Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Supporting New Shark-Free Marinas Initiative Florida Campaign

Converting Florida Marinas Critical to Health of Shark Populations

The Shark-Free Marinas Initiative (SFMI) is reaching out to marinas in Florida to ask for their support in conserving the world’s shark populations. Organized as a cooperative by the Pegasus Foundation, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundationand The Humane Society of the United States, the SFMI aims to reduce shark mortality worldwide by discouraging the landing of sharks and encouraging catch-and-release of sharks in sport fishing, while rewarding forward-thinking marinas that participate in this program. Supporting organizations include Mote Marine Laboratory, the Pew Environment Group,  Fishpond USA and theFisheries Conservation Foundation.

“Shark populations worldwide have suffered severe declines due to over-fishing,” says world renowned artist, angler and conservationist, Dr. Guy Harvey, “Marinas in Florida can now do their part to help conserve these ecologically vital animals by joining the SFMI.”

Sharks are currently being killed at an unsustainable rate. A scientific study published by Imperial College, London estimated that the fins of from 26 million up to 73 million sharks per year were being traded through the world’s fin markets as of the year 2000, mostly for shark fin soup. In addition, the U.S. government estimates that recreational fishing killed an average of more than 200,000 sharks along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coast each year between 2004 and 2008.

“Many sharks species have declined because of overfishing, which recreational fishing has contributed to in the U.S.,” notes Dr. Robert Hueter, senior scientist and director, Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Shark Research. “Sustaining these species is in the interest of recreational anglers as well as marine conservationists.”

Marinas in Florida can help reduce the number of sharks being killed by joining the SFMI and preventing dead sharks from being brought back to their docks. “There is no state more important to the success of this initiative in the United States than Florida, the sport-fishing capital of the world,” says Luke Tipple, managing director of the SFMI. “”Because of the number of shark species off Florida, and the sheer number of nursery grounds and migratory routes located there, protecting Florida’s sharks is critical to maintaining the health of Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters.”

SFMI supporter John Land Le Coq, co-founder of Fishpond USA, agrees. “Sharks are the guardians of the ocean and play an essential part in the health of the ocean. Most anglers I know are very concerned about the status of sharks. I hope every marina in Florida joins this important program. ”

According to Dr. John Grandy, senior vice president, The Humane Society of the United States, “Thousands of dollars in prizes are offered in shark tournaments that the government itself acknowledges are poorly monitored. Kill tournaments and misinformed media support the antiquated concept that the only good shark is a dead shark. This has to change.”

There are two different levels of commitment for an interested marina. It can either become a “Shark-Free Marina” that completely prohibits the landing of all sharks on its docks or a “Shark-Friendly Marina” — a facility that discourages the killing and landing of sharks and does not promote any activity that could harm sharks.

“The SFMI works in tandem with businesses and fishermen to increase the awareness of the need to protect our sharks and oceans,” says Barbara Birdsey, founder of the Pegasus Foundation. “This is a voluntary program that will prevent the needless killing of these ecologically and economically vital animals.” Each marina will also receive recognition around the world as a partner in this growing initiative.

Dr. Harvey summarizes: “I encourage recreational fishermen everywhere to join with me and SFMI to help protect sharks and our oceans. Our world needs sharks.”

Facts

• The U.S. government estimates that, on average, more than 200,000 sharks were killed annually off the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coast by sport fishermen for each year between 2004 and 2008.
• In 2009, close to 2,000 shortfin mako sharks were killed in recreational and commercial fisheries in the U.S., leading the National Marine Fisheries Service to declare that  shortfin mako sharks are “overfished.”  Despite asking fishermen to voluntarily release these sharks unharmed, tournaments targeting makos have continued.
• Today the dusky shark population in the northwestern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico is estimated to have lost 80-85 percent of its population since the mid-1970s, according to research cited by a 2011 NMFS report. The NMFS prohibited recreational fishermen from possessing duskies starting in in 2000, but they can be difficult to identify and some sport fishermen still catch and release them.
• Forward thinking anglers have already created new fishing tournaments that help conserve sharks and support marine research. For example, in 2011, the Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge, an annual Catch and Release Tournament in SW Florida awarded $10,000 in prizes for research related tagging, while the Ocean City (Md.) Shark Tournament awarded $30,000 in prizes in its Catch and Release Division.
• The Shark-Free Marina Initiative is a program of The Humane Society of the United States. It is strongly supported by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Fishpond USA, Mote Marine Laboratory, Oceanic Defense, The Fisheries Conservation Foundation, the Cape Eleuthera Institute and the Pegasus Foundation.

Guy Harvey Applauds Decision to Ban Commercial Shark Fishing in Bahamas

GRAND CAYMAN—JULY 7, 2011— The oceans just got a little safer for sharks, and conservationist, artist and scientist Guy Harvey couldn’t be more pleased.

Responding to this week’s announcement from the Government of the Bahamas that it will prohibit all commercial shark fishing in its more than 240,000 square miles of territorial water, Dr. Harvey commented: “I am very impressed and pleased that the Government of the Bahamas has taken the necessary and correct step to further protect its marine resources from over-exploitation by both local and foreign interests.  This new legislation compliments the ban on commercial long line fishing enacted 20 years ago. The ban on commercial shark fishing and exportation by shark by-products is a huge step in the conservation of sharks worldwide.”

Dr. Harvey, better known throughout the world as marine wildlife artist, is also a respected scientist, holding a PhD in fisheries science and biology.  He is the founder of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University and the internationally regarded Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF), both of which are supporting shark studies, including tagging and migration.

Through the Bahamas National Trust, Dr. Harvey met with government officials last March to add his voice and influence as a highly respected conservationist to call for strict regulations to ban the commercial fishing of all sharks in The Bahamas—an archipelago of 700 islands sweeping across 500 miles of open ocean.  The Bahamas is the fourth country to ban shark fishing after Honduras, the Maldives and Palau.  Estimates are than more than 70 million sharks are killed annually around the world.

One of the premier shark-watching destinations for divers, reeling in $800 million over the past 20 years for the Bahamian national economy, sharks, according to Dr. Harvey, were worth much more alive than dead.

“Many countries have seen their populations of sharks annihilated by commercial over-exploitation,” said Dr. Harvey.  “Research has shown that shark populations do not recover.  Other countries will take encouragement from the Bahamas’ very bold move.  They are realizing very quickly the value of the living shark in maintaining the health of reef ecosystems.  In addition, the economic value of a living shark to ecotourism is now widely accepted as a sustainable and non-consumptive use of a marine resource with many additional benefits to respective island nations.”

Last year, following news that a Bahamian seafood company was considering exporting sharks to the Far East, the BNT along with the U.S. based Pew Environmental Group and individual conservationists such as Dr. Guy Harvey, who created a “Protect Bahamian Sharks” campaign logo and poster, initiated a petition drive to force the issue of banning commercial shark-fishing.  The government upon receiving a petition signed by 5,000 Bahamian residents acted this week to protect the some 40 sharks species found in Bahamian waters.

With shark populations around the world continuing to spiral downward, marine scientists such as Dr. Guy Harvey, are working around the clock to give these magnificent animals a fighting chance for survival.

Dr. Harvey is also seeding cultural change in the structure of shark fishing tournaments to creating Catch and Release divisions.

Last month he brought his cause into the epicenter of one of the nation’s oldest and largest shark fishing tournaments in Ocean City, Maryland. Thanks in part to his efforts and a willingness to continue to adapt by the tournament founders and organizers, The Ocean City Shark Tournament’s cash and prize package payment in the catch and release division increased to over $15,000.

In May, the Second Annual Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge, a catch and release only tournament was held on the West Coast of Florida in Punta Gorda. The tournament—created as a model for catch and release only shark tournament formats—drew some 3,000 competitors and spectators and paid out over $15,000 in cash and prizes.

In related shark conservation activity, Dr. Harvey offered his artistic talent and foundation sponsorship funding in support of the recent Circle Hook Symposium held in Miami. The symposium, hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is an international gathering of scientists, resource managers and constituents convening to discuss the performance and use of circle hooks in commercial, recreational and artisanal fisheries. While it is legal to use a J-hook to fish for sharks, experts such as Dr. Harvey recommend using a circle hook, where the barb points inward and not outward.

Dr. Harvey’s message regarding shark protection initiatives is heard loud and clear in the recently released documentary “This is Your Ocean: Sharks”, co-staring fellow artist Wyland and photographer Jim Abernethy. The 44-minute documentary, which premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival to positive reviews, depicts sharks in their environment capturing both adventure and passion and providing the audience with face-to-face realism never shown before on film.

Guy Harvey Seeds Cultural Change and Prize Money to Promote Catch & Release Shark Tournaments

With shark populations around the world continuing to spiral downward, the result of devastating commercial fishing techniques and an exotic taste for ‘shark-fin soup’, marine scientists such as Dr. Guy Harvey, are working around the clock to give these magnificent animals a fighting chance for survival.

In his latest mission, Dr. Harvey-better known throughout North America and the Caribbean as a celebrated and award-winning marine wildlife artist-has brought his cause into the epicenter of one of the nation’s oldest and largest shark fishing tournaments in Ocean City, Maryland on June 15-19.

Thanks in part to Dr. Harvey’s efforts and a willingness to continue to adapt by the tournament founders and organizers, the Ocean City Shark Tournament‘s cash and prize package payment in the catch and release division has increased to over $15,000.

Last month, the Second Annual Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge, a catch and release only tournament, was held on the West Coast of Florida in Punta Gorda. The tournament-created as a model for catch and release only shark tournament formats-drew some 3,000 competitors and spectators and paid out over $15,000 in cash and prizes.

The Ocean City Shark Tournament will continue to feature two divisions that allow anglers to bring sharks to the scales.  However, knowing that competitors tend to follow the and pursue whatever division has the biggest payout, tournament directors are looking to make the release division cash and prizes so attractive that, by their own choosing, fishermen will voluntarily opt to release more sharks.

“We applaud the tournament founders and directors for their increased commitment to promote the catch and release of sharks in this summer’s tournament,” said Dr. Harvey. “Our goal is to minimize shark mortalities and maximize educational outreach about shark conservation.”

Earlier this month, Captain Mark Sampson and other directors of the 31st Annual Ocean City Shark Tournament conducted a catch and release clinic to show how to handle sharks in a manner that’s safe for both fish and fishermen.

“To ensure that everyone who releases a shark get the recognition they deserve, in this year’s OC Shark Tournament all fishing teams will have the chance to step into the “Release Pavilion” on the dock at the weigh-ins to have press photos taken and their releases announced to the crowd,” said Sampson. “Anyone who goes out in the tournament and releases a shark deserves recognition, and were going to make sure they get it.”

In 30 years, the Ocean City Shark Tournament has evolved from a small “club” event to one of the largest shark tournaments along the coast.  In the early years, only trophies and new rods and reels were given out to winners.  Last year, more than $142,000 was awarded to the top anglers in the tournament. Over the years, tournament organizers have promoted conservation and have continued to update and fine tune rules to maintain minimum size limits (higher than what government allows fishermen to take) as well a regulate gear.  This year, for example, all fishermen will be required to use circle hooks so that released sharks that won’t qualify for prizes have the best chance for survival. Minimum size limits have also been increased to help keep some of the smaller sharks (that won’t qualify for prizes) from being brought in.  There will also be a daily cash reward for the most sharks released on each of the three fishing days.  A cash reward will also be given out for the most Mako sharks released.

Dr. Harvey, founder of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University and the internationally regarded Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF), in recent years has joined the growing ranks of individuals and organizations calling for strict regulations to ban the commercial fishing of all sharks in The Bahamas. Scientists with the International Union for Conservation of Nature have estimated that 30 percent of shark and ray species around the world are threatened or near threatened with extinction.  The loss of these animals could cause irreversible damage to the ocean’s ecosystem and result in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in the tourist trade.

In related shark conservation activity, Dr. Harvey offered his artistic talent and foundation sponsorship funding in support of the recent Circle Hook Symposium held in Miami. The symposium, hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is an international gathering of scientists, resource managers and constituents convening to discuss the performance and use of circle hooks in commercial, recreational and artisanal fisheries. While it is legal to use a J-hook to fish for sharks, experts such as Dr. Harvey recommend using a circle hook, where the barb points inward and not outward.

Dr. Harvey’s message regarding shark protection initiatives is heard loud and clear in the recently released documentary “This is Your Ocean: Sharks”, co-staring fellow artist Wyland and photographer Jim Abernathy. The 44-minute documentary, which premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival to positive reviews, depicts sharks in their environment capturing both adventure and passion and providing the audience with face-to-face realism never shown before on film.  Click here to view the trailer.

Guy has also released a public service message promoting shark free marinas. Click here to see the new PSA.

New documentary "This is Your Ocean: Sharks" Premiers Tonight at the Newport Beach Film Festival

New shark documentary stars Guy Harvey, Wyland, Jim Abernethy and Emma the Tiger Shark

Newport Beach, CA – Art, science, and a bond of trust fuse together to shatter public perception of sharks in a new documentary, “This is Your Ocean: Sharks”. All barriers between people and sharks are removed in an effort to depict these animals in a new light. Narrated by legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, this documentary takes you on an adventure with world renowned marine life artists Guy Harvey and Wyland, and shark expert Jim Abernethy.

The Newport Beach Film Festival will host the world premiere of “This is Your Ocean: Sharks” at 6:30 pm on April 29, 2011, at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, CA. All three artists featured in this film are scheduled to be on hand for the opening.

(Watch a 3:00 minute trailer for This is Your Ocean: Sharks)

“This is Your Ocean: Sharks” looks at the global plight of sharks and introduces the audience to a massive 14-foot tiger shark named Emma. Jim Abernethy’s connection and love for this animal plays a key role in the film, with never before seen footage that will have some revaluating their perception of sharks. “We can no longer look at sharks as monsters. My relationship with Emma hopefully dispels that misconception and reveals the truth about these awesome animals. It’s time to share this message with the world.”

The documentary features three talented artists whose unique perspective on conservation delivers an engaging message. For Wyland, working to save sharks is just an extension of the work he’s done with marine mammals. “By protecting sharks, by protecting the ocean, we protect ourselves. It’s that simple.”

Dr. Guy Harvey works to replace myth with fact everyday though the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. “Sharks are not eating us, we’re eating them. That’s the big overall picture and that needs to change.”

Emmy award-winning producer George C. Schellenger directed and produced this timely documentary. “The decisions we make right now determine the future of these animals and the future of our oceans. We’ve made a film that’s like nothing else you’ve seen. It’s the start of a new paradigm.”

The film mostly focuses on the Bahamas, but was shot in locations around the world. Captured on film by Shawn Heinrichs, the film depicts the massive harvesting and destruction of sharks, primarily driven by the global obsession with shark fin soup.

Ann Church, from the organization KIDS FIRST!, says it’s an adventure for the entire family. “Wyland has a way of connecting people with the sea, Dr. Harvey brings the science, and Jim Abernethy brings unprecedented first-hand knowledge of sharks along with a deep passion for these animals — plus how could you not fall in love with Emma?”

The film will be in the Eco Spotlight on Friday, April 29, 2011 at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

"This is Your Ocean: Sharks" To Premier at Newport Beach Film Festival

NEWPORT BEACH, CA—APRIL 19, 2011—International marine and wildlife conservation artists Guy Harvey and Wyland join with renown SCUBA diver and wildlife photographer Jim Abernethy to showcase This is Your Ocean: Sharks, as the Eco Spotlight feature at the Newport Beach Film Festival, scheduled for April 28-May 5^th.

Director George C. Schellenger takes the audience into the world of sharks through the eyes of Wyland, Harvey and Abernathy in the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas, one of the last shark sanctuaries on earth.  The 44-minute documentary depicts sharks in their environment capturing both adventure and passion and providing the audience with face-to-face realism never shown before on film.

Click the movie poster to watch the trailer!

Dr. Harvey, founder of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University and the internationally regarded Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF), recently joined the growing ranks of individuals and organizations calling for strict regulations to ban the commercial fishing of all sharks in The Bahamas. Scientists with the International Union for Conservation of Nature have estimated that 30 percent of shark and ray species around the world are threatened or near threatened with extinction.  The loss of these animals could cause irreversible damage to the ocean’s ecosystem and result in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in the tourist trade.

Related Shark Conservation Activity

Circle Hook Symposium: Dr. Harvey has offered his artistic talent and foundation sponsorship funding in support of the upcoming Circle Hook Symposium scheduled for May 4-6 in Miami. The symposium, hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is an international gathering of scientists, resource managers and constituents convening to discuss the performance and use of circle hooks in commercial, recreational and artisanal fisheries. While it is legal to use a J-hook to fish for sharks, experts such as Dr. Harvey recommend using a circle hook, where the barb points inward and not outward.

Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge: Laishley State Park in Punta Gorda, Florida is hosting the 2011 “Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge Tournament” on May 13-15^th, which has become a model for the next-generation of shark catch and release tournaments with the mandatory use of circle hooks.  Scientists from Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota will be on the water working with the tournament fishermen, tagging qualifying sharks and assisting with the release.

Four Florida Collegians Receive 2011 Florida Sea Grant’s Guy Harvey Excellence Awards

DAVIE, FL— MARCH 16, 2011— “The Guy Harvey Excellence Awards”, supported by the Florida Sea Grant and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, have been presented to four outstanding, young Florida students—all pursuing Master of Science degrees at Florida Universities.

In the announcement made by Karl E. Havens, Director and Professor of the Florida Sea Grant College Program at the University of Florida, the four students will receive a research award of $5,000, which will be applied towards their research on the effects the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill had on pelagic fishes in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Healthy oceans are essential for life on our planet. It is our collective responsibility to conserve the marine environment and maintain the biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico and our oceans,” said Dr. Guy Harvey, one of the world’s leading marine conservationists. “Through the support of the Foundation’s many visionary friends and future scientists such as these students we will develop new strategies to preserve the life that remains and hopefully restore the marine life that has been destroyed.”

The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation aims to fund inspired research that seeks answers to how the oil is impacting the Gulf fisheries and other issues confronting our oceans.  Dr. Harvey is a marine biologist and has a broad network of researchers and scientific advisors.  He is constantly out on the water observing first hand the issues that fish are facing such as over-fishing and habitat destruction.

The students are:

Chelsea Bennice is a MS student in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University. Her research project is entitled habitat selection among fishes and shrimp in the pelagic Sargassum community: the role of habitat architecture and the impacts of the DWH oil spill. Chelsea has a BS degree with Distinction in Evolution and Ecology from The Ohio State University. She was an eight-time member of the Dean’s List at Ohio State, a Student Scholar Athlete, and she has conducted extensive volunteer and undergraduate research work. As a researcher, she is interested in predator-prey interactions and habitat selection by marine fish, and in how understanding those dynamics might help guide sustainable management of fisheries.

Cheston Peterson is a MS student in the Biology Department at Florida State University. His research project is entitled investigating the effects of the DWH oil spill on the trophic ecology of sharks and teleost fishes of the Florida Big Bend using stable isotope analyses. Cheston has a BS degree, Cum Laude and with Honors in Biology from the University of North Carolina (UNC), Wilmington. He was a five-time member of the Dean’s List at UNC, a shark research intern at Mote Marine Laboratory, and has considerable research and teaching experience at UNC and Florida State. His research interests include the fisheries ecology of elasmo branch fishes, in particular their trophic ecology and patterns of habitat use.

Mark Squitieri is a MS student in the College of Marine Sciences at the University of South Florida (USF). His research project is entitled detecting fish oil spill exposure using elemental crude oil markers recorded on otoliths. Mark has a BS degree in Environmental Science with a Minor in Biophysics from USF Geography and Physics, respectively. He has considerable marine field and laboratory experience, both in the private sector and at USF, has been a 4-H instructor, workshop leader for the Tampa Bay Estuaries Program, and volunteer at the Florida Aquarium. His research interests focus on using stable isotope techniques in a manner that fish can be ‘live recorders’ of environmental perturbations such as oil spills.

Christina Walker is MS student in the Department of Biology at the University of North Florida. Her research project is entitled examining the effects of the DWH oil spill on four species of sharks using a biomarker approach. Christina has a BS in Biology from the University of Florida (UF). She has served as an intern at Mote Marine Laboratory, conducted independent research on sharks at the UF Program for Shark Research, and managed data for the International Shark Attack File. She is the recipient of several scholarships and awards and has presented the results of her work at professional conferences and in journal articles. Her research focuses on how molecular markers can be used to identify stress in sharks exposed to environmental pollutants.

To see a list of additional organizations supported by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, click here.

Florida Program for Shark Research Using Boat Provided By GHOF & Hell's Bay Boatworks

Last October, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and Hell’s Bay Boatworks donated a custom boat and trailer valued at more than $50,000 to the Florida Program for Shark Research. FPSR director and world-renowned shark expert George Burgess recently filed the following report after his team returned from a sawfish tagging trip to Florida Bay (photos included):

“The first sawfish to scrape the hull of the now not-so-new Hell’s Bay Neptune was captured in Florida Bay and now is happily swimming around with an acoustic tag attached to its dorsal fin. It took close to three hours for Yannis and I to reel her in (with the expert assistance of Johanna at the wheel), so it was dark by the time we got her to the gunnel. She came in at just under 14 ft in length. Her dorsal fin had suffered a previous but still-healing injury, perhaps at the mouth of a shark as she had some scars on her body that also may have been sharky.

The first fish caught aboard the vessel was a ladyfish landed by Bethan and first elasmobranch was a blacktip shark. The ladyfish were our chosen bait for saws, although the one we landed took a jack. Our fishing guide, Capt. Jim Wilcox from Bud n’ Mary’s, got us oriented to channels and secret short-cuts, put us on sawfish, and generously shared his fishing techniques with us for two days, allowing us to strike gold on our first day fishing solo. I believe he likes the Neptune a bit.

In recognition of the first species landed, its euphonious generic name, and the fact that “ladyfish” seems so apropos given the tradition of giving a vessel a feminine name, we now refer to “our new boat” as the R/V Elops in recognition of the strength and superior fight that comes in small packages, Elops saurus and the Hell’s Bay Neptune. Say what you will about bonefish, in Florida Bay ladyfish are queens of the flats!

Thanks a bunch, folks, for making this happen. The boat and its awesome paint job were the subject of considerable discussion and photography at the launch ramp, in gas stations, etc. She is a delight to handle and a very functional vessel.”

Cheers!

George H. Burgess

Coordinator of Museum Operations

Director, Florida Program for Shark Research

Curator, International Shark Attack File & National Sawfish Encounter

Database

Florida Museum of Natural History

University of Florida

Dickinson Hall, Museum Road

PO Box 117800

Gainesville, FL 32611, USA

Guy Harvey Promotes Call to Protect Bahamian Sharks

Nassau, The Bahamas – March 2, 2010 – Dr. Guy Harvey, world-renowned scientist and marine wildlife artist, has joined the growing ranks of individuals and organizations calling for strict regulations to ban the commercial fishing of all sharks in The Bahamas. In support of the program, Harvey is releasing a custom-designed “Protect Bahamian Sharks” campaign logo and poster this week while visiting Nassau to meet with government officials.

“These magnificent animals have been admired for years by divers visiting The Bahamas and revered by people around the world as one of the great wonders of the ocean,” said Dr. Harvey. “However, many species of sharks are now being driven to the brink of extinction by over-exploitation, fueled mostly by the Far East’s demand for shark fin soup.”

“Due to a ban on longline fishing gear in the 1990s led by The Bahamas National Trust, Bahamian waters are one of the few places in the world with relatively healthy shark populations,” said Eric Carey, Executive Director of The Bahamas National Trust. “The Bahamas is now one of the premier shark-watching destinations for divers, reeling in US$800 million over the past 20 years for the national economy, according to the Bahamas Diving Association.”

Even with the ban on longlining gear, sharks are still considered at-risk in Bahamian waters due to other methods of fishing. “There are currently no specific laws in The Bahamas protecting these amazing creatures,” said Matt Rand, director of global shark conservation for the The Pew Environment Group. “We are working with The Bahamas National Trust to raise awareness to establish measures that will conserve healthy shark populations before it is too late.”

Scientists with the International Union for Conservation of Nature have estimated that 30 percent of shark and ray species around the world are threatened or near-threatened with extinction. The loss of these animals could cause irreversible damage to the ocean’s ecosystem and result in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in the tourist trade.

ABOUT THE PARTNERS

The Pew Environment Group is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-governmental organization that works globally to establish pragmatic, science-based policies that protect our oceans, preserve our wildlands and promote clean energy.

The Bahamas National Trust was established by an Act of Parliament in 1959 and is mandated with the conservation of natural and historic resources of The Bahamas. The BNT is the only known non-governmental organization in the world with the mandate to manage a country’s entire national park system. For more information, contact 1-242 393-1317, visit our web site.

Tiger Tracks: How the GHOF Maps Tiger Shark Migrations in the Western Atlantic

For the past two years, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University have been sponsoring and conducting an ongoing project to tag and track tiger sharks in the western Atlantic. The goal of this long-term study is to gain a better understanding of the migration of the tiger sharks in this region and to use that data to aid conservation efforts.

BERMUDA

The research program initially started in Bermuda in August 2009 in collaboration with Dr. Neil Burnie and Choy Aming of the Bermuda Shark Project and with generous satellite tag donations from Microwave Telemetry Inc. This study then continued with another tagging session in Bermuda this past July. Many of the sharks are regularly reporting in via their satellite tag, including two of the seven sharks from the original tagging session – 18 months ago! Tracking the same two sharks for this length of time is an unprecedented feat, so the team from the GHOF/GHRI is now leading a project that is producing groundbreaking research – very exciting!

Most of the sharks from the second tagging session appear to be following the same general movement patterns as the sharks tagged in 2009, which is a migration south to the warmer Caribbean waters during the winter months. We don’t know yet why they are moving – it could be due to changes in the water temps, or maybe the sharks are following food sources south. Perhaps it’s some combination of the two, or it could be due to reasons we do not yet know…

BAHAMAS

After the successes in Bermuda, the tagging and tracking process has now expanded to the Bahamas in an area known as Tiger Beach. After several trips to scout and document the area’s tiger shark population over the past two years, the GHOF/GHRI in collaboration with Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures began tagging tigers at this location in December 2010. Like Bermuda, the tigers in the Bahamas are regularly “phoning in” their locations.

The satellite tracking shows that most are still in the same general vicinity as when they were tagged in December, and this was witnessed firsthand in mid-January when several members of the expedition returned to Tiger Beach and were able to photograph one of the tagged sharks.

WHAT NEXT?

It will be interesting to see where these sharks go as the waters warm up in the spring and summer. Many of the sharks from the Bermuda populations headed to the warmer Caribbean waters when the western Atlantic cooled off in fall and winter, then returned “home” during the warmer months.

Are the sharks in Tiger Beach temporary residents as well, just wintering in the Bahamas until they return to the upper Atlantic with warming temps, or is this population more or less a permanent fixture at Tiger Beach? Hopefully, our tagged tigers will call us in the coming months and let us know!

Given the exciting and unprecedented findings obtained thus far, the GHOF/GHRI have expanded their tiger shark research to sites in the Cayman Islands, USVI and Western Australia. This work is being done in close collaboration with colleagues from Marine Conservation International, Save Our Seas Foundation, Cayman Islands Department of Environment, the UK Overseas Territories Environment Programme, the University of the Virgin Islands and Florida International University.

The initial results are already hinting at even more novel findings about tiger shark behavior. Stay tuned for updates as the sharks “phone in”.

Expedition Summaries, Photos/Tracking Maps and Updates:

Bermuda – August 2009 Summary

Bermuda – August 2009 Photos/Tracking Maps

Update #1

Update #2

Update #3

Update #4

Bermuda – July 2010 Summary

Bermuda – July 2010 Summary by Jessica Harvey

Bermuda – July 2010 Photos/Tracking Maps

Bahamas – May 2009 Photos

Bahamas – December 2010 Photos/Tracking Map

Cheers!

Guy Harvey Magazine Issue #3 Now Available!

Issue #3 of Guy Harvey Magazine is hot off the presses!

The newest edition of GHM has a stellar lineup of contributors whose collection of editorial and photography somehow manages to surpass the high bar set by the first two issues! Issue 3 highlights:

* Swimming with tiger shark in the Bahamas – Jim Abernathy, south Florida diver operator and shark expert

* Big-time marlin fishing in Panama – Guy Harvey

* Circle Hooks v. J Hooks – Dr. John Graves, Chair of the Dept. of Fisheries Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science

* The plight of the majestic manta rays – Doug Perrine and Shawn Heinrichs, world-renowned authors, photographers and marine conservationists.

* Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation‘s $500,000 fundraiser for the Gulf of Mexico – GHM Staff

Though still in its infancy, GHM has quickly established itself as one of the finest journals in the “Outdoors” genre, combining informative, entertaining editorial with world-class photography – all produced by the preeminent contributors in the worlds of fishing, conservation and adventure travel.

All fans of my art & apparel will enjoy each and every article featured in the pages of this publication. If you are not currently subscribing to GHM, then I strongly encourage you to do so.

For more information about GHM, please visit GuyHarveyMagazine.com.

Cheers!