Dear Minister
Thank you for
taking the time to read this.
We, as concerned
South Africans, scuba divers and tourism
operators are deeply concerned that the EU and the USA have been opposing
urgent action, in direct opposition to scientific advice, to prevent the
collapse of the endangered North Atlantic Shortfin
Mako shark.
It saddens us to
see the EU and USA shy away from their leadership role as a science-based,
global champion of shark conservation.
Obstructing
international action on protection of Mako
sharks not only harms the shark population, but risks cascading negative
effects on the ecosystem and the responsible, sustainable businesses that
depend on it.
We understand
that ICCAT will resume Mako negotiations in July. We are hopeful that South
Africa will soon announce its support for the proposal from Senegal and Canada
to establish science-based Mako catch limits (a
North Atlantic ban and a 2001t South Atlantic quota). We look forward to your
confirmation of this position and discussing how we can work together to ensure
success.
We kindly urge
you to act in the best interests of our vulnerable oceanic ecosystem and
valuable dive tourism industry by protecting our most imperiled shark
populations.
Dive tourism in
South Africa is a multi-million Rand industry and provides thousands of jobs,
enough so that we as a country, should have significant interest in ensuring
the long-term health of our marine ecosystem. This not only secures jobs but
also food security. As we adapt after the recent COVID-19
induced lockdowns and subsequent financial collapse - to save what is left of our
industry, and to look forward to a possible robust
reopening - we are keenly aware that improving ocean health by preventing
further depletion of key predators is paramount to our and South Africa’s success.
We trust you will do the right thing.
Thank you.
Sharks are
crucial to marine ecosystems. They maintain a balance in populations of prey
species and keep the ocean healthy by removing ill or diseased animals. They
are also an important resource supporting local economies through fishing and
as an attraction to dive tourists. Sharks are in a global decline. Overfishing
has reduced many shark populations around the world to levels that threaten
their continued existence. Shark numbers have fallen by more than 80% in many
cases, and the continued existence of some species is at immediate risk in some
regions.
Project
AWARE is part of a group of organizations known as the Shark League -http://www.sharkleague.org/
- advocating shark conservation in global fisheries.
One of the
major ways they do this is to show the importance of sharks to the dive
community, which is a large sector of many countries’ tourism economies, such
as South Africa’s.
One specific
species that the Shark League is looking to protect from overfishing is the Shortfin Mako shark in
the Atlantic Ocean, where it is caught without
any limits by fishing vessels mainly from the US and Europe.
South
Africa is an important country that decides on conservation measures for the
Atlantic, via an inter-governmental decision body known as ICCAT (The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas).
ICCAT has representatives from every country that fishes in the Atlantic, which
meets every year to decide how much fish (tuna, swordfish, sharks etc.) can be
caught in the Atlantic.
Shortfin Mako sharks are caught in tuna fisheries and kept for
their meat and fins.
In 2019, Shortfin Mako sharks
were classed as Endangered due to overfishing. Their populations are so low
that fisheries scientists recommend a complete ban on catching them to give
them a chance to recover. Even if catches stopped today, populations still would
not return to full health until 2045. Although South Africa is a country that does
not catch Mako sharks, it still has not yet
supported the call to end overfishing of this species.
We want everyone
here to help Project AWARE make South Africa a Mako
shark champion. As mentioned, ICCAT is the organization that makes decisions on
how many fish (including Mako sharks) can be caught in the
Atlantic. Despite the scientists recommending an emergency stop on all catches,
there are still not enough countries calling for a ban on Mako catches.
There are
several countries, led by Canada and Senegal, and backed up by others such as
China, Japan, Taiwan, Uruguay and Egypt that are calling to end Mako fishing, but they are being blocked by the US and
the European Union.
So far, South
Africa has not voiced its support to end Mako
shark overfishing. This is where Project AWARE needs your help in calling for
South Africans to support protecting endangered Mako
sharks!
We are taking action by making divers aware of the
plight of the Mako, what YOU can do to help is read through and sign the pettition
adressed to South Africa Minister of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries,
Barbara Creecy and our Minister of the Department of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi -Ngubane.
You can further help our awarenes campaign by tagging
#maketime4makos and #divers4mako every time you post a diving pic on your
social platform of choice. This should create a vibe we hope that spreads to
other divers and public alike!
You can also do your PADI Aware
Shark Conservation Speciality by contacting any of the PADI centres and
Instructors listed below and become an ambasador for Sharks! Courses are
severely discounted as we have received limited sponsorship from Project Aware
to promote our cause!
Our Partners
