By Natascha Wosnick

Since moving to The Bahamas, I’ve been struck by the number of Bahamians who either dislike or fear sharks—a sentiment that tourists and many expatriates here are often unaware of. Born and raised in Brazil, a country where sharks are killed at one of the highest rates in the world, living in a place where these magnificent animals are protected and can fulfill their ecological roles feels like a breath of hope. Walking along the beach or in the creeks, or visiting the marina and seeing live, healthy animals daily, is a privilege few can experience, and The Bahamas provides that.

However, I also understand why so many Bahamians feel uneasy or fearful about sharks. After all, living in a place where sharks are protected increases the chances of encounters, which can, unfortunately, sometimes pose risks to humans. But I’ve also noticed that many residents are unaware of the situation sharks face globally and just how dire it is in many parts of the world.

The BAhamas: World Leader In Shark Conservation

Have you ever wondered why The Bahamas is so crucial for shark conservation and how it contributes to global efforts? Let me share some numbers that you might not know, and I invite you to understand why protecting sharks is so vital.

Every year, around 100 million sharks are killed worldwide, equating to about three sharks every second. However, recent evidence suggests that this number could be even higher, reaching up to 500 million sharks annually. Now, let’s consider the position of sharks in the food chain: it’s akin to that of lions, tigers, wolves, or killer whales. Imagine the impact of killing these animals in such vast numbers: extinction of species important to humans and a rise in pests we’re not prepared to handle. But why compare sharks to these other animals when they’re fish? Unfortunately, sharks have reproductive characteristics more similar to large mammals. They grow very slowly, take many years to mature, have pregnancies as long as humans, and produce very few offspring—sometimes as few as one pup every two years. Additionally, natural mortality among shark pups is high, with up to 80% not surviving to adulthood.

When we consider these factors, it becomes clear that most sharks die long before they can pose any threat to humans. Yet, commercial fishing continues to decimate shark populations, not allowing time for recovery. The primary reason for shark fishing might surprise you. There’s a significant market for shark meat, consumed in large quantities in places like Brazil, my home country. Moreover, sharks are hunted for their fins, which are consumed in Asian countries, typically by the wealthy, but we all pay the price.

The situation for sharks is so critical that, along with their relatives, the rays, they form the second most threatened group of vertebrates on the planet, facing a high risk of extinction in the near future.

Why should we protect shark populations?

This is why places like The Bahamas serve as a beacon of hope for global conservation—a title that few countries can claim, highlighting the importance of The Bahamas for these animals, which are so crucial for maintaining the balance of our oceans. But what exactly is this importance? As underwater animals, it can sometimes be hard to visualize the benefits of maintaining healthy shark populations. Their primary role is in maintaining ocean health by keeping the food chain in balance. They are also essential for nutrient cycling, ensuring that marine environments remain highly productive. Finally, sharks may play a role in climate regulation. Species like the tiger shark help preserve seagrass beds, which are vital for carbon sequestration, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere and worsening the greenhouse effect.

Understanding the importance of these animals—and the role The Bahamas plays in ensuring a healthy ocean for future generations—is critical. Together, we can prevent what is happening elsewhere in the world from happening in this wonderful country. However, it’s also important to recognize that even though The Bahamas has healthier shark populations than most places, this doesn’t mean we have too many sharks. On the contrary, it’s likely that our conservation efforts are just enough to keep populations stable but not growing as some might think. This is primarily because many of our sharks travel to other countries, exposing them to the risk of death. Even for species that spend most of their lives in The Bahamas, there are still many threats to their health that could lead to their demise.

The Difference Sharks Make on Marine Ecosystems

As I reflect on my journey from Brazil to The Bahamas, I realize just how fortunate we are to live in a place where sharks are still thriving. It’s easy to take their presence for granted, to see them as mere inhabitants of the sea rather than the critical keystone species they are. But what if we didn’t have them? What would our oceans look like without these magnificent creatures patrolling their depths?

The answer is stark: a sea without sharks is a sea in decline. The delicate balance of marine ecosystems would crumble, leading to a cascade of changes that could ultimately affect all of us, even those who live far from the coast. The absence of sharks is not just a loss for the ocean; it is a loss for the entire planet.

So, I encourage you to see sharks not as threats, but as protectors of our marine environments. Let’s shift our perspective from fear to respect, understanding that the health of our oceans—and by extension, our world—depends on the survival of these ancient creatures. The Bahamas stands as a global example of what can be achieved through dedicated conservation efforts. But this is not the end of the story; it’s merely the beginning of a new chapter in which we all have a role to play. We are the guardians of this legacy, and it is up to us to ensure that the waters of The Bahamas remain a safe haven for sharks, so that future generations can continue to experience the wonder of seeing a shark glide through the clear, blue sea.

In protecting sharks, we protect ourselves and the future of our planet.