Elasmobranch Conservation Abstracts
Sharks, Conservationists and the "Mis-understood Creatures" Paul Cox, The Shark Trust Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Often the flagship species in our collections, we display our sharks and rays with pride. They feature in our presentations, our interpretation and they are usually the stars of our marketing literature. We commonly see sharks framed as “mis-understood creatures”; we play down the risk of shark attacks and play up the risks to shark populations though fisheries and the fin trade. Shark conservationists often seek to simplify what is, in fact, a highly complex range of issues operating at local, regional and global scale. There are a lot of people doing a lot of things in the name of shark conservation, but are we getting it right? Are we going forward or backwards? If shark conservation is to succeed, what do we need to do and what do we need to be telling the public about the business of conservation? As we seek to increase public understanding of sharks, do we risk making conservationists into “mis-understood creatures”? In 2015, Paul Cox embarked on a journey from Aquarium Director to Director of the Shark Trust, a leading NGO working globally and at local level to safeguard the future of sharks through advocacy, stakeholder collaboration and public engagement. Building on his time in the Aquarium fields, Paul now incorporates elements of conservation science, policy, science communication and conservation psychology in his work for shark conservation. Here he explores the current state of shark conservation, the signs of hope and the need to truly engage the public, through Aquariums, in a 10-year push to improve the conservation status of sharks. |
Making Connections for Sawfish:
The Role of Public Aquaria in Sawfish Biology and Conservation Paula Carlson, Katy Duke, The Dallas World Aquarium, The Deep Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Aquaria are important partners in sawfish science and conservation. Important messages are communicated to millions of aquarium visitors by providing face-to-face encounters with living sawfish in a unique educational setting. The global decline of sawfishes is increasing the need for conservation of fragile coastal habitats. Public aquaria can build on these connections, to promote conservation solutions. Collaboration across many disciplines is vital for successful conservation of sawfishes, and aquaria can contribute alongside with academic institutions, conservation organizations, field research groups, government agencies and the local populations. All stakeholders can benefit from information exchange, and the implementation of knowledge on sawfish biology, ecology, and conservation. The IUCN Shark Specialist Group’s Global Strategy for Sawfish Conservation provides a framework for collaborative sawfish conservation, including opportunities for aquaria to participate in conservation education, research and public awareness. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Studbook, population management programs for pristids, provide member facilities a forum in which to share important data collected about their animals, and work collaboratively on sawfish husbandry, research and conservation. Current research at The Deep is developing non-invasive methods of DNA collection from elasmobranch species in collaboration with the University of Manchester. These methods have produced usable quantities of material for DNA analysis which the way forward for the establishment of a central identification DNA database of captive Prist as proposed in the IUCN Strategy. These programs provide additional platforms for communication and collaboration with other stakeholders to promote sawfish science and conservation. Although the focus is on how aquaria have and can contribute to sawfish research and conservation, the greatest opportunity and need is for future collaboration with aquaria worldwide and other important stakeholders through existing as well as new programs and strategies. |
The Use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Breeding Programs for Elasmobranchs in Aquaria
Robert Jones, The Aquarium Vet Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Despite the common use of reproductive technologies in a range of terrestrial and aquatic species, relatively little work has been done with elasmobranchs. Reproductive technologies such as sperm collection and quality assessment, sperm cryopreservation, artificial insemination, and monitoring female reproductive condition and gestation could potentially be used to complement existing breeding programs for elasmobranchs in aquaria. As a greater emphasis is placed on self-sustaining elasmobranch populations, reproductive technologies will become an increasingly important component of aquarium breeding programs. Ongoing research at SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium, Australia, and Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, United Arab Emirates, aims to create a basis for future use of reproductive technologies in elasmobranchs in aquaria worldwide. Reproductive technologies have the potential to ensure sustainable captive populations of elasmobranchs, and to assist in the conservation of elasmobranch species in both the wild and captivity. The achievements to date as well as future areas of research will be discussed. |
Saving the Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias Taurus) One at a Time Robert Jones, The Aquarium Vet Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) shark is critically endangered on the east coast of Australia. Population estimates indicate that there are less than 1500 remaining and that they will be extinct within twenty to thirty years. Amongst other things, ongoing losses occur because of the impact of fishing gear (both recreational and commercial). Acting under a permit issued by NSW Fisheries, the Manly SEALIFE Sanctuary and the Sydney SEALIFE Aquarium, with The Aquarium Vet, have now performed several rescues of grey nurse sharks at Magic Point just south of Sydney. Magic Point is an aggregation site for juvenile grey nurse sharks. The first two rescued sharks have now been monitored over a period of eighteen months following their rescues. Both have thrived and grown, and have also travelled long distances from their rescue site, proving that this method of conservation works. It is hoped in the future to be able to extend this work to the entire coast of NSW where there are many sharks similarly impacted. Finally, in selected cases, it would be beneficial to transfer some sharks back to the Manly SEALIFE Sanctuary. These would be sharks that required more care or interaction than could be provided in the field (e.g. those that require endoscopy, surgery or long term monitoring). |
Biological Surveys for the Indonesian Coelacanth, Latimeria Menadoensis, as a Symbol of Coral Reef Convervation
Masamitsu Iwata, Aquamarine Fukushima, Marine Science Museum, Iwaki, Fukushima JAPAN Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The Indonesian coelacanth, Latimeria menadoensis was found at Manado, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia in 1997. This discovery in Indonesian water was a great impact on what we know about coelcanths, which had been thought to be distributed only in the Indian Ocean water off the east coast of Africa. Aquamarine Fukushima have conducted field surveys for L. menadoensis and other deep sea creatures in Indonesia in collaboration with Indonesian Institute of Science and Sam Ratulangi University since 2004. The surveys are to observe their habitat directly by using ROVs. Thirty individuals of L. menadoensis have been observed in waters north of Sulawesi Island and the north of New Guinea Island. Compared with findings of African coelacanth, L. chalumnae which occupies a large area of the east coast of Africa from Kenya to South Africa and several islands of Indian Ocean, the recent distribution of L. menadoensis is quite small. However, the total distribution may be larger and should be investigated even in Indonesian water. On the other hand, seven captured individuals were recorded. All were captured as by-catch by fisherman in North Sulawesi Province. This fishing data is being collected and will be used in conservation efforts. The coelacanth has unique characters allowing it to be an icon of conservation not only for deep sea but for adjacent coral reefs. |