SHARKS & RAYS OF THE BAHAMAS
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the island nation of The Bahamas is home to over 40 species of sharks and rays. In 2011 The Bahamas established a shark sanctuary, prohibiting the landing or possession of sharks and shark parts. The Bahamas is arguably “The Shark Diving Capital of the World,” with people traveling from across the globe to see these amazing animals up close. A study released in 2017 found that sharks and rays generate $113.8 million USD annually through eco-tourism.
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The Bahamas Shark Sanctuary is a significant conservation initiative aimed at protecting sharks in The Bahamas' waters. It was the first shark sanctuary in the Atlantic. Established in 2011, it encompasses over 630,000 square kilometers (243,000 square miles) of ocean, making it one of the largest shark sanctuaries in the world. Overall, The Bahamas Shark Sanctuary exemplifies proactive conservation measures to preserve marine biodiversity and ensure sustainable management of shark populations in the region.
All shark fishing is banned throughout the sanctuary. This ban includes capturing, landing, selling, and possessing sharks and shark products.
The sanctuary aims to conserve shark populations, recognizing their ecological importance in marine ecosystems and their vulnerability to overfishing.
The sanctuary promotes shark-related eco-tourism activities, such as shark diving, which provides economic benefits while encouraging conservation awareness. It also supports research efforts to understand better shark behavior, migration patterns, and population dynamics.
The establishment of The Bahamas Shark Sanctuary has contributed to global efforts to protect sharks and has served as a model for other countries considering similar measures.
The sanctuary has helped raise public awareness about the importance of sharks in marine environments and the threats they face from human activities like fishing and habitat destruction.
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