Evolving Perspectives: The South Pacific Commission’s 54-Year Legacy in Shark and Ray Conservation

The South Pacific Commission has been publishing newsletters since April 1971. The need for its creation was explained in the first publication:

“An information system which would permit the Territories to keep up to date on the developments in fisheries and marine biology, particularly as they relate to the reefs and lagoons, was strongly emphasized by the participants [at the fourth South Pacific Commission Technical Meeting on Fisheries in October 1970].”

The goal was to have a “running review” of conservation and exploitation programs/actions in fisheries.

The South Pacific Commission has accomplished just that. These newsletters serve as a sort of time capsule where the last 54 years of rich history can be viewed as a timeline of fishery activities in the South Pacific.

The insights in these publicly accessible newsletters are important. A project was developed to summarize all the references of “shark” and “ray” in the newsletters and to create a database that lists species, location, and activity for each shark and/or ray mentioned as the information contained in these newsletters serve as a great history and ecological resource.

The 1970s saw newsletter articles with information on the abundance of sharks and how fishers had to learn how set timing, location, and depths that would allow them to keep most of their catch away from sharks. A recipe for shark cakes was published and a recommendation that the mercury levels of sharks and rays used for pig feed needed to be evaluated.

The 1980s was the time for shark exploitation on a commercial level. In 1985, Japan’s desire to eat more shark meat was evident when they developed a method to reduce mercury levels by adding an “special acid solvent solution” while cooking that had to be washed off before consumption. A taste testing in 1986 showed 55% of consumers agreed that warm-water sharks were meatier, flakier, and had more of a tangy flavor than cold-water sharks. In 1987, a suggested solution to sharks stealing surface level catch was to deploy baited, 1-gallon plastic containers with metal leaders and hooks rendering sharks unable to submerge. And in 1988, the idea that shark liver oil could be used to cure cancer became popular, as did its use to relieve sunburns.

Shark products grew in attention in the 1990s. Shark liver oil capsules, high-end soaps, cosmetics, shark fins, and leather were in the spotlight. The use of FADs (floating aggregating devices) in fishing methods was increasing. And so was the data on sharks. As the newsletters progressed, more and more data was being published on the shark species observed, their numbers, and behaviors. Towards the end of the 1990s, ecotourism started to make its way into the scene. One study showed that monetary gain of viewing reef sharks was 10 times more profitable than the export of all shark products coming from the same area.

As conservation laws were being enacted in the 2000s, newsletter topics shifted to the testing of gear designed to decrease shark bycatch. Real scientific methods were being used to statistically assess stocks. From those stock assessments, recommendations like waiting until blacktip sharks are at least 10 years old before harvesting to allow for reproduction were suggested. Amazingly, illustrated shark and ray guides were published and distributed to fishers for accurate identification and appropriate species-specific action. And with these guides, fishers were contributing to catch data.

In the 2010s, a huge shift towards shark and ray ecotourism was seen as profitability was hard to ignore. A single lemon shark in French Polynesia is so popular, she is expected to bring in USD $2.64 million during her 20-year lifespan! Model data, trainings, and the presence of observers increased this decade.

This current decade is seeing electronic data reporting, electronic monitoring of vessels with a history of illegal activities, and conversations on how to minimize human-shark interactions are taking place.

These newsletters offer invaluable insights into the evolving understanding and approach to marine resource conservation over the years. They showcase how human attitudes towards sharks, rays, and marine ecosystems have shifted from a focus on exploitation to a growing commitment to sustainability and ecological balance. While there is still work to be done, it's inspiring to see how much progress has been made. The knowledge gained through these publications not only reflects the lessons learned from the past but also serves as a vital tool in shaping a more sustainable future for our oceans and their inhabitants.