Marine Affairs

Management, through policies and laws, govern human uses and impacts on marine ecosystems. These strategies can be used for conservation, to protect and preserve ocean ecosystems. However, management decisions typically weigh societal and economic activities with ecosystem needs, and therefore do not necessarily protect ecosystems from decline or promote recovery.

Therefore, evaluating the success of different management strategies is difficult. 

eOceans has reviewed and evaluated various management strategies. By collaborating with renowned researchers and local experts (e.g., dive instructors), and combining various data sources (e.g, fisheries data), we have amplified the power of Citizen Science to answer relevant and timely questions. 

We have found: 

• 100 million sharks still die each year, exceeding reproductive potential, despite improving global marine policies and laws
• Policies that prohibit targeted commercial shark fishing (Shark Sanctuaries) may help some sharks, but are not sufficient in isolation
• Shark recovery strategies, even those protecting endangered species, are not sufficient
• Manta rays are highly valuable for ecotourism, but are threatened by international trade
• Shark sanctuaries are likely to be more effective than more complex strategies that promote sustainable fishing