The Caribbean Shark Coalition
Over 40 organizations representing 29 countries join to form the Caribbean Shark Coalition (CSC). Founded in 2020, the CSC is a collection of member experts from NGOs, local communities, intergovernmental organizations and governments, academia, and policy institutes working together to advance the study and conservation of Caribbean sharks and rays.
The CSC was founded by Beneath the Waves (BTW) and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) in response to international calls for enhanced collaborative conservation efforts for Caribbean sharks and rays.
The Caribbean sea plays a key role in advancing the global target of protecting 30% of Earth’s ocean by 2030. To achieve this vision, the CSC has 3 primary goals achievable through collaborative work.
Goal 1
Firstly, the CSC plans to foster collaboration in shark and ray research, policy, and capacity building for conservation among stakeholders. They also plan to provide opportunities for knowledge transfer and data synthesis. These goals are extremely beneficial for migratory species who travel throughout the Caribbean.
Goal 2
The CSC will safeguard the long-term health of shark and ray populations. Safeguarding sharks and rays will promote the protection of critical habitats. Sharks and rays are crucial in keeping marine ecosystems balanced.
Goal 3
Lastly, the CSC aims to promote a sustainable future for shark and ray species. On land, the CSC also aims to benefit human livelihoods who depend on marine ecosystems for sustenance.
Takeaways
Dr. Austin Gallagher, the chief scientist at BTW, is thrilled about the collaboration. “Over the years, we’ve had so many stakeholders from throughout the region express their interest in getting engaged in basic research or education around sharks, but a lack of resources or technical or operational expertise limited them from taking action,” Gallagher claims. He adds, “We hope the coalition can play a role in creating that friendly, open, and supportive community those voices have been looking for.”
Tadzio Bervoets, director of DCNA, is ecstatic about the CSC, claiming that “this is a historic moment for marine conservation efforts in the Caribbean.” Bervoets claims that “we have been calling for transboundary marine protections in these waters, as we know that these apex predators are connecting ecosystems, reefs, fisheries, and nutrients across Exclusive Economic Zones. The CSC will help us find and address critical knowledge gaps around sharks and rays in the region and support collaborative research projects.”
Conclusion
Caribbean Shark Coalition is comprised of a variety of figures striving to protect sharks and rays. NGOs, local communities, intergovernmental organizations and governments, academia, policy institutes, and local business will all collaborate to advance the study and conservation of sharks and rays found in the Caribbean.
The CSC provides cross-disciplinary training, region-wide assessments and will issue grants to CSC-member projects. They will represent the interests and goals of members, sharks, and ray species of the Caribbean at the United Nations. The CSC will also work at the Regional Activity Center for the SPAW Protocols of the Cartagena, the IUCN-Caribbean, CITES, CMS, CBD, and other international gatherings.