Examples include Ascension Island, a remote territory in the South Atlantic with a population of only about 800 people. In recent years, this gorgeous paradise has become ground zero for shark attacks. Consequently, fears are escalating both for public safety and in the efforts to protect sharks. In 2017, just two of these usually non-fatal shark attacks were enough to worry local officials. Their informed response contributed to a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) established in 2019. This designation reflects a growing awareness of the need to balance marine conservation with the safety and recreational interests of island residents.
In recent years, year-round residents say they’ve experienced one of the worst increases in shark attacks ever. In an effort to inform these interactions, a recent collaborative research project has unpacked some of the dynamics driving shark-human conflict. Scientists are hard at work monitoring shark populations. They’re especially interested in silky and Galapagos sharks, which have been showing up more frequently in the island’s waters.
Increased Human-Shark Interactions
Human-shark interactions at Ascension Island have increased dramatically over the past ten years, causing concern among residents of the island as well as researchers. In one-on-one interviews with residents, we found that nearly nine in ten have reduced their time spent in or on the ocean. Their chief explanation? Fear of shark attacks. This last sentiment is characteristic of a developing anxiety that has sprung up around the sighting of sharks in all coastal areas.
Dr. Claire Collins, a researcher with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), emphasized how complicated these interactions might be. In her practice, she serves as an ambassador for the University of Exeter. She stated,
“We found that human-shark conflict is driven by lots of different factors beyond just attacks, and understanding this is vital if we want shark conservation to work.”
Dr. Collins noted that individuals held differing views on what constituted “normal” shark numbers and behaviors, complicating efforts to manage these populations effectively.
Conservation Efforts and Research
By creating the MPA, Ascension Island has made history and has moved forward on the path to marine ecosystem protection. If you’re a recreational angler, you can only fish in nearshore waters, which stretch from the coast out to 12 nautical miles. Further out, from 12 to 200 nautical miles offshore, all fishing is completely banned. These protective, proactive measures would be taken in the name of protecting marine biodiversity as well as addressing local concerns.
Researchers are hard at work trying to bridge the knowledge gaps that exist between shark behavior and human interactions. The research paper titled “Social dimensions of shark-human interactions in a large remote Marine Protected Area” was recently published in the journal People and Nature. As this study underscores, deep understanding is needed to defuse conflicts before they boil over.
Tiffany Simpson from AIG Conservation highlighted what we all learned through this research. She stated,
“It is very important for both science and public confidence to establish an understanding of the potential drivers behind shark activity around Ascension.”
Making this case is essential to building lasting community support for new and sustained conservation investments that make it all possible.
The Broader Implications of Shark Attacks
Shark attacks therefore represent not just physical threats, but deep psychological scars on local communities. Dr. Collins pointed out that incidents such as one life-threatening injury on Ascension can significantly shape public attitudes toward sharks. She noted,
“Shark attacks—one of which resulted in a life-threatening injury on Ascension—can have a significant impact on people’s attitudes.”
These occurrences can promote heightened fear and hatred of ocean activities like surfing, playing an unfortunate role in making conservation and coexistence even more difficult. Dr. Sam Weber from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at Exeter’s Penryn Campus emphasized the need for evidence-based information to guide public perception and policy decisions regarding sharks. He remarked,
“A positive step would be to ensure people are working from widely agreed, evidence-based information about sharks.”
His sentiments capture a shift towards the realization that the future of good shark management lies in fruitful cooperation and correlative conversation between scientists and the local populations.