CEI: Sharks generate $114 mil. annually as ecotourism attraction

One month after Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard suggested that it is up for debate whether to continue the full protection of sharks in The Bahamas, or allow for commercial harvesting on a temporary basis, The Bahamas is being praised in international circles for having the healthiest shark population in the region, which brings $114 million into the country annually as an ecotourism attraction.

A press statement, released by the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI), The Moore Charitable Foundation and Global FinPrint at Florida International University, explained that one of CEI’s studies determined that much of that $114 million is injected into “economically depressed areas like the Family Islands”, by ecotourists.

According to the statement, global shark population study Global FinPrint found The Bahamas to be one of the remaining areas of the world where shark populations are stable.

“Shark species around the world have suffered large declines for decades due to overfishing and other human pressures, with reef sharks particularly impacted because of their habitat’s proximity to large human population centers,” the release noted.

“Not so in The Bahamas, where populations of reef sharks and several other species have remained stable for decades due to the country’s long history of forward-thinking conservation policies, according to the researchers behind a major international study.

“Global FinPrint, the largest ever shark population survey of its kind, said the incredible conservation success of The Bahamas is due in large part to the hard work and foresight of local researchers, as well as official institutions such as the Bahamas National Trust and the Department of Marine Resources.”

According to the release, Global FinPrint found that reef sharks are more abundant in The Bahamas compared to other jurisdictions across the Caribbean.

CEI Director Dr. Nick Higgs said in the release that studies show shark populations have been stable in The Bahamas for about 30 years.

“The Shark Research and Conservation program at the Cape Eleuthera Institute has been studying sharks in The Bahamas for over 15 years and we are proud to be a part of this landmark study, showing that The Bahamas has some of the healthiest shark populations in the world,” said Higgs.

“The contrast with local neighbors like the Dominican Republic is striking, where reef sharks were virtually absent. And we know that it’s not because of any recent spike in shark numbers here.”

The CEI statement explained that sharks have attracted myriad people to this country.

“The Bahamas attracts divers, wildlife photographers, filmmakers and scientists who wish to interact with and study its healthy shark populations,” the release stated. 

Lead scientist of Global FinPrint at Florida International University Demian Chapman said in the release that The Bahamas is an important regional refuge for reef-associated sharks, He called this country a world leader for banning shark fishing and other destructive fishing practices.

The Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance (BCFA) noted in a statement last month that it wants to see the commercial harvesting of sharks on a temporary basis.

Pintard last month said in response that there is anecdotal evidence that there are more sharks impacting the food chain. However, he said data will have to show what the extent of that proliferation is and how shark patterns have changed and led to this position taken by fishermen.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/cei-sharks-generate-114-mil-annually-as-ecotourism-attraction/