Technology and Policy in Reducing Shark Bycatch: An Overview

Abstract

A solution to the widespread and damaging problems posed by high levels of shark bycatch must address the problem from a policy perspective as well as a technology perspective, and involve much higher levels of research, data collection, and uncertainty analysis. As is exemplified by the incredible success of the TED, when technology and policy are integrated with input from fishermen, they can experience high levels of success. But for these programs to be successful, there must be adequate data: not only on the impact of bycatch on a given population, but also on the status of that shark population and the ability of the gear change to exclude the non-target species. Thus a more interdisciplinary approach to manage sharks would be most successful, in which technology could be developed in conjunction with policy, all the while supported by adequate research and funding. Moreover, international policy on this front has not been effective, and could be improved by consequences for countries that do not take action. However, to make such action a possibility, more data is needed. So for those aiming to conserve sharks the next step is further research.