginnings.

 

But instead, we're very much back to business as usual where instead of tackling the ever increasing problem of widespread poaching and overfishing and according erosion of our marine biodiversity, the local marine conservation mafia is back playing their usual pathetic games of smoke and mirrors.

 

And then, there's those pathetic shark influencers, or whatever. 

They parachute into our tourism and conservation space and then make idiotic and highly misleading public pronouncements on their various socials where they get parroted by their followers.

 

In brief, we once again got ourselves a total shit show that cannot remain unanswered. 

Needless to say that I despise all of that: many of those people and orgs, the brazen squandering of resources, the parasitical mooching and profiteering, the verbose bloviating and above all, the total lack of due diligence and subsequent uncritical dissemination of all that unbearable BS.

 

Or may this just be yet another outbreak of Dunning-Kruger?

Who knows - ultimately it matters not as the end result is the same. Be it as it may, those stupidities cannot remain unanswered.

 

So there. 

Don't worry - I'm not going to point fingers, at least not more than strictly required.

But like in my last post about Shark ecotourism, I feel that it is necessary to set the record straight once and for all - the more as like there, I can then simply reference this post instead of having to explain the exact same facts over and over and over again. 

Not that I really believe that it will change much - but hey, hope springs eternal.

 

Granted, Fiji's marine conservation ecosystem is highly complex (but then again, once you understand it, maybe not so much), highly non-transparent and replete with misinformation in a seemingly never-ending cycle of collective frittering away of other people's hard-earned money on bogus short-term projects with zero actual benefit to Fiji's imperiled marine biodiversity, nor the to communities depending on it. 

Think NGO/Consultancy Complex (read it!) and you'll understand where I'm coming from!

 

Everybody knows this but most continue to play the same old tired game of musical chairs (hint: Ma'afu Street!) as that's how they earn their living, the more since there is zero institutional memory, and any degree of accountability for one's past failures is non-existent.

In fact, after more than 20 years and despite of many, many millions in donor funds having been pumped into this space, I would argue that Fiji's marine habitats and Fish stocks are more threatened than ever. 

 

But I'm digressing as always,

So back to the matter at hand: whether Fiji's marine biodiversity in general and Sharks in particular are adequately managed and/or protected. 

Spoiler alert: they are not! 

And this is why.

As a bare minimum, the two essential elements of successful marine protection are

• Some official Legislation, usually specifying what is being protected, where and when; and the penalties for transgressions.


• And then, the all-important Implementation = Monitoring, Enforcement and Prosecution

A. Legislation 

Fiji's current marine biodiversity management and/or protection has been enacted under a variety of laws, foremost of which the 

• Fisheries Act (1941), 
• Offshore Fisheries Management Act (2012), 
• Offshore Fisheries Management Regulations (2014), 
• Customs (Prohibited Imports and Exports) Regulation (1986) 
• Endangered and Protected Species Act (2017)
• and various international agreements to which Fiji is a signatory like CITES, the CMS and the rules and regulations of the WCPFC 

To make an example, once we realized that our voluntary village MPA, the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, was actually not legally enforceable (see below), we advocated legalizing it  via a Regulation under the Fisheries Act (1941), resulting in the Fisheries (Shark Reef Marine Reserve) (Serua) Regulations 2014 establishing Fiji's first legislated National Marine Park. 

 

This is a small piece of legislation tailored specifically to the SRMR that inter alia bans any fishing, defines the penalties for non-compliance and confers BAD authority for its day-to-day monitoring, management and policing in a ground-breaking marine PPP.

Subsequently, 4 more such legislated Marine Parks have been established (i.e. "gazetted" because in order to come into force, any new law most be published in the Government Gazette) under this template, comprising 2 reefs managed by resorts, one reef channel in Kadavu harboring a notable Grouper spawning aggregation, and one village reef.

 

And Fiji's other 700+ declared village MPAs/LMMAs/tabus etc. that ought to be the backbone of Fiji's 30x30 commitment? 

 

Sadly, they are not much more than paper parks.

Much like when we initially established the SRMR together with Galoa village in 2004, they are merely the result of private voluntary commitments by stakeholder, i.e. mostly a village or group of villages, to somehow manage (= mostly: not fish) a determined marine area. 

 

These voluntary MPAs are however not gazetted, not recognized under the Fisheries Act, and thus not legally enforceable - which begs the question, FLMMA: what were you thinking?

 

Therefore they are, if at all, only binding at the community level insofar as the villagers agree to voluntarily abide by their rules. 

In the past, the neighboring communities would have equally respected those village tabus, meaning that the protection used to be quite effective at the local level, however with one caveat:  this was aimed at preserving the food source = creating unspecific "fish pantries" as opposed to engaging in proper species-specific biodiversity management and conservation - and consequently, some of the most prized Fishes like the Napoleon Wrasse or the Bumphead Parrotfish are rapidly disappearing from our waters.

But in terms of preserving a degree of local food security, those systems certainly used to work quite well.

 

Not so anymore. 

When everybody in tourism lost their job during the pandemic, many did turn to fishing, resulting in widespread overfishing and poaching, and the depletion of all prized Fish stocks pretty much Fiji-wide - see e.g. our latest post-pandemic surveys here.

And as seafood prices have soared in line with the depletion of stocks, the poaching is increasingly being professionalized and continues largely unabated, with a whole flotilla of high-powered vessels raiding even the most remote village LMMAs and tabus pretty much completely unchallenged.

 

The crux is this. 

Unless explicitly forbidden by law (e.g the regulations for those 5 legislated marine parks), anybody in Fiji can fish anywhere for own consumption (= when using legal gear e.g. hook & line, or if spearfishing, see Fisheries Act 13 (1) a). 

All poachers know of this loophole and when caught will always claim to be fishing privately and for own consumption; and anybody preventing them from doing so will ultimately find themselves on the wrong side of the law and be convicted for vigilantism and/or piracy!.

 

Which brings me straight to the

 

B. Implementation 

 

Here, I can keep it short and sweet.

• In theory, the bans in those 5 legislated MPAs can be legally enforced.
  However in practice,  

• whereas we have the manpower, boats and cash flow to monitor and enforce the fishing ban in the SRMR and are able to deter and/or apprehend some poachers, I ignore whether, and to what extent the other designated MPA managers have the resources to do so.  

• poaching has become a highly lucrative income source perpetrated by professional teams that know how to evade capture and use the legal loopholes to their full advantage. E.g., the law mandates that poachers must be apprehended in the act, a nearly impossible feat when dealing with the ubiquitous night-time spear fishing on SCUBA. 

• and when it comes to the prosecution, Fiji's courts are hopelessly overwhelmed and understaffed, and prosecuting poachers is not a high priority. Consequently, none of the poachers we have apprehended has so far been sentenced. 

• As stated above, all those other 700+ declared MPAs are not legally recognized and can thus not be legally enforced beyond checking for compliance with the general rules of the Fisheries Act (like compliance with gear restrictions, fishing moratoria or prohibited species, etc), and checking for licenses of the commercial fishermen. 

• Other enforcement mechanisms based on traditional indigenous protocols, whilst probably quite effective in the past, are rapidly being eroded as especially the younger generation of villagers have no qualms in defying the will of the community in favor of earning a quick buck.

• Finally, the desperate lack of adequate resources in the Ministry is also preventing the effective enforcement of other provisions of the Fisheries Act that impact our Sharks. 
  E.g., our critically important riverine and estuarine Elasmobranch nurseries (of Bulls, Hammerheads, Lemons, Wedgefishes, Ocellated Eagle Rays, etc.) are severely threatened by widespread illegal gill netting. But the compliance=enforcement team of the Ministry only comprises less than 10 field officers tasked with monitoring compliance with every single Fisheries regulation throughout the whole country which is pretty much mission impossible!

C. And what about the Sharks? 

Fiji does protect some marine species.

E.g., all Sea Turtles are protected via moratoria under both the Fisheries Act (1941) and the Offshore Fisheries Management Regulations (2014); or the Napoleon Wrasse is protected under the Offshore Fisheries Management Regulations (2014); or all Cetaceans are protected via the declaration of Fiji's entire EEZ as a Whale Sanctuary under the Fisheries Act (1941); or there is a yearly seasonal fishing ban for most Groupers and Coral Trout, equally under the Fisheries Act (1941).

No such luck for our Sharks.

 

Many years ago, our industry was collectively working with Pew and the Coral Reef Alliance on declaring Fiji a Shark and Ray Sanctuary. 

But the campaign got hijacked by a gang of local con-$$$ervationists who as so often were only interested in delaying the proceedings in order to milk it for a maximum of junkets, conferences and per diems; and then, the death knell came when the chief Shark Angel and Fat Paul conspired to literally barge in, very much uninvited, for a disastrous television show/campaign dubbed Operation Requiem (think: Whale Wars with Sharks) that completely alienated the authorities who then officially pulled the plug on the whole undertaking.

Yes, this pompous shit. Recognize the squeaking sharkette?

And the bloody show?

Nixed because it was too fake even for Discovery - plus Fat Paul had to interrupt his interventionist bluster when he got indicted and then skipped bail in Germany, requisitioned the rapid response craft to heroically hide from Interpol in some remote corner of Ha'apai! 

And thus the ghastly sharkette never got around to putting her life on the line, and to this day keeps happily, and not at all expertly squeaking away on Shark Week!

 

We later tried to introduce a comprehensive and forward-looking Shark and Ray Management & Protection Regulation, but to no avail as that topic appears irrevocably tainted - this very much also owing to a prominent then USP Professor of Marine Studies and now doyen of our latest, greatest marine NGO publicly declaring that If we protect the Sharks, they will eat all the Fish!

 

Yes you really can't make this shit up - but that's what really happened!

And so it goes!

 

But back to the Sharks.

There are also positives:

• Principally in order to achieve compliance with CITES, 

• the Endangered and Protected Species Act (2017) bans the domestic trade, and via a catch-all clause about the possession and control, maybe also the catching and killing of all CITES I & II - listed Elasmobranchs;  


• quite possibly, all CITES-listed Elasmobranchs may be also protected via the capture and killing provisions in the Offshore Fisheries Management Regulations (2014)  

• and the Customs (Prohibited Imports and Exports) Regulation (1986) bans the export and import of Shark fins (but probably not of other highly prized Elasmobranch fins like those of the critically endangered Wedgefishes!) 

• And finally, the Offshore Fisheries Management Act (2012) and its associated regulations restrict the use of fishing gear and activities impacting Sharks, including prohibitions on Shark finning and the catch, sale, and possession of protected Shark species, this principally in order to be in compliance with the rules of the WCPFC.

Like I said, it's complicated!

 

Long story short, however, Fiji's Sharks are still being (quite possibly legally) caught, killed and consumed - and where there is legal protection, the enforcement is generally weak.

Rather than being a fin fishery like in the past, this has now morphed into a food fishery where as the prized Fishes are being fished away, people are preferentially targeting the smaller reef Shark species and very disturbingly, the juveniles in the critical nurseries; this because small Sharks taste better than the bigger ones owing to the fact that they have accumulated less urea = ammonia in their meat.

 

That said, the situation is by no means catastrophic.

The fin ban, and the international trading ban under CITES and its local derivative laws prevent the establishment of any sizeable targeted commercial Shark fishery - and consequently, I strongly doubt that our Sharks are presently threatened at the population level. 

And whereas the illegal gill netting in the nurseries is a serious concern, there are simple remedies - but more of that later.

 

Got it so far?

Yes, that sure is a lot of detail that transcends the scope of an Instagram post, long as it may be! 

But that's the reality on the ground - and if you want to lecture others about this topic, you need to first inform yourselves by talking to people in the know! 

Above all, beware of those pied pipers prating from atop Mt. Stupid!

 

D. And what about the Conservation Achievements of the Shark Diving Industry?

 

So here goes - now comes the juicy part 😁 (= toothy grin).

 

Long story short?

None of our current legal framework has been enacted directly by and/or with our Shark Diving Industry. 

Yes there is our legislated Marine Park which is certainly a great proof-of-concept - but it is very small-scale and although every bit helps, it is probably not terribly relevant for Shark protection at the population level. 

 

That said, we sure count for something.

Shark diving is a highly visible and also lucrative niche product of Fiji's tourism industry that in 2011 has been shown to contribute USD 42.2m to the Fijian economy - and with that in mind, it stands to reason that this may have played a role in the enactment of the most recent laws. Or at least, that our existence may have prevented the establishment of a proper targeted Shark fishing industry. 

However, methinks that Fiji's current Shark management and conservation legislation is principally the consequence of what has happened at CITES and the WCPFC - and therefore, it would probably be rather inappropriate if we were to engage in any self-congratulatory victory laps.

But back to the operators.

Fiji's provisioned Shark dives were pioneered more than 30 years ago by Aqua Trek Mana in the Mamanucas, at the now defunct Supermarket shark feeding site where a local Shark wrangler would literally physically manhandle some poor unsuspecting Reefies - all very rough and impromptu, and certainly not in any way conservation-oriented. 

But that was then - and very much like had to be expected, it inevitably all ended in tears.

 

Shark diving in our area was pioneered in the late 90ies by Aqua Trek Beqa who established the baited shark dive at Shark Reef. 

Like all such dives back then, it was all rather sketchy and testosterone-fueled, and consequently, quite terrifying despite there being far less Sharks (but far more big Fishes) than nowadays. There was a small fee, some of which was being paid to a (wrong) village in exchange for access to the reef. 

 

However, the site let alone the Sharks and Fishes were not in any way protected. 

On the contrary, whenever the village demanded Fish for some function, the dive staff would happily oblige. In addition, whenever some absolute genius would (much to the delight of the staff!) declare that there were too many Giant Trevallies, dozens of them would be "culled" in order to "thin the herd" akin to what was being claimed to be "best practice" in the African safari parks. 

And did they then at least duly recycle those poor Trevallies by feeding them to the Sharks - or did they instead pile them into the back of the company pickup truck to then go sell them in Navua? 

Take a wild guess!

 

Yes once again, you just can't make that shit up can you.

But that was then - at least for the most part.

 

We then took over Shark Reef in 2004 (long, long complicated story) and added the science and conservation components along with much more stringent safety protocols, thus establishing Fiji's first proper Shark ecotourism experience - and incidentally, a globally recognized alternative to the status quo in marine conservation.

 

Yes we did - not you! 😒

You know who you are! 

 

In fact, we only opened shop once we had signed the conservation agreement with the (correct) village. 

Contrary to before, the new deal stipulates that a fee is being paid not in exchange for access but in exchange for the village not fishing there - this the more as we conduct our Shark dive in government waters and not inside the village's traditional fishing grounds.

And we switched to feeding expensive Tuna heads that get consumed quasi exclusively by the Sharks instead of the previous mountains of offal and Fish carcasses from the Fish processor in Lami that made the reef look like a bloody underwater bone graveyard - and consequently, Fish biodiversity that was heavily skewed towards small predators, scavengers and detritivores was able to rebound from less than 200 to now more than 500 species, indicative of a healthy coral reef assemblage!

And we also weaned the staff off their addiction to culling - cold turkey!

 

But enough of that. 

Disbursements to principally Galoa but also other communities so far: FJD 500k+. Plus paid millions in wages. Plus contributed many more millions to the Fijian economy in terms of taxes but also direct purchases and investments. Plus generated even more millions in income for all the ancillary businesses like accommodations, restaurants, tours and transfers, souvenir shops and airlines. Plus trained dozens of young dive professionals mostly recruited among local school leavers, many of which from Galoa. Plus sponsored the training of dozens of honorary fish wardens. Plus welcomed, entertained and mesmerized thousands of tourists. Plus engaged in several marine restoration initiatives. Plus published dozens of peer-reviewed papers and scientific reports.

And the list goes on and on. 

 

When it comes to our four principal industry peers.

Following our lead, all now claim that they have entered into some conservation deal with local communities, that they protect their site, that they are saving the Sharks, that they have pioneered this or that - and obviously, that they are the very best!

 

Really? 

• Last time I checked, none of them operate out of a legislated (= gazetted) MPA- and consequently, none of their sites are currently legally protected against poaching 

• I however understand that the one in the Yasawas is actively pursuing legal protection via a different mechanism (I hear, a foreshore lease). They also conduct research and reef restoration, etc. and actively engage with the local communities that are said to largely respect the fishing ban. 

• The others, well what can I say. Lemme keep it as neutral as I can. 
• Now that the Fish have been conveniently aggregated in those Shark diving sites: is there any monitoring, training of fish wardens, deterrence via vessel inspections & enforcement of the Fisheries Act - anything at all?
  Any, gasp, night patrols?

• Or may the staff still be taking advantage of absentee owners and regularly poach there?

• Or the neighboring communities, every single day, on their way to and from Pac Harbour and Navua? 

• And do they employ any marine scientists = any scientific monitoring and/or research, let alone publications? 

• Any reef restoration?
  And no, I'm not talking about the idiotic fad of transplanting some random Acropora without having addressed the causes for why it is not (anymore) there in the first place!

• Any marine conservation beyond the infamous raising awareness? 

• Fees disbursed, people trained? 

• Questions questions! 😀

And so it goes.

In the big scheme of things, not to worry.

Judging from the many, many enthusiastic reviews and lack of major incidents, everybody in the industry does a really good job at providing an exhilarating and safe experience to our tourists.

 

The conservation and research, meh.

They cost a lot of money, require very specialized skills and knowledge, and heaps of commitment, patience and perseverance as everything is tedious and success is by no means guaranteed - and with that in mind, it's perfectly fine to decide not to incur that expense and to merely focus on the tourism side of the business like many of our peers do world-wide.

 

But folks, can you then please stop the charade. 

Stop pretending to be what you are clearly not, the more as the customers always end up finding out the truth and will quickly call you out - as in flagging somebody's, and I cite, 2h bro science talk 😂, and the like. 

If you don't know what yer talking about, do yourself a favor and get yourself an education - e.g. by reading our scientific papers or by consulting this blog. 

You're welcome!

 

And even better: how about walking all that breathy talk!

  

E. And the Way Forward? 

 

Fiji's Shark Diving Industry is not broken and needs no fixing. 

The operations are all profitable and based on the customer feedback, they are quite well run and above all, very safe indeed. Yes would be nice if we all loved each other and worked together - but since we all operate our own sites, it's not an objective necessity and definitely not gonna happen any time soon.

So please, spare us the advice, relax and enjoy the experience! 

 

But what about those non-legislated dive sites?

C'mon folks - you can do better than that! They are literally our most important business asset that feed you and your family, and it behooves us to take care of them - if only from a business perspective!

 

That said, this is obviously a much bigger issue.

The pandemic has clearly shown us that when you obliterate the Fish stocks, the poor Sharks really suffer - and consequently, our focus needs to shift away from species protection to habitat protection, as in how can one protect the Jaguar if one doesn't protect the Jungle. 

 

With that in mind

• We need to find ways to properly implement and enforce the laws we already have on our books, e.g. 

• We need to stop directing all those conservation funds to those leeching NGOs and multinational agencies who keep on brazenly frittering them away on overhead, lavish junkets, conferences, committees and per diems, only to come up with all those useless projects and management plans that all fail miserably because there are no long-term commitments nor the required authority let alone the funding for their implementation.  

• Instead, the bulk of the funding needs to be directed to the implementing authorities, e.g. the compliance team of the Ministry of Fisheries, or as wages for the honorary fish wardens, but also for technical equipment ranging from measly laptops, torches and weather gear all the way to vessels and coastal radars, etc!  

• And how about educating, but also calling out our hopelessly uniformed media and idiotic local influencers that keep on glorifying the killing of our charismatic, and often threatened megafauna like the Giant Groupers, Bumphead Parrots, Turtles and large Sharks! 

•  Let's find ways to legalize those 700-plus voluntary MPAs and/or LMMAs, which would 
• greatly empower our local communities, 
• incidentally, also benefit our industry peers, but more importantly
• create a huge swath of protected marine habitat that would benefit our Sharks, and
• go a long way in achieving Fiji's 30x30 commitments, at least when it comes to protecting our coastal habitats!

•  Let's try and close the most glaring loopholes, e.g. 

• Now that a coalition of local scientists along with the Fiji Shark Lab have succeeded in listing all our riverine and estuarine Elasmobranch nurseries as ISRAs: let's get them legally protected, e.g. via legislated MPAs for the core areas, plus legislated seasonal fishing bans further afield.

• Let's confer to the Ministry of Fisheries full authority over the whole seafood value chain, this including the currently largely unregulated domestic trade very much inclusive of all those shady outlets plying their trade on Facebook!
  This would also enable Fisheries to mandate that the traders finally submit the data about the local commercial fishing industry which would greatly help in managing those stocks! And how about reversing the burden of proof and also force them to prove that the seafood they sell has not been poached! 

• Let's also put Fisheries in charge of all legislation concerning our marine resources instead of the current fragmentation across several Ministries 

• Finally, how about delegating the authority for all marine conservation inclusive of its enforcement to an independent agency like the LTA - and by the same token, let's find ways to streamline the enforcement by alleviating the burden on the judiciary with a regimen of spot fines, much like what has incidentally already happened with respect to enforcing the traffic rules.

Any takers?

Like I keep preaching: Less idle talk, more action on the ground! 

 

But above all.

Let's go Shark diving - sustainably! 

PS: This is a great start, and very much in line with what we've been advocating for - well done Madam Minister!

 

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Fiji's Sharks in Peril - Paper!

Remember? It is still happening!

Well well - watch.

And this is the paper.

Shame that it's hidden behind a paywall, the more as it is being hailed as a major achievement which it quite possibly is - but I will leave that determination to others.

What however irritates me is the characterization of Fiji.

The press release has quite obviously been re-worded as the initial version stated that Fiji's Sharks are functionally extinct which is a load of horse manure -  but even after the redaction, we are still being flagged as being particularly problematic which is just not true.

Here's the corresponding graph - click for detail.

Seriously, WTF?

Fiji down at the bottom - and then e.g. Tonga of all places near the top? Lemme tell 'ya that having extensively dived, and lived in both countries, this is just wrong wrong wrong in so many ways - which obviously begs the question, may other data sets be equally faulty?

So what exactly happened?

Having consulted the relevant map for Fiji, I learn that having dropped 382 BRUVs on 14 sites, they only recorded 5 Shark and 7 Ray species, and this only on 28.7% of the videos which is perplexing to say the least. But having asked, it turns out that instead of tapping the available local capacity and know how, they decided to parachute in some dude from New Zealand who I hear may have only sampled the sites of a particular NGO and not a representative cross-section of Fiji's reef ecosystems - and if so I can certainly leave it at that. *

Now compare that fiasco to the data of the GFSC.

Or to the fact that in our little region alone, we harbor at least 10 frequently encountered Sharks = GHH and Zebra, plus our usual Bull, Tiger, Sicklefin Lemon, Tawny, Silvertip, plus Grey, Whitetip and Blacktip Reefies, with several other diving operators and also research papers reporting the same and even more, equally ubiquitous reef-associated species like Scalloped Hammers or Blacktips from many other locations.

And then there's the simply massive data set from the hundreds of  BRUV drops by Projects Abroad that had incidentally been initiated in collaboration with the very same Demian Chapman who is one of the paper's leading authors - surely one should have added those sightings, too?

And the data from Tonga?

They are from a grand total of 24 drops on two sites... see what I mean?

Anyway - it is what it is.

Whereas the situation here is most certainly not remotely as bad as depicted, there is equally clearly room for improvement, see e.g.this old assessment, Kerstin's papers here and especially here, and also the description of Fiji's Elasmobranch fishery here at page 188 ff.

In brief and despite of the reduction in the Asian demand for their fins, our Reef Sharks and the juvenile Sharks in the riverine nurseries are now increasingly being targeted as an alternative source of protein as many of the traditional food Fish stocks are being depleted.

And to top it off, we're now witnessing a massive Covid-19- induced increase of indiscriminate fishing and poaching that is  threatening years of conservation efforts and also indirectly threatening our Shark populations by obliterating their prey.

Talking of which, I really did like reading that

Without an absolute estimate of the abundance of sharks, it is difficult to know how effective the estimated levels of conservation potential might be in restoring shark populations in reef ecosystems that have been degraded by overfishing.

Although research has shown that fully recovered reef fish communities have biomasses between 1,000 kg ha−1 (ref. 27) and 1,500 kg ha−1 (ref. 12), we have no current estimate of the size of the forage base that is required by a recovered shark population, or how the bottom-up effects of prey biomass might influence the recovery potential of reef sharks.

A key question remains as to whether management strategies that only pursue shark conservation can make substantial or limited gains, relative to those that include the restoration of the wider reef ecosystem.

If the restoration of the whole ecosystem is necessary to fully restore shark populations, our results underscore the need for managers to engage with the wider social, economic and cultural drivers of marine exploitation.

Could not agree more!

Long story short, the paper is certainly welcome.

Far from being defeatist, the authors suggest several pathways for improvement that I can only second, albeit with the usual general caveats (= e.g. follow the links here).

The good news is that here in Fiji, there is already some progress, namely the fin ban, the CMM for Sharks by the WCPFC  (incidentally once again courtesy of the simply unequaled Shelley) and an upcoming, WWF-sponsored, long overdue NPOA (Sharks) that will provide a framework for subsequent regulations and pacify the FAO.

And then, hopefully, we will get The Big One.

No, likely not a Shark Sanctuary but instead this comprehensive regulation - and having checked, all appears to be on track for the December deadline at the end of this year!

In any case, we stand ready.

Thanks to Tashi Blue's boundless and also, infinitely endearing passion and commitment, her My Fiji Shark project has been able to accumulate a nice little war chest that will greatly help us assist with the implementation of the regulation.

So fingers crossed and yes, very much to be continued!

But I'm digressing as always.

Enjoy the Shark paper!

Oh and, Adopt your Shark now!

* PS - Demian informs me that there was no parachute science as the vast majority of drops was effected over several years by that local NGO - which obviously begs the question, what went wrong?

Wrong habitat/site selection? Lousy bait?

Anyway, it is what it is.

Shelley!

Source.

Check this out!

Yes that would be she, the one and only!

We met serendipitously a few years ago - and lemme tell you, it has been quite a revelation! Turns out that Shelley is very much one of the good ones, very impressive both professionally and as a person, and I've become a huge fan. And if you haven't read her latest papers, click on the above link and do - and above all, learn, especially that operating with faulty numbers and under faulty assumptions is doomed to fail!

We've since kept in touch and I must say that I've learned a lot, something that is very much reflected in this blog where I've gradually transitioned towards a more holistic and pragmatic definition of conservation as trying to keep mortality below sustainable levels = we need to focus not on individuals but at the (local) population level and we need to consider all causes of mortality very much including habitat loss and in the case of Sharks, the overfishing of their prey, etc - and there the situation is dire indeed!

This dive has been in the planning for as long long time.

You truly only become a real friend once we've thrown you to our Sharks - but Shelley is incredibly busy so finding an adequate time has been challenging. But finally all stars did align as the WCPCF did hold its latest meeting here in Nadi, and she was able to slip down to Pac Harbour a day in advance - and throw her to the Sharks we did.

Despite of not having dived for 25 years, she not only survived but did so admirably - so here's to continued friendship and continued collaboration!

The WCPFC meeting btw was, again, shite.

It looks like ultimately, and contrary to the ICCAT that appears to have at least saved the Atlantic Tuna where stocks appear to be recovering (and btw Patric: you owe me a bottle of vintage Chateau Petrus!), those guys don't even care about properly managing their Tuna - so don't be surprised about zero progress for the Sharks that are treated like pests and at best a side show!

Anyway, this can't go on like that. 

Methinks in a few years the WCPFC will have lost all relevance: the North Pacific with its large tracts of international waters will become a free-for all where stocks will get hammered by the Asians; the Tropical Tuna will be more or less managed by the PNA; and the Southern Pacific Tuna, by the parties to the Tokelau Arrangement.

We shall see - but that's my prediction.

To be continued!

Sharks in Fiji - Status Report!

Blacktip Reef Shark - one of the species that is increasingly being targeted for food. 
Stellar pic by Ozzie Sam!

So what about Helen's report.

And I cite

So far no significant decrease in coastal shark populations has been seen, good news for those of us fearing that shark-fin fishing was continuing to damage shark stocks, but we can only confirm this one way or the other by continuing these surveys over the long term.

Yes and no!

But first, watch Eli's video!

Bravo Eli, totally agree!

See what I mean?

This is obviously Mexico where the situation appears particularly grim - but having conducted additional investigations that will be disclosed in due course, I can reveal that the situation here in Fiji is slowly trending that way, too. 

Here and throughout the Pacific Islands, coastal fisheries are at risk. 

Much of the fishing is clearly unsustainable and as a consequence, many of the prized big reef Fishes have disappeared at least around the principal islands, or have become simply too expensive - and the once reviled Sharks are being increasingly fished and consumed as an alternative source of protein. Furthermore, Sea Cucumber stocks have all but collapsed, to the point that a single White Teatfish now yields a staggering 150 dollars, notabene to the fisherman - and as a consequence, the traders are diversifying into Shark fins and further driving the depletion of both Sharks but also Guitarfishes whose fins have a high count of ceratotrichia, the ingredient of the infamous soup.

Yes stocks overall show no signs of depletion - yet.

But they do in selected hotspots, and on our dive, we are recording the disappearance of many of our named Shark. So far, numbers-wise, they are being replaced by the many new sub-adults - and incidentally, remember Catlin et al! 

But if I go through the list, old beloved regulars like Kinky, Cilla, Fold, Second, Valerie, Lee, Crease, Twist, possibly Sickle, Moana, Ms Big, Jaws, JJ, Chopper and probably also Scarface have all been MIA for a long time indeed which is really breaking our heart - so you can maybe understand my elation at seeing Bumphead after close to a year of absence!

Solutions?

Obviously, a drastic improvement of the management of all fisheries (= even if we selectively protected the Sharks, how would they survive without their prey?) - for which we need better data!
This combined with much better regulation of the trade - the more since at present, it is not even being regulated by Fisheries but instead, only by the local municipalities! And please, more fully legislated, well enforced and smartly managed full no-take MPAs with sufficient connectivity so that their effect is bigger than the sum of their physical areas, together with the protection of critical habitat like the nurseries and spawning aggregation sites.

And the oceanic Sharks?

There the situation in Fiji is much much better!

Thanks to the remarkable progress and the hard work of many good people at CITES, CMS and the WCPFC, all the principal commercially viable oceanic Sharks with exception of the Blues and Makos are de facto fully protected as Fiji cannot be bothered with all that paperwork and has decided to simply prohibit the fishing, landing and trading of those species. But of course implementation may still be somewhat sketchy, and the important issue of incidental mortality remains largely unresolved.

Solutions?

Possibly better implementation, certainly once again better regulation of the trade and once again, data data data about that incidental mortality!

Long story short?

Fiji's Sharks are still doing relatively well and no, we certainly don't need a Sanctuary that is IMO presently not feasible politically anyway. And we definitely (!) need no more breathy public campaigns and no more trotting out of the usual charlatans that will only piss off the powers that be, the more as they are very much aware of, and are presently actively addressing the problems at hand.

There is no urgent Shark crisis in Fiji - so, let's do things right.

What we do need is sufficient resources in order to assist the Fisheries Department, Customs, Biosecurity, the Police, the Judiciary etc in better implementing the present legislation; what we do need is a new coastal fisheries law that includes smart management strategies; what we do need is new regulation of the trade in marine products; and in the specific case of Sharks, what we do need is better data so we can preempt and intervene when and if necessary.

Any takers for lending a helping hand?

WCPFC - fail!

Dirty business. Source. Click for detail.

Nothing good to report from the WCPFC meeting in Apia.

Once again, it has been business as usual.

The depleted Tuna are getting no reprieve despite of reasonable recommendations by Pew and the WWF.  And the dirty politics have continue unabated, with the distant water fleet nations Europe, China, the United States, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan once again refusing to enter into meaningful dialogue and effectively stalling any progress.

And  the Sharks?

There, the outcome has simply been ridiculous. 

Instead of tackling the huge problem of Shark bycatch on Tuna longlines by finally banning both those Shark lines and the use of wire leaders, it is now only forbidden to use them simultaneously.

WTF!

And now?

The leveraging of their development aid by those distant water fleet nations continues to be a huge problem - but slowly slowly, the Pacific nations are recognizing that they need to take matters in their own hands if they don't want to end up losing their most precious resource. The PNA continues to be at the forefront of Tuna management, and their Vessel Day Scheme is reputed to be highly efficient whilst also being highly lucrative. And to my great satisfaction, Fiji has signed the Tokelau Arrangement that will hopefully put the management of the more Southerly Tuna fisheries back into the hands of the real resource owners - and I may add, not a minute too late, read this very interesting report!

So, here's to progress.

Yes it is frustratingly slow - and whilst the parties continue to dither, Tuna stocks continue to decline. But at least there's the hope that one day, things will really start improving.

Fingers crossed!

Only Bycatch - Two!

Turns out that the Tuna longliners have been, gasp, lying!

You don't say!

Did it really take a "study" to confirm what had been obvious all along and what we here in Fiji had known for years?

Anyway.

Good that now, it is out in the open - and good that the FFA wants to bring it up and have it banned at the next WCPFC meeting. There will undoubtedly be the usual dirty politics and stalling (responsible fishing nations?) but eventually, this will be resolved - undoubtedly, only to be replaced by new shenanigans!

And so it goes!

Pacific Tuna - Impasse!

Source.

Bingo.

Did I say dirty business?

Read, or listen to this!

The problem is of course the very first sentence.

China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, Europe and the Philippines have depleted their own stocks and now want to pillage ours - and thus, they continue to apply pressure by leveraging their fake development aid, and continue to block any sensible measures by abusing the stupid voting rules of the WCPFC.
And to top it off, the usual greedy suspects undermine the Pacific Islands solidarity because they want to line their pockets right now instead of acting in the long term interest of their people.

Same old same old.

And no improvements in sight.

100% Observer Coverage?

Source.

I wish!

Anyway, interesting remarks by Angelo.

First the good news.

Shelley Clarke's ominous report appears to indicate that coverage of the purse seine fleets operating in the WCPFC is certainly at, or near that target. Let's also assume that most of those observers are reporting accurately which is by no means a given in light of persistent reports of corruption.

But of course that's not the whole story.

Especially the data from the foreign distant water fleets remain poor.

Plus if I remember correctly (Angelo?), the by far more important source for Shark "bycatch" is the longline fishery and there, the observer coverage rate  is under 2%, and some Pacific Island countries (including some with declared shark “sanctuaries”) appear to have 0% longline observer coverage for their own flagged vessels, meaning that the door for abuse is still wide open!

So, there remains much to do!

And the remarks about China?

Very interesting! At least in HK, the anti-graft campaign is undoubtedly having an effect, as does the relentless pressure by the various advocacy groups. But this is a supply limited fishery and it remains to be seen whether and when this will translate into less Sharks being killed. Maybe one day but not now - and more likely with respect to the pelagic fisheries than for the coastal ones where alas, the trend is for more people targeting and eating Sharks as the other more prized big Fishes are being fished away.

Yes as always it is complicated!

To be continued!

Managing and Protecting Sharks in the Central and Western Pacific - Report!

Read this - seriously, do!

Yes it's a bloody mess!

Shelley Clarke has analyzed the status of the current Shark management and conservation measures in the WCPFC and comes to the conclusion that essentially, the current framework is not working. 

There is a lack of specific and uniform objectives, there are no adequate stock assessments and research, the fishing data are highly questionable and sketchy, there are not nearly enough observers, overfishing continues, Shark mortality is not being reduced, finning is rampant, compliance, implementation, monitoring and enforcement are inadequate - in brief, it continues to essentially be a free-for-all and even where there is a willingness to do the right thing (which is certainly not a given everywhere), the managing authorities are hopelessly outmatched and any improvements under the present regime appear highly questionable.

As just one example, take the case of finning - remember?

Here's what the report states.

Finning rates are lower than they were prior to the effective date of the cornerstone measure but they do not appear to be continually decreasing.

Furthermore, finning continues at levels of ~15‐25% in the purse seine fishery and 30‐40% in the longline fishery. Although the reduced finning rates in the purse seine fishery are encouraging, most sharks in the purse seine fishery will already be dead when they reach the vessel, therefore this reduction in finning is likely to translate into only a very small increase in survival. 

Furthermore, according to catch estimates for 2010, the longline fishery catches over ten times as many of the key shark species as the purse seine fishery does (Lawson 2011), and therefore effects in the longline fishery will be considerably more important to shark populations. With the reduction in finning rates, it appears that the percentage of observed sharks that are released alive in the longline fishery has increased, but it is not known how many of these survive and the percentage of sharks with confirmed mortality remains above 72% in all but one year (2010). 
In summary, on the basis of existing information the expected benefit of the cornerstone measure to sharks in terms of increased survival appears negligible.

Starting with ICCAT in 2004, and followed by IATTC and IOTC in 2005, and CCSBT in 2008, all of the other tuna RFMOs have adopted a 5% fins‐to-carcass ratio as a means of controlling shark finning. Most of these measures have similar provisions relating to the mitigation of fishing impacts to sharks including waste minimization and encouraging live release.

Several problems have arisen with regard to interpretation of the 5% fins-to‐carcass ratio (Fowler and Séret 2010, Biery and Pauly 2012, Santana‐Garcon et al. 2012). 
First, while provision is made in the measures for the ratio to be reviewed and modified, it is now well‐understood that the actual ratio of fins‐to‐carcass weight will vary by species, the number of fins utilized from each shark, and the type of cut used to remove the fins from the carcass. Nevertheless, none of the ratios have been amended since the measures were adopted. Second, the measures do not make clear whether the ratio applies to fresh or dried fins, and to what form of the carcass (i.e. whole weight, dressed or partially dressed carcass) the fins are to be compared. These interpretation issues, along with the difficulties of weighing fins and carcasses in an enforcement setting, have led some countries to replace fins‐to‐carcass ratios with national requirements for fins to remain attached to the carcass until landing (IUCN SSG 2013).

Although similar measures have been discussed within tuna RFMO forums for several years, to date no tuna RFMO has adopted a fins‐attached policy.

See what I mean?

Finning is certainly one of the least controversial issues insofar as everybody agrees that in theory, it must go - but look at the mess they've made when implementing the ban!

And, it does not reduce Shark mortality anyway!

And what about Clarke's other recommendations?

Check out the WCPFC members and other parties to the treaty in the link above, and then, re-read this post. Many of those members are the very countries who have obliterated their own marine resources and whose distant water fleets are now pillaging the Fish stocks in the Pacific. They have zero interest in promoting any sustainability and continue to use dirty politics in order to block any positive developments as last seen in December. And if those folks cannot adequately manage the Tuna stocks despite of knowing what needs to be done - do you really think that anybody is going to bother investing their scarce resources into the management of Sharks that in the big scheme of things are merely an afterthought?

Only glimmer of hope: the PNA members that comprise several countries that have already enacted Shark sanctuaries and that continue to show those foreign fleets who is boss whilst raking in ever increasing revenues!

And that's only the beginning!

CITES 2 compliance, i.e. the implementation of all the necessary paperwork but above all, the onus of proving that Sharks are being managed sustainably is just around the corner! Think that any of those Pacific island countries that have not declared a sanctuary will be able to meet their obligations - the more as compliance is subject to public scrutiny?
Fiji?

Oh yes we're back to square one - read this post!

Clarke's recommendations are theoretically impeccable - but let me re-iterate that in practice, they will, if at all, take years to implement whilst the indiscriminate overfishing will continue. It's the old ways and by now everybody should agree that those have been weighed, tested and found wanting.

Right now, what works are those sanctuaries.
They are the new, elegant and practicable solution - not for eternity but as stop gap measures, until adequate management measures have been implemented. And the onus for making that happen lays squarely with the fishing industry and the trade: it is they who control their own behavior, it is they who know how and where they fish and what they catch and trade, its is they who make the profits - and it is they that can easily make the necessary changes and then fork out the money in order to prove that what they do is legit!

And what about us?

Screaming is easy - following through much more difficult and certainly way less glamorous.

So what's it gonna be?

A whole lotta noise for ultimately zero outcome like the occupy movement, or in the case of Sharks, quite possibly those Canadian and US fin bans - or should we maybe tone it down a bit and advocate smart, pragmatic and hopefully, effective and efficient policies instead? 

Maybe even start thinking outside of the box?

The choice, as always, is ours!

2012: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Part One!

Not this year's Picture of the Year, see below - but I found it cute! Source.

Here we go again!

2012 has come and gone and what remains are the results - good and bad!

For us at BAD, it has frankly been a rather mixed bag.

The principal good news have been: several awards, the principal one being the totally unexpected AON Award for Tourism Sustainability that acknowledged our years of hard work and perseverance; the devising and successful rolling out of the first two installments of the Great Fiji Shark Count; our new Nitrox setup that has been a great personal relief; and finally, reaching 1,500 blog posts - tho one has to seriously question whether this is really "good news" or merely proof of masochism!

And above all, we're still standing: the bills are paid, the staff have a secure job - and most importantly, the SRMR is thriving and delivering data for research, and sustainable income to its stakeholders whilst remaining a safe haven for its Sharks!

But unfortunately there have been really bad news, too.

The passing of my friend Ron has left me absolutely devastated; and the failure of the Fiji Shark Sanctuary Campaign, see part two of this recap, has been a major, albeit not totally unexpected disappointment.

But like I said last time, this is really not about us.

Is is about others - and here is the first batch of the infamous nominations! :)

But first a caveat.

This is a blog reflecting personal opinions - not Journalism!

Thus nobody here is claiming that this is the Truth - whatever that may mean in this sharky context! I do make an honest effort to learn about and convey the latest scientific insights when posting about biology and research, to the point that much gets vetted by selected researchers - but otherwise, I actually pride myself for saying it like I see it: strictly subjectively, in a highly opinionated way and completely devoid of political correctness both in content and in style - and let's be frank: that's why you read this blog! :)

Also, keep in mind that I'm posting from a remote island smack in the middle of the Pacific, and I thus raise no claim of even remotely seeing, let alone knowing everything! So if anybody should feel that I may have overlooked him or others, bear with me: I may not have noticed or may have forgotten.

Or I may simply not care - for that cause or for that person!

So without further ado!

The Good

Warning!

Even this section will contain some mild criticism - live with it!

1. Track back: reconfirmed

Please consult last year's introduction.

I stand by what I said there

This year's conservation posts have once again focused on the very same issues and generally reaffirmed and refined some of the same general principles.

With one addendum I am really passionate about.

When it comes to fisheries management, I strongly believe that we need to abandon  the old and largely failed approach and instead, that we must finally invoke the precautionary principle in all of its ramifications - seriously, the bloody procrastination must stop!

This includes acting preemptively wherever there is overfishing, this by drastically reducing quotas and in the case of Sharks, by enacting bans and establishing sanctuaries; and by demanding that the burden of proof  be reversed, whereby it would be up to the the fishing industry (and the trade) to come up with substantiated proof that their activities are fully sustainable and legal - much like a good old fashioned environmental impact assessment that has become so ubiquitous whenever anybody wants to tamper with nature on land!

And at the same time, I equally advocate helping to establish a premium market for sustainably caught Sharks - meat and fins alike!

Too far out there and too controversial?

Again: please do peruse the links and if you believe that rationally (= as opposed to emotionally), this is a fallacy, tell me why - but should you agree with my standpoint, please do spread the word!

Yes it won't happen tomorrow - but it will happen if we keep talking about it!

And now to the line-up!

I must once again say, I largely stand by last year's nominations - but of course that was then and in some cases, things have obviously changed.

So there - are you ready?

• The Pew Environment Group's Global Shark Campaign remains the most impressive Shark Conservation Org.
  
  This is largely due to their awesome achievements in helping establish a further string of Shark sanctuaries, namely American Samoa, the Cooks (! - see below) and Kosrae, and in having been very much at the forefront in the enactment of  new Shark protection measures in Venezuela, in the European Union and at the WCPFC. And yes they may have been involved in more and yes I may have forgotten some - Angelo?
  And they once again scoop the Best Shark Conservation Resources nomination as their reports remain simply the best, e.g. this one!
  
  But it sure has not been all smooth sailing!
  The fishing industry has caught on to their MO and is fighting back vigorously by casting doubt on the effectiveness of those measures, and stupid commentators are gobbling up and propagating that disinformation. This has been one of the major contributors to the Fiji fiasco, see comments in part two.
  And on a strictly personal and probably terribly subjective note, I do bemoan the departure of Matt and accordingly, I sense a lack of leadership and at the same time, signs of unproductive picomanagement; and I just cannot get myself to like what I perceive to be the increasing populism (= dumbing down) of their outreach via the social media.
  
  And yes I shall certainly leave it at that!
  It is certainly debatable and ultimately, who am I to say - the results speak for themselves, and this despite of those real or perceived pewculiarities!

• The Shark Savers have continued to be simply brilliant.
  
  You can check out their yearly recap here.

Love the patrol boat: so much good for so little money! And I want to once again thank them for their invaluable support of the GFSC where I must commend the indefatigable Samantha  for having made a tremendous contribution! Thank you!
And then there is of course the terrific Manta Ray of Hope project, see below!

• Same-same for One World One Ocean!
  
  Check out their website and also their Facebook page - stellar stuff!

• Stefanie Brendl!
  
  We've finally met and I now like her even more!
  As always, she is working hard behind the scenes. I'm not in a position to divulge details - but do expect something real cool in the not-too-distant future!
  But this year, the title of Most impressive individual Shark Conservation Advocate goes to somebody else - and I'm quite certain that she would agree with my choice!

• The Manta Ray of Hope project remains the best Elasmobranch Conservation Initiative - by far!
  
  Scroll down this list of blog posts and you will see that the outreach has been simply awesome - this owing to the tireless efforts of my personal hero and sounding board Da Mary, of Shawn  who keeps cranking out fabulous media but also thanks to people like Lydie Couturier or Simon and Andrea of the Foundation for the Protection of Marine Megafauna - and many others like Sarah Fowler who I hear has co-authored the CITES proposal!
  Like I said then, this is as good as it gets, especially since the project reunites all the very best in that field!

• The outreach by Neil Hammerschlag and the RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program remains my favorite, however with the Heithaus Lab a close second - I think!

• What about last year's Most promising Shark Conservation Newcomers?
  
  David has really done himself proud, especially with A  Ray of Light but also his terrific PSAs The Sanctuary and Love Sharks Love Fiji. He is still desperately trying to finally get a major break but he has certainly not been sitting idly but instead, continued to stack the chips in his favor with a new production company, upcoming new websites and shortly, new attempts at marketing and crowd funding. And thankfully, there have been a few jobs allowing him to pay for the bills on the way.
  But he deserves better - so please, if you should be mulling a shoot and are looking for a brilliant all-in-one movie maker: do think of him!
  
  And the others?
  I see that Christine is still with Neil and trust that she is behind some of his stellar media outreach; but I frankly don't quite know what she is currently doing - but whatever it is, I wish her well.
  Same for Madi Pip - however she is off my list. As an example of alas many, check this out - that's not something I would ever want to be seen endorsing in so many ways! I'm sure you understand - and if not, wait for part two!
  Yes I'm frankly disappointed!

• Best Shark Facebook Page: Shark Savers
  
  Once again, a difficult choice - but that (and the Shark Year Magazine, see below) is the ressource I inevitably find myself consulting when I want to inform myself about the latest conservation- and research-related Elasmobranch news.
  
  Shark Defenders on the other hand has shifted towards more and more populism, see my comments above under Pew. Alas - but then again, that's just my personal perception.

And I reiterate what I said then about the BBC (obviously!), Shark Year Magazine, Elasmodiver and of course Doc who doesn't need any further accolades to be the undisputed Grand Mufti of Shark Behavior and one of my very favorite people on top of that!


2. New Winners and New Categories

• Most impressive individual Shark Conservation Advocate: Mary O'Malley.
  
  She's gonna hate me for this because like the vast majority of real conservationists including her predecessor Stefanie, she has no interest whatsoever in standing in the limelight but prefers to shine through her achievements instead of her announcements and self promotion. But let there be no doubt that whenever something is really good, she has likely had a hand in it!
  Among several others, one of her most recent projects is Manta Ray of Hope, see above - and if the Mantas will have any chance at this year's CITES convention, it will undoubtedly be the result of her tireless work and networking where once again, I discern no ego but instead, nothing but the genuine wish to reunite and motivate others to pursue a common goal in the most efficient and effective way.
  
  And I want to say this: it's about bloody time for some public accolades!
  No not this poor little laudatio on an obscure Shark blog, nor this truthful and loving hommage by Stefanie - I'm talking about something major, some Shark and Manta Hero award or the like! DaMary gets nothing - but the Boo Boo keeps getting nominated?!?
  C'mon you award folks - do something!

• Most impressive Shark Conservation Achievements, ex aequo: Cook Islands Shark Sanctuary and French Polynesia Shark Sanctuary.
  
  Just awesome!
  I did not at all expect the declaration by French Polynesia - and knowing how rigidly the French manage these matter in their DOM-TOMs, this will incidentally result in the exact opposite of a SINO, this also owing to the vigilance of the dive operators and the researchers of the ORP!
  
  And in view of all the alleged shenanigans, I was of the firm opinion that the Cooks were a lost cause - so huge kudos to its visionary president Henry Puna, to Pew but also to Steve and Jess of PICI  - details here!

• Best Blog Posts on Shark-related Issue: the coordinated Deconstruction of the infamous Oxygen Myth.
  
  I must say, I'm mighty proud of this effort!
  And it has been loads of fun, too - to wit here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here! Simply brilliantly epic!
  And... have we been successful in eradicating that stupidity?
  Check part two! :)
  
  And i did love love love Cristina's posts on the Shark Savers community pages!

•  Most promising Shark Conservation Newcomer: Michelle Wcisel
  
  I have no clue whether she's to be considered "new" - but I've only caught on to her this year.
  And I must say, I like what I see - and so will hopefully you once you explore the links, including those of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust where she works!

• Ocean Hero of the Year: Tony Burke, current Australian Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
  
  This is the guy who has had the courage and the vision to establish what could well be the largest network of contiguous MPAs in the world - and this against the stiffest political resistance. Backbone and Leadership in politics - stuff the Americans can only dream of! 
  Bravo! 
  
  But Harold Martin of New Caledonia is certainly a close second! 

• Best Conservation Org: Pew Environment Group
  
  Check this out - bloody impressive!
  Not really convinced about the part about Rio+20 where I once again had the impression that nothing tangible was achieved - except, of course, for the decision to reconvene = further millions spent on junkets and a further stupendous incremental carbon footprint!
  But again, that would be me and I've frankly stopped caring.
  On the other hand, the list is just awesome!
  
  Would there be anybody else coming even remotely close?
  Maybe the ubiquitous WWF, or CI with their tremendous Seascapes? Or the fantastic IUCN that achieves so much - and this silently and completely collaboratively?
  Maybe - but for 2012, I stick with my choice!

• Best Elasmobranch Papers, ex aequo:  Neil on Tigers, Heithaus on Shark Bay,  Mantas and Coconuts and of course (!), the Fiji Shark Diving Paper and the Fiji Bull Shark Poster!
  
  Each of those is brilliant in its own way - read them!

• Best Shark Book: Domeier on Great Whites
  
  When it comes to GWS, this is really the bible, with each chapter being a peer-reviewed paper by the most eminent GWS researchers. Don't talk GWS biology if you haven't read it - and you can get it cheaper here!

• Most inspirational Visitors, in no particular order: Le Didier, Stefanie, Tanya, Samantha, ozzie Sam, Lill, Stephen and Takako, Cristina, Demian and Debra, Jaap and Taryn (you know who you are!), Lucia and Andre - thank you!

    My deepest apologies to those I may have forgotten - it has been a very long year and my faculties of recollection have become somewhat fuzzy!

• And a special h/t to you RickMac for being so sharp, erudite and witty, and for what you do for our oceans - truly you are one of our unsung heroes!

• Special Thanks to you Doug and Emily for always having been there for Ron and Val;  to you Gary and Brenda, for always being there for us, and to you Juerg , for the always stimulating excellent cooperation – would you believe it, 10 years now! To you Drew, Nani, Papa and Rusi, for so many fabulous years of loyal friendship and adventure!

3. Not nominated

• Blogs - both about Sharks and about marine topics in general
  
  This is a tough one as I continue to peruse many of them, especially those in the Blog Roll on the side bar. But, I am sensing some widespread fatigue that echoes my own - see the very different monthly counts in the Blog Archive that reflect my work load (turns out that retired really means re-tired) but also, my faltering mojo!
  Yes SFS cranks out the occasional brilliant post like here; yes DNS publishes the occasional epic rant against the latest pseudoscience; yes the Monster continues its valiant fight against climate change denialism - but I sure miss the randalierende Wolf and Patric's incisive sharkasm!
  And then, there's the competition by the one-liners on the zillion FB pages and by those tweets - and the frustration at the seemingly unstoppable creeping progress of the Dolphinization of the Shark Movement.
  The question is, are we merely preaching to the converted in some global circular echo chamber whilst being overrun by that deluge of truthiness and idiocy - and if so, should we be investing our time more productively on other projects?

• Other Media - journalism, pics, television and  movie.
  
  Nothing truly extra-extraordinary has caught my eye - probably my fault for not having paid attention!

• Best Shark dance
  
  Does the Nureyev of Shark dancing continue to dazzle the masses? No idea!
  But above all: eagerly awaiting news of the dance-off with Angelo!
  
  

Phewwww.... that's it I think!
And now, over to the infamous Part Deux!
I'm currently multitasking and honestly drowning in urgent stuff - so bear with me if it'll take a while, as it's gonna be long.

But it's gonna be interesting!
And that's a promise! :)

PS: Dang I've forgotten one - again!
So there: granted, that was late in 2011 - but still!

• Best Shark Sculpture: Victor's Fiji Bull Shark - magnifique!

PS2: Time Danaos et dona ferentes!
In case you thought that being nominated here is good - think again! Public praise by DaShark might just be the beginning of your demise! :)

PS3: Wolf here!

PS4:  Check out Part Two, Part Three and Part Four!