Shark Foundation
Photo © Klaus Jost
Photo © Klaus Jost
Photo © Klaus Jost
Foundation
In 2022 disruptions to the Shark Foundation's research projects caused by the Covid 19 pandemic have greatly diminished. However, the economic problems resulting from the Russian invasion and the ongoing war in the Ukraine, as well as related uncertainties about the economic future and fears of recession, especially in Europe, affected the general work of the Shark Foundation. Public institutions, donors and sponsors have become increasingly reluctant to fund research and other projects. The Foundation may also no longer be able to count on the full support of its main sponsor in 2024. Due to this general financial reticence, new project applications received by the Foundation have accumulated massively compared to previous years. However, like other donors, the Foundation must distribute its funds carefully in order to be able to finance already committed projects over their full running time. Unfortunately, this means that some projects had to be rejected while other shorter and normal projects deemed very promising for shark protection could thus be newly included in the Foundation’s project portfolio.
In 2022, collaboration was established with the young fashion label Atelier Blyss in Lucerne which specializes in very sustainable, young fashion. Atelier Blyss donates 10% of its profits from the sale of their new collection FIN-K Beyond to the Foundation’s whale shark project.
Scientific research is expensive, especially when it comes to marine organisms such as sharks. Thus, in addition to the effective research materials, additional costs often ensue for boats, crew, fuel, travel, etc. Molecular biological research such as the analysis of population dynamics or the study of large-scale migrations using satellite transmitters devour vast amounts of research money and usually can only be financed by large laboratories, often with several donors. Where appropriate, the relatively small Shark Foundation supports or participates in such larger projects that specifically serve shark conservation. Sometimes, however, it is the small, relatively low-cost projects that can be very interesting (e.g. the analysis of local fish markets and shark landings in poorly studied regions). These are rarely supported by large donors, especially national funding agencies. By funding such projects, together with the networking of project leaders with each other and with larger laboratories working with us, the Foundation can substantially contribute to shark conservation with relatively little effort.
The Shark Foundation has been committed to the worldwide protection of sharks since 1997. Without the support of many small and large donors it would be impossible for us to carry on our work for sharks and hence to protect our oceans.
Thus we take this opportunity to thank all our donors and patrons whose generous support makes our work possible!
Sharks International Conference
2022, Valencia, Spain
From October 20 - 22, 2022, the Shark International Conference (SI 2022) was held in Valencia, Spain. Online sessions and workshops took place from October 10 to 14. Originally, the idea was to hold SI 2022 together with the annual conference and board meeting of the EEA (European Elasmobranch Society). Unfortunately, this was not possible because not enough EEA country representatives were able to attend the conference.
Nevertheless, from a scientific and networking angle, the conference was attended by many international research teams and was thus very successful. For the first time in years, Dr. Alexander Godknecht was able to again speak personally with many of the Foundation’s project managers in addition to getting acquainted with others for the first time.
Publications
The publication of scientific results that have been peer-reviewed by specialists prior to their release is one of the most important goals of research. It is only through these publications that other scientists and the public can benefit from the results. That is why the Shark Foundation is very proud of the fact that to date at least 111 scientific publications have resulted from the projects it supports.
In 2022 thirteen (13) reports on Shark Foundation projects were published (probably also as a consequence of the forced Covid 19 break in field research). Also published was a book written by Dr. Simon Pierce the contents of which included selected scientific articles on whale shark research.
US Shark Foundation
The U.S. Shark Foundation, based in Florida, was dissolved in 2022. The costs incurred by the U.S. Foundation no longer justified its benefits. Thanks to modern online banking and electronic communication options, activities in the U.S. can be easily managed from Switzerland.
Shark Exhibit
The exhibit is in storage and we are continuously looking for new exhibit locations.
Expenditures/Investments to date: approx. CHF 270,000
Population Genomics of Large
Shark Species
Under the direction of Professor Mahmood Shivji, this project is being carried out in his laboratory and includes molecular genetic analyses of various large oceanic sharks, e.g. large hammerheads, makos, great white sharks, sixgill sharks or whitetip oceanic sharks. These analyses support molecular biological research on global genetic links between populations of especially large oceanic and other endangered shark species.
Genetic connections provide information on whether individual populations are isolated or if they mix with other populations, enabling them to compensate any losses through the integration of other species. In 2022 Professor Shivji’s team published a scientific paper on the population dynamics of scalloped hammerhead sharks in the Eastern Pacific.
Expenditures 2022: CHF 11,700
Investments to date: approx. CHF 70,100
Global Analysis of
Large Shark Species Migrations
Numerous shark species are in massive decline worldwide due to overfishing. Their meat and especially their fins are a highly valued commodity and their high demand puts increased pressure on their populations. Although large shark species are top predators they mature slowly, become sexually mature much later and also have fewer offspring. This obviously makes them more susceptible to population decline caused by overfishing.
SOceanic sharks in particular are often found in the same regions where international fishing fleets are also active. Analyzing their migration routes is thus especially important. Laboratory and field work performed in Professor Mahmood Shivji’s laboratory in 2021 was possible but was subjected to long Corona-based interruptions.
Resumption of this work was possible in 2022.
Expenditures 2022: CHF 7,800
Investments to date: approx. CHF 48,400
Shark Nurseries
The shark „nursery“ project in Rookery Bay, 10,000 Islands, Florida, has been managed by Pat O’Donnell since 2000 in cooperation with the Mote Marine Lab. The region is used by sharks as a primary nursery (newborns) and secondary nursery (juvenile sharks one year and older). The study region includes Fakahatchee, Fake Union and Pumpkin Bay.
The marshlands, whose waters flow into these bays, were drained over 20 years ago for a land reclamation project which, however, failed. It was only a few years ago that the State of Florida decided to restore the original marshlands. This project has been severely delayed and to date has not been completed, although results are slowly beginning to show. The amount of fresh water that used to be diverted to the sea through canals to drain the swamp is decreasing. The goal of this research is to determine how any salinity change in these nursery areas affects juvenile sharks.
The Foundation continues to invest in this project whenever required
Expenditures 2022: CHF -0-
IInvestments to date: approx. CHF 61,500
Fiji Shark Sanctuary
The Fiji Shark Conservation Park project is now self-sustaining, but the Foundation will continue to provide financial assistance as required. At the end of 2013 Mike Neumann requested continued support for the Fiji Shark Count Project in order to inventory all sharks in the region dating back to 2012. The Fiji Shark Count is ongoing and was co-funded by the Foundation in 2013/14. In 2015 Christine Ward-Paige from Dalhousie University, Halifax, evaluated the data collected during the Fiji Shark Count.
The Foundation continues to invest in this project whenever necessary.
Expenditures 2022: CHF -0-
Investments to date: approx. CHF 41,800
Migration of Large Coastal Sharks
in Jupiter, FL, and the Bahamas
Bull Shark Migrations Jupiter/Bimini/Bahamas
The project involves research into the movements of large shark species such as hammerheads, tiger sharks, lemon sharks as well as bull sharks in the region. In 2022 changes were made to approval procedures for the study of great hammerheads and the project team subsequently focused their research on bull sharks. First results are expected in the second quarter of 2023.Expenditures 2020 - 2021/22: CHF 18,700
IInvestments to date: approx. CHF 86,200
Whale Sharks
In 2022, the Marine Megafauna (MMF) team led by Dr. Simon Pierce and Dr. Chris Rohner was able to resume its research work where it left off prior to the pandemic.
In 2021 Simon Pierce and his staff published a status update on the threat to global whale shark populations in the IUCN Red List.Mozambique:
Madagascar:
Tanzania / Mafia Island:
Galapagos Research Trip in July 2022:
In 2022, the team published three scientific articles and one book with selected scientific articles on whale sharks.
Expenditures 2022: approx. CHF 9,700
Investments to date: approx. CHF 129,800
Project successfully completed
White Sharks in the North Atlantic:
Analysis of Hormones and Microplastics
As top predators of the oceans, white sharks are found at the end of the food chains. As such they accumulate environmental toxins such as mercury and microplastics. Surveys of great white shark populations conducted in cooperation with Ocearch are expected to provide more information on their health status.
Veterinarian Michael Hyatt will be assisted in his research on the accumulation of microplastics in great white sharks, in the analysis of the population’s general health status, and in studies on stress endured by sharks during capture and on-board examinations.
The project is scheduled to continue until the end of 2022 since the goal of analyzing 20 individuals each of one-year-old, young, juvenile and adult white sharks was not yet achieved. By the end of 2021, 73 sharks from different age groups had been analyzed and results were presented at four conferences held by the American Elasmobranch Society, as well as published in one scientific journal. Since various analyses on microplastics, stress hormones, mercury, nutritional physiology, etc. were not yet completed, further publications are expected in 2022/23.
Preliminary analyses show that great white sharks accumulate microplastics which not only can clog the gills but can also enter the bloodstream. The danger lies in the fact that microplastics bind dangerous environmental toxins which can enter the body’s cells and cause long-term damage.
Studies on the migrations of various age groups and sexes in the eastern North Atlantic brought new insights into mating areas, habitats of pregnant females and one-year old sharks. The distribution area was extended to the far north of Canada. These new findings will help to better protect great white sharks in the North Atlantic.In 2023/24 the Ocearch team plans to search for white sharks in the Mediterranean.
Expenditures 2022: CHF -0-
Investments to date: approx. CHF 29,400
Cape Verde Shark Conservation Project
West Africa’s Cape Verde is an archipelago consisting of ten volcanic islands and is home to more than 60 species of sharks and rays, including whale sharks, tiger sharks and manta rays. These species have been exploited uncontrollably in West Africa for many years. However, the Cape Verde Islands – especially Brava and Maio – are exceptional in that they are the only regions where sharks and rays are not intensively fished. This makes them a hotspot for these species and one of their last refuges in the northeast Atlantic.
After the various corona lockdowns in 2020/21 the project was slowly resumed at the end of 2021. Various activities in the field of public relations, protection of prey fish of sharks and the fight against illegal industrial and sports fishing are beginning to bear fruit.
Whether or not the project will continue to be supported remains to be seen.
Expenditures 2022: CHF -0-
Investments to date: approx. CHF 20,000
Indigenous Fisheries in Angola
In West Africa an alarming decline in sharks is being observed, mainly due to the ever-increasing demand for shark fins in the Asian region. Great hammerheads, lemon sharks and bull sharks are experiencing an especially threatening decline, but many other shark species are also affected.
Angola is located in the northern part of the so-called Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME). The BCLME is an extremely productive marine region thanks to the confluence of the Benguela and Angola currents which create eddies that transport nutrient-rich deep water to the surface.
The demand for shark fins has led to a massive increase in local coastal fishing in Angola, especially over the past 10 years (source FAQ, United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization). However, since no accurate data on specific shark fishing is available, the project aims at collecting such data.
The project is progressing well. A second interim report with data from various ports in Angola is now available.
In 2021 Ana Lucia Furtago Soares was accepted into the IUCN Shark Specialist Group and will write her dissertation at the Ludwig Maximilian University (Munich, GER) based on her work.
Project Management: Ana Lucia Furtado Soares
Expenditures (2017-2019): approx. CHF 9,500
Expenditures 2022: CHF 6,000
Investments to date: approx. CHF 19,800
Social Behavior of Bull Sharks in Fiji
Bull shark populations in Fiji have been studied extensively and like all bull sharks their status on the Red List of the IUCN is “almost threatened.” However, the bull sharks in Fiji are considered more endangered as they do not mix with the nearest bull shark populations due to the latter’s distance from Fiji. This means that their losses cannot be compensated.
Although we know a great deal about bull sharks, very little is known about their social behavior. We do know that sharks often develop social structures, form groups and cliques, learn from others, and that they differ in individual behavior.
Managing this project is Natasha Dominique Marosi. In her dissertation she will examine in detail the social behavior of bull sharks in Fiji with the aim of answering the following questions:
The project is progressing well. In 2022, the project was expanded to include a shark tagging component with acoustic transmitters. Since this expansion adds important value to the project, the Foundation approved a one-time additional $10,000 for the transmitters and accessories.
Project Management: Natasha Dominique Marosi
Expenditures (2021-2023): approx. CHF 15,000
Expenditures 2022: CHF 14,700
Investments to date: approx. CHF 19,800
Artisanal Fisheries in Ghana
Ghana is not only one of the most important shark and ray fishing nations in West Africa, but these fisheries are also one of the biggest employers in the coastal regions. They secure the livelihood and income for many of the poorest communities on the Ghanaian coast.
The project aimed at collecting critical basic information on indigenous fisheries in Ghana, focusing on ecological, cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of such fisheries in western Ghana. Specifically analyzed were special, typical dangers for sharks in a particular region. Based on this data (which so far has been nonexistent), the plan is to develop a national strategy in order to help sustainably protect and manage Ghana’s shark and ray populations.
Results of the project were published in 2022 in three scientific papers.
Project Management: Seidu Issah
Expenditures 2022: CHF -0-
Investments to date: approx. CHF 16,450
Short-Term Projects
New Project 2022: Indigenous Fisheries in Tamil Nadu, India
When experts assess threats to worldwide shark and ray populations, they most often focus on the large demand from Southeast Asian fin markets. However, both IUCN shark specialists and the FAO have recently witnessed the emergence of increased local and global markets for other shark products such as meat, skin and squalene, which may threaten shark populations.
India is one of the largest global shark catching nations. Especially the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu reports the second highest catches of sharks and rays in India next to Puducherry. Project research will focus on shark catches and especially supply chains of shark products in ports in the big city Chennai. Interviews with fishermen, traders and buyers of end products will be used as well as direct investigations of catches on boats and in markets.
The project objective is to collect for the first time exemplary data on landed sharks and rays and the associated supply chains in India. This data and the sustainability of fisheries and trade will be discussed with local politicians and the fishing industry.Project Management: Shruthi Kottillil, Tamil Nadu, India
Expenditures 2022: CHF 7,000
New Project 2022: Shark and Ray Populations around Fregate Island, Seychelles
Little is known about the shark and ray populations of Fregate Island, an island in the Seychelles archipelago. In a biodiversity study conducted between 2019 and 2021, the populations there were described as "incidental" and not considered further in statistical analyses. This despite the fact that photographs taken during the studies confirm the presence of various species that, like the guitar ray, are considered critically endangered.
The aim of the survey is to establish an effective inventory of the shark and ray species inhabiting the waters around Fregate Island. For this purpose, so-called BRUVS (Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems) will be used. They will be placed around Fregate Island at different times of the year at 22 locations for 1 hour each, 11 in shallow water, 11 in greater depths.
Project Management: Masha Lourie, Lisbon University, Portugal
Expenditures 2022: CHF 2,700
New Project 2022: Blackmouth catsharks in underwater canyon in the Mediterranean Sea
Shark populations in the Mediterranean Sea have declined dramatically over the last 20 years due to overfishing and bycatch, and many species are endangered. The identification and appropriate protection of so-called "essential" habitats is one way to protect and conserve marine biodiversity. In these areas, marine creatures can breed, feed and spend protected adolescence time to adulthood. While these habitats are known for some large shark species such as hammerheads, bull sharks, lemon sharks or white and mako sharks, little is known about such habitats for deep sea sharks.
Blackmouth catsharks (Galeus melastomus) are deep-sea, egg-laying sharks widely distributed on the slopes of continental shelves in the Mediterranean Sea at depths of about 300 to 800 meters. They are frequently found in bycatch. Deepwater sharks are generally severely threatened by trawls and bottom trawls. Blackmouth catsharks, however, can counteract fishing pressure because they reach sexual maturity at a markedly early age for sharks and thus have higher reproduction rates.
In the Gulf of Lion, west of Toulon, a highly increased number of blackmouth catsharks was detected in the bycatch compared to other regions. This suggests that the area is an "essential" habitat for this species. The aim of the project is to study this region in more physical detail, to analyze the mortality rate of the sharks on board and to learn more about their population structure. Since the Mediterranean is considered one of the most polluted seas, the stomach contents of captured sharks will be examined for microplastics and possibly harmful plastic additives.
The Foundation usually does not support research on shark species that are not considered endangered. Nevertheless, this project was approved because it may provide interesting information on the extent that microplastics and possibly toxic plastic additives are found at greater depths in the Mediterranean Sea.
Project Management: Ignasi Nuez, Msc, Submon, University of Barcelona, Spain
Expenditures 2022: CHF 5,080
New Project 2022: Environmental DNA (eDNA) study on shark and ray populations in South Africa
South Africa is located between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is a hotspot when it comes to climate change. The study will investigate the influence of climate change on the occurrence of key species of the approximately 200 shark and ray species found in this region.
Traditional surveys of shark and ray populations are complex and expensive. They include representative catches and recaptures, interviews with fishermen and fish traders, underwater videos (BRUVS, i.e. Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations) and other methods. As previous studies have shown, living organisms also leave species-specific traces in the form of DNA. Studying populations using DNA samples (eDNA) extracted from the environment (in this case seawater) is a relatively inexpensive and now technically established alternative for qualitative studies on the occurrence of specific species in a region. However, it reveals nothing or very little about population sizes.
This project - part of a dissertation at Stellenbosch University - will investigate the occurrence of several important shark and ray species along the South African coast using eDNA analysis. The following locations will be analyzed: False Bay, Gansbaai, De Hoop, Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay, Algoa Bay, Chintsa, Umkomaas, Richards Bay, Sodwana Bay, Port Nolloth, Strandfontein, Saldanha Bay.
The goal is to test, for the first time, such broad-scale eDNA surveys of shark and ray populations in South Africa in order to establish a basis for future similar surveys that may reveal trends in species composition caused by climate change.
Project Management: Kristina Loosen, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Expenditures 2022: CHF 8,300
Critical areas for sharks in Greece
Sharks are threatened worldwide, but for years now severe overfishing has caused an especially dramatic decrease in their numbers in the Mediterranean Sea. The waters around Greece are known for their rich diversity of shark and ray species (67 species), thus rendering them important for the conservation of biodiversity. The western region of the Mediterranean Sea is relatively well researched in terms of sharks and rays as opposed to the eastern part. The waters around Greece are thus particularly interesting.
The project will investigate the Ambracian Gulf for possible shark nursery grounds. This is a partially enclosed shallow water area in the Ionian Sea and is home to many large marine species such as dolphins, sea turtles and at least six species of rays. However, nothing is known about any shark species found there.
The project team plans to study shark populations, especially the endangered but not protected sandbar sharks (Charcharhinus plumbeus) in the Mediterranean Sea. With the help of bycatch analyses, tagging and so-called citizen science (e.g. the analysis of private shark photos posted online on social media), the team will try to establish a long-term monitoring system of the shark populations there.
Project Management: Ioannis Giovos, iSea, Greece
Expenditures 2021/22: CHF 5,200
Project ended by the Foundation:Blue sharks (Prionace glauca) are large deep-sea sharks and top predators found worldwide in temperate and tropical waters. Like other shark species they are an important regulating factor in their marine ecosystems.
Blue sharks are either caught directly for their fins, or they perish in the bycatch of deep-sea fishing fleets. Their status on the Red List of Threatened Species is “near threatened,” i.e. close to, or with a strong tendency towards “endangered.” However, the lack of more current data means they might already have to be classified as “endangered.”
In addition to the threat posed to blue sharks from fishing, these top predators also encounter a major problem in that they accumulate environmental toxins. High concentrations of arsenic and mercury, far above European limits, have already been measured in blue sharks. PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) can also accumulate in top predators, affecting their health and fertility.
Unfortunately, even in 2022 no major progress was made in the project, partly due to the exorbitant costs of any ships needed for the expeditions. In addition, the collection of tissue samples from free-swimming blue sharks proved to be difficult.
Due to the lack of results over a longer time period the Foundation thus decided to terminate the project at the end of 2022
Project Management: Dr. Andrea Gaion, South Devon College
Expenditures 2022: CHF -0-
Investments to date: approx. CHF 13,200
Successfully completed: Catch Analyses of Bluntnose Sixgill Sharks in the Mediterranean
Although according to the IUCN Red List, bluntnose sixgill sharks are not considered endangered in the Mediterranean, we must point out that fisheries there are poorly documented and controlled. Sixgill sharks are also frequently found in the bycatch of deep-sea fisheries (down to 2,000 meters). Considering the declining trends of most other shark populations in the Mediterranean (which have shrunk to 10-20% of their former size) this positive assessment seems rather unlikely and outdated.
This particular study included interviews and observations designed to identify trends in sixgill shark landings throughout the Mediterranean. It covered 11 countries: Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Montenegro, Albania, Cyprus and Israel. Conducted in cooperation with local researchers and volunteers from each country, the project was coordinated by Ignazio Nuez from the EEA member organization in Spain (Submon). Not only was it of great interest for shark conservationists, but it also aimed at promoting cooperation among the various EEA members in the Mediterranean region, especially between the new EEA members Greece and Israel.
The project was completed and an initial presentation of preliminary data was presented at the IUCN Workshop in Palma de Mallorca in November 2019. A final report on project results was published at the beginning of 2023.
Project Management: Ignasi Nuez, Msc, Submon, Spain
Expenditures 2022: CHF -0-
Total investments: CHF 9,650
Media/Public Relations
The Foundation and Shark Info answered questions, gave interviews, edited articles in various media, and provided expertise and tips on a wide variety of themes in connection with sharks and shark protection.
Web Server
The new web pages went online in April 2021, while the gradual redirecting of hai.ch and shark.ch pages to Swiss domains lasted until October. The number of visitors for hai.swiss and shark.swiss increased accordingly from October 2021 onwards.
Solid data for the new sites is now available for 2022. The German pages (hai.swiss) were used by 206,000 visitors in 2022, who viewed a total of 2,122,500 pages. This corresponds to an average number of 13 pages per visitor. Most visitors stemmed from Germany, Singapore, the U.S., Switzerland and Austria. Visitors on the English pages totaled 125,000 who viewed 1,002,300 pages, or approximately 10 pages per visit. Visitors seem to spend more time looking at the information on our new pages and view an average of 10 to 25 pages. Mobile devices had the largest share on both sites.
Shark Foundation Financial Policy
The Shark Foundation was established on August 29, 1997. As an internationally active foundation, it is subject to the supervision of the Federal Department of Home Affairs / Foundation Supervision, in Bern, and can accept tax-deductible donations. Once a year it submits its annual report and financial statements to the supervisory authority for approval.
The Foundation finances all its activities through donations, lectures and the online-sale of products. Members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees work on a voluntary basis and are not remunerated for their attendance at meetings, nor do they procure a salary. The Foundation runs a Shark Online Shop on its internet pages (selling T-shirts, soft toy sharks, fossilized shark teeth, as well as promoting shark adoption). Proceeds from sales flow directly back into the Foundation's account. As a rule, a mailing requesting donations goes out once a year to all interested parties with a payment slip.
At the first meeting of the respective year, the Board of Trustees of the Shark Foundation decides on the use of the profit carried forward and money stemming from donations from the previous year. Until now, no reserves were set aside; instead all funds were released for current projects, investments and administrative expenses.
The Foundation's accounts are audited annually by the auditing company Revisal (Gossau, Switzerland)
Foundation
The Covid-19 pandemic continued to strongly impact the Foundation’s work on shark protection projects in 2021. Many researchers found it impossible to conduct their fieldwork as planned due in particular to travel restrictions as well as uncertain and rapidly changing quarantine requirements.
Scientific research is expensive, especially when it concerns marine organisms. Thus, in addition to effective research materials, costs may also ensue for boats, crew, fuel, travel, etc. Molecular biological research, such as the analysis of population dynamics or the study of large-scale migrations using satellite transmitters, consumes vast amounts of research funds and usually can only be financed by large laboratories which often have several donors. Where appropriate, the relatively small Shark Foundation supports or participates in such larger projects that are specifically aimed at shark protection. Sometimes, however, the small and relatively inexpensive projects (e.g. the analysis of local fish markets and shark landings in poorly studied regions) can be very interesting. These are rarely supported by large donors, especially by national research institutes. By funding such projects and by networking the project leaders among themselves and with larger laboratories, the Foundation can contribute substantially to shark conservation with relatively little effort.
The Shark Foundation has been committed to the worldwide protection of sharks since 1997. Without the support of many small and large donors it would be impossible for us to carry on our work for sharks and hence to protect our oceans.
Thus we seize this opportunity to thank all our donors and patrons whose generous support makes our work possible!
New Foundation Web Pages
In April 2021 the completely redesigned, responsive - i.e. optimally adapted to various end devices - web pages of the Foundation went online in German and English.
Almost all pages were newly created and adapted to the Joomla Content Management System. The database programming and pages also had to be completely recreated in the form of PHP modules. The new appearance called for the restructuring and repeated updating of the database. New photos were also procured and now include almost all key species. In addition, some distribution maps were also integrated.
As for the Shark Online Shop it is now an independent, professional open-source solution, integrating PayPal, Stripe, bank transfer and payment slips for use in Switzerland.
Donations can also be made and processed in a separate module using PayPal and Stripe.
Although work for maintaining and testing the web pages has massively increased, the attractive store and donation pages are used much more frequently than before.
EEA Conference (Leiden, Holland)
As already mentioned in our last annual report, the annual conference of the EEA (European Elasmobranch Society) planned for the fall of 2020 in Leiden, Holland, had to be cancelled due to Covid 19. An online version of the conference could also not be realized. Finally, in January 2021 the Annual General Meeting of the EEA took place via video conference.
An actual live conference was later held on location in Leiden (Holland) at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center from November 3 to 5, 2021, shortly before Holland strongly retightened corona measures. Dr. Alexander Godknecht (Shark Foundation) represented Switzerland at this conference.
Publications
The publication of scientific results that have been checked by specialists before publication (peer review) is one of the most important goals of research. Only through such publications can other scientists and the public benefit from any results. The Shark Foundation is thus very proud to report that to date at least 88 scientific publications have resulted from the projects that it supports.
In 2021, 4 publications stemming from Shark Foundation projects appeared on the following topics:
Three scientific projects supported by the Foundation were presented in the IUCN Shark Specialist Group Newsletter 3/2021:
U.S. Shark Foundation
In 2021 the U.S. Shark Foundation was reregistered as a nonprofit organization seated in Miami, Florida. However, the Board of Trustees of the Shark Foundation and the Director of the U.S. Shark Foundation, Prof. Mahmood Shivji, have now decided to discontinue the U.S. Foundation at the end of 2021. The costs incurred in the U.S. (registration/lawyer's office/legal fees) have exceeded any income or donations for years and the money is better invested directly in shark conservation projects rather than in administrative costs. The registration of the U.S. Shark Foundation as a nonprofit foundation in Florida will thus not be renewed for 2022 and the U.S. Foundation will be dissolved.
Total administrative costs to date: approx. CHF 60,000
Shark Exhibit
The exhibit is in storage and we are continually searching for new exhibit locations.
Expenditures/Investments to date: approx. CHF 270,000
Population Genomics of Large Shark Species
Under the direction of Professor Mahmood Shivji, this project is being carried out in his laboratory and includes molecular genetic analyses of various large oceanic sharks, e.g. large hammerheads, makos, great white sharks, sixgill sharks or whitetip sharks. The analysis will help in molecular biological research on global genetic links between populations of especially large oceanic and other endangered shark species.
Genetic connections provide information on whether individual populations are isolated or if they mix with other populations which would enable them to compensate any losses through the iintegration of other species. Although both laboratory and field work were possible, they were considerably hampered by extensive interruptions due to Corona. Prof. Shivji's team published two scientific papers in 2021 on the genetic linkages of global sixgill shark populations and global population structures of tiger sharks.
Expenditures 2021: CHF 10,000
Investments to date: approx. CHF 58,400
Global Analysis of Large Shark Species Migrations
Numerous shark species are in massive decline worldwide due to overfishing. Their meat and especially their fins are a highly valued commodity and their high demand puts increased pressure on their populations. However, large shark species are top predators but they mature slowly, become sexually mature much later and also have fewer offspring. This obviously makes them more susceptible to population decline caused by overfishing.
High-sea sharks in particular are often found in regions where international fishing fleets are also active. Analyzing their migration routes is thus especially important. Laboratory and field work performed in Professor Mahmood Shivji’s laboratory in 2021 was possible but was subjected to long Corona-based interruptions.
Expenditures 2021: CHF 8,370
Investments to date: approx. CHF 40,600
Shark Nurseries
The shark „nursery“ project in Rookery Bay, 10,000 Islands, Florida, has been managed by Pat O’Donnell since 2000 in cooperation with the Mote Marine Lab. This region is used by sharks as a primary nursery (newborns) and secondary nursery (juvenile sharks one year and older). The study region includes Fakahatchee, Fake Union and Pumpkin Bay.
The marshlands, whose waters flow into these bays, were drained over 20 years ago for a land reclamation project which, however, failed. It was only a few years ago that the State of Florida decided to restore the original marshlands. This project has been severely delayed and to date has not been completed but results are slowly beginning to show. The amount of fresh water that is diverted to the sea through canals to drain the swamp is decreasing. The goal of this research is to determine how any salinity change in these nursery areas affects juvenile sharks.
The Foundation continues to invest in this project whenever required.
Expenditures 2021: CHF -0-Fiji Shark Sanctuary
The Fiji Shark Conservation Park Project is now self-sustaining, but the Foundation will continue to provide financial assistance as required. At the end of 2013 Mike Neumann requested continued support for the Fiji Shark Count Project in order to inventory all sharks in the region as of 2012. The Fiji Shark Count is ongoing and was co-funded by the Foundation in 2013/14. In 2015 Christine Ward-Paige from Dalhousie University, Halifax, evaluated the data collected during the Fiji Shark Count.
The Foundation continues to invest in this project whenever necessary.
Expenditures 2021: CHF -0-Migration of Large Coastal Sharks in Jupiter, Florida, and the Bahamas
Great hammerhead sharks around Jupiter/Bimini/Bahamas
Hammerhead shark species are strongly overfished in many regions. In March 2014 great hammerhead sharks were put on the list of endangered species in both Appendix II of the CITES Convention and the IUCN Red List. They migrate over long distances through the territories of various nations. For this reason they are also listed in Annex I of the UN Convention on Highly Migratory Species which calls for all participating countries to cooperate strongly in the their management.
Hammerheads are often found in bycatch, but are also actively fished because their fins achieve a high market value. Regulating bycatch and demanding that hammerhead sharks be thrown back into the sea makes little sense because they have a mortality rate of about 90% in bycatch which is the highest of all shark species. For this reason their locations, seasonal activity range and behavior must be more thoroughly known in order to provide them more effective protection.
The project got off to a good start. However, after the death of Professor Samuel Gruber in April 2019 and the ensuing 2020/2021 pandemic, it fell severely behind schedule. In 2021 Professor Gruber’s successor, Matthew Smukall and his team, along with some additional researchers, published four scientific papers on the subject.
Expenditures 2020-2021/22: CHF 18,700Whale Sharks
Studies on whale sharks conducted by Dr. Simon Pierce and Dr. Chris Rohner continued to be strongly affected by the corona pandemic in 2021.
Some highlights: The marine region around Inhambane, Mozambique, was chosen as the “hope spot” of Silvia Earle’s “Mission Blue” thanks to the research of Simon Pierce and his team. Simon Pierce co-authored the comprehensive book on whale sharks, “Whale Sharks: Biology, Ecology and Conservation” which was published by CRC Press in 2022. Based on the work of Simon’s team, among others, the protected marine region around the Galapagos was expanded, and a protected waterway for endangered marine animals was established as far north as the Cocos Islands.
Meanwhile, the Marine Megafauna Foundation opened a new environmental center in Tofo, Mozambique, offering education, information and training opportunities to all interested parties. Based on analyses of genetic sequences, it was possible to show that the whale sharks of Mozambique are close relatives of the whale sharks roaming in the Red Sea.
Expenditures 2021: approx. CHF 9,200
Investments to date: approx. CHF 120,100
White Sharks in the North Atlantic: Analysis of Hormones and Microplastics
As top predators of the oceans, white sharks are found at the end of the food chains. As such they accumulate environmental toxins such as mercury and microplastics. Surveys of great white shark populations conducted in cooperation with Ocearch are expected to provide more information on their health status.
Veterinarian Michael Hyatt will be assisted in his research on the accumulation of microplastics in great white sharks, in the analysis of the population’s general health status, and in studies on stress endured by sharks during capture and on-board examinations.
The project was scheduled to continue until the end of 2022 since the goal of analyzing 20 each of one-year-old, young, juvenile and adult white sharks has not yet been achieved. By the end of 2021, 73 sharks from different age groups had been analyzed and results were presented at four conferences held by the American Elasmobranch Society, as well as published in one scientific journal. Further publications are expected in 2022/23 when hopefully the various analyses on microplastics and mercury contamination, stress hormones, nutritional physiology, etc. in the different age groups will have been completed.
Preliminary analyses show that great white sharks accumulate microplastics which can not only clog the gills but can also enter the bloodstream. The danger lies in the fact that microplastics bind dangerous environmental toxins which can enter the body’s cells to cause long-term damage.
Studies on the migrations of the different age groups and sexes in the eastern North Atlantic brought new insights into mating areas, habitats of pregnant females and one-year olds. The distribution area was extended to the far north of Canada. These new findings will help to better protect great white sharks in the North Atlantic. In 2022 the Ocearch team plans to search for great white sharks in the Mediterranean.
Expenditures 2021: CHF 9,300Cape Verde Shark Conservation Project
West Africa’s Cape Verde is an archipelago consisting of ten volcanic islands and is home to more than 60 species of sharks and rays, including whale sharks, tiger sharks and manta rays. These species have been exploited uncontrollably in West Africa for many years. However, the Cape Verde Islands – particularly Brava and Maio – are exceptional in that they are the only regions where sharks and rays are not intensively fished. This makes them a hotspot for these species and one of their last refuges in the northeast Atlantic.
After the various corona lockdowns in 2020/21 the project was slowly resumed at the end of 2021. Various activities in the field of public relations, protection of prey fish of sharks and the fight against illegal industrial and sports fishing are beginning to bear fruit.
Expenditures 2021: CHF 10,000Indigenous Fisheries in Angola
In West Africa an alarming decline of sharks is being observed, mainly due to the ever-increasing demand for shark fins in the Asian region. Great hammerheads, lemon sharks and bull sharks are experiencing an especially threatening decline, but many other shark species are also affected.
Angola is located in the northern part of the so-called Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME). The BCLME is an extremely productive marine region thanks to the confluence of the Benguela and Angola currents which create eddies that transport nutrient-rich deep water to the surface.
The demand for shark fins has led to a massive increase in local coastal fishing in Angola, especially over the past 10 years (source FAQ, United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization). However, no accurate data on specific shark fishing is available and the project aims at collecting such data.
The project is progressing well. A second interim report with data from various ports in Angola is now available.
In 2021 Ana Lucia Furtago Soares was accepted into the IUCN Shark Specialist Group and will write her dissertation on the basis of her work in Angola.
Project Management: Ana Lucia Furtado SoaresNew 2021:
Social Behavior of Bull Sharks in Fiji
Bull shark populations in Fiji have been studied extensively and like all bull sharks their status on the Red List of the IUCN is “almost threatened.” However, the bull sharks in Fiji are considered more endangered as they do not mix with the nearest bull shark populations due to the latter’s distance from Fiji. This means that their losses cannot be compensated.
Although we know a great deal about bull sharks, very little is known about their social behavior. It is known that sharks often develop social structures, form groups and cliques, learn from others, and that they differ in individual behavior.
Managing this project is Natasha Dominique Marosi. In her dissertation she will examine in detail the social behavior of bull sharks in Fiji with the aim of answering the following questions: Are there group and clique formations and what are the criteria for bull sharks to join such a group/clique? Do group/clique formations remain the same over time or do they fluctuate? To what extent do personality traits of individual sharks play a role in group selection? Are there roles or hierarchies in these groups/cliques and are they stable or do they change? What are the advantages of groups/cliques for bull sharks?
Project Management: Natasha Dominique Marosi
Cost Projection (from 2021 to 2023): approx. CHF 15,000
Expenditures 2021: CHF 5,100
Investments to date: approx. CHF 5,100
Project successfully completed
Artisanal Fisheries in Ghana
Ghana is not only one of the most important shark and ray fishing nations in West Africa, but these fisheries are also one of the biggest employers in the coastal regions. They secure the livelihood and income for many of the poorest communities on the Ghanaian coast.
The project aimed at collecting critical basic information on indigenous fisheries in Ghana, focusing on ecological, cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of such fisheries in western Ghana. Specifically analyzed were special, typical dangers for sharks in a particular region. Based on this data, which up until today has been nonexistent, a national strategy should now be developed to help sustainably protect and manage Ghana’s shark and ray populations.
Results of the project were published in 2022 in two scientific papers.
Project Management: Seidu Issah
Expenditures 2021: CHF -0-
Expenditures to date: approx. CHF 16,450
Short-term Projects
New 2021: Critical Regions for Sharks in Greece
Sharks are threatened worldwide, but in the Mediterranean their numbers have seen an even more dramatic decline for years due to severe overfishing. The sea around Greece is known for its rich populations of sharks and rays (67 species). This makes the region especially important for the preservation of biodiversity. The western part of the Mediterranean is relatively well studied with regard to sharks and rays, but not the eastern part. That is why the waters around Greece are particularly interesting.
The project will examine the Ambracian Gulf for possible shark nurseries. This is a partially closed shallow water area in the Ionian Sea and is home to many large marine species such as dolphins, sea turtles and at least six species of rays. However, nothing is known about the presence of any shark species there. The project team plans to study shark populations, especially the endangered and unprotected sandbank sharks (Charcharhinus plumbeus) in the Mediterranean. With the help of bycatch analyses, markings and so-called citizen science (e.g. the analysis of private shark photos posted online on social media), an attempt will be made to establish the long-term monitoring of shark populations there.
Project Management: Ioannis Giovos, iSea, Greece
Expenditures 2021/22: CHF 5,200
Ecological Analysis of Blue Sharks in South Cornwall (England)
Blue sharks (Prionace glauca) are large deep-sea sharks and top predators found worldwide in temperate and tropical waters. Like other shark species they are an important regulating factor in their marine ecosystems.
Blue sharks are either caught directly for their fins, or they perish in the bycatch of deep-sea fishing fleets. Their status on the Red List of Threatened Species is “near threatened,” i.e. close to, or with a strong tendency towards “endangered.” However, the lack of more current data means they might already have to be classified as “endangered.”
In addition to the threat posed to blue sharks from fishing, these top predators also encounter a major problem in that they accumulate environmental toxins. High concentrations of arsenic and mercury, far above European limits, have already been measured in blue sharks. PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) can also accumulate in top predators, affecting their health and fertility.
2021 turned out to be another year which saw no major progress on this subject. This was partly due to the exorbitant costs of renting any ships needed for the expeditions. In addition, taking tissue samples on-board from fast moving and sinuous free swimming blue sharks proved to be a very challenging task. In 2021, the plan was to switch to taking tissue samples at fish markets or directly from blue sharks that have already been caught.
Project Management: Dr. Andrea Gaion, South Devon College
Successfully Completed: Catch Analyses of Sixgill Sharks in the Mediterranean
Although according to the IUCN Red List, bluntnose sixgill sharks are not considered endangered in the Mediterranean, we must point out that fisheries there are poorly documented and controlled. Sixgill sharks are also frequently found in the bycatch of deep-sea fisheries (down to 2000 m). Considering the declining trends of most other shark populations in the Mediterranean (which have shrunk to 10-20% of their former size) this positive assessment seems rather unlikely and outdated.
This particular study included interviews and observations designed to identify trends in sixgill shark landings throughout the Mediterranean. It covered 11 countries: Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Montenegro, Albania, Cyprus and Israel. Conducted in cooperation with local researchers and volunteers from each country, the project was coordinated by Ignazio Nuez from the EEA member organization in Spain (Submon). Not only was it of great interest for shark conservationists, but it also aimed at promoting cooperation among the various EEA members in the Mediterranean area, especially between the new EEA members Greece and Israel.
The project was completed and an initial presentation of preliminary data was presented at the IUCN Workshop in Palma de Mallorca in November 2019. A report on the project was scheduled for publication in 2022.
Project Management: Ignasi Nuez, Msc, Submon, Spain
Expenditures 2021: CHF -0-
Total expenditures: CHF 9,650
Media/Public Relations
The Foundation and Shark Info answered questions, edited articles in various media, and provided expertise and tips on the theme of sharks and shark protection.
Web-Server
The new web pages went online in April 2021, while the gradual uploading and redirecting of hai.ch and shark.ch pages lasted until the beginning of October. The number of visitors for hai.swiss and shark.swiss increased accordingly from October 2021 onwards.
During the transition phase it was unfortunately difficult to make any precise evaluations. Now we can present them as follows: From October to November 2021, hai.swiss recorded about 42,000 visitors who viewed around 590,000 pages, while shark.swiss had 22,000 visitors who viewed about 161,000 pages.
For hai.ch and shark.ch visitors and page views decreased accordingly. In 2021 a total of almost 200,000 users accessed almost 980,000 German-language pages, while 110,000 users accessed almost 400,000 English-language pages. It appears that visitors inform themselves longer on our new pages, looking at an average of 8 to 11 pages. Mobile devices accounted for the largest share on both sides. By the end of 2022, comparable data for 2020 and earlier years should be available on the new pages.
Shark Foundation Financial Policy
The Shark Foundation was established on August 29, 1997. As an internationally active foundation, it is subject to the supervision of the Federal Department of Home Affairs / Foundation Supervision, Bern, and can accept tax-deductible donations. Once a year it submits its annual report and financial statements to the supervisory authority for approval.
The Foundation finances all its activities through donations, lectures and/or the sale of products such as T-shirts or soft toy sharks. Members of the Foundation Board work on a voluntary basis and receive neither meeting fees nor a salary. The Foundation runs a Shark Online Shop on its internet pages, offering T-shirts, soft toy sharks, tear-off blocks, postcards and shark sponsorships. Proceeds from sales flow directly back into the Foundation's account. As a rule, a mailing goes out once a year to all interested parties with a payment slip and donation request.
At the first meeting of the respective year, the Board of Trustees of the Shark Foundation decides on the use of the profit carried forward and money coming from donations from the previous year. Until now, no reserves were set aside; instead all funds were released for current projects, investments and administrative expenses.
The Foundation's accounts are audited annually by the auditing company Revisal (Gossau).
