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Lemon sharks are now protected by the shark fishing ban implemented in the Los Roques Archipelago off of Venezuela.: Photograph by Federico Cabello

Venezuela set forth a series of measures this week to protect sharks within its waters. Most significantly, commercial shark fishing is now prohibited throughout the 3,730 square kilometers (1,440 square miles) of the Caribbean Sea that make up the popular Los Roques and Las Aves archipelagos, whose pristine beaches and coral reefs make it a diving and fishing attraction.

A marine paradise in the Caribbean Sea, Los Roques offers a wealth of natural resources.: Photograph by Maximiliano Bello

Scientists have identified Los Roques, located about 128 kilometers (80 miles) off the Venezuelan coast, as an important breeding ground and nursery for populations of several species of sharks, including the lemon shark and the Caribbean reef shark.

Rafael Tavares on a research trip, preparing to tag a juvenile lemon shark in the lagoons of Los Roques.: Photograph by Maximiliano Bello

Shark scientist, Rafael Tavares, has been studying the lemon shark and other species in this area for more than 10 years.: Photograph by Federico Cabello“Our research has found that newborn sharks in the mangroves and cays of Los Roques migrate throughout the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean,” said Rafael Tavares, an expert with Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas (INIA), Venezuela, who has researched sharks in the region for nearly 20 years. “These new, far-reaching protections would not be possible without the support of the Los Roques community, especially the local fishermen.”

The new regulation also prohibits the practice of shark finning (cutting off the fins and dumping the body overboard at sea) and mandates that all of these animals caught in Venezuelan waters must be brought to port with their fins naturally attached.

“Venezuela’s decision to prohibit shark finning means that it now joins the rest of the countries of South America, North America, and Central America in banning this wasteful practice,” said Jill Hepp, manager of global shark conservation at the Pew Environment Group.

Tavares’ research has shown that Los Roques is one of the most important shark breeding areas of the Caribbean Sea;: protecting this area secures healthier shark populations throughout the region. Photograph by Federico Cabello

“Combined with the breeding ground safe haven in Los Roques and Las Aves, this is the latest step in the growing global movement to save these magnificent animals.”

Sharks are highly susceptible to overfishing because of biological characteristics such as long life, low birthrate, and few offspring. It is estimated that up to 73 million are killed annually for their fins, primarily due to increased demand for shark fin soup.

Local fishermen have committed to protecting sharks in order to maintain the health of the ocean environment.: Photograph by Federico Cabello

This news is from the Pew Environment Group, 20 June 2012. 

Note:

The Pew Environment Group is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a nongovernmental organization that works globally to establish pragmatic, science-based policies that protect our oceans, preserve our wildlands, and promote clean energy. For more information, visit www.PewEnvironment.org<http://www.PewEnvironment.org>.