Cousin Island Special Reserve has long been a sanctuary for diverse marine life. Recent studies by Nature Seychelles, in collaboration with the University of Western Australia and the Save Our Seas Foundation, have highlighted the potential effectiveness of area protection and coral reef restoration in supporting shark and predatory fish communities.
Coral reefs are vital ecosystems, providing habitat and food for numerous marine species. However, they face threats from both natural events and human activities, leading to significant degradation. This deterioration impacts marine biodiversity, including sharks and predatory fish, crucial in maintaining reef health. Conservation efforts are thus essential, and Cousin Island Special Reserve exemplifies the success of such initiatives through the management of the Special Reserve and the coral restoration project.
A major advancement in studying these ecosystems is using Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS). These tools allow researchers to monitor elusive predatory fish and sharks without disturbing their natural behaviours.
In December 2023, BRUVS were deployed around Cousin Island, marking a pioneering effort in assessing both the protection and restoration impacts on these marine communities. The study involved 60 BRUVS drops across various sites, including Cousin Island.
BRUVS were deployed around Cousin Island
The study also explored the impact of coral restoration on marine communities. Preliminary data suggests that restored sites show promising signs of positive effects on shark populations. While more data is needed to draw definitive conclusions, these initial findings are encouraging and point towards the potential benefits of ongoing restoration efforts.
Moving forward, the research team aims to conduct more BRUVS drops to gather extensive data on the habitat preferences of sharks and other fish. They also plan to integrate BRUVS into annual monitoring programs, providing a continuous assessment of the reserve’s health and effectiveness. There are also talks to incorporate shark tagging and tracking. This would further prove that the Cousin Island Special Reserve is a vital haven for marine life. The continued protection and restoration efforts not only enhance biodiversity but also contribute significantly to global marine conservation.
Shark conservation is essential (Photo: Graham Henderson / Pexels)
Sharks need protection
According to the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) sharks, alongside rays and chimaeras, are facing a global extinction crisis. It is estimated that over one-third of sharks are threatened. Sharks are particularly susceptible to fishing pressures and habitat-associated threats.
Due to high demand from commercial fisheries and the popularity of shark products, many shark species have been heavily harvested. Sharks are exploited for their meat, fins, skins and liver.
Sharks are also heavily affected by illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and being trapped in ghost nets, according to the Worldwide Fund for Nature. They are often caught as bycatch in longlines, trawl nets, and seine nets.
Shark conservation is essential to protect sharks, stop further declines, and allow populations to recover. Marine protected areas serve as sanctuaries where sharks can breed, feed, and mature without the threat of overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution.