Description: The project aimed to increase knowledge concerning sharks and rays in Saint-Barthélemy, informing conservation strategies. Employing Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) and pioneering pelagic species observation techniques, it integrated fieldwork with surveys from fishermen and dive centres to assess socioeconomic roles. Stakeholder consultations were instrumental in shaping an adapted action plan and influencing existing regulations to protect these species. Communication efforts, including a documentary, were pivotal in raising awareness and fostering community involvement. In Saint-Barthélemy’s waters, 27 shark and 3 ray species were identified, with 26% classified as threatened and 44% as near-threatened, signifying the urgency of conservation efforts. The activities encompassed comprehensive field surveys, discerning human impacts, assessing economic roles, consulting international experts, conducting workshops with stakeholders, and presenting the action plan to the Territorial Environment Agency (ATE) Board of Directors. Outcomes included enhanced expertise among ATE agents, improved species identification in diving clubs, and the dissemination of shark and ray-friendly practices to fishermen. This pioneering initiative delineated the initial action plan for these species in the French West Indies, with potential applicability across Caribbean islands, ultimately increasing conservation and engaging diverse audiences.
Duration: 12 months
