Marine Life & Conservation
BRUVs Shark Research in Raja Ampat
Conservation International (CI)’s Mark Erdmann previously blogged about the Bird’s Head Seascape surpassing the milestone of 1750 reef fish species recorded, leaving no doubt as to where the global heart of marine biodiversity lies. The remote tropical islands of Raja Ampat, West Papua, are the epicenter of this marine richness, and may be a haven for shark diversity in particular – That’s what we’re in the process of finding out with Conservation International’s science and monitoring team, through an innovative shark research program.
Sharks are ancient animals and are important for healthy oceans, yet they are threatened with extinction. The people of Raja Ampat traditionally live harmoniously with nature, but outside threats are encroaching. Guardians of their natural heritage, local people, supported by international partner organizations CI and TNC, set up Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for conservation (Watch a tribute to the “Guardians of Raja Ampat”). Additionally, in 2012 the local government declared the entire region an official “Shark Sanctuary” through a law that protects all sharks and rays, as well as other charismatic key species, such as dugong, sea turtles and endemic species. This was a positive step in recognizing the benefits of healthy elasmobranch (cartilaginous fish, such as sharks and rays) populations for local communities, both economically and ecologically.
These management initiatives, combined with effective patrol & enforcement, and understanding shark populations, should help locals manage MPAs to protect these charismatic species, thus helping improve food security and alternative livelihoods through tourism. The mantanomics are sound, and the revenue that could be brought in by shark tourism is probably comparable.
Light Rays, Reflection – Blacktip Reef Shark
We are working to complete the final stage of a study to assess the current status of shark populations in the Raja Ampat archipelago – and will be making a second bid on collecting the data for the final piece of the puzzle, working together with Misool Eco Resort in the spring!
Research uses BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater Video) to analyze shark diversity and relative abundance between no-take and fished sites over depth gradients. This study provides baseline data to enable assessment of the impact of management efforts related to Patrol & Enforcement, and Outreach & Education, of both the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the Shark Sanctuary as a whole throughout Raja Ampat.
BRUV structures
The first field data collection trip was a great collaboration where we learned a lot and ultimately went exceedingly well. Despite many challenges, including rough weather and wild sea conditions, the disciplined, hard-working team completed monitoring at Wayag MPA, Dampier MPA and the Fam Islands. GoPro cameras were submerged in shallow, medium and deep waters at a minimum distance of 500m from one another, and left to record for one hour. In 15 days of surveying we successfully completed 470 camera drops – two more trips got the tally up to almost 1000, now including Ayau, Kofiau and Mayalibit Bay MPAs as well!
CI BRUV team
Although completing data analysis is taking longer than anticipated, preliminary reviews suggest that approximately 50% of the videos captured contain images of sharks. At least nine different species of shark were recorded, including the common black- and white-tip and grey reef sharks, tawny nurse shark, banded bamboo shark, and an exciting first for Raja Ampat (and thus a +1 for the Raja Ampat species count), Hemipristis elongata, more commonly known as the “Snaggle-toothed shark”.
Hemipristis elongata
Mobulas
In addition to the sharks, many other interesting and unexpected appearances on camera included mantas, mobulas, eagle rays, golden cow-nosed rays, turtles, spanner crabs and moray eels. We were disappointed to catch many remora without hosts on camera… and have come up with a new slogan for a “Shark Savers”campaign: Save the Sharks – the ramoras are getting lonely!
Remora
Onboard CI’s research vessel, the team also hosted the well-known TV presenter Riyanni Djangkaru and her Trans7 TV crew for two days, while they filmed our activities. Riyanni is actively supporting the nation-wide Save Sharks campaign, and we hope her effort to document the BRUV project in Raja Ampat will raise awareness throughout the country and be a positive force in the larger-scale shark conservation efforts.
Indonesia has the largest shark fishery in the world and is thus an important place to focus shark research and conservation efforts. The more we know about these cool, ancient animals, the better we can protect them. We hope that data from these surveys will help the campaign to protect sharks on a national level – much the same way we were able to convince the government to pass national legislation to protect manta rays a year ago.
Say CHEESE, Sharkies!!!
To view the project video click here: VIDEO
This project was a joint initiative between Conservation International (CI), the Raja Ampat government, RRU (Royal Roads University) and NSERC (The Canadian National Science and Engineering Research Council), in collaboration with Raja Ampat Research and Conservation Centre, Misool Eco Resort and Baseftin Foundation, local communities and with support from Walton Family Foundation, Allchin family’s Sunbridge Foundation, the Friend family’s Nicole Friend Memorial Trust. For a complete list see credits at end of video.
This holiday period, the Marine Conservation Society, the UK’s leading ocean membership charity, invites you to make some simple changes to eating fish this Christmas to help our seas.
Dr Kenneth Bodles, Head of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Marine Conservation Society, said, “During the festive season, our consumption increases, but so does waste. Sustainability isn’t just about where food comes from – it’s also about how you use it. By reducing waste and making the most out of your seafood, you’re not only taking steps to be more ocean-friendly, but can also help to cut costs during what is often one of the most expensive times of the year”.
The Marine Conservation Society has compiled twelve tips on how to consume seafood sustainably with zero-waste this Christmas:
Buy whole fish instead of fillets
Instead of fillets, consider buying whole fish such as salmon, hake, or lemon sole. By adopting a “nose to tail” approach with cooking, whole-baked fish not only feeds a crowd, but also helps to minimise waste and maximise sustainability by using up every part of the animal, including bones, skin, and fat.
Make fish stock
Leftover fish bones or shells can be put to good use by boiling them to make a nourishing fish stock or bisque. This can be frozen and preserved for later use and makes for a flavourful base in a soup.
Make your own fish pâté
Avoid waste by turning leftover fish, such as smoked mackerel or salmon, into a delicious pâté by blending with cream cheese and lemon. Perfect when paired with crackers.
The sustainability of salmon and mackerel varies depending on where and how it is caught or farmed. For more information on green-rated options, check the charity’s Good Fish Guide.
Buy frozen
By purchasing seafood that is frozen or vacuum-packed, this helps to reduce waste by extending the shelf life of your food.
Fish pie
If you’re wondering what to do with leftover cooked fish, why not opt for a classic fish pie with mashed potatoes, leeks, and a cheesy sauce? A sure crowd pleaser on Boxing Day.
Use the head
Don’t forget the fish head! The meat is incredibly tender and flavourful. The charity recommends a cod’s head curry or recreating Fallow’s renowned cod’s head in siracha butter.
By stretching your ingredients further, not only is this a more sustainable way to enjoy seafood, but also cost-effective by repurposing leftovers and cooking creatively.
Boxing Day brunch
Mix leftover kippers or smoked salmon with scrambled eggs for a tasty, zero-waste, Boxing Day brunch.
For best choice, make sure you buy kippers, or herring, from the North Sea and the North Irish Sea.
Zero-waste storage
A top tip from the Marine Conservation Society to avoid waste is freezing fish offcuts to save for future use.
Crisp up the skin
Even leftover fish skin can be turned into a quick savoury snack by crisping it up in an air fryer with a little olive oil and salt.
Anchovies two ways
Leftover anchovies can either be blended with butter to make a delicious anchovy butter or tossed into pasta for a hit of umami flavour.
The charity recommends opting for anchovies caught in the Bay of Biscay for best choice.
Fishcakes
For an easy, zero-waste meal, leftover seafood trimmings can be mixed with mash and fried in breadcrumbs to make fishcakes.
Pickled mussels
Try pickling mussels in 1:1 vinegar and water, with a dash of sugar for a sustainable, zero-waste snack that can be enjoyed well beyond the festive season.
Mussels farmed in the UK are a seafood superhero. Grown using low-impact methods and harvested by hand, they get all the food they need from the sea around them. This makes them one of the most sustainable, ocean-friendly, and cost-effective seafood options.
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised £6.6M towards the Marine Conservation Society’s vital work in making seafood more sustainable.
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Fish is a festive favourite for many, but making sustainable choices when it comes to how we buy and eat seafood makes all the difference for our ocean. Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery has helped the Marine Conservation Society further its sustainable seafood work, so that we can all enjoy healthier, better protected seas.”
The Marine Conservation Society encourages you to make sustainable seafood choices a year-round habit, not just for Christmas. To check how sustainable the seafood on your plate is, you can visit the charity’s Good Fish Guide. The Guide helps consumers and businesses identify the most sustainable seafood using a simple traffic light system, based on where and how species are caught or farmed. Green is the best choice, amber means improvements are needed, and red indicates fish to avoid buying.
Zero-waste gift idea
Why not embrace a zero-waste Christmas by gifting a membership to support marine conservation? It’s a meaningful, low-waste gift that helps protect our ocean for generations to come. Memberships start from as little as £5 a month – the price of a sandwich and drink from your local coffee shop.
Find the latest sustainable seafood advice for wild-caught and farmed seafood on the Good Fish Guide, downloadable to your phone from www.mcsuk.org/goodfishguide.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
-
- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
-
- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
-
- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
-
- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
-
- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
-
News2 months agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
News2 months agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Gear News2 months agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News2 months agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Gear News2 months agoTry BARE drysuits (and maybe even win one!) this Friday with Sea & Sea at North West Dive Fest
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months agoBook Review: Coral Triangle Cameos
-
News2 months ago2024 Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition Announced
-
Blogs2 months agoDive the Egyptian Red Sea this Autumn with Regaldive