Fisher–shark interactions: A loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation
Abstract Targets for protecting predatory species often fail to consider the human costs of conservation. Human–wildlife interactions can increase following conservation action and present a major ecological and socioeconomic challenge. Using semistructured interviews (n = 103), participatory mappin...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Conservation Letters |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12912 |
| _version_ | 1797974685244194816 |
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| author | Danielle Robinson Steven P. Newman Mark J. Whittingham Richard M. Francksen M. Shiham Adam Selina M. Stead |
| author_facet | Danielle Robinson Steven P. Newman Mark J. Whittingham Richard M. Francksen M. Shiham Adam Selina M. Stead |
| author_sort | Danielle Robinson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Targets for protecting predatory species often fail to consider the human costs of conservation. Human–wildlife interactions can increase following conservation action and present a major ecological and socioeconomic challenge. Using semistructured interviews (n = 103), participatory mapping (n = 57) and Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (50 h) we investigated fisher‐shark interactions in one of the world's principal shark sanctuaries. Seventy‐three percent of respondents reported an increase in shark depredation postsanctuary implementation. Fisher‐reported losses due to shark depredation varied significantly between fisheries and were disproportionately high for reef fishers (>21% of daily vessel earnings). This is attributed to extensive spatial overlap (55%–78%) between reef fishing activity and ecologically validated shark hotspots. We show significant correlations between perceptions of depredation and support for shark sanctuary regulations. Findings demonstrate the need to consider fisher–shark interactions in current and future conservation planning and suggest that management of depredation must be sensitive to diverging perceptions among fisher groups. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T04:23:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-47c84473a626451bb3f8804cea5945c3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1755-263X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T04:23:43Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conservation Letters |
| spelling | doaj.art-47c84473a626451bb3f8804cea5945c32022-12-30T08:28:38ZengWileyConservation Letters1755-263X2022-11-01156n/an/a10.1111/conl.12912Fisher–shark interactions: A loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredationDanielle Robinson0Steven P. Newman1Mark J. Whittingham2Richard M. Francksen3M. Shiham Adam4Selina M. Stead5School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UKBanyan Tree Marine Lab Vabbinfaru Republic of MaldivesSchool of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UKSchool of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UKInternational Pole and Line Foundation London, United Kingdom, Marine Research Centre Malé Republic of MaldivesFaculty of Environment University of Leeds Leeds UKAbstract Targets for protecting predatory species often fail to consider the human costs of conservation. Human–wildlife interactions can increase following conservation action and present a major ecological and socioeconomic challenge. Using semistructured interviews (n = 103), participatory mapping (n = 57) and Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (50 h) we investigated fisher‐shark interactions in one of the world's principal shark sanctuaries. Seventy‐three percent of respondents reported an increase in shark depredation postsanctuary implementation. Fisher‐reported losses due to shark depredation varied significantly between fisheries and were disproportionately high for reef fishers (>21% of daily vessel earnings). This is attributed to extensive spatial overlap (55%–78%) between reef fishing activity and ecologically validated shark hotspots. We show significant correlations between perceptions of depredation and support for shark sanctuary regulations. Findings demonstrate the need to consider fisher–shark interactions in current and future conservation planning and suggest that management of depredation must be sensitive to diverging perceptions among fisher groups.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12912coral reefsdepredationfisher livelihoodhuman–wildlife conflictperceptionsshark sanctuaries |
| spellingShingle | Danielle Robinson Steven P. Newman Mark J. Whittingham Richard M. Francksen M. Shiham Adam Selina M. Stead Fisher–shark interactions: A loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation Conservation Letters coral reefs depredation fisher livelihood human–wildlife conflict perceptions shark sanctuaries |
| title | Fisher–shark interactions: A loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation |
| title_full | Fisher–shark interactions: A loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation |
| title_fullStr | Fisher–shark interactions: A loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fisher–shark interactions: A loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation |
| title_short | Fisher–shark interactions: A loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation |
| title_sort | fisher shark interactions a loss of support for the maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation |
| topic | coral reefs depredation fisher livelihood human–wildlife conflict perceptions shark sanctuaries |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12912 |
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