PROTECTING THE LAST TRUE FRONTIER THE SEA COMPRISES OVER 70% OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE WITH A BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND COMPLEXITY THAT FAR EXCEEDS THAT OF TERRESTRIAL EARTH. OUR WATER PLANET

Can you remember the first time you saw That single moment led to a life-time’s SOSF is well respected for the the sea: the waves crashing on the beach fascination – since then, he has spent innovative and pioneering marine and water stretching far away to the most of his life near or underneath research work that it has supported horizon? The Founder of Save Our Seas the water, exploring the great oceans and undertaken. It has helped to Foundation (SOSF), born in the heart of of the world and discovering the create awareness around issues of the desert, caught his first glimpse of marine creatures that inhabit them. pollution, over fishing, land the ocean as a boy and fell in love with Passionate about this underwater reclamation and climate change, and is the seas and the magical other world world to which we owe so much and fully engaged with educating children that they revealed. yet know so little about, his wish was about the role they have to play in to give something back, to nurture preserving the oceans. and invest for future generations. Establishing SOSF, a marine conservation charity, was the fulfilment of that dream.

2 SAVE OUR SEAS FOUNDATION – HOW ONE MAN’S VISION BECAME A REALITY.

3 TROUBLED WATERS

A billion people a year rely on the sea Alongside this, the pollution of our In February 2005, the Kyoto Agreement for their daily food source. In another ocean waters is destroying marine came in effect with a commitment to 10 to 20 years, millions more will habitats, threatening the very reduce green-house gas emissions to depend on this same resource. At the existence of many species. Bound up less than that of 1990; bringing global current fishing rate, there will be far in this cycle are the vast quantities pollution down 5.2% by 2012. It is less ocean life to sustain a much higher of krill, tiny planktonic crustaceans, hoped that this will help to reverse, or world population. Technology has that provide a vital link in the global at least halt, the damage done to date. accelerated, increasing the commercial food chain to feed some of the largest During the summer of 2006, a joint fishing industry's ability to locate and and smallest creatures in the sea. report from the United Nations harvest vast amounts of fish stock. The Eliminating any of these food sources Environment Program (UNEP) and the techniques employed are often cruel creates devastating consequences. World Conservation Union (IUCN) called and indiscriminate: long lines and drift The effects of climate change have on governments to take swift and wide- nets are amongst the most insidious already been well documented with ranging actions to conserve the world’s killers of sea life. They snare everything unusually high sea temperatures entire marine environment amid fears that falls within their path from sea destroying coral reefs and vast that humankind’s exploitation of the lions and dolphins to rare basking numbers of fish. The tsunami, that hit deep seas and open oceans is rapidly sharks and even endangered whales. Asia in late 2004, had a devastating passing the point of no return. “Well The practice of shark finning (removing effect on the lives of the people of over 60% of the marine world and its the fins for food) has skyrocketed the area and again highlighted the rich biodiversity, found beyond the and the World Wildlife Federation need to protect and preserve the limits of national jurisdiction, is estimates that up to 100 million sharks marine environment. All the evidence are killed every year. suggests that the impact was much worse where the healthy mangroves and coral reefs – natural defences – had been destroyed or degraded by irresponsible coastal development for industry or tourism.

4 vulnerable and at increasing risk,” said Whilst this confirms what biologists and Ibrahim Thiaw, Acting Director General environmentalist have been saying for of IUCN. “Governments must urgently many years now, this focus on raising develop the guidelines, rules and actions the public’s awareness of the impact needed to bridge this gulf. Otherwise and effect that fisheries, pollution and we stand to lose and to irrevocably global climate change are having on the damage unique wildlife and critical marine world can only bring about ecosystems, many of which moderate positive change. It is not the politicians our very existence on the planet.” who drive the agenda for preserving and conserving the planet, but rather the In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on people – knowing that we all have the Climate Change reported unequivocal ability to make a difference by the warming of the climate system, causing actions we take every day. rising sea levels and water temperatures with devastating effects on the marine environment.

5 SOSF HAS ESTABLISHED A SOUND AND STABLE PROJECT PORTFOLIO IN A BROAD SPECTRUM OF MARINE AREAS

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

From six inaugural projects initiated in “This project brought together a We provided a long-range performance 2002, SOSF has to date funded over 55 number of things that have become patrol boat that has enabled the park projects in 30 countries around the world central to the work that SOSF strives rangers patrolling the Cocos Island – an incredible result in such a short space to achieve: contributing to the bigger Marine Reserve, off the coast of time. SOSF Executive Director, Chris picture in terms of global marine of Costa Rica, to dramatically reduce Clarke talks about how this has been conservation and showing that, by the illegal fishing of the scalloped achieved and about future plans that our actions, we can help to make a hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) will build on the success so far. difference. By raising awareness and that frequent the waters. implementing initiatives about the Research into the ecology of the silky We financed the M-Sea marine plight of the Red Sea coral reefs among shark within the Red Sea was the first science education and awareness the local community, SOSF has helped project, formed in conjunction with the campaign, releasing a ragged tooth to establish a marine protected area. University of London. Today this has shark (Carcharias taurus), from the grown into an invaluable global In 2000, through contacts made during Two Oceans Aquarium in South Africa, database. The Red Sea, as the world’s global diving expeditions, financial back into the wild with satellite youngest ocean (at just over five million support was provided to enable the tracking equipment that provided years old), is a unique and diverse satellite tagging and DNA sampling of information about the migration and marine environment, covering over the giant manta rays (Manta birostris) off habits of the ragged tooth sharks 440,000 square kilometers. Having the coast of Mexico to help determine living in African waters. survived major ice ages and large migratory patterns and the impact of Financial support was also provided for variations in sea levels, the studies fishing on this species. a research doctorate into the behavioral within the Red Sea also highlighted the In the Iziko South African Museum ecology of white sharks (Carcharadon rapid decline of its reef-building corals. in Cape Town, we supported a large carcharias) in False Bay, South Africa The Red Sea is home to a myriad of ‘Sharkworld’ exhibition, that identifies in order to gain insights into and help marine species, including a variety of the origin, evolution and diversity of establish guidelines for the protection of pelagic fish and apex predators such as sharks worldwide. It provides key this endangered species. silky sharks not generally seen around information to help dispel the numerous inshore reefs. The quality and stability These projects marked the first stages negative myths about their behavior. of the reef ecosystem is being damaged in promoting the importance of by a combination of over-fishing, preserving our fragile marine ecology. commercial development, pollution and The founder could see the importance global warming. of scientific knowledge in informing and influencing governments, industry and

6 the public about the need for better As the scope of SOSF work has Alongside its funding of research into protection of both marine creatures broadened, the number of potential marine environmental and conservation and their habitats. Establishing SOSF projects requesting financial backing issues, SOSF’s investment in expanding has enabled him to leave a lasting has increased. On average, SOSF now educational programs is also fundamental. legacy for future generations. receives some 200 proposals for funds Raising awareness among adults about annually. All projects are monitored pollution and over-fishing is important In September 2003, SOSF was officially with regular reporting and feedback but, perhaps more crucially, instilling the registered as a Swiss foundation, with to ensure that they are fulfilling their right attitude towards the use and abuse headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. agreed targets. SOSF has earned a great of the planet’s natural resources from an The mission statement for the deal of respect both because of its early age will have a profound effect on organization: ‘Awareness, protection, professionalism, and the quality of the the future. Educating the next generation preservation and conservation of the projects supported. about their responsibilities for the global marine environment’ is at the oceans is an important part of the heart of the projects that we initialize SOSF is now trademarked and Founder’s philosophy. and support. registered around the world. We have established ourselves as an organization His astute and visionary perception was Any proposals that fulfil the key with a sound scientific base through the evident as far back as 1998, when he objectives of the mission statement projects and the invaluable data that began documenting the extraordinary are considered – the Founder himself they are feeding into scientific and marine world using cutting edge High is involved in this process and he is environmental research networks. Our Definition(HD) video. This format is the supported by an advisory committee websites provide a substantial bank of highest quality digital video currently of specialists, each with their own information: for general interest; for available; the technology vastly particular area of marine expertise. researchers; for teachers and for improves the clarity of images captured Every project is reviewed on its own children and teenagers to make them underwater. It has since been used merit. Proposals with a strong more aware of the amazing underwater to record the various SOSF research scientific basis for research and a world on their doorsteps and how they projects being undertaken around the component to educate and raise can help protect it. world. To date, we have accumulated over awareness among children are most 500 hours of HD footage. Some of this likely to receive funding from the footage has been used to create stunning SOSF Board. documentaries, winning acclaim and awards at international film festivals and environmental conferences.

7 Advisory committee

Dr Rupert Ormond – well-known marine Dr Robert Rubin – professor of biology ecologist, former director of the London at Santa Rosa Community College, University Marine Biological Station and California, USA who has conducted now the chief scientific officer of the SOSF. pioneering fieldwork into the ecology of manta rays. Tom Campbell – acclaimed award- winning cinematographer who has helped Carl Lundin – head of global marine the Founder pioneer the use of HD in program, IUCN, World Conservation

underwater filming. Union, Switzerland Rupert Ormond, SOSF chief scientific officer Dr Leonard Compagno – curator of fishes Hagen Schmid – author, marine at Iziko South African Museum and chief photographer and conservationist, scientist of the Shark Research Center, Germany South Africa.

8 Documentaries are one way in which we research and sharing technology and New SOSF branches are also being have been able to get the message about information to highlight global trends established in the Seychelles and SOSF and marine conservation to a wider and migration patterns of marine Austria. Ambitious developments are audience. What has become apparent is species – something that is almost also in the pipeline for the next 3-5 the lack of knowledge and even unheard of in scientific circles. There is years with offices planned for America misinformation that the general public also a noticeable change in people’s and the UK. To facilitate our global has about many marine creatures. This is perceptions about the marine expansion, external donations from key something SOSF is also trying to rectify. environment – although there’s obviously sponsors will now be accepted. The A documentary, made in conjunction with still a lot more to do. I’d like to think that Founder’s dream has certainly become a WildAid in China, about the decimation SOSF has contributed to this increased living reality providing a positive legacy of the shark populations to meet the awareness. What is also encouraging is for future generations. demand for shark-fin soup (a Chinese the number of other companies and delicacy), reached an estimated 200 organisations that we work with who million viewers in China. Going forward, share our passion for the need to protect fulltime HD production is definitely on our fragile marine environment. the agenda as a means of reaching more SOSF now has a sound and stable people through the internet and sites like project portfolio in a broad spectrum of YouTube where numerous SOSF podcasts marine areas. Our future projects will are already available. focus more on sharks and rays; as apex Unlike many other small organizations predators, they are indicators of the Chris Clarke, SOSF that need to devote huge amounts of health of our oceans. The Save Our Seas Executive Director their time and energy to raise funds, the Shark Research Centre has been generous financial support of the established in South Africa to co- Founder has given SOSF the freedom to ordinate the needs of our global pursue and focus on the goals set out in research scientists. We plan to showcase the mission statement. This in turn has the work of the Foundation by hosting a enabled us to promote and build scientific symposium in 2008 to mark the awareness far more rapidly than would grand opening of the Centre. otherwise have been possible.

Over the last year, we have begun to see collaborations among our project leaders around the world-pooling

9 SAVE OUR SEAS FOUNDATION AROUND THE WORLD

AUSTRALIA BAHAMAS CHINA COSTA RICA Sevengill shark in Australia Bull sharks in the Bahamas SOSF on Chinese television Protecting hammerhead This PhD study, financed by Tagging of bull sharks China is one of the biggest sharks in Costa Rica SOSF explores the interaction (Carcharhinus leucas) has helped consumers of shark-fin Providing a patrol boat for the of the sevengill shark to reveal and protect the products. An SOSF television Costa Rica Parks Authority of (Notorynchus cepedianus) with breeding grounds in the coastal special, co-produced with WildAid Cocos Island, a nature reserve off the fisheries in the Tasmanian waters of the Bahamas. to highlight the need for the coast of Costa Rica, to help inshore ecosystem. conservation, reached an audience protect scalloped hammerhead of some 200 million people. sharks (Sphyrna lewini).

10 EUROPE FIJI IRELAND MALDIVES Improving water quality in Bull sharks in Fiji Grey seals in Ireland Manta rays in the Maldives Europe and North America Tagging of bull sharks SOSF funding will adapt this The protection and SOSF has commissioned an (Carcharhinus leucas) has award-winning film for viewing understanding of the manta ray indepth study of experimental helped to reveal and protect by children. It tells the story of a (Manta birostris) and its habitat research into the use of the breeding grounds in seal colony on Blasket Island in are key to the development of cultured bivalves as biofilters the coastal waters of Fiji. County Kerry, Grey seals – Life the recreational diving and for improving water quality on the edge. tourist industry of the with a view to possibly funding Republic of Maldives. further research.

11 MEXICO Whale sharks in the Sea Whale sharks of Mozambique SEYCHELLES Giant manta ray of Cortez A long-term study of Whale sharks in the Seychelles migration in Mexico Providing a research boat to the residency patterns, This project studies the Supporting research trips to continue the study of the whale feeding ecology, migratory occurrence, behaviour and satellite tag and collect DNA sharks (Rhincodon typus) from linkages and conservation conservation biology of whale samples from the giant manta the Gulf of California, off the requirements of whale sharks shark (Rhincodon typus) in rays (Manta birostris) in a remote Mexican coast, This project is in Mozambican waters. Seychelles waters, with a view area off the coast of Mexico. focused on population structure to developing a management SAUDI ARABIA using genetics and photo-ID. strategy for the species . Saving the turtle dance Creating a marine protected The information is contributing Documenting in HD, the area in the Red Sea, SOUTH AFRICA to the tourist management for extraordinary story of the rare Saudi Arabia Sharkworld at the the species. Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys Creating a natural reserve in South African Museum of kempi) sea turtle and a MOZAMBIQUE the Red Sea, off the coast of Natural History US/Mexican partnership Indo-Pacific Humpback Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with Sponsorship of Sharkworld, a to protect it. Dolphins in Mozambique extensive research projects modern new gallery and audio SOSF research monitored the into the ecology of reef fauna visual theater at the South African Whale sharks of Holbox population and behavior of the and flora. Museum of Natural History in Teenage filmmaker, Michael rare humpback dolphins (Sousa Cape Town, South Africa. Wham is already winning Silky shark in Saudi Arabia chinensis) that inhabit the awards for his cinematography, Funding a postgraduate study Releasing Maxine, Cape Town waters around Inhaca Island, including SOSF-funded Whale (in conjunction with London Releasing Maxine, a ragged tooth Mozambique. sharks of Holbox, filmed off the University) on the tagging, shark (Carcharias taurus), from coast of Mexico. Manta rays in Mozambique migration, behavior and the Two Oceans Aquarium in A five-year doctoral study, population dynamics of the South Africa into the sea in 2004. funded by SOSF, exploring the little known silky shark Her release (satellite-tagged) population dynamics and (Carcharhinus falciformis). back into the wild was also told reproductive behavior of the in a documentary sponsored giant manta rays (Manta by SOSF and led to the birostris) off the coast of establishment of Maxine Science, Mozambique. Education & Awareness Project (M-Sea), aimed at educating children about the challenges facing marine life.

12 PRESERVING OUR FRAGILE MARINE ECOLOGY

Behavioral ecology of great UK Dive into your imagination Partnership with the white sharks Basking shark conservation This interactive DVD uses actual London Aquarium White shark (Carcharodon in Scotland footage of marine animals to SOSF has established a mutually carcharias) conservation in Cape A study, focusing on the basking educate and entertain children beneficial relationship with Town, a collaborative research shark (Cetorhinus maximus) about the colorful creatures of the London Aquarium, using it program researching multiple population along the west coast our oceans. as a highly effective distribution facets of white shark behavior of Scotland, will provide key channel for SOSF literature Improving water quality and ecology. information for species whilst also sponsoring a SOSF has commissioned an conservation and management. Tiger sharks off the Kwazulu- permanent underwater indepth study of experimental Natal Coast Blue sharks in the photographic exhibition. research into the use of This study aims to understand North-east Atlantic cultured bivalves as biofilters US the behavior, movements and A three-year study into blue for improving water quality Bringing the ocean to the land residency patterns of tiger sharks, shark (Prionace glauca) with a view to possibly funding SOSF sponsored SisBro in the (Galeocerdo cuvier), primarily movements, in the Atlantic further research. production of a children’s video based off a reef 50km south of began with tagging in the documentary that brings the Preserving the Polynesian Durban, the Aliwal Shoal. English Channel in 2006. wonders of the ocean to the way of life SPAIN/PORTUGAL Be WiSe in the UK children of the landlocked mid- On the island of Kauai in Hawaii, Shortfin mako shark in SOSF funded the production of west regions of the US. SOSF is supporting the creation the Atlantic a DVD by WiSe (Wildlife Safe) of a marine protected area, Siren Song – Manatees in Peril Determining the shortfin to raise awareness of ‘mega’ harmonizing the needs of the The SOSF-sponsored an award- mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) marine life such as seals, local community and a thriving winning film, Siren Song: distribution in relation to dolphins and basking sharks. tourist industry with the Manatees in Peril, produced in longlining and gillnetting protection of the coral reefs and Lobsters go wild in Cornwall English and Spanish, to raise operations off the coasts of a number of endangered species. SOSF is supporting an awareness of the plight of the Spain and Portugal. innovative program at the manatee (Trichechus manatus) in UAE National Lobster Hatchery Florida. The Dugongs of Abu Dhabi in Cornwall, UK that plans to An award-winning film, rear and release over 5,000 The Dugongs of Abu Dhabi, juvenile lobsters to the local showcases the steps that have environment with the active been made in the UAE to involvement of local fishermen. preserve the dugongs and the seagrass beds that they feed on. 13 RETHINKING THE SHARK

By combining science, education and The use of satellite and ultrasonic tags, Additionally, M-Sea is running numerous awareness, the SOSF M-Sea Program including data retrieved from ultrasonic ongoing outreach programs targeting (M-Sea), initiated by Lesley Rochat of base stations, has enabled M-Sea to children and teachers: a Two Oceans AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (AOCA) build up an impressive database of Aquarium teacher provides lessons to and supported by the Two Oceans previously unknown information about children and workshops to teachers at Aquarium, aimed to make a meaningful the migration, breeding and general remote coastal schools, whose children contribution towards the conservation behavior of the ragged tooth shark. This are the future fishers of the sea; another of Africa’s sharks. Through the M-Sea’s new insight was instrumental in the program for disadvantaged children is compelling multimedia approach in successful submission made by AOCA, being run in Gansbaai, the white shark creating awareness, it has successfully Dr Leonard Compagno and SOSF to cage diving centre of South Africa. This reached over 100 million people revise the status of the ragged tooth program allows children a unique worldwide. This success has helped to shark on the IUCN Red List to opportunity see the kings of the sea up establish SOSF as a key player in the ‘vulnerable’ in South Africa and a close and personal, thus instilling conservation of southern Africa’s sharks. worldwide upgrading to ‘endangered’. enduring awareness.

M-Sea’s unique scientific research To increase public awareness M-Sea M-Sea is also involved in the exciting project begun with the tagging and launched a SOSF Rethink the Shark Edutrain, a classroom on wheels that releasing of ragged tooth sharks campaign in Cape Town, South Africa. runs along the coast in False Bay, home (Carcharias taurus) from the Two Oceans It targeted summer holidaymakers, to the white shark, exposing children to Aquarium in 2004. To date three sharks aiming to put shark bites into places beyond their normal reach. In a have successfully re-integrated into the perspective by using the compelling partnership with the City of Cape, M- wild after spending up to 14 years in Rethink the Shark concept created for Sea’s marine educationalist is giving captivity. The tagging of a further four M-Sea by advertising agency, Saatchi & lessons on sharks to groups of up to 100 sharks, whose tags were funded by the Saatchi, who are working pro-bono for children at a time. Curriculum-linked Aquarium, have allowed the team to SOSF in South Africa. Over a million educational materials are distributed to compare the movements of the released people were reached via a mobile teachers for use in the classroom. These sharks to that of the wild animals. billboard, the screening of three include a Teacher Handbook on Sharks, Rethink the Shark TV commercials, a poster entitled Sensitive Sharks in posters and peak caps handed to Deep Trouble, and a DVD documentary, 40,000 beach-goers, and a high profile Maxine’s Journey, about the first ragged SOSF Rethink the Shark newspaper tooth shark released from the competition and editorial campaign. Aquarium. Other SOSF educational material is also distributed.

14 To further expand awareness, M-Sea Through M-Sea’s educational and participates in public festivals, runs awareness programs, the positive satellite tag competitions and has media exposure covered in magazines, produced three permanent shark newspapers, internet, television and displays at the Aquarium: Kiddies radio has been remarkable. Other Maxine the Shark display, SOSF M-Sea non-profit organisations, such as WWF, program display and the Splendour of report that there has been a significant Sharks display. These are seen by and encouraging shift in attitude Lesley Rochat, 410,000 visitors a year, of which towards sharks along the South African M-Sea project leader 110,000 are children. coastline and attributes this to M-Sea’s efforts. M-Sea project leader, Lesley Expanding on the M-Sea Shark Rochat, has been elected an advisor for Encounter signage, which is on all education and awareness as part of beaches in Cape Town and Gansbaai, a Cape Town’s Shark Working Group, new sign called Save Our Sharks, is formed to address concerns about being developed for all major harbors shark encounters. in the western Cape. This sign targets fishers, a group posing a great threat to shark populations, especially to inshore and endemic species that are being threatened by increased fishing pressure.

The AOCA website continues to serve as the main communication link about the M-Sea Programme both locally and internationally. It has a dedicated children’s section, enables downloading of valuable educational material and also promotes SOSF.

THE SOSF M-SEA PROGRAM COMBINES SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

15 THE WORLD CONSERVATION UNION LISTS MANTA RAYS AS ‘NEAR-THREATENED’. POPULATIONS AROUND THE WORLD ARE SEVERELY DEPLETED, BUT ALMOST NOTHING IS KNOWN ABOUT THEIR POPULATION ECOLOGY, USE OF CRITICAL HABITAT, MOVEMENTS OR REPRODUCTION – ALL OF WHICH ARE CRUCUIAL TO ACCURATELY ASSESSING THE STATE OF THE SPECIES.

16 MAJORING ON MANTAS

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) currently lists manta rays (Manta birostris) as ‘near threatened’. It’s known that several populations around the world are severely depleted, but not enough scientific work has been carried out to properly assess this species as a whole. Almost nothing is Andrea Marshall, project leader in known about their population ecology, Mozambique use of critical habitat, movements or reproduction, all of which are Mozambique important in order to accurately assess SOSF is funding a five-year project to the state of the species. What is clear enable Andrea Marshall to carry out are some of the threats that mantas an in-depth study of the biology and face: drift nets and long lines entangle behavior of the manta rays. As part and kill mantas, mainly as a by-catch of her PhD thesis for the University of of the intended target fisheries; in the Queensland, her research efforts have Philippines, Mexico and Indonesia, already provided a platform to set up a manta fisheries have decimated larger research group in the area, which local populations. is helping to combat illegal shark fishing SOSF is already at the forefront of off the coast of Mozambique. manta ray research with the funding Her team is forging new ground working of three major projects. Dr Robert with local tourism officials and maritime Rubin (marine ecology specialist and officers to initiate change in Mozambique. Professor of Biology at the Santa Rosa As a result of hunting and war, large land Community College in California) has animals are scarce in this country. This carried out pioneering fieldwork costs the country millions in lost tourism into the population dynamics of manta revenue each year as it is bypassed by the rays off the coast of Mexico. Across ‘safari circuit’. However, Mozambique the other side of the world, in may have one of the largest populations Mozambique, Andrea Marshall is of mantas and whale sharks in the world, conducting a five-year research project presenting a major addition to ecotourism among the manta rays along this in southern Africa and a point of African coastline, with a particular difference for Mozambique itself. focus on the philopatry (the tendency for an animal to return to or stay in a These massive fish are now the focus particular locality). The third project of a growing tourism industry in the is underway in the Maldives, which south of the country, providing much- also draws on and collaborates with needed employment to the Mozambican the research already undertaken to people. The Manta Ray & Whale Shark help provide a much bigger body of Research Group is conducting world- knowledge about the manta ray and leading research on the ecology and its habitat. conservation of mantas and whale sharks. Their scientific programs examine issues directly related to both the continued survival of these species, and the promotion of a sustainable tourism industry.

17 Andrea and her team also continue to Acoustic tagging equipment and listening use this data to put pressure on illegal stations sponsored by SOSF enable shark fishing activities and promote Andrea to examine how individual manta their conservation worldwide. With the rays use critical habitats, like cleaning help of the new SOSF-dedicated stations, along the coastline. This part of research boat, they have been able to the program is to be expanded in future assist local government officials in years to ensure eco-tourism is expanded banning and confiscating local long- responsibly along this coastline with lines and gill nets, which unsustainably minimal impact to the manta rays. kill hundreds of sharks and rays The collection of genetic samples of (including mantas) each month. the entire local manta population is Continued efforts have also seen the additionally underway. Cutting edge Mozambican Manta Ray Identification genetic research in conjunction with Database rise to 515 individuals. It researchers at the University of remains one of the largest and most Queensland is planned which will in-depth, scientifically recorded manta primarily focus on the relatedness of databases in the world. Re-sighting this local population (something that events are common but new individuals has not been attempted before in are still regularly sighted. Five years of mantas). With the assistance of SOSF, detailed research has additionally shed Andrea is also conducting comparative light on many aspects of their research and collecting genetics reproductive biology and behavior samples in Mexico, Japan, Yap, previously unknown for this species. Thailand, Indonesia and Australia.

18 Maldives This abundance of marine life has made The Republic of Maldives has a the Maldives one of the top dive large population of manta rays. It is destinations in the world and manta estimated that the total population rays continue to be one of the ‘must for this small country in the middle sees’ for most of its visitors. Manta rays of the Indian Ocean exceeds tens of are therefore extremely important to thousands of individuals. In two years tourism in the Maldives, which is by far of data collection, the Maldivian the largest source of revenue for the Guy Stevens, project Manta Ray Project has already country. However, despite this, manta leader in the Maldives identified well over 800 different rays are not yet specifically protected mantas with new individuals being under Maldivian law and, as natural Another key aspect of the projects sighted on a regular basis. resources continue to be stretched in work is to document the reproductive this developing nation, the negative cycle of these amazing animals. Certain Maldivian mantas are year-round associated impacts are increasingly study areas in the Maldives have clear residents, migrating across the affecting the manta population. mating seasons enabling the project to country’s 26 atolls with the changing document the courtship, mating and monsoons as they follow the seasonal The Maldivian Manta Ray Project is a pregnancies of the sites population. shift in their planktonic food source. non-profit research, conservation and Following the lives of individuals from These nutrient rich waters support education organisation based at the year to year, the project is shedding huge quantities of marine life and it’s Four Seasons Resorts in the Maldives. new light onto the little known sex lives not uncommon to find over 100 manta The project was founded by marine of the manta ray. rays feeding in the shallow surface biologists Guy and Kate Stevens in waters together with half a dozen 2005 to undertake research on all With the support of SOSF the project whale sharks. aspects of the Maldivian manta ray has also recently begun acoustically population, while also working with tracking mantas. Using active pinger the government, resort guests, local tags, the project recently managed to communities and other visitors to the track one female continuously for four Maldives to create greater awareness days and three nights, following her as and understanding of these graceful she moved around her home range rays. As well as this, Guy also manages visiting cleaning and feeding sites. a wide variety of other marine The project was also then able to deploy conservation and educational a number of permanent listening initiatives within Four Seasons stations at some of these cleaning and Marine Research Centre. feeding sites and tag more mantas with acoustic tags to record their visitations One of the key aspects of the to these sites over the following MALDIVIAN project work is to continuously months and years. expand its comprehensive database of MANTAS ARE YEAR- individual manta rays using photo and Through further tracking of more video identification. Each manta has a individuals over the coming years, the ROUND RESIDENTS, unique spot pattern on its underside, project hopes to identify those areas enabling plotting of population which are of critical importance to the MIGRATING ACROSS migration routes, estimate the local manta population, and will build population size and track individual’s a better picture of the species’ overall THE COUNTRY’S movements spatially and temporally. habitat utilization in the Maldives and so determine those areas that are most 26 ATOLLS. in need of protection.

19 LETTING GO OF LOBSTERS

SOSF is funding a UK project at the routines, whilst providing lobsters with National Lobster Hatchery (NLH) in the best chance of survival in their Padstow, Cornwall aimed at increasing favored habitats. the involvement of local fishermen in The reaction from industry has been very the release of hatchery-reared juvenile encouraging with fishermen from 14 lobsters into the wild. The year-long ports around the county volunteering to Dominic Boothroyd, project is allowing the hatchery to general manager help with the project. Ten boats have at the National release a significant proportion of its Lobster Hatchery and already (only six months into the project) juvenile lobsters into active fisheries project manager released over 4,000 juveniles around the throughout Cornwall; this is an important coast. (The plan is to rear and release over step in the progress of the hatchery’s 5,000 juvenile lobsters during the year.) stock enhancement program. Press coverage of the work has been The general manager at NLH, Dominic extensive and consequently fishermen Boothroyd, is keen to encourage the have taken a much greater interest in the fishing community to adopt a ‘farming’, work of the NLH, which in turn has rather than a ‘hunter gatherer’, helped achieve even more success than attitude; the hatchery promotes and anticipated. An entirely new time release supports sustainable fishing practices. system is currently under development The project is developing methods by the hatchery team; this will help currently employed for releases at sea, enormously with the aim of continued which will enable fishermen to release and sustained stakeholder involvement. lobsters in their fishing creels or holding cages as part of their everyday working

DIVE INTO YOUR IMAGINATION

Underwater photographer and film This DVD has the potential to reach maker, Annie Crawley follows up her hundreds of thousands of ocean 2006-SOSF funded project (DVD for enthusiasts because of the distribution children 8-10 years) with a DVD on channels developed with the first ocean life and marine conservation for a project. An immediate 75,000 DVDs younger audience (4-6 years). Dive into were picked up and distributed by your Imagination is a sequel to Ocean Life, Reader’s Digest, Scholastic Publishing, A to Z targeting younger children and PADI and various other major outlets. Annie Crawley, their parents. The well-edited, music- A prominent children’s book publisher underwater filmaker and project leader filled and image-driven educational has agreed to distribute her work. In DVD addresses children in both English addition it will be marketed through and Spanish, reaching a tremendous scuba associations such as PADI audience, at an impressionable age, America, PADI International and with a strong conservation mission Scuba Schools International. promoting the SOSF.

20 INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR WHITE SHARK RESEARCH

The False Bay White Shark Ecology status by policy makers and enforcement Studying white shark behavior year-round Project has been an unprecedented of this law. Rumours of poaching in one particular bay in two vastly success story. Now in its fourth year of activities in coastal areas and evidence of different habitats is a rare opportunity. funding by SOSF, Alison Kock and her interactions with fishing gear designed The focus of the project has moved from team of fellow researchers from Iziko to catch large sharks highlight the concentrating around the Cape fur seal Museums of Cape Town, Department of threats white sharks still face. Habitat colony in the bay to the presence of Environmental Affairs and Tourism – degradation, including the depletion sharks occurring along the inshore areas Marine and Coastal Management Branch of fish stocks, and the subsequent of the bay. Coastal surveys have begun to and University of Cape Town provide the consequences for white sharks are poorly determine how many sharks are present only source of scientific information on known, but are identified as a major along the inshore areas, whether they are white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) threat, especially in coastal areas. the same sharks that are present at the activity and behavior patterns in Cape island during the winter months and what However, currently the main threat to Town. Recognition of this as a world-class the shark population structure is like. white shark conservation in the Western resource was confirmed with the Cape is the ongoing media feeding frenzy A total of 35 acoustic receivers are invitation to present at the American and consequent fear and apprehension deployed in False Bay with a total of 76 Elasmobranch Conference (AES) in New among residents due to the perceived sharks tagged in an ongoing program. Orleans in 2006 and the first National Jaws-like phantom menace off the Sightings data collected from the City Of Geographic Animal-Bourne Imaging beaches of Cape Town. Scientific Cape Town’s Shark Spotting Program will Symposium in Washington DC in 2007, information is needed to form the be used in conjunction with the acoustic putting South Africa on the white shark backbone for all policy and management monitoring data to get a clear pattern of research map. decisions and thus the current research white shark presence inshore. White sharks have protection status in project is critical to the future South Africa, but protection is only as conservation and protection of white effective as the continued support of this sharks in the Western Cape.

THE ONGOING MEDIA FEEDING FRENZY IS CURRENTLY THE MAIN THREAT TO WHITE SHARK CONSERVATION.

Alison Kock, project leader

21 FISHERIES THREAT TO ATLANTIC BLUE SHARKS

The population structure of blue shark respectively. Two of the tags deployed on (Prionace glauca) in the Atlantic appears female sharks in English Channel have also complex with anecdotal evidence for been physically retrieved, yielding full migrations, age and sexual segregation archival datasets of depth, temperature and spatially discrete nursery areas. and light at 10-second resolution, Underlying this apparent complexity is the providing an unparalleled insight into the likelihood that fisheries are significantly migration behavior of blue sharks. impacting populations. The purpose of the In addition to PAT tags, 11 smart Dr David Sims, research in the north-east Atlantic is to position-only tags (SPOT) were attached project leader determine the movements, behavior and to the first dorsal fins of blue sharks in critical habitat of blue shark populations and a male tracked from the Azores the same three locations. These tags for direct use in conservation assessment showed directed movement towards an accurately pinpoint the locations where of fishery interactions. isolated seamount; juvenile blue sharks sharks break the surface during normal tracked on the continental shelf of To date 12 pop-up archival transmitting swimming. These have provided less southern Portugal were also tracked (PAT) tags have been attached to blue reliable data with only four of 11 tags moving to oceanic seamounts, suggesting sharks in three locations in the northeast reporting positions on a regular basis. that these topographic features are Atlantic: seven in the English Channel, The detailed analysis of data collected, probably important blue shark habitats. three in southern Portugal and two in including movement paths and dive the Azores. These tags archive pressure Sadly, two of the six sharks tracked with behavior, is at an early stage. Some initial (depth), sea temperature and light SPOT tags were captured by longlining results show a high degree of sexual intensity data and pop-off at pre- fisheries within a month of release and segregation among blue sharks in the programed times to report summary tracked to ports in southern Spain with northeast Atlantic. Using the tags data via polar-orbiting satellites. one physically retrieved. The death of Dr David Sims and his team have tracked these sharks reinforces the need for By September 2007, seven out of nine the female-only migration within and further research into the intersection of tags achieved their pop-up dates and have away from the English Channel and migratory routes with that of fisheries. relayed large movement and behavioral identified specific behaviors associated datasets. Two further tags are due to with foraging and migrating. Male blue pop-up in November and December sharks were more abundant further west 22 BULL SHARKS TRAVEL THE SOUTH PACIFIC

Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) have a east coast of the US. This is the first acoustic receiver array to track small- worldwide distribution in coastal and indication of movement of bull sharks scale movements of various shark freshwater habitats with frequent between the Bahamas and the Florida species. So far, only bull sharks have sightings in some areas, yet many coast, underscoring the need for been fitted with transmitters to learn aspects of their behavior and ecology international co-operation. more about their small-scale movement remain unknown. With such a lack of patterns and to collect presence/absence Following the success of this pilot, a full- knowledge, for example about local data for Shark Reef Marine Reserve and scale research program was set up in the population structures or reproduction surroundings. It is hoped to include other South Pacific, off Fiji. Eleven bull sharks sites and the migratory routes to and shark species that would give much were equipped with pop-up satellite from these areas, it is impossible to draw needed insight into how different shark archival tags in 2004 and produced an up any meaningful conservation plans. species use individual reefs over time. important dataset on local and regional The results from these studies will help The bull shark tagging program was movement, habitat use and diving to maintain – and preferably enlarge – initiated in 2003 and has been co-funded behavior which will help to better define this unique reserve in the South Pacific. by SOSF since 2004. The initial pilot study the ecological niche of this species. in the Bahamas tested the feasibility of Furthermore, the results were used to Project leader Juerg studying movement patterns and habitat help create a relatively small protected Brunnschweiler use of bull sharks with state-of-the-art area, the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, pop-up satellite archival tags. The pilot Fiji. Here up to eight different species of study revealed that bull sharks, residing sharks can be encountered on a regular in a relatively small area close to Walker’s basis, making it an excellent reef for Cay for most of the year, would leave this studying free-ranging sharks. site in spring and travel as far as to the Currently, efforts are being made to establish long-term shark research facilities in the area, including an

23 GREY SEAL, LIFE ON THE EDGE

Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) are a prevented by influencing young people The film is aimed at 8-11 year olds and large part of Celtic legend and have and increasing their understanding of will be written in a fun way, using the been revered in Ireland until recent grey seals. seal’s natural charisma and playfulness times, with many people believing to bring the story to life for young In the adapted version, one of the they were able to take human shape people. The DVD will be distributed free survivors, a small pup called Charlie and live on land as Selkies. Nowadays, to children’s groups, environmental tells of a year of his life, from his birth they are often considered a nuisance: groups and schools. Most importantly as a helpless white bundle through to vermin responsible for low fish catches the film has been accepted by the Irish adulthood with all the hazards he and that should be eradicated. There is a Teacher’s Union for use in schools the other seals face along the way. great deal of ignorance regarding their throughout the country. Children will see that rather than natural history and their contribution being a pest blamed for low fish to the well-being of our seas. catches, seals have a place in the Filmmaker Jacquie Cozens spent environment and should be valued as 12-months filming the colony of grey an important part of the marine seals on Blasket Island in County Kerry, ecoweb. In this way it is hoped that on the west coast of Ireland. With children will become advocates for the funding and assistance from SOSF, seals and will influence their peers and the resulting film, Grey seals: life on the their family. They will be told about

edge, is being adapted as a short story ways that they can actively help seals Fimaker and project that is intended to inspire and educate by, for example, visiting their local leader, Jacquie Cozens children. The colony was subjected to a seal sanctuary, being careful about massive and illegal cull in 2004 and is disposing of litter or getting involved perhaps right on the edge of survival in seal releases. unless measures are put in place to properly protect it. It is hoped that another event such as this can be

THE DVD WILL INSPIRE AND EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT THE GREY SEAL.

24 TRACKING THE FASTEST SHARK

The shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) SOSF is now funding a two-year study that Computer modelling will determine is generally regarded as the fastest will for the first time shed some light on and assess the vulnerability of sharks swimming shark, reaching speeds up to the movements and behavior of shortfin to different fishing location and effort 30 mph. It is a warm-bodied, highly active mako sharks. The tag deployments and scenarios. In so doing, this novel two-year shark with a circumglobal distribution data analyses will be conducted in parallel research programme will provide the in tropical and warm-temperate seas. with an ongoing SOSF-funded project on first data on the long-term, large-scale However, very little is known about many blue shark satellite tracking (see page 22 movements and behavior of shortfin aspects of its biology, including general of this review). mako shark in the Atlantic Ocean. movements, habitat preferences and State-of-the-art tracking technology Research began in July 2007 with a cruise population structure. will be used to determine horizontal to the north of the Azores aboard a Shortfin makos are taken as bycatch in and vertical movements of shortfin commercial longliner but, due to appalling longlining and gillnetting operations for mako sharks in the Atlantic, and to weather and low catch rates, no tagging tuna and swordfish, activities that have identify activity spaces and migration of makos took place. In late September, expanded rapidly during the last 20 years. routes of males and females. It will during a second cruise, the first mako High demand for fins and its good-quality also track geographical positions and shark was tagged with a PAT tag off the meat mean makos are now highly prized behavior of individual sharks to high- coast of southern Portugal in the eastern by fishers. Because of this, population resolution maps of environmental Atlantic. This tag is due to release in early declines of around 25% have been variables (temperature, bathymetry, December 2007. Further deployments of recorded in the western Atlantic Ocean primary and secondary production, tags from the Azores and southern since 1986. There is some evidence that mesoscale eddies, frontal boundaries) Portugal are planned in summer 2008. mako sharks remain faithful to particular to quantify habitat preferences. regions, with males and females The project team will also use GIS apparently segregating into different technology and geostatistics to plot the regions for at least part of the year. extent of spatial and temporal overlap of This may result in exposing the more mako shark distributions (including vulnerable (mature females, juveniles) migrations) with the start and end to greater risk and contributing to this positions of longlines deployed by dramatic decline. Spanish and Portuguese fishers.

Dr David Sims, project manager

25 PROTECTING THE GENTLE GIANT

Growing to more than 20 meters long, Help from SOSF has enabled filmmaker Sea of Cortez whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the Michael Wham to highlight this in his Very little is known about the whale largest fish in the oceans, inhabiting latest production, Whale sharks of sharks in Sea of Cortez (Gulf of tropical waters around the globe. Little Holbox, which was shot off the coast of California) and research is badly needed is known about these gentle plankton- Mexico. The residents of Holbox Island, to understand the feeding areas, the eating giants but their large fins and faced with a dwindling supply of fish – population structures and genetic bodies attract fishermen who their main livelihood – have turned to diversity of these animals in order to relentlessly kill them. In all areas of ecotourism to support their economy. better protect the species. Gathering the world, whale sharks are severely And in doing so have helped to protect this information, and working closely threatened. Learning more about their the whale shark. In telling this story, with the Mexican government, will help biology and movements will help 17-year-old Michael has gained yet more implement management of the species, protect the species from extinction. plaudits for his work: in the US, the film especially in areas where tourists was selected for the KIDS FIRST! Film interact with whale sharks. Monitoring and Video Festival 2007 and also won the population is critical to ensure that the film division of the Culture Shapers the whale shark population in the Gulf Visual Arts Competition. With further of California is not harmed by tourism. support from SOSF, he has continued In the Sea of Cortez, juvenile whale filming in Belize and Mexico during 2007. sharks feed in different areas. The SOSF is currently funding research preliminary results with photo ID show projects in the Sea of Cortez, that some whale sharks move from one Mozambique and the Seychelles – feeding area to another. Throughout the collaboration on research and data will season, plankton blooms occur in ensure that whale shark conservation, widespread areas. Using telemetry tags spearheaded by SOSF, gains global reach. on juveniles at the end of the season in

LEARNING MORE ABOUT ITS BIOLOGY AND MOVEMENT WILL HELP PROTECT THE WHALE SHARK FROM EXTINCTION.

26 the different areas will help to determine A study begun in 2005 with the Centro whether the whale sharks migrate de Investigaciones Biologicas del between these areas of food abundance. Noroeste has already shown that two Because these feeding areas also support whale shark populations, those in the dolphins, fish, manta rays and other Caribbean and Gulf of California, are shark species, the presence of whale genetically different. SOSF funding will sharks is a good indicator of biodiversity support further genetic studies on a – and that a region that requires special global level. Dení has already begun to Deni Ramirez, project leader in protection and conservation. Whale examine whale shark genetic material the Sea of Cortez shark tourism has grown up in these from Mexico (Pacific and Atlantic locations, making it more economical to Coast), Philippines and Mozambique exploit whale sharks for tourism, rather (from Simon Pierce, see page 28 of than for consumption. this review). Plans to add whale shark information from populations in Project leader, Dení Ramírez, has been Australia, Dijibuti, Galapagos, Taiwan studying the whale sharks in the Sea of and elsewhere are proposed in order Cortez since 2002. Obtaining DNA to establish migration patterns and samples, taking photographic IDs and populations. This information has observing whale sharks to obtain sex important implications for the global ratios and sizes has allowed her to conservation of whale sharks. define the population in this area. Using photos she has already identified over 80 individual whale sharks; this data will help to determine the whale shark population size from the Gulf of California.

27 Mozambique the purchase of a dedicated research Seychelles The coastal waters off southern vessel and closed-circuit rebreathers The Marine Conservation Society Mozambique are home to one of the to support this work in 2006, which has Seychelles (MCSS) has been conducting largest year-round populations of whale allowed detailed studies on both whale monitoring and research into the sharks found anywhere in the world. sharks and manta rays in the region. occurrence of whale sharks around Whale sharks aggregate throughout the Seychelles since 1996. With sound Current research includes the study of year within a narrow corridor adjacent scientific guidance and support from regional whale shark migrations in to a small village at Tofo Beach to feed a number of organisations, including collaboration with other SOSF-funded on plankton blooms. This has made SOSF, the MCSS whale shark program projects in the region and the the area a popular destination for has already revealed much information worldwide population genetics project international tourists wanting to swim on the species to date, including the led by Deni Ramirez. The MRWSRC’s with the sharks and an excellent base seasonal occurrence of sharks around projects for 2008 include further studies for researching the biology, ecology Mahe and the areas most frequented. of the oceanographic conditions in the and conservation requirements of this The research is led by David Rowat, area that create and support this critical threatened species. a highly experienced diver and field habitat for plankton-feeding sharks and worker, who is co-director of the Work since 2005 by project leader rays, the short- and long-term residency Seychelles Underwater Centre, and Simon Pierce, in conjunction with patterns of whale sharks in the region chairman of the MCSS. manta ray researcher Andrea Marshall using passive acoustic arrays and the through the SOSF-funded Manta Ray linkages between Indian Ocean whale Marker tagging and photo identification & Whale Shark Research Centre shark aggregation sites using electronic studies from 2001 to 2006 have (MRWSRC), has identified over 350 and chemical techniques. identified 468 individual sharks of individual whale sharks in the area. The which 55 were seen over a period of ongoing work examines the population several years. Population estimates ecology of whale sharks, their patterns indicate a resident (site-faithful) of residency in the area and their population of 150 to 180 sharks that migratory movements in the region, as are joined annually by large numbers of well as the threats to this population transient sharks each year. Daily aerial from human-induced threats such as surveys have shown that the occurrence fishing and boat strikes. SOSF funded of the sharks is limited both temporally and spatially, and that there are Simon Pierce, project leader in Mozambique preferred hot-spots.

28 Data from pop-off satellite archival research community. This project will tags have shown that the species be a cornerstone for an ocean-wide spends up to 60% of the time less program that will in turn provide data than 10 meters from the surface but on the movements of whale sharks that they also make dives in excess of throughout the Indian Ocean. 1,000 meters. However, satellite- tracking studies have been fraught with problems since the sharks have shown an innate ability to remove the tethered tags. The data that was gathered showed that sharks migrate away from Seychelles in very divergent directions, even when tagged in the same feeding aggregations, just minutes apart. These migrations have David Rowat, project leader in the Seychelles recorded distances of travel in excess of 3,600 kilometers, passing through the territorial waters of many countries in the Indian Ocean.

As international concern for effective conservation and management of migratory shark species grows, it is increasingly important to have accurate information about migration routes of the species concerned. However, thus far, data on whale shark movements have proved difficult to obtain. The development of a robust satellite tagging methodology will have wide reaching implications throughout the

WHALE SHARKS SPEND UP TO 60% OF THE TIME LESS THAN 10 METERS BELOW THE SURFACE BUT CAN DIVE TO DEPTHS IN EXCESS OF 1,000 METERS.

29 DEEP SEA DIVER

The SOSF-funded tiger shark (Carcharias Most (>95%) tiger sharks encountered Four pop-up archival satellite tags have taurus) research program on the Aliwal have been females and no pups were been successfully deployed. Two of these Shoal, South Africa has proved highly seen. Many of these were animals that sharks have returned to the reef months successful. All dives were characterized had been seen during previous years. after leaving. Results received from the by large numbers of blacktip and dusky Individually coded telfon tags have data to date are already challenging what sharks that were attracted to the baiting been developed and deployed since is known about the tiger shark: data stations but, more significantly, tiger November 2006. This technique of collected shows that the sharks conduct sharks were encountered on every dive. ‘double tagging’ (tagging and frequent dives of over 300 meters and a photography) should substantially record dive to 833 meters dive was A questionnaire was developed for the improve the data collected in recorded; swimming through changes of dive charter operators to complete subsequent years to estimate philopatry over 10 degrees centigrade suggest that during each tiger shark trip, providing and individual shark residency patterns. this is not a ‘warm water and tropical’ invaluable information. Additionally, species. Further findings over the next few operators and their clients provided 18 VR2 listening stations were deployed years will provide vital knowledge about photographs of sharks seen during their in a grid within the Aliwal Shoal MPA the ecology and behavior of the tiger shark. dives, the primary source of data for the for telemetry studies. Unfortunately, photo-identification catalogue during massive decadal storms off KwaZulu- 2006 and 2007. Natal led to the loss of a substantial number of these and a consequent to loss of data for the project.

Vic Peddemors, project leader

30 BE WISE ON THE WATER

The shallow shelf-sea waters around WiSe (Wildlife Safe) is a training Project leader Colin Speedie has spent the British Isles are home to a wide and accreditation scheme aimed at the last four years lobbying boating variety of marine megafauna, including operators of passenger pleasure craft, organizations so was particularly 24 species of whales and dolphins, a wildlife cruise operators, dive boats pleased to have the draft version of the myriad of seabirds, the world’s largest and charter yachts who come into DVD shown at the Southampton Boat population of grey seals as well as the contact with this marine wildlife. WiSE Show in summer 2007 as part of the basking shark, the second largest fish has been running training courses since RYA’s Blue/Green initiative. The DVD in the world. 2003 and, to date, has trained some is now in the final production stages 500 individuals in the techniques of with a voiceover by Ben Fogle (BBC Although many of these species are successfully viewing marine life whilst presenter and WWF ambassador). protected by law, they remain minimising disturbance. It will be launched in 2008 and will be vulnerable to a number of threats. made available to water sports clubs Some are direct, as in the case of SOSF has provided WiSe with the throughout the UK. fisheries that cause entanglement in funding to produce a specifically nets, and can be regulated against in created DVD, targeting the boat- extreme cases through restrictions on owning public, encompassing the the sale of by-caught animals, for latest conservation thinking and example. Others are more subtle, scientific knowledge with examples of however, and are related to the public disturbance and best practice across a desire to observe marine life in the variety of different species and wild, or are a by-product of the situations. The DVD aims to raise dramatic increase in leisure use of awareness and reduce the levels of coastal waters. disturbance. It has been developed in Colin Speedie, project leader consultation with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage.

31 REVEALING NEW BEHAVIOR PATTERNS

At up to 10-11 meters in length and Since 2004, Dr Mauvis Gore has In 2007, with background work on 5-7 tonnes in weight, the basking been leading an SOSF-funded the relationship between the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is both the research project to quantify and sharks and their zooplankton food second largest shark in the world, and qualify the population dynamics and sources completed and an effective the second largest fish. Globally, as a demographics of the basking shark in observer network in place, priority result of fishing pressure, its existence Scotland. The project is being carried could be given to quantitative is seriously threatened, and, as a out in collaboration with the University surveys, photo-identification and consequence, it has now been given of London Marine Biological Station monitoring the movements of protection in European waters. It is seen Millport (UMBSM), in the Firth of individuals through tagging. regularly between mid and late summer Clyde in south-west Scotland, and in In all, the 2007 season was highly along the west coast of Scotland, where association with other environmental successful, a consequence in part of the it feeds on zooplankton near the surface groups and agencies, notably the UK acquisition of a new project vessel, Fairy of the ocean. Marine Conservation Society. Tern, a ‘fast-fisher’ that is small enough A major problem in the basking shark’s As part of a program to raise awareness to maneuver around sharks and be used conservation and management is that about the project and the work of SOSF, for tagging, yet big enough to provide no reliable estimates of its numbers and to establish a network of volunteers basic overnight accommodation, and have been made. This is largely because to report sightings of the sharks, a large survive moderately rough weather. it was assumed that the numbers seen number of leaflets, newsletters, stickers The boat has already proved invaluable, at the sea surface represented the total and logging sheets have been distributed, enabling the team to get out at short population number presented. It is now and talks given to interested groups. In notice, responding to reports of sharks appreciated that the sharks also feed 2006, this achieved a 27% increase in the as they occur. at depth and the numbers seen at number of volunteer observers. the surface represent only a variable In 2006, plans for research were partly portion of the total, depending on the restricted by problems with the lack of amounts of zooplankton present. tag availability, by atrocious weather conditions during the time spent in the field and by the unpredictable timing of sightings.

SUCCESSFUL SATELLITE TAGGING HAS PROVIDED INTERESTING RESULTS AND REVEALED A NEW BEHAVIOR PATTERN FOR BASKING SHARKS.

32 The team has also been able to take relate the numbers of sharks recorded volunteers out to sea with them, and by the observer network to the reach more of the public to raise numbers of sharks observed feeding awareness of shark conservation issues. in surface waters. Perhaps as a result, more basking sharks Most excitingly, four satellite archival have been recorded than in previous tags have been deployed, using an years, with the number of sightings in improved attachment method, and have Scotland this year reaching 366 between been generating data. The tags provide Dr Mauvis Gore, early April to early October. The largest project leader information on the depth and number of sharks seen on one day was temperature profiles of the sharks, as 52, recorded by the Project Basking deep water, and crossing the Atlantic well as their locations throughout the Shark team along the east coast of the Ocean, showing a new behavior pattern time the tag is attached. Two of the island of Coll, in the Inner Hebrides. for basking sharks. The two remaining tags were deployed off the Isle of Man tags were deployed off the Isle of Coll, So far as possible, all the basking sharks in collaboration with DAFF (Isle of Man on the Scottish west coast, and should encountered have been photographed, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & down-load their data by late November with close-up pictures of dorsal fin and, Forestry) and the Manx Wildlife Trust 2007. This will provide further insighful where possible caudal fin, being taken and Marine Conservation Society- data into the behavior and dispersion of for photo-identification purposes. sponsored Basking Shark Watch. this key population of basking shark. Besides increasing the catalogue of The first two tags have provided identifiable individuals, this has begun particularly interesting results. One to provide data on the proportions of shark had moved north from the Isle re-sightings. of Man into the Clyde Sea Area, much While a handful of the sharks identified as expected, rather than continuing were ones that had been recorded in further north to the Hebrides. The the same or near-by locations within other, however, had gone in the a period of weeks, the number of new opposite direction, moving into sharks was considerable. Further analysis will provide information to

33 INSHORE SHARK MANAGEMENT

Shark populations worldwide are being The sevengill shark (Notorynchus commonwealth shark fisheries and are placed under escalating pressure through cepedianus) is an excellent example becoming increasingly important as a both targeted fisheries and as bycatch of one such species. A large coastal target species. However, research on from other fisheries, with many shark species, common in most temperate the species has been scant. species being depleted at an alarming seas of the world, very little is known Using the sevengill shark as a case study rate. Few countries have implemented about many aspects of the sevengill and with financial support from SOSF, management strategies of shark fisheries shark’s biology and ecology or how Adam Barnett is now undertaking a PhD or conservation plans to protect many are caught annually in Australia. that explores the role of higher trophic dwindling shark populations. Australia They are probably the most significant level predator on inshore ecosystems and does maintain and manage fisheries top-order predator in the bays and their interactions with fisheries. This is a for some target species – e.g. school estuaries of southern Tasmania where collaboration between the University of (Galeorhinus galeus) and gummy they are believed to be both specialist Tasmania through Tasmania Aquaculture (Mustelus antarcticus) sharks. For the elasmobranch (shark, ray) predators, and Fisheries Institute (TAFI) and majority of non-targeted species there and significant predators of seal pups CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research, is a distinct lack of biological, ecological around seal colonies. They are the Tasmania. Overall, this study has three or catch data. dominant bycatch species in southern main aims: To increase the knowledge of a species that is poorly understood; Adam Barnett, project leader to expand our knowledge of the capable of moving relatively large as gummy and school sharks. Coded interactions of apex predators with their distances (more than 30 kilometers) transmitters will be used to investigate ecosystem; and to address fisheries over short periods of time. The tagging movement patterns, seasonality, site management issues such as fishing data thus far has produced some fidelity and hopefully gain information pressure applied to sevengill sharks. interesting preliminary results with one on predator prey interactions. The Additionally, the study will examine the particular habitat being identified as receivers will be deployed for the next degree to which sevengills feed on early a potential hot spot for this species. 15 months to allow monitoring of the year classes of commercially-fished shark Over the next year this will be sharks over all seasons and, during the species within areas that have been set validated and hopefully show why this peak season of tagging, a VRAP system aside as shark refuges. It is hoped that particular habitat is so heavily used. will also be used to investigate fine this will provide a broader understanding scale movements of both predator and These preliminary results have assisted of ecosystem issues in the management prey. In addition ten sevengill sharks in the planning of the next phase of of large predators that interact with will be tagged with archival tags to the project. Funding from SOSF has commercial fisheries. investigate larger scale movements facilitated the acoustic tracking and a further three sharks will be Good progress has been made during component of the study that will be actively tracked to enhance fine 2007, with almost 200 sharks being implemented towards the end of 2007 scale movement data. tagged with conventional fishery tags and early 2008. Fifty-five VR2 receivers and released. Two sharks have also will be deployed with tagging planned been actively (acoustically) tracked, for 60 sharks, including both sevengill which showed that these sharks are sharks and significant prey species such

35 PIONEERING NEW TECHNIQUES

The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is Dr Diane Gendron of the Marine with an independent method: aerial the largest animal on earth and yet Mammal Ecology Interdisciplinary photogrammetry. Preliminary results is one of its least known and most Marine Science Center (CICIMAR) has suggest that the new measuring technique endangered species. Still recovering been instrumental in establishing provides accurate size measurements. So from the effects of whaling, there has a unique database of 460 blue whale far, we have measured 60 different blue been some evidence of increasing sighting histories, based on photo- whales, in average of 22.3 meters, with numbers in Northeastern Pacific but identification and tissue sampling since a minimum and maximum of 7.9 meters ( planned developments in the Gulf of 1993 at CICIMAR. The blubber and skin a calf) and 29.9 meters. California could present a major setback are then used to look for biotracers that Comparisons of the total length for the blue whale population. could help to discriminate the whales between sexes and locations will be into group/age categories. However, Part of this population summers off done in order to describe the population no information exists on the size or age the coast of California and migrates structure. Likewise the measured whale structure of the population, since until south in winter, along the coast of will then be compare with age group now there has been no method of Baja California, Mexico. Less than half, categories estimated from the life measuring whales at sea. around 500 whales, spend the winter history data base of the individuals. in the Gulf of California. Female blue A pioneering method has been designed SOSF funding of additional field work whales nurse their young, while feeding by a student in the CICIMAR doctoral and analysis will determine and validate themselves on euphausids (krill) that program (Christian Ortega Ortiz, in the precision of this method. form dense aggregations here. With process) which consists of taking their habitat now under threat, it is photographic sequences of the whale’s vital to build a clearer picture of the flank, now easily accomplished using population structure. digital cameras, while simultaneously measuring the distance between the whale and the camera using a laser range finder. The estimated total lengths for the blue whales obtained with the photo- sequences method, were compared Dr Diane Gendron, project leader

36 SUPERSTAR SUPPORTS ANTI-FINNING CAMPAIGN

In 2006 SOSF’s successful television A second documentary featuring top special, a co-production with Wild Aid, musician, Liu Huan, will be broadcast reached an estimated audience of 200 on television in 2008 and additionally million Chinese viewers. China remains will be shown repeatedly (60 times a the largest consumers of shark-fin day) on 2,600 video billboards in Beijing products; the film set out to reveal the reaching an audience of about 33 beauty of the marine world and the vital million a year. need for conservation to halt the In January 2008, Wild Aid will also be extinction of many species. launching the results of a survey on In support of this campaign, China’s shark-fin consumption. Key among the most popular celebrity and National findings, that 76.3% of Chinese people Basketball Association superstar, Yao do not know what shark-fin soup is Ming, has recently pledged to no longer made from which highlights the extent eat shark-fin soup. WildAid, with the of the problem and the importance of help of SOSF, has secured prime the need to raise awareness. locations in the capital Beijing to ensure maximum exposure for a series of giant billboards featuring Yao with sharks and the clear message: ‘When the buying stops the killing can too’. These 20 billboards will be seen by 1.1 million commuters every day.

76.3% OF CHINESE PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW WHAT SHARK-FIN SOUP IS MADE FROM THE DUGONGS OF ABU DHABI

Hundreds of dugongs (Dugong dugon) UAE has established conservation, congregate each year in the warm education and public awareness coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf, off programs to help protect the dugong the coast of the United Arab Emirates to population and the sea grass beds. graze on the vast acres of sea grass that The film, The Dugongs of Abu Dhabi, grow there, earning them the common showcases this story. Sponsored by name of ‘sea cows’. The dugong, which SOSF, it was shot and directed by can grow up to four meters in length and renowned cinematographer Tom Cinematographer Tom Campbell weigh up to 400 kilos, requires a daily Campbell with narration by actor intake of up to 30 kilos of sea grass. Michael York and won gold in a number of categories in the 2006 Millennium Dugongs are the only herbivorous Awards in the US. marine mammal and the preservation of this habitat is vital to their survival.

38 THE KEY TO WATER QUALITY?

Recent research has highlighted the In broadening its research portfolio to potential use of cultured bivalves, embrace aquaculture, water quality and notably mussels, not only as food and bioremediation aspects of the marine as bio-indicators of water quality, but environment, SOSF is exploring possible as biofilters for improving water quality research and development options. in the region of nutrient and detritus Dr Wera Leujak, a specialist in marine effluent, and as components within invertebrate ecology, is undertaking a polyculture systems. There is currently detailed assessment that covers both

Dr Wera Leujak significant interest in exploring published work and, so far as practicable, practical options for use, both in ongoing research and existing temperate waters and in tropical coral aquaculture practices. This should lead reef dominated environments. As a to recommendations either for or against result there are several collaborative further involvement and, if the former, research projects underway, in Europe in identifying one or more research and North America, including one linked opportunities to be taken forward. to pilot studies undertaken at Eilat, in the northern Red Sea.

FRAMED AT THE LONDON AQUARIUM

Throughout the past year, SOSF has SOSF educational and promotional successfully built a strong working merchandising has been distributed relationship with the UK’s flagship via the London Aquarium. aquarium in the heart of London. The SOSF is also pleased to be the sole London Aquarium has been receptive sponsor of a permanent exhibition of to the objectives of SOSF, not just in underwater images by deputy curator this country, but the world over. and keen photographer, Jamie Oliver. SOSF was included in three mail outs to Displayed in the entrance foyer to the a total of 30,000 educational bodies, Aquarium, the SOSF-branded images including pre-school, nursery, primary, will be viewed by over one million secondary university and special needs. visitors a year. To date, the Aquarium has distributed SOSF leaflets and calendars. SOSF now has a permanent presence on the new London Aquarium website, with an additional link to the SOSF website.

39 “ WE MUST EDUCATE THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD TO EMBRACE AND FOSTER A HUMAN STEWARDSHIP FOR OUR WATER WORLD. THE WELL BEING OF OUR FUTURE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME LIES IN THEIR HANDS.”

THE FOUNDER

GUARDIANS OF THE FUTURE

The need to protect and preserve the Elsewhere in this review, we have award-winning Grey seals – Life on the marine environment is at the core of already reported on the fantastic edge is being adapted for viewing by the investment that SOSF is making work that the SOSF M-Sea Program a younger audience; Giants of the deep, into projects worldwide. But the is undertaking with children in South about the plight of the whale shark, is commitment to the future goes much Africa: in addition to distributing written, filmed and narrated by teenage deeper than that: raising awareness curriculum-linked books and posters, filmmaker, Michael Wham, who believes among adults about pollution and M-Sea is also working with the Two that he is in a unique position to reach overfishing is important; instilling the Oceans Aquarium to supply outreach other teens and children. right attitude towards the use and abuse teachers at remote coastal schools The internet plays a huge part in the lives of the planet’s natural resources from an and on board the innovative Edutrain, of the younger generation and, in earlier age will have an even more a classroom with wheels that runs addition to its main website, SOSF has profound affect in the longer-term. along the False Bay coastline. developed two further websites for This is why SOSF is so passionate about A number of films and videos aimed at younger children (www.sosforkids.com) the development and expansion of an children have also been produced, with and teenagers (www.sosforteens.com); ambitious educational program aimed more in the pipeline: Annie Crawley’s both have individual styles enabling them directly at children and teachers who Dive into your imagination an interactive to connect directly with their audiences. equally have an important role to play in DVD uses actual underwater footage A great deal of research went into educating and influencing their pupils. to tell children about the colourful ensuring that the user experience and creatures of our oceans; filmmakers content are right for each age group. The SisBro produced a video that brings sites are entertaining, funny and colorful, the magic of the underwater world to and make good use of multimedia and children of the landlocked mid-west animated affects. region of the US; Jacquie Cozens’ 40 In addition to facts about the ocean and SOSF has also produced a wide range SeaSmart Kidz Marine Activity Book marine life, sosforkids includes party of printed material, aimed at a number This colorful book uses puzzles and tips, games, stories, pictures for of different age groups. The story friendly characters to help educate colouring and much more – all with an books, DVDs and puzzle books are children about marine conservation underwater theme. For teenagers, the high quality, colorful and entertaining issues. Produced in both Arabic dedicated sosforteens site, offers more as well as educational (edutainment). and English, young children are the detailed interactive information, puzzles, Books are distributed through characters teaching other kids cool links and pictures, videos, a specially schools, colleges and a growing SOSF about conservation awareness. commissioned comic strip and other distribution network During 2006/07, All the way to the ocean online activities to raise their awareness a number of new titles have been added This illustrated storybook tells children about the marine environment. The to the growing catalogue and more how rubbish and pollution on our underlying context of both sites are under production. streets and backyards eventually finds reinforces awareness, protection, Ocean Life: From A-Z its way to the sea, causing harm to preservation and conservation of the An innovative book and DVD pack that marine animals. Originally produced in global marine environment in line with lets children discover the fascinating English, this has now been translated SOSF’s mission statement. Alongside underwater world – without even into Spanish and Chinese in order to these, SOSF has set up an invaluable getting wet. Through each letter of the broaden the reach of the conservation teachers’ website that provides online alphabet, they learn fun facts and message in areas where marine resources and lesson plans to help teach interesting information – all supported pollution is particularly bad. young children about environment by amazing photographs and a DVD conservation: www.sosesr.com. showcasing incredible footage of the featured marine creatures.

41 Simple ways to save the planet SOSF 16-month calendar 2007-2008 Coral Reef Guide to the Red Sea This booklet educates children to think This stunning calendar features high Produced in conjunction with book about how every day actions as simple quality marine photos of Nudibranchs publishers, Collins, this is a definitive as switching off lights and recycling (seaslugs) along with interesting facts guide to the underwater life of the reef cans have a positive impact on the about their life and habitat. It has been for divers, snorkellers and aquarists. environment. Available in English, distributed worldwide through project It contains references to some 1,200 Arabic, French, Italian, Spanish and leaders and committee members. The species with over 300 photographs and Chinese, copies have been made 2008-2009 calendar, Watercolours, has illustrations as well as maps of good available to schools to help spread the recently been published and will have a dive sites. message and get children involved. much wider circulation, being produced The end of the line? in two formats: wall and desk-mounted. Fishes of the Red Sea SOSF are the co-sponsors of The end of This colorful and informative poster has Eco-friendly tips to save the planet the line? This brochure depicts in detail been produced in Arabic and English This adult version of Simple ways to save the global threats to shark. Produced and distributed to schools around the the planet provides the general public by WildAid it provides an informed Red Sea border countries. with numerous ways in which they can overview of the plight of sharks in our help reduce the damage to the planet world’s oceans. Spreading the word through everyday activities. In Arabic, Raising awareness about the work of High Definition and beyond English, Spanish, Chinese, French and SOSF among adults is obviously also The Founder’s decision to invest in Italian with a downloadable e-books important. A number of new initiatives High Definition (HD) technology, as available on the SOSF website at have been undertaken during the last long ago as 1998, has provided SOSF www.sosebooks.com. year, producing material to help inform with a resulting unique library of over and educate both policy makers and the Rethinking the Shark 500 hours of HD footage. An ambitious general public about the need to In South Africa, a series of three posters program to film all SOSF-funded protect and conserve the environment. dispels some of the myths about sharks projects worldwide, under the and counters the hysterical press leadership of cinematographer Tom reporting about shark incidents. The Campbell, continues to add more posters use statistics comparing the exciting and groundbreaking footage number of people killed by sharks with to this record of marine research – in those killed through domestic accidents: 2006 filming took place in Mozambique, 791 through defective toasters; 358 by Mexico, Seychelles, Indonesia, falling kites; 652 involved with chairs – Scotland, Hawaii, Abu Dhabi and Egypt. only four people killed by sharks. The SOSF HD library is now available to a wider public through the BBC, Ocean Channel and National Geographic.

42 During the last year, a number of SOSF- SOSF has acquired the use of Tom Making the difference funded films were released and these Campbell’s stills library, with some SOSF’s projects place the organization include: 50,000 high quality images depicting at the forefront of marine scientific the vast array of marine life, research. The global collaboration that G The Dugongs of Abu Dhabi (Tom accumulated over the last 30 years. is taking place between project leaders Campbell) – which won gold at the These images being scanned into digital is providing an unprecedented depth US 2006 Millennium Awards formats to increase accessibility for and breadth of knowledge about key G Whales Sharks of Holbox (Michael SOSF conservation awareness, marine species. This will in turn Wham) – winner at the US Kids First! publications and sales. make a positive contribution to the Film and Video Festival development of better management www.saveourseas.com – the SOSF plans for the long-term protection of G Maxine’s Journey (Lesley Rochat) – main website – contains a wealth of these particular species and the wider the story of a captive ragged tooth information about the marine world and marine environment. shark’s return to the wild was global research projects funded by broadcast across South Africa SOSF. It also provides access to a wide SOSF’s willingness to embrace new range of previously published material technologies in support of its global G Chinese TV documentary (WildAid) – in pdf and e-book formats. During 2007, program of projects has actively highlighting the plight of sharks and a series of short documentary podcasts enabled better scientific research, the need for conservation was aired (adapted from footage within the HD increasing the quality of the results on Chinese television to an estimated library) have been added to the site and and promotes SOSF and its work to the audience of two million viewers. can also be viewed both on YouTube and widest possible audience. Through both SOSF provided sponsorship for a by visiting sospodcast.com. Another traditional and innovative channels of number of prestigious wildlife film exciting development has been SOSF’s communication, SOSF is broadcasting festivals, including: the International first venture into virtual worlds with the its mission throughout the world to help Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula, establishment of SOSF Island in Second make differences that will help protect Montana; the Jackson Hole Wildlife Life. Visitors to the website site the planet for future generations. Film Festival in Grand Teton National (already over 2,000 each day) can be For more information about the Save Park, Wyoming; and Wlldscreen In teleported to the Island to learn more Our Seas Foundation, its mission and Bristol, England. These festivals are about SOSF by visiting the virtual the global conservation projects, please attended by thousands of delegates office, aquariums, project building, visit www.saveourseas.com. from around the world who are the key auditoriums and University complex. players in the wildlife and nature production world.

43 “ AS LONG AS THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CARE AND TAKE ACTION, WE CAN AND WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE ”

THE FOUNDER, SOSF