Social Factors Affecting Sustainable Shark Conservation and Management in Belize

Stephanie M Sabbagh,Gordon M Hickey

doi:10.3390/su12010040

Abstract

Predatory sharks contribute to healthy coral reef ecosystems; however their populations are declining. This paper explores some of the important social factors affecting shark conservation outcomes in Belize through a qualitative analysis of the shark-related activities, attitudes and perceptions among local stakeholders and their perceived relative ability to influence shark conservation policies. Drawing on key informant interviews and focus groups, respondents suggested that considerable demand for shark meat originates from markets in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, especially during Lent, driving larger-scale shark fishing operations within Belize waters. Different stakeholders reported a wide range of uses for shark products, and reported diverging perceptions concerning the status and value of shark populations in Belize, with conflicting attitudes towards their conservation. Such conflicting perceptions among stakeholders can pose a serious challenge to sustainable shark conservation and management, and ultimately undermine collaborative governance objectives. Belize shark conservation issues likely need to be addressed at the scale of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, perhaps by taking a transboundary approach that better accounts for the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders from Belize, Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.

Highlights

Predatory sharks feed on the animals below them in the food web and play an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems [1,2], and ensuring the resilience of coral reefs [1,3,4,5]
This paper explores some of the complex social factors affecting sustainable shark conservation outcomes in Belize, using the words and stories of stakeholders concerning their shark-related activities, attitudes and perceptions, as well as their perceptions of the other stakeholders involved in shark management
The diverging viewpoints we found concerning shark population trends, illegal and unreported fishing activities and market demand for shark products within Belize, combined with a general perception that not enough scientific information is available to support action, suggest major social barriers to realizing collaborative governance among the stakeholders involved in shark conservation and management

Summary

Introduction

Predatory sharks feed on the animals below them in the food web and play an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems [1,2], and ensuring the resilience of coral reefs [1,3,4,5]. There is increasing scientific concern over the fishing of sharks and rays [6,7,8], which has made them “among the most valuable and vulnerable species in the sea” [9]. The protection of sharks and rays is a recognized priority in international marine conservation [5,18,19,20,21,22,23]. The global ocean is estimated to have experienced a 90% loss of large predatory fish, while the Gulf of Thailand alone “lost 60% of large finfish, sharks and skates during the first five years of industrialized trawl fishing” [8]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion