An alarming reduction of sharks has been noticed in West Africa, due mainly to the ever increasing demand for shark fins in the Asian region. Large hammerhead sharks, lemon sharks and bull sharks are especially affected by a threatening decrease in numbers, but many other shark species and skates are also affected.

Fishing harbor in Angola

Photo © Ana Lucia Furtado Soares

Background

Angola is located in the northern part of the so-called "Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME)," an extremely productive marine region due to the confluence of the Benguela and Angola rivers which produces turbulence that transports nutrient-rich deep water to the surface.
The demand for shark fins is the reason why the establishment of local coastal fisheries in Angola has sharply increased, especially within the last 10 years (source FAO, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization). Precise data on specific shark fishing is not yet available, but shall be collected in this project.

Shark catch in Angola

Photo © Ana Lucia Furtado Soares

Goal

The project's objective is to obtain basic data on artisanal fisheries on the Angola coast. Such data is not available today. The data collected with the help of this project will then make it possible to work out protective measures.

Methods

Information on the occurrence, the landing frequency of various shark species, as well as catch methods can be gathered by means of standardized interviews with fishermen and sellers. On-site observations by shark specialists should verify and enhance any such collected data.

Five fishing centers along the Angolan coast were selected for this research project: Casa Lisboa, Samba/Mabunda, Luanda, Buraco, Sao Braz

Results

By 2019, in the space of two visits, the various catch methods used on the Angolan coast were determined and more than 50 landed sharks and various skate species were identified and measured. Biological samples were collected for later analysis. Eleven different shark species were observed in the area being researched.

Project Status 2019

The project is progressing well. An initial interim report with data from different harbors in Angola is available.

Administrative Details

Project Status:  in progress since 2018
Photos: © Anna Lucia Furtado Soarez
Project Leader: Dr. Rima Jabado (Environment Agency Abu Dhabi)

Investments: 2018 -2019 approx. CHF 9,500