Latest news with #oceanConservation
Forbes
2 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
How ‘Jaws' Sank Shark Conservation Before It Began
Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss stand next to a shark with a hook piercing through it in a scene ... More from the film 'Jaws', 1975. (Photo by) When Jaws hit theaters in 1975, it changed the way people saw sharks literally overnight. Before the film, most beachgoers didn't think twice about what swam below the waves. But after that ominous music and the now-iconic dorsal fin? Well, sharks became public enemy number one. The problem with this was that the fear people felt didn't stay in the cinema. It bled into science, policy, and the public's understanding of the ocean… and half a century later, sharks are still paying the price. Since 1970, shark populations in the open ocean have dropped by more than 70 percent. While overfishing plays the major role for the downfall of this iconic predator, the fear-driven policy following the cultural hysteria of Jaws can't be ignored. Around the world, governments implemented shark culls, protective nets, and baited drumlines — all in the name of 'public safety.' But many of these tools aren't just ineffective but counterproductive! They killed not just the so-called 'dangerous' sharks but also countless other marine animals like rays, turtles, and dolphins. As shark numbers dropped, ecosystems began to shift. See, sharks aren't just big, toothy fish that swim around scaring humans out of the water. They're apex predators that help keep marine systems balanced; take them out of the picture, and you risk destabilizing entire food webs. In coral reef systems, for instance, sharks help regulate populations of mid-level predators, which in turn keeps algae-eating fish populations healthy. Remove the sharks, and the algae overgrow. Coral suffers, and the reef — home to thousands of species! — starts to die. That's not just an environmental tragedy. It's an economic one too. Scientists estimate that ecosystem disruptions caused by shark declines could cost coastal economies billions of dollars. Coral reefs alone support an estimated $36 billion in tourism each year, and healthy shark populations are a major draw. In places like the Bahamas, Fiji, and Palau, shark tourism brings in tens of millions of dollars annually. But some of these same nations have also had to spend significant amounts managing shark-human conflict, often trying to strike a balance between public safety and tourism dollars. In Australia, for example, the government has spent millions maintaining shark net and drumline programs along popular beaches. Yet studies show these measures don't significantly reduce the risk of shark bites. Meanwhile, they continue to kill innocent (and sometimes endangered) species and strain budgets that could be better spent on education campaigns, improved tracking systems, and research into shark behavior — tools that can actually reduce risk without harming the environment, and that the public has supported. American actor Richard Dreyfuss inspects the mouth of a dead shark in a still from director Steven ... More Spielberg's film, 'Jaws,' 1975. (Photo by) The media's portrayal of sharks hasn't helped either. Even today, headlines about shark bites often use the language of 'attacks,' reinforcing the myth of sharks as mindless killers. In reality, the odds of a fatal shark bite are one in 3.75 million. To put this into perspective, you're more likely to die taking a selfie or being struck by lightning. But logic rarely wins against fear, and for years, fear has dictated how we treat sharks in science, policy, and the public mind. Ironically, the same fear that fueled shark culling has also inspired a global fascination with sharks. From Shark Week documentaries to Instagram influencers diving cageless, there's growing public interest in these animals and that gives us an opportunity to rewrite their story. But shifting perception isn't enough to help these animals overcome the threats they are currently facing. It's going to take stronger policies, international cooperation, and meaningful investment in shark conservation to undo the decades of damage this movie helped create. Thankfully, in recent years, nations have started to recognize the value of live sharks over dead ones, and more countries are banning shark finning or setting science-based catch limits. Marine protected areas are expanding, and several species of sharks are being protected by governments on all types of levels. But the clock is ticking. Some shark species now hover on the brink of extinction, and without urgent action, they could disappear within our lifetimes. Fifty years after Jaws, we have the benefit of hindsight and the burden of accountability. The movie made people afraid — now it's time for science and policy to make them understand that sharks aren't villains. They're vital. And if we don't protect them, we're the ones who'll end up with the real horror story.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Cook Islands opposition calls for national pause on seabed mining
By Talaia Mika , Cook Islands News Cook Islands opposition leader Tina Browne Photo: Cook Islands News Cook Islands opposition leader Tina Browne is calling for a "national pause" on the Cook Islands' deep sea mining ambitions, warning that the country is risking its oceanic heritage and identity by charging ahead with a decision that could have irreversible consequences. Browne made the comment following the meeting of Pacific leaders in Nice, France, a gathering also attended by Prime Minister Mark Brown, who led a Cook Islands delegation to the third United Nations Ocean Conference. The Opposition leader questioned the government's commitment to responsible development, contrasting it with the passionate pleas from neighbouring Pacific countries calling for moratoriums and marine protection. "Like many across our country and Te Moana Nui o Kiva, I was deeply moved listening to our Pacific leaders speak in France this week," Browne said. "Tuvalu's President pleaded for help in the face of rising seas swallowing his nation. The Solomon Islands called for a moratorium on seabed mining. Tahiti invoked its cultural heritage to place a rā'ui-a traditional protection-over a vast section of its ocean territory. "They spoke with heart and with courage. They reminded us that while we may be small islands, we are vast ocean nations-and that with that vastness comes a duty to protect it." Also read: While leaders across the region are urging caution and conservation, Browne says the Cook Islands government is "forging ahead with plans to mine the deep seabed beneath our waters," describing the approach as one that is "moving quickly and quietly on something that could change our ocean forever." The Prime Minister and his delegation had earlier joined world leaders in Monaco for the Blue Economy and Finance Forum before heading to Nice, where they reaffirmed the Cook Islands' push to become a global leader in seabed mining. Mark Brown defended the country's stance on deep sea mineral exploration, highlighting the regulatory frameworks being developed and the potential economic benefits for the nation. But Browne said while she is not opposed to economic development, it must not come at the expense of the country's identity or values. "I want to be clear: I am not against development. I understand our need to grow our economy and reduce our reliance on others. But development must be responsible, inclusive, and not compromise the very foundation of who we are. And in the Cook Islands, the ocean is not just territory-it is genealogy, spirituality, and life." Citing recent feedback from young Cook Islanders during a seabed mining consultation in Australia, Browne raised concerns over intergenerational justice and the lack of youth involvement in decision-making. "Several young Cook Islanders expressed frustration at a recent seabed mining consultation in Australia. They said the room was full of older people and felt left out, ignored in a process that would most affect their future," she said. "If our youth-the very people we say we are doing this for-feel excluded, then we must ask ourselves whether this process is fair or even just." Browne said true leadership is knowing when to pause, listen, and bring the nation along with the decision-making process. "We are often proud to say we are leaders in the Pacific. However, leadership is not always about being first. Sometimes, it's about knowing when to stop and listen-when to join the chorus, not go solo." She has urged the government to put a national pause on the seabed mining rollout, and to commit to meaningful dialogue with the people of the Cook Islands. "I am calling for a national pause - a moment to step back and reflect together as a country," she said. "Let us open up proper space for dialogue-not just behind closed doors or technical briefings, but real conversations in our villages, churches, and homes. Let us hear from our vaka navigators, our reef fishermen, and our grandmothers, who understand the tides better than any textbook." "Let us ask: Do we truly know the risks? Do we have a mandate from our people? And is this the legacy we want to leave behind?" Browne concluded with a plea to put wisdom before ambition: "We still have time to make the right decision, not rushed or pressured, but one that honours our identity, the ocean, and our place in the Pacific. Let's lead with wisdom, not just ambition." -This article was first published by Cook Islands News .
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Shark safety tips to start the summer
CAPE HATTERAS, N.C. (WAVY) – Contender is a hanging out off the shore of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Ocearch is tracking him as part of a larger conservation effort for our oceans. 'Our oceans are back. We are in the great return to abundance and we're seeing as much life off our coast, both east and west now as we saw in the 1940's,' said the founder of Ocearch, Chris Fischer. 'So, it's an amazing time to get out to the ocean with your family. Realize, if you're my age, if you're in your 50s, we grew up in an ocean that was completely wiped out. So, you could walk into the ocean anywhere, any time. Now, over the last 30 years, we've rewired our oceans. Our kids are going to see an ocean full of fish.' Fischer suggests one way to see if there are sharks in the ocean is to look above it. 'If you see a bunch of birds crashing on bait and game fish eating the bait, there's going to be sharks coming in and the food chain is colliding there,' Fischer said. Also, pay attention to the flags at the beach. A purple flag means there is marine life in the remember, the odds of being attacked by a shark are extremely low and sharks are good for our oceans. 'It was still chasing her': 9-year-old girl attacked by shark while swimming at Florida beach 'When the white shark comes to town, every animal knows it and behaves properly,' Fischer said. 'So when you're seeing them off your beaches, you can know our management people must be doing pretty good.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
How Sharks Got Their Reputation Back From 'Jaws'
In 1975, a mechanical great white shark terrorized beachgoers on the big screen in Jaws, launching a cultural phenomenon and an ecological crisis. The film raked in what would today equal nearly $2.7 billion and left a legacy of fear that fueled shark culls, trophy hunts, and policies rooted more in panic than science. That legacy is still felt in the water and in the public imagination. But in the decades since, researchers, filmmakers, and conservationists have worked tirelessly to change the story. They've had to counteract a narrative etched into pop culture with something far more nuanced and urgent: sharks are not villains. Instead, they are vital ocean predators facing serious threats. And instead of being hunted, they should be protected, because they're worth more alive than dead. The damage done by Jaws went beyond the silver screen. It gave sharks a brand problem. The irrational fear it sparked led to government-sanctioned culling programs, beach net installations, and recreational killing. Some species were pushed to the brink, their populations collapsing under the weight of fear-driven policy and overfishing. But as scientific understanding of sharks improved and marine ecosystems were better studied, the narrative began to shift. People started to realize that removing apex predators from the ocean had ripple effects throughout entire ecosystems. Coral reefs suffered, fish populations became unbalanced, and the ocean's health declined. Enter science communication and eco-tourism. A new generation of researchers, often appearing on platforms like Shark Fest, Shark Week or in nature documentaries like Blue Planet, began to reframe sharks not as mindless killers but as essential, often misunderstood animals. Tracking programs tagged great whites, hammerheads, and tiger sharks, producing maps that let the public follow their migrations in near real-time. This gave people a new way to connect with the animals and social media accounts connected to these individual sharks amplified the movements of these animals, demystifying the species while humanizing the work one sassy update at a time. At the same time, a global shark tourism industry began to grow. Today, shark tourism generates around $314 million annually and supports more than 10,000 jobs. In places like Australia, the Bahamas, Fiji, and South Africa, shark diving has become a major draw, bringing in revenue that helps fund local conservation efforts and research. Some communities that once relied on fishing sharks now make more money keeping them alive and inviting tourists to swim alongside them. It's a powerful economic argument — that a live shark can be worth far more than a dead one — that conservationists have used to shift attitudes. But changing public perception hasn't been easy, especially when a blockbuster like Jaws has left such a long cultural shadow to get out of. However, it seems like consistent messaging and education, especially when tied to real-world experiences, have begun to work. Conservation groups like The Shark Trust and The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy receive millions of dollars in donations and grants to study and protect sharks. Recent campaigns from non-novernmental grganizations and initiatives have focused on science-backed policy changes (such as creating marine protected areas) and free educational outreach content (as seen here by the Australian Marine Conservation Society). Citizen science efforts have also played a role, with divers around the world logging sightings, tagging programs opening to the public to raise money for science, and apps that let anyone contribute to data collection — all of which have helped foster a sense of shared responsibility for the future of these animals. Still, the contrast between the economic success of Jaws and the current push for shark conservation is stark. Jaws made about $470 million at the box office back in the 70s, which when adjusted for inflation is a few billion dollars. That single film's reach is hard to compete with. But what instead of competing to make all people everywhere not afraid of sharks, a replacement narrative was offered. One that says sharks are complex, diverse, and vulnerable. That humans are far more dangerous to sharks than the other way around. And that the health of our oceans depends on their survival. That's exactly what conservationists have done, and it seems to be working. It's fitting that 50 years after Jaws hit theaters, some of the very beaches that once feared shark sightings now advertise them. Shark festivals celebrate them. Dive operators depend on them. And schoolchildren are taught about their ecological importance, not their supposed bloodthirst. It is not a perfect recovery, as many shark species are still in danger from climate change, habitat destruction, and bycatch, but it's a striking transformation to what once was. The road to repairing sharks' reputations has been long and full of obstacles, and in many ways, it's a blueprint for how we might reframe other misunderstood or maligned species. That's the real plot twist.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
UN Ocean conference gives 'glimmer of hope' for marine life
The UN Ocean conference has been heralded a success, with more countries ratifying a key treaty to protect marine life and more progress on curbing plastics and illegal fishing in our 200 countries came together in Nice, France to discuss how to tackle the most pressing issues facing the oceans. The conference ends world's seas are facing threats on multiple fronts from plastic pollution to climate change. Sir David Attenborough said ahead of the conference that he was "appalled" by the damage from certain fishing methods and hoped leaders attending would "realise how much the oceans matter to all of us". The key aim was to get the High Seas Treaty ratified by 60 countries to bring it into force. The agreement was signed two years ago to put 30% of the ocean into protected areas. Fifty countries had ratified by Friday, but dozens more promised to ratify by the end of the year. This and other progress on plastics and illegal fishing appears to have restored faith in the ability of governments to work together."UNOC has given us a glimmer of hope that the challenges facing our ocean are being seen and will be tackled," said Tony Long, chief executive officer of Global Fishing Watch."As we edge closer to the High Seas Treaty coming into force, governments need to double down - using both transparency and new technologies - to safeguard the ocean," he to the UN Oceans Conference confidence in the multilateral process for solving the world's most pressing issues was 2024, key negotiations on biodiversity, plastics and climate collapsed or concluded with limited aim of the meeting was not to sign a new legally-binding agreement but make progress on previous years ago, countries agreed to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 to support international waters this is hard to achieve as there is no clear controlling nation. So, in 2023 countries signed the High Seas Treaty agreeing to put 30% of these waters into marine protected is the UN High Seas Treaty and why is it needed?Prior to the conference only 27 out of the 60 states needed to bring it into force had ratified. Over just a few days that figure jumped to 50 and countries, including the UK, agreed it would ratify by the end of the is record time for a UN agreement, explained Elizabeth Wilson, senior director for environmental policy at environmental NGO The Pews Trust."We have worked on many different treaties over the years and ratification often takes five years, seven years. "So the fact the High Seas Treaty is on the cusp of it entering into force really shows the global momentum behind working to protect more of the high seas," she nations including the US and China have not ratified the treaty although they are signatories, indicating their intention to do so in the Russia, which has never supported it because of concerns over its impact on fisheries, said on Friday it would continue with that US diplomats experienced in UN negotiations praised the progress."From progress on the High Seas Treaty to French Polynesia's marine protected area, UNOC provided the latest proof that when we work together, real accomplishment is possible," said John Kerry, former US Secretary of State and Climate Envoy. More countries also came forward with promises to put their own national waters into marine protected areas (MPAs) and restrict the most harmful fishing the week the UK announced it would seek to ban bottom trawling in nearly a third of English MPAs. This has been long been a demand of environmental charities, and more recently Sir David Attenborough, who argue that without such bans the protection just exists on largest ever marine protected area was also launched by French Polynesia in its own waters, and 900,000 sq km of that will ban extractive fishing and mining - four times the size of the this commitment and others made during the conference, 10% of the oceans are now in protection. "This is sending a message to the world that multilateralism is important," Astrid Puentes told R4's Today programme on the final day. "We need this leadership. The ocean is a single biome in the planet, it is all connected so we absolutely need to strengthen international law," she progress on limiting destructive fishing practices globally has been difficult without the participation of China - which operates the largest fleet in the at the conference its government announced it had now ratified the Port State Measures Agreement - a legal commitment to eliminate illegal and unregulated fishing. Despite French President Macron opening the conference with a stark warning on the threats from deep sea mining, countries remained split on the week 2,000 scientists recommended to governments that all deep sea exploration be paused whilst further research is carried out; just 0.001% of the seabed has been this only 37 countries heeded the advice and have called for a moratorium on deep sea mining. "More and more states need to call for a moratorium on seabed mining so that we have this regulatory framework in place before any mining activities can happen," said Pradeep Singh, an environmental lawyer and marine expert with the Oceano Azul Trump abandoned the idea of a global approach in April when he declared that the US administration would start issuing permits for the activity. But Mr Singh thinks even without calling for a ban most countries do not support the US approach. At the final meeting of the conference countries passed the Nice Ocean Action Plan summarising their commitments. The issue of plastic pollution is one that is particularly profound for the oceans, but in December talks on reducing the levels of production broke are nearly 200 trillion pieces in the ocean and this is expected to triple by 2040 if no action is the physical plastic and the chemicals within them is life-threatening to marine animals, said Bethany Carney Almroth, Professor of Ecotoxicology at the University of Gothenburg."There are more than 16,000 chemicals that are present in plastics, and we know that more than 4,000 of those have hazardous properties, so they might be carcinogenic, or mutagenic, or reproductively toxic," she said. At the conference ministers from 97 countries, including the UK, signed a joint political statement saying they wanted an ambitious treaty to be signed on the this only included one of the top ten oil-producing nations - Canada. Plastic is made from oil, so any commitment to reduce production could harm their income, the countries oil production is also crucial if countries want to see a drop in planet-warming emissions and limit the worst impacts of climate oceans are at the forefront of this - 90% of the additional heat put into the atmosphere by humans has been absorbed by the oceans, leading to increasingly destructive marine conference did not see any new commitments on reducing emissions, but poorer nations did push their richer counterparts to release previously promised money for climate action more quickly."I share the frustration of many small island developing nations in terms of the non responsiveness of international financial facilities," said Feleti Teo, prime minister of Tuvalu."We don't have influence to change their policies but we need to sustain the pressure, meetings of this sort give us the opportunity to continue to tell the story." 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