Bolstered research and conservation efforts to protect The Bahamas' shark population will allow the country to explore the "untapped potential" of its fledgling ecotourism product, according to a Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) official.
CEI Business Officer Christian Henry told Guardian Business that the CEI and international research organizations hoped to conduct further research in quantifying the economic value of sharks to The Bahamas following a conference with a delegation from the United Nations Shark Sanctuary Coalition (UNSSC).
"Sharks are important to any tourism economy in the Caribbean. Divers come to see and appreciate these animals in their natural habitat and there's an opportunity to make more of these tourism products available and ensure that those kinds of hyper-enthusiasts sharks fans choose to come to The Bahamas when they have a wide set of choices," said Henry, noting that ecotourists represented a "tribe" of visitors that routinely went out of their way to visit well-protected habitats.
Henry highlighted that the increased protective measures for the country's shark population had wider implications for the local fishing economy, stating, "Their importance is not only from a tourism point of view, but sharks also keep fisheries healthy and in so doing ensure that the ocean resources are protected and in a healthy state for future generations."
"The protection of not only the animals, but also the environment along with the promotion of these kinds of products targeted at a specialty ecotourism market is an untapped opportunity for any of these Caribbean countries, but for The Bahamas in particular.
The CEI recently hosted members from 10 countries as they studied shark ecology with CEI research scientists. Led by UNSCC Chair Dr. Elliston Rahming, the group discussed the implications that the CEI's research had for shark conservation policymaking, noting that the economies of many UNSCC nation members depended on greater research and conservation.
"The ocean habitat deeper than 200 meters below the surface is the single largest ecosystem on the planet and we know so very little about what is happening there where it's dark, cold, nutrient-poor, and the life cycle of sharks is poorly described. This is what drives our research efforts and that of our graduate students, who support The Island School research projects.
"We are creating new knowledge together with young people," said Dr. Edd Brooks, senior shark research scientist at the CEI.
Henry hoped that further economic impact could be possible through the ongoing assistance of the Bahamas National Trust, Pew Charitable Trusts, Save our Seas Foundation, and other sponsors. In a press release issued by the CEI, Bahamas National Trust Director Eric Carey stressed the need for collective conservation efforts.
"Our nations are not small-island states, they are big-ocean states. There are considerable conservation opportunities if we are working together, within the country and at a regional scale. Efforts like these, including the existing prohibition on the commercial harvest or trade and use of any shark fins or parts within The Bahamas, ensure that sharks can continue to thrive for generations in our waters, one of the world's best places to see sharks," Carey said.
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