South African Shark Biodiversity Management Plan

ENVIXIC,1ENTAL MANAGEL.iEL !I: BIODIVERSITY ACT, (ACT NO 10 `,4%)04) SHARK BIODIVERSITY IIANAGEMMIVT P I o Edith Edna M , Minister of Environmental Affairs hereby publish for Implementation in terms of Section 43(3)(a) d with Sections 99 and 100 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No 10 of 2004), Shark Biodiversity Management Plan, as contained in the S ule hereto. Copies of the English version of the Shark Biodiversity Management Plan are available at the offices of the ens ::ns and Coasts branch, located at East Pier Building, East Pier Road, V and A WcIerfront and on thQ DES ?nAnfs website at www.environniantoovza. NA i101..EtifA MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT NOTICE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS No. 258 25 March 2015 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 5 A. ii This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 6 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Approximately 185 species of cartilaginous fish (Class Chondrichthyes) have been recorded in South African waters, of which about one third are classed as rare. There are 15 species that are endemic to South African waters and a further 34 to southern African waters. Sharks have life history characteristics such as slow growth, late age at maturity, small litter sizes and low fecundity, which make them vulnerable to overexploitatim. In terms of their global conservation status, 47 (or 25%) of the 185 species of cartilaginous fish that occur in South African waters are regarded as threatened in terms of the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Of these, 37 are regarded as Vulnerable, four as Endangered and six as Critically Endangered. A further 34 species (18%) are regarded as Near Threatened. Historically, shark fisheries management has been of low priority in South African waters, with the focus having been on high value teleost and crustacean fisheries. In addition, few shark species have the benefit of specific protection. Within commercial fisheries, there are few restrictions on catch although some fisheries are restricted in terms of total allowable effort. Protection from fishing is provided to certain shark species in some of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that have been declared in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA). A small number of shark species are protected in terms of international agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). Threats include trophy hunting, marine debris, anthropogenic disturbances, habitat degradation and increasing pressures on the marine environment due to climate change. Other additional concerns are the potential effect on the decline of shark populations and the impact it may have on ecosystem functioning, given their role as apex predators. There is thus an urgent need for the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), which is ultimately accountable for shark conservation in South African waters, to develop a national Shark Biodiversity Management Plan for Sharks (SBMP) which will set targets to improve the status of sharks within South African waters. The purpose of the SBMP is to achieve and maintain a favourable conservation status for resident and migratory sharks within South African waters, taking into account the socio-economic and other values of these species, based on the best available scientific information. The SBMP would be the mechanism whereby this effort can be coordinated, directed and implemented on a national and international scale to the benefit of sharks and their habitats. The SBMP would also identify species and areas where additional interventions would be necessary to iii This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 7 address threats to populations. The SBMP will be implemented in conjunction with, and takes cognizance of, the National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (NPOA), that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and which focuses on shark fisheries management. The SBMP contains specific objectives that need to be achieved and a number of actions that need to be implemented to ensure that its aims are fulfilled. The Department (DEA) will be the lead agency in terms of implementation and monitoring and will appoint an Ecosystem and Species Steering Committee to oversee these tasks. iv This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 8 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 TABLE OF CON TENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......... ... ....... ......... ...... ........................... ............................. ........ i TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... ....... ...... ....... ...... .............. ............................... . ........... ................. . ..... III DEFINITIONS 1- 4 ACRONYMS 5-6 1. INTRODUCTION 7 1.1 Why sharks require a Biodiversity Management Plan 7 1.2 Purpose of the Biodiversity Management Plan 7- 8 1.3 Benefits of the Biodiversity Management Plan 8-9 1.4 Implementation and monitoring of the Biodiversity Management Plan 9 1.5 Integration of Shark Management Plan in the Integrated Development Plans (IDP's) 9-10 2. BACKGROUND 10 2.1 Information pertinent to the conservation of sharks 10-12 2.2 Legislatives context of shark conservation 12 2.2.1 National Legislations 12-13 2.2.2 International Agreements 13 2.2.3 Institutional Arrangements 13-14 3. THREATS 15 3.1 Lack of co-ordinated legislative framework and governance (domestic, regional and international)....15 3.2 Anthropogenic impacts excluding fishing 15-16 3.3 Fishing (both directed and bycatch) 16 3.4 Insufficient data and uncoordinated research and monitoring 17 4. BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS 18-29 REFERENCES 30 APPENDIX 1 31-32 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 9 DEFI 'Attract' Bait "Biological diversity" or "Biodiversity' Chum Chumming "Bycatch" 'Critical habitats" IONS To feed, chum or bait, or to use any other means, method or device to lure or attract a live specimen A food put on a hook or in a trap to attract or entice fish or other animals. The variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part and also includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems; Mix that only consists of chopped or minced bony fish and fish oil Scenting of water using chum The part of a catch of a fishing unit taken incidentally in addition to the target species towards which fishing effort is directed; Habitats that are of significant importance to portions of a species' life history and areas that promotes biological diversity and enhance representivity e.g. pupping, mating, nursery and feeding areas; "Ecosystem" A dynamic complex of animal, plant and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit; "Ecotourism° A form of tourism involving controlled interaction or observation of fragile, pristine, or in some cases protected areas or protected species, intended as a low impact activity; 1 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 10 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 "Exclusive economic zone" The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as defined in section 7 of the Maritime Zones Act 4994 (Act No. 15 of 1994); "Global change" Changes in the global environment (including alterations in climate, land productivity, oceans or other water resources, atmospheric chemistry, and ecological systems) that may alter the capacity of the earth to sustain life; "Habitat" Means a place where a species or ecological community naturally °Invasive species" occurs; Any species whose establishment and spread outside its natural distribution range threaten ecosystems, habitats or other species or have demonstrable potential to threaten ecosystems, habitats or other species and may result in economic or environmental harm or harm human health; °Listed threatened or protected species" Means any species listed in terms of Section 56 (1) of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (No.10 of 2004); "Marine Protected Area (MPA)" A marine area that is protected in terms of Section 43 of the MLRA; "MPA management authorities" means the organ of state or other institution or person in which the authority to manage a protected area is vested in terms of the Protected Areas Act, and includes any organ of state contracted by the Department to monitor, manage and undertake compliance and enforcement in a marine protected area; "Non-consumptive use° The non-extractive use of a living resource; "Pollution" Any change in the environment caused by 1.) substances; 2.) radioactive or other waves; 3.) noise, odours, dust or heat; 2 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 11 emitted from any activity, including the storage and treatment of waste, or substance, construction or provision of services, whether engaged in by any person or organ of state, where that change has an adverse effect on human health or well-being or on the composition, resilience and productivity of natural or managed ecosystems, or on material useful to people, or will have such an effect in the future; Protected Areas Act" means the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003; 'Protected species° Any species listed as a protected species in terms of section 56 (1) of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (No.10 of 2004); °Provisioning° The act of offering or providing a food stimulus to species; "Range" All the areas of water that a species inhabits, stays in temporarily, or crosses at any time on its normal migration route; "Research institutions" "Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO)" Organisations other than tertiary institutions with a capacity to undertake research, including but not limited to KZNSB, Ocean Research Institute (ORI), Port Elizabeth Museum at Bayworld, South African Environment SAEON, SAIAB, Iziko Museum, SANBI; An international fisheries organisation or arrangement, as appropriate, that has the competence to establish conservation and management measures; "Shark" Any species in the Class Chondrichthyes, which includes sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras; "Shark Control Mechanism I Refers to bather safety programs administered by including but not limited 3 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 12 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 Shark Control Program" "Shared populations" "South African Waters" To KZNSB that may include shark nets, drum-lines andior any combination thereof; Species populations whose range extends over the EEZ of more than one country; Its internal waters which include all harbours; its territorial waters which include the sea within a distance of twelve nautical miles from the baselines established in terms of the Maritime Zones Act 15 of 1994. (A nautical mile approximates to 1.85 kilometers); its contiguous zone, including its marine cultural zone, which includes the sea beyond the territorial waters but within a distance of 24 nautical miles from the baselines; it's EEZ which includes the sea beyond the territorial waters but within a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines; and its continental shelf as defined in Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; "Species of conservation concern" Species that are classified as Threatened in terms of the criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; "Sustainable development" 'Threatened species° Integrated Development Plan As highlighted in section 2 (4)(a) of NEMA 107 of 1998 Species that are classified as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered in terms of the IUCN Red List criteria; Means a plan envisaged in section 25 of Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 4 501084—B This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 13 ACRONYMS BCC Benguela Current Commission CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CMS Convention on Migratory Species COFI Committee on Fisheries DAFF Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries DEA Department of Environmental Affairs DME Department of Minerals and Energy ECPTA Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Authority EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone EIA Environmental Impact Assessment Ezemvelo Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations GIS Geographic Information System ICCAT International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 10TC Indian Ocean Tuna Commission IPOA- Sharks International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature IUU Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (fishing) IDPs Integrated Development Plans KZN KwaZulu-Natal KZNSB KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board MCM Branch: Marine and Coastal Management in the former Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism 5 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 14 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 MLRA Marine Living Resources Act (No. 18 of 1998) MPA Marine Protected Area NEMBA National Environmental Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004) NGO Non-governmental Organisation NPOA National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks O&C Branch: Oceans and Coasts in the Department of Environmental Affairs ORI Oceanographic Research Institute RFMO Regional Fisheries Management Organisation SAEON South African Environmental Observation Network SAIAB South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute SANParks South African National Parks BMPS Biodiversity Management Plan for Species SBMP Sharks Biodiversity Management Plan Shark MoU Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks 6 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 15 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 tTiq -quire a 8io-v--3.r..1h! Tlanogemint Plan In 2011 South Africa signed the Shark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Convention on Migratory Species. This non-binding agreement recognises the critical role that migratory sharks play in marine ecosystems and local economies. There is a concern about the significant mortality of sharks, including those listed in Appendices I and II of the Convention from a range of impacts and threats including target fisheries, fisheries by catch, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, trophy hunting, marine debris, ecosystem modifications, anthropogenic disturbances and increasing pressures on the marine environment due to climate change. The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to achieve and maintain a favourable conservation status for migratory sharks based on the best available scientific information, taking into account the socio-economic and other values of these species. Signatories are requested to implement the concepts founded within this agreement at a national scale. In addition, the vulnerability of sharks and the implications of their declining conservation status warrant further development of conservation measures, where they do not already exist and enhanced implementation and enforcement of existing measures. Therefore there is an urgent need for the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to develop a national Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) with set targets to improve the status of sharks. 1.2 PURPOSE OF THE BIODNERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN The development of the SBMP is driven by the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), Act 10 of 2004 which seeks to provide for the management and conservation of biodiversity within the Framework of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998; and the protection of species and ecosystem that warrant national protection. As it is stated in NEMBA that the BMP must be aimed at ensuring the long-term survival in nature of the species or ecosystem which the plan relates. Therefore the purpose of the SBMP is to attain and maintain a favourable conservation status for resident and migratory sharks within South Africa, taking into account the socio economic value of these species. Conservation and management decisions should be based on the best available scientific information. A goal of the SBMP is to formalise much of the conservation orientated work that is currently being conducted on sharks and to provide the mechanism whereby this effort can be coordinated, directed and 7 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 16 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 implemented to the benefit of sharks and their habitats. Another goal is to identify other species and areas where additional interventions are required to address issues impacting negatively on the status of sharks. The SBMP includes legislative, strategic and research-related aims for the conservation and management of sharks including the following: Identifying and protecting critical shark habitats; Identifying and mitigating threats to shark populations (e.g. reducing the impact of environmental degradation on sharks); Identifying and providing special protection to threatened shark species or populations; Improving scientific knowledge that is used to make informed management decisions; Coordinating and undertaking conservation-orientated shark research and management, with particular reference to threatened species; Developing conservation strategies for the recovery of threatened shark species and their habitats; Promote the dissemination of scientific findings, public participation and education with regard to the socio economic value of sharks, their conservation status and bather safety and its management The conservation status of shark species and their habitats would be considered to be 'favourable' when all the following conditions are met: Their range or habitats are currently not reduced to levels that cannot sustain viable populations in the long term, nor are likely to be reduced in future; The abundance and structure of their populations remain at levels that are adequate for maintaining ecosystem integrity. The conservation status of sharks and their habitats will be taken as "unfavourable" if any of the conditions set out above are not met. In cases where human and financial resources or regulatory frameworks limit the capacity of management agencies to mitigate known threats to shark species, precautionary management approaches must be considered. 1.3 Benefits of the Biodivereity Management Plan South Africa recognizes the concerns expressed by many international bodies, such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), relating to the conservation and management of sharks; and the existing management arrangements that may require improvements in order to address concerns within its national waters. The development of a SBMP will contribute to the conservation, protection and management of shark species of conservation concern through coordinated actions. It is also noted that the concurrent development of the National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management 8 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 17 of Sharks (NPOA) that focuses on exploited species - a separate document taken forward by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) - will enhance the ecological sustainability of shark fisheries through more effective management. The implementation of a SBMP can enhance shark conservation through: (i) strengthening the political will to implement shark conservation measures in a coordinated and timely fashion; (ii) bridging shark fisheries and conservation interests; (iii) contributing to the implementation of the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA- Sharks) of the FAO and building on it; and (iv) adding to global shark conservation efforts in the areas of research, monitoring, data collection and analysis, threat definition and reduction, habitat identification and protection; education and public awareness; information exchange and capacity building; 1.4 implementation and monitoring of the Biodiversity Management Plan The Department (DEA) will be the lead agency in implementing and monitoring all BMPs. To assist with this, DEA will appoint a Steering Committee with terms of reference to plan and monitor the implementation of these plans. The officials from DEA will be permanently appointed as Steering Committee members. An initial meeting for the planning of implementation will be scheduled, thereafter annual meetings will be held to assess progress, review priorities, identify any hindrances to implementation and recommend remedial action. Annual progress reports in this regard must be submitted to DEA. Collectively, DEA will be responsible for assessing the overall implementation and effectiveness of the SBMP against its objectives within approved timelines and outputs on annual bases. Regular assessments will be conducted to ensure the achievement of indicators. Recommendations will be made where challenges exist and may prompt the amendment of the SBMP or its timeframes. Fisheries Branch at DAFF has been the lead agency for the production of the South African NPOA for sharks and will remain responsible for coordinating its implementation. 1.5 Integration of Shark Management Plan in the Integrated Development Plans (IDP's) Bather Protection Programs have been introduced at most popular public bathing beaches as a public safety measure against the risk of shark attacks. The Bather Protection Programmes can adversely affect shark species threatened species, populations or ecological communities and may also affect species, populations or ecological communities that were not previously threatened to become threatened. The inclusion of the management of sharks in the Integrated Development Plans (IDP's) is essential in protecting shark species while minimizing interactions and conflicts between recreational water users and sharks. Some of the objectives that can be included in the IDP's are: Strive to minimize human/shark incidents by keeping them apart through ecological alternative Reduce the impact on non-target species Strive to obtain the latest technology on shark monitoring § Environmental Education and Awareness 9 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 18 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 Ensure that monitoring and reporting is undertaken in a transparent manner. 2. BAC: GROUND 2.1 Information pertinent to the conservation of sharks There are approximately 185 species of cartilaginous fish (Class Chondrichifiyes) that have been recorded in South African waters consist of 109 shark species, 68 ray species and 8 chimaera species (Compagno, 2000; Compagno, 2002(a) and Compagno et at 1989; species checklist provided as Appendix 1). Of these, about one third are classed as rare, in that they are known from only 1-10 taxonomic recordings of the species. Fifteen species are endemic to South African waters and a further 34 to southern African waters. Compagno (2002(b)) suggested that, with further exploration, a number of additional species found in the neighbouring waters of Namibia and Mozambique are likely to be found in South African waters. Three species have been recorded from the waters of the Prince Edward Islands in the southern Indian Ocean. Habitats occupied by cartilaginous fish may be broadly divided into the continental shelves (from the intertidal zone to a depth of 200 m), the continental slopes (from below 200 m to the ocean floor) and the oceanic zone (beyond the shelves and above the slopes and sea bottom) (Compagno, 2002b). South Africa has an unusually large number of slope species (ca 87), but only a few species that penetrate fresh water (6) and few oceanic species (ca 23). Amongst some of the shelf species and some of the deep-slope species, the distribution can be further sub-divided into cool-temperate (west of Cape Point), warm-temperate (from Cape Point to East London) and subtropical-tropical species (east of East London), with diversity increasing from west to east. Sharks and rays, through life history characteristics such as slow growth, late age at maturity and small litter sizes are not particularly productive and are vulnerable to overexploitation. A number of shark and ray species are under threat in many parts of the world. In terms of their global conservation status, 47 (or 25%) of the 185 species of cartilaginous fish that occur in South African waters are regarded as threatened, as assessed in terms of the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (www.iucnredlist.oro. accessed December 2011). Of these, 37 are regarded as Vulnerable, four as Endangered and six as Critically Endangered, with a further 34 regarded as Near Threatened. Compagno (2002 (b)) notes that, although the diversity of cartilaginous fish in South African waters is high, population sizes are relatively small because the various habitats are limited in extent. 10 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 19 Given the inherently low productivity of cartilaginous fish, at low abundance their vulnerability to overexploitation is increased. In addition, the historically low economic value of shark and ray products compared to other fish has resulted in research and conservation of these species having a lower priority than traditionally high-value species (US NPOA 2001). Recently, however, there has been a growing demand for certain shark products, such as fins and fishery managers are generally required to manage shark fisheries without adequate data. This generalisation applies in the South African context, where, with some notable exceptions, shark research has tended to focus on iconic species (such as the great white shark (Carcherodon carchadas) and the spotted ragged-tooth shark (Carcharias taurus)), on shark taxonomy and on the life history of sharks caught in the beach protection scheme in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). In the past five years, however, the South African government has begun to address this shortcoming with an increased focus on shark fisheries research. Few shark species enjoy specific protection in South African waters. The great white shark is fully protected by the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA), while any fishing of whale shark (Rhincodon typus), basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and the sawfishes (Pristis spp) is prohibited in terms of the MLRA. Several species may be caught by recreational linefishers only and may not be traded commercially; these are the spotted ragged-tooth shark, spotted gully shark (Triakis megalopterus), pyjama shark (Poroderma africanum) and leopard catshark (Porodenna pantherinum). For all shark species other than those that are fully protected or for which line fishing is prohibited, there is a recreational bag limit of one per species per day. Within commercial fisheries, other than the specific examples provided above, the only restriction on catch is a limit on shark bycatch in the pelagic long line fishery for tuna and swordfish. Some fisheries are restricted in terms of total allowable effort, including the demersal long line fishery, the traditional line fishing and the gillnet fishery for the St Joseph shark (Cailorhinchus wrist's). No sharks caught in South African waters may be finned, meaning that it is illegal to catch a shark, remove the fins at sea and discard the carcass. Protection from fishing is provided to certain shark species by some of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that have been declared in terms of the MLRA. Certain shark species are protected in terms of international agreements. The great white shark, whale shark, basking shark and the sawfishes are listed either in Appendix I or Appendix II of CITES, meaning that trade is strictly controlled. A number of countries, including South Africa, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Shark MoU) in terms of CMS, the objective of which is to ensure the conservation and management of migratory sharks and their long-term sustainable use. A number of species are listed under CMS, including the great white shark, whale shark, basking shark, shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the giant manta ray (Manta birostris). The effectiveness of agreements such as CMS is limited if neighbouring states with which stocks are shared are not signatories, and because it is a non-binding instrument. 11 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 20 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 Research into the ecological importance of sharks and rays is still at an early stage, but, as predators, it is thought that they have probably influenced the structure of marine communities over geological time (Heithaus etat 2010). The mechanisms through which they are likely to have had this effect include (i) direct predation effects, (ii) risk effects (behavioural changes in prey) and (iii) cascading effects of predator-prey interactions (Heithaus et al. 2010). Hence the unsustainable exploitation of sharks would not only affect the populations of the exploited species themselves but may also affect marine ecosystems more generally. In addition to their important ecological role, sharks are also valuable as a resource. Well-managed shark fisheries based on the more productive species can sustain livelihoods but so, too, can shark-based marine ecotourism, including diving with species such as great white, tiger (Ga leocerdo cuvier), blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus) and spotted ragged-tooth sharks. In other parts of the world whale shark diving is a lucrative business but the local occurrence of whale sharks is probably too unpredictable to sustain an industry. The single major threat to shark populations is fishing, including commercial, recreational, targeted and bycatch. Other threats or potential threats include bather protection measures, habitat loss and degradation (including shark nursery areas, effects of fishing on habitat and aquaculture), marine ecotourism, invasive marine organisms, pollution, sub-sea cable electric and magnetic fields and climate change (Stevens of al. 2005). 2.2 Legislative and institutional context of shark conservation 2.2.1 National Legislation Development of the shark biodiversity management plan has considered different environment legislations and policies: Constitution of Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) (NEMA) The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004) (NEM:BA), The National Environmental Management Protected Areas (NEM:PAA) (No.57 of 2003) The National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (No. 24 of 2008) Marine Living Resources Act 1998 (No.18 of 1998) Animal Protection Act (No. 71 of 1962) Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (No.169 of 1993) Maritime Zone Act (15 of 1994) Dumping at Sea Control Act, 1980 (Act No 73 of 1980) Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (No. 28 of 2002) National Heritage Resources Act (No 25 of 1999) South African Maritime Safety Authority (No. 5 of 1998) 12 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 21 Wreck and Salvage Act (No. 94 of 1996) The Hazardous Substances Act (No.15 of 1973) KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Act (No.05 of 2 ) Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations Any other relevant legislations/policies/bylaws are considered in term of sharks management. 2.2.2 International Agreements There are several international and regional treaties and instruments that provide further protection (Binding and non-binding) for sharks and their habitats; CITES IPOA- Sharks CMS United Nations General Assembly Resolution on Sustainable Fisheries Shark MoU Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora (1964) World Heritage Convention The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) The United Nations Law of the Sea Convention FAO and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (The London Convention) International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) SADC Protocol on Fisheries Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) NPOAs for sharks The SBMP is in line with South Africa's position and obligations in terms of these treaties and instruments, It is also consistent with other international shark conservation and management initiatives, which calls upon States to develop and implement NPOAs for sharks. 2.2.3 Institutional Arrangements These are agencleslinstitutions actively support the management and conservation of sharks. Organisation/Agencies Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) 13 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 22 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 KwaZulu Natal Sharks Board (KZNSB) iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority Ezemvelo KwaZulu Natal Wildlife (EKZNW) South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAAB) Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) South African National Parks (SANParks) Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) Cape Nature Iziko Museum of Natural History Academic Institutions Non-Governmental Organisations Research Institutions 14 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 23 3. THREATS 3.1 Lack of co-ordinated legislative framework and governance (domestic, regional and international) Successful shark conservation and management requires the fullest possible cooperation between governments, intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, academia, research institutions and local communities, as well as engagement with relevant international instruments. A national SBMP would need to set forth legislative and strategic measures to achieve this, by including a coordinated engagement strategy that can operate at a national, regional and international level. Considering the escalating pressures on sharks, the growing body of scientific evidence regarding the cascading ecological effects of the removal (as a result of anthropogenic activities) of sharks, (as marine apex predators) has had on marine ecosystem and the growing public awareness and concern regarding this problem. Therefore, there is an urgent need to engage in this task. 3.2 Anthropogenlc Impacts excluding fishing In South Africa, certain shark species are protected or partially protected from extractive use. This provides the opportunity for the non-consumptive use of sharks, which includes diving with sharks and the viewing of sharks from cages. This activity has expanded in South Africa since the early 1990s and has now been brought into a regulated management framework. Non-consumptive marine-based ecotourism is increasingly being recognised as an important alternative form of livelihood given that consumptive fish utilisation is unable to sustain current socio economic needs of some coastal communities. For some shark species (e.g. great white sharks, spotted ragged tooth sharks, and tiger sharks) non-consumptive uses (including eco-fiiming) far outweigh consumptive utilization in economic terms. Potentially, however, non-consumptive uses could impact negatively on sharks and their habitats. Hence these activities need to be regulated according to sound conservation and ecosystem management principles. Current shark management practices are primarily focused upon impacts of direct and indirect fisheries (see below) and of non-consumptive uses. However, there is a much broader scope of impacts that must be considered and fully understood to enable the conservation of sharks in South Africa. These include habitat degradation, trophic level impacts and climate change impacts at the level of species, their habitats and the ecosystem. There is an urgent need for research and monitoring regarding such impacts, as well as management interventions to prevent pollution, protect critical habitats and reduce the impact of environmental degradation on sharks. 15 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 24 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 Shark-control programs have been put in place at various beaches across the country to provide protection against shark attacks at popular beaches. The main objective of such programs is to protect bathers from shark attacks also minimizing impacts on biodiversity. Research is currently being undertaken concerning the biology and behaviour of sharks and other marine species impacted by the current shark control programme. The program also conducts public education and outreach programmes on sharks, safe bathing activities. As such the mandated duties of the KZNSB are cognoscente and they are cognizant of the need to minimise the environmental impact on biodiversity, while striving to improve/ evaluate methods that have a lower environmental cost 3.3 Fishing (both directed and bycatch) Fishing of shark populations to below sustainable levels may occur rapidly. Given the susceptibility of shark species to overfishing, successful management of shark fisheries requires a stronger commitment to fishery monitoring, biological research and proactive management than is the case for many teleost fisheries (Walker, 1998). In 1999, the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) endorsed the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA- Sharks). This plan was adopted during the November 1999 FAO Conference. The IPOA- Sharks builds upon the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, encompassing all elasmobranch fisheries (commercial and recreational), and calls on all member nations to voluntarily implement the IPOA- Sharks through the development of a National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (NPOA). South Africa, as a signatory to the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, has a responsibility to fish sharks sustainably; to develop population estimates of the targeted and bycatch species, to protect and manage the conservation status of sharks in South Africa and to adopt a NPOA for sharks. This task is being undertaken by DAFF. The conservation of shark species requires that regional cooperation be strengthened through RFMOs and CMS. Some of the IPOA specific objectives that are relevant to the SBMP are: Improve knowledge of fisheries and shark species, as well as their role in the ecosystem; Introduce sustainable exploitation of shark stocks and reduce bycatch; Enhance a coherent approach between national and international policy for sharks; and Enhance and improve research and collaboration. 16 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 25 3.4 Insufficient data and uncoordinated research and monitoring Scientific research is vital to improve our understanding of shark biology, ecology, population status and for assessing the impact of human activities on sharks. While our information base has improved, our ability to address many shark conservation and management issues is still constrained by the quality of shark catch and effort data. There is also a lack of data on the roles of sharks in the marine ecosystem. One of the goals of the SBMP is to improve the quality of scientific information collected, through coordination of research and information sharing and by identifying and prioritising research projects and monitoring programmes. If successful, this would result in better communication among government agencies, Interested and Affected Parties (I&AP's) and the general public, and would lead to more informed decision-making. It would also inform South Africa's position with regard to relevant international instruments and would help to guide and prioritise national, multi-jurisdictional and regional approaches to shark conservation, in particular on identified shark species with a poor conservation status. Consideration should be given to the adequacy of funding for shark research that has been identified as a high priority for the conservation and management of sharks and their habitats. Research and management efforts should have an emphasis on identified protected species and areas. Consideration should be given to the use of risk assessment methodologies for the identification of priority (high risk) species requiring the implementation of management measures. In the past, ecosystem focused research in relation to sharks had a lower priority than species specific research aimed at better understanding the impacts of fishing on target or high-risk species. This must be rectified to reflect the complexity of broad scale ecosystem research, while recognising that such research may be expensive. 17 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 26 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 B IO D IV E R S IT Y M A N A G E M E N T A C T IO N P L A N S (1 ) L a ck o f co o rd in a te d le g is la tiv e f ra m e w o rk a n d g o ve rn a n ce ( d o m e st ic , re g io n a l a n d in te rn a tio n a l) T h re a t ca te g o ry 1 .1 ) U n co o rd in a te d e ff o rt s p e rt a in in g t o c o n se rv a tio n o f sh a rk s p e ci e s a n d t h e ir h a b ita ts D e ta ils o f th re a ts L a ck o f p ro to co l t o d e te rm in e o p tim a l u se o f ce rt a in s h a rk s p e ci e s (e .g . fis h in g v s e co to u ri sm ) O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty ' S ta rt tim e D u ra . tio n 2 (1 .1 a ) T o h a ve a m a n a g e m e n t p ro to co l i n p la ce t o d e te rm in e o p tim a l u se o f sh a rk sp e ci e s E st a b lis h in te r d e p a rt m e n ta l t a sk g ro u p t o d e ve lo p p ro to co l a n d a ss e ss ca n d id a te s p e ci e s fo r o p tim a l u se D E A , D A F F R e le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s, M P A m a n a g e m e n t a u th o ri tie s D E A , D A F F T a sk t e a m a p p o in te d M < 2 y. 2 y. C a n d id a te s p e ci e s id e n tif ie d a n d a ss e ss e d M < 2 y. 3 y . (1 .1 b ) E n su re li st e d sh a rk s p e ci e s a n d h a b ita ts a re p ro te ct e d L e g is la tio n f o r p ro te ct in g li st e d s h a rk sp e ci e s id e n tif ie d , a m e n d e d a s re q u ir e d , a n d im p le m e n te d in t e rm s o f re st ri ct e d a ct iv iti e s Id e n tif y cr iti ca l h a b ita t re q u ir in g p ro te ct io n a n d d e cl a re p ro te ct e d a re a s a s a p p ro p ri a te D E A D E A L e g is la tio n in p la ce a n d im p le m e n te d H < 1 y . < 5 y . 5 y . 5 y . D E A R e le va n t te rt ia ry a n d r e se a rc h in st itu tio n s D E A C ri tic a l h a b ita t id e n tif ie d a n d m a p p e d M ( .1 c) I m p ro ve d co n se rv a tio n s ta tu s o f id e n tif ie d s h a rk s p e ci e s W h e re a p p lic a b le , d e ve lo p r e co ve ry p la n s fo r id e n tif ie d s h a rk s p e ci e s w ith p o o r co n se rv a tio n s ta tu s D E A R e le va n t te rt ia ry , re se a rc h a n d C o n se rv a tio n M a n a g e m e n t in st itu tio n s D E A R e co ve ry p la n s in p la ce L < 5 y. 2 y. 1 H h ig h p ri o ri ty , M m e d iu m p ri o ri ty , L lo w p ri o ri ty 2 D u ra tio n r e fe rs t o t h e n u m b e r o f ye a rs ( y. ) ta ke n t o a ch ie ve t h e in d ic a to r, e ve n t h o u g h s o m e a ct io n s w ill b e o n g o in g t h e re a ft e r 1 8 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 27 T h re a t ca te g o ry (1 .2 ) L a ck o f co o p e ra tiv e m a n a g e m e n t o f sh a re d p o p u la tio n s a n d m ig ra to ry s p e ci e s b e tw e e n c o u n tr ie s D e ta ils o f th re a ts L a ck o f re g io n a l c o o rd in a tio n w ith r e g a rd t o c o n se rv a tio n a n d m a n a g e m e n t o f sh a re d p o p u la tio n s a n d t h e ir h a b ita ts L a ck o f st a n d a rd is a tio n w ith r e g a rd t o m o n ito ri n g a n d r e p o rt in g o f sh a re d p o p u la tio n s O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s (1 .2 a ) E ff e ct iv e r e g io n a l co o rd in a tio n w ith r e g a rd to c o n se rv a tio n a n d m a n a g e m e n t o f sh a re d p o p u la tio n s a n d t h e ir h a b ita ts D e te rm in e w h e th e r re g io n a l/i n te rn a tio n a l a g re e m e n ts e xi st u n d e r w h ic h s h a rk c o n se rv a tio n a n d m a n a g e m e n t p la tf o rm s ca n b e e st a b lis h e d U se r e g io n a l/i n te rn a tio n a l a g re e m e n ts o r o th e r m e a n s to s e t u p p la tf o rm s fo r sh a rk c o n se rv a tio n a n d m a n a g e m e n t E xp lo re o th e r o p p o rt u n iti e s fo r e xc h a n g e o f in fo rm a tio n r e le va n t to sh a rk c o n se rv a tio n a n d m a n a g e m e n t a t a r e g io n a l/i n te rn a tio n a l s ca le ( e .g . th ro u g h N G O s o r a ca d e m ic in st itu tio n s) (1 .2 b ) A ss e ss m e n ts o f th e c o n se rv a tio n s ta tu s o f sh a re d p o p u la tio n s a t re g io n a l l e ve l O rg a n is e a r e g io n a l w o rk sh o p t o a ss e ss c o n se rv a tio n s ta tu s o f sh a rk s R e sp o n si b le C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt D u ra p a rt ie s so u rc e tim e tio n D E A D A F F , E K Z N W , Is im a n g a lis o D E A Id e n tif ic a tio n o f a g re e m e n ts M < 3 y. 5 . y W e tla n d P a rk A u th o ri ty , re le va n t n a tio n a l a u th o ri tie s D E A N G O s, r e le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D E A E st a b lis h m e n t o f p la tf o rm s M < 3 y . 5 y . D E A D A F F , E K Z N W , Is im a n g a lis o D E A S h a re d in fo rm a tio n d o cu m e n te d M < 2 y . 5 y . W e tla n d P a rk A u th o ri ty , re le va n t n a tio n a l a u th o ri tie s in t h e r e g io n D E A D A F F , re le va n t n a tio n a l a u th o ri tie s in t h e r . io n , re le va n t re se a rc h in st itu tio n s D E A , re g io n a l a g re e m e n ts (e .g . B C C ), in te rn a tio n a l in st ru m e n ts C o n se rv a tio n s ta tu s o f sh a rk s a t re g io n a l le ve l a ss e ss e d M < 3 y , 1 y . (e .g . C M S ) 19 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 28 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 (2 ) A n th ro p o g e n ic im p a ct s e xc lu d in g f is h in g T h re a t ca te g o ry (2 .1 ) S h a rk c o n tr o l p ro g ra m D e ta ils o f th re a ts B yc a tc h o f sh a rk s p e ci e s th a t p o se li tt le o r n o t h re a t to b a th e rs Im p a ct s o n a ll sh a rk s p e ci e s O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra tio n (2 .1 a ) M in im is e b yc a tc h o f sh a rk s p e ci e s th a t p o se li tt le o r n o t h re a t to b a th e rs R e se a rc h a n d im p le m e n t m e th o d s o f m iti g a tin g b yc a tc h ( e .g . d ru m lin e s) K Z N S B D E A , D A F F K Z N S B R e d u ct io n o f b yc a tc h o f sh a rk s p e ci e s th a t p o se li tt le o r n o t h re a t to b a th e rs H < 1 y . 5 y . (2 .1 b ) M in im is e im p a ct o n a ll sh a rk s p e ci e s In ve st ig a te a lte rn a tiv e s to s h a rk fis h in g s ys te m s K Z N S B D E A , D A F F K Z N S B A lte rn a tiv e s ys te m in ve st ig a te d H < 1 y . 5 y . (2 .1 c) R a is e p u b lic a w a re n e ss o n b a th e r sa fe ty a n d s h a rk c o n tr o l p ro g ra m s D e ve lo p m e n t o f e d u ca tio n p ro g ra m s o f b a th e r sa fe ty a n d s h a rk c o n tr o l p ro g ra m s th ro u g h D E A L o ca l a n d P ro vi n ci a l M a n a g e m e n t a u th o ri tie s a n d M P A m a n a g e m e n t D E A E d u ca tio n p ro g ra m s M < 2 Y 5 y. T h re a t ca te g o ry = .. .m . .. .. .. .. . (2 .2 ) A q u a cu ltu re , a q u a ri u m s a n d in va si ve a lie n s p e ci e s ( A q u a cu ltu re in t e rm s o f ri sk a ss e ss m e n t to b a th e r sa fe ty ) D e ta ils o f th re a ts In cu b a tio n o f fis h d is e a se s a n d p a ra si te s a n d t ra n sf e r to w ild s to ck s T h e in tr o d u ct io n a n d s p re a d o f in va si ve a lie n s p e ci e s L o ca lis e d h a b ita t d e g ra d a tio n ( e .g . d e cl in e s in w a te r q u a lit y a n d o th e r p h ys ic a l e ff e ct s) a n d a tt ra ct io n o f p re d a to rs ( e .g . b e h a vi o u ra l c h a n g e s) E n ta n g le m e n t o f sh a rk s in a q u a cu ltu re g e a r C o n tr ib u te t o m a n a g e m e n t a n d r e g u la tio n o f a q u a ri a c o lle ct io n s a n d m a n a g e m e n t o f e xp o rt o f sp e ci e s re m o ve d f ro m t h e w ild O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra tio n 2 0 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 29 (2 .2 a ) T o in ve st ig a te p o te n tia l e ff e ct s o f a q u a cu ltu re a n d a q u a ri a o n s h a rk s p e ci e s a n d h a b ita ts , (e .g . th ro u g h sp re a d o f d is e a se s o r p a ra si te s, a q u a cu ltu re w a st e s, c h e m ic a l p o llu tio n , e sc a p e m e n t o f fa rm e d f is h o r re le a se o f fis h f ro m a q u a ri a ) C o n d u ct s p e ci fic r e se a rc h o n e ff e ct s o f a q u a cu ltu re a n d a q u a ri a ( e .g . d is e a se s, p a ra si te s, w a te r q u a lit y) o n w ild s h a rk s, D A F F , D E A (A q u a cu ltu re R e se a rc h ) A q u a cu ltu re in d u st ry , re le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D A F F , A q u a cu ltu re in d u st ry R is ks t o s h a rk sp e ci e s a n d h a b ita ts p o se d b y a ct iv iti e s re la te d t o a q u a cu ltu re o r a q u a ri a , id e n tif ie d L < 3 y. 5 y . (2 .2 b ) E va lu a te t h e a q u a ri u m t ra d e f o r sh a rk s. A ss th e s ca le o f th e a q u a ri u m D A F F a n d D A F F a n d D E A D A F F a n d tr a d e a n d id e n tif y if it co n st itu te s a n e w f is h e ry D E A D E A R e p o rt o n t h e e va lu a tio n o f th e sc a le o f th e a ct iv ity M < 1 y, 5 y . O b je ct iv e s R e L d o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lle t A t o rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra tio n (2 .2 b ) T o li m it, o n a p re ca u tio n a ry b a si s a n d p e n d in g a va ila b ili ty o f re se a rc h r e su lts , p o te n tia l c o n ta m in a tio n o f cr iti ca l s h a rk h a b ita ts in in sh o re w a te rs L im it a q u a cu ltu re in a re a s o f lo ca l a b u n d a n ce o f th re a te n e d o r p ro te ct e d sp e ci e s D A F F (A q u a cu ltu re R e se a rc h a n d M a n a g e m e n t) . D E A A q u a cu ltu re in d u st ry , re le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D E A , D A F F C ri tic a l s h a rk h a b ita t o f th re a te n e d o r p ro te ct e d s p e ci e s in cl u d e d a s cr ite ri o n fo r e xc lu si o n o f a q u a cu ltu re f ro m a re a s M < 1 y . 5 y . (2 .2 c) T o p re ve n t e n ta n g le m e n t in a q u a cu ltu re g e a r D e ve lo p a p p ro p ri a te a q u a cu ft u re g e a r to a vo id s h a rk e n ta n g le m e n t a n d o p e ra tio n a l p ro ce d u re s fo r d is e n ta n g le m e n t A q u a cu ft u re in d u st ry , D E A , D A F F R e le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s A q u a cu ltu re in d u st ry G e a r to m iti g a te sh a rk e n ta n g le m e n t d e ve lo p e d O p e ra tio n a l p ro ce d u re s d e ve lo p e d f o r d is e n ta n g le m e n t, in cl u d in g L < 3 y, 5 y . 21 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 30 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 m o n ito ri n g p ro to co ls T h re a t ca te g o ry (2 .3 ) M in in g a n d P e tr o le u m D e ta ils o f th re a ts S e is m ic s u rv e ys P o llu tio n O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra tio n (2 .3 a ) T o m in im is e im p a ct s o f p e tr o le u m e xp lo ra tio n a n d e xt ra ct io n , p ro sp e ct in g a n d m in in g o n c ri tic a l h a b ita t a n d a re a s o f h ig h sh a rk d iv e rs ity id e n tif y p o te n tia l i m p a ct s o f p e tr o le u m e xp lo ra tio n a n d e xt ra ct io n o n s h a rk s (d e sk to p s tu d y) S A N B I, D E A In d u st ry , D M E , re le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D E A R e p o rt w ith p o te n tia l im p a ct s id e n tif ie d M < 2 y . 2 y . Id e n tif y p o te n tia l i m p a ct s o f p ro sp e ct in g a n d m in in g o n s h a rk s (d e sk to p s tu d y) S A N B I, D E A In d u st ry , D M E , re le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D E A R e p o rt w ith p o te n tia l im p a ct s id e n tif ie d M < 2 y . 2 y . O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r Y P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra tio n (2 .3 a c o n t. ) In co rp o ra te s h a rk c o n se rv a tio n a n d m a n a g e m e n t in to t h e a q u a cu ltu re co n ce rn s, if a n y, in to t h e E IA p ro ce ss fo r m in in g a n d p e tr o le u m S A N B I, D E A In d u st ry , D M E , re le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D E A S h a rk r e la te d co n ce rn s a d d re ss e d in E lA s M < 2 y . 5 y . R e se a rc h in to t h e n e e d f o r p ro cl a im in g in sh o re a n d o ff sh o re M P A s to m iti g a te e ff e ct s o f p e tr o le u m a n d m in in g in d u st ri e s o n s h a rk sp e ci e s a n d h a b ita ts S A N B I, D E A In d u st ry , D M E , re le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s, M a n a g e m e n t a u th o ri tie s D E A S ci e n tif ic re co m m e n d a tio n s re g a rd in g t h e n e e d fo r M P A s to p ro te ct sh a rk s p e ci e s a n d h a b ita ts M < 3 y . 4 y . T h re a t ca te g o ry (2 .4 ) P o llu tio n ( la n d a n d s h ip b a se d s o u rc e s) D e ta ils o f th re a ts W a st e w a te r d is ch a rg e M a ri n e d e b ri s (p la st ic s, f is h in g g e a r) 2 2 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 31 H e a vy m e ta ls P C B s O rg a n o ch lo ri n e c o n ta m in a n ts O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie : C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty (2 .4 a ) T o d e te rm in e sp e ci fic im p a ct s o f p o llu tio n o n s h a rk s In iti a te a p p ro p ri a te r e se a rc h a n d m o n ito ri n g p ro g ra m m e s, in cl u d in g : M o n ito r ch e m ic a l p o llu ta n t le ve ls in sh a rk t is su e s A ss e ss m e ta b o lic e ff e ct s o f p o llu ta n ts M o n ito r p la st ic e n ta n g le m e n t a n d in g e st io n D E A D A F F , K Z N S B D E A F u n ct io n a l r e se a rc h a n d m o n ito ri n g p ro g ra m m e in iti a te d L S ta rt tim e < 2 y . D u ra tio n 2 y . B a se lin e in fo rm a tio n o n p o llu tio n le ve ls a n d e ff e ct s L < 4 y . 5 y . T h re a t ci jo ry (2 .5 ) H a b ita t a lte ra tio n o r d is tu rb a n ce D e ta ils o f th re a tt . E ff e ct s o f g lo b a l c h a n g e s (e .g . in cl u d in g o ce a n a ci d ifi ca tio n , fr e sh w a te r a n d n u tr ie n t In flo w r e d u ct io n , se d im e n ta tio n e tc .) o n t ro p h ic in te ra ct io n s, e co sy st e m s tr u ct u re a n d f u n ct io n in g C o a st a l d e ve lo p m e n t L o ss o f h a b ita t O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e in d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra tio n (2 .5 a ) T o u n d e rs ta n d im p a ct s o f h a b ita t a lte ra tio n o r d is tu rb a n ce o n s h a rk s M a p p in g o f im p o rt a n t n u rs e ry a re a s a n d o th e r cr iti ca l h a b ita t fo r sh a rk s sp e ci e s D E A , S A N B I , D A F F R e le va n t te rt ia ry , re se a rc h a n d C o n se rv a tio n M a n a g e m e n t in st itu tio n s D E A , D A F F M a p s o f sh a rk n u rs e ry a re a s a n d o th e r cr iti ca l h a b ita t H < 2 y . 3 y . A ss e ss le ve ls o f d is tu rb a n ce o f n u rs e ry a re a s a n d o th e r cr iti ca l h a b ita t fo r sh a rk s D E A , S A N B I , D A F F R e le va n t te rt ia ry , re se a rc h a n d co n se rv a tio n m a n a g e m e n t D E A , D A F F R e p o rt in d ic a tin g d is tu rb a n ce o n n u rs e ry a re a s a n d o th e r cr iti ca l h a b ita t H < 2 y . 5 y . 23 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 32 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 in st itu tio n s In ve st ig a te e ff e ct o f re d u ce d o r in cr e a se d n u tr ie n t in p u ts f ro m fr e sh w a te r so u rc e s (e .g . u T h u ke la B a n ks s ys te m ) o n s h a rk s. D E A , S A N B I, D A F F R e le va n t te rt ia ry , re se a rc h a n d co n se rv a tio n m a n a g e m e n t in st itu tio n s D E A , D A F F R e p o rt o n e ff e ct s o f re d u ce d n u tr ie n t in p u ts o n s h a rk s (e .g . m o d e l) L < 4 y. 3 y . A ss e ss p o te n tia l e ff e ct s o f o ce a n a ci d ifi ca tio n o n s h a rk s D E A , S A N B I, D A F F R e le va n t te rt ia ry , re se a rc h a n d co n se rv a tio n m a n a g e m e n t in st itu tio n s D E A , D A F F R e p o rt o n e ff e ct s o f o ce a n a ci d ifi ca tio n o n sh a rk s L < 4 y . 3 y . A ss e ss r a n g e e xt e n si o n s o f sh a rk sp e ci e s th a t m a y b e a ss o ci a te d w ith g lo b a l c h a n g e s e .g . se a t e m p e ra tu re D E A , S A N B I, D A F F R e le va n t te rt ia ry , re se a rc h a n d co n se rv a tio n m a n a g e m e n t in st itu tio n s D E A , D A F F M a p s o f ra n g e e xt e n si o n s L < 4 y . 3 y . T h re a t ca te g o ry (2 .6 ) N o n c o n su m p tiv e u se D e ta ils o f th re a ts D is tu rb a n ce /b e h a vi o u ra l a lte ra tio n o f sp e ci e s a ss o ci a te d w ith e co to u ri sm a ct iv iti e s (b o a t vi e w in g , d iv in g , a tt ra ct io n , p ro vi si o n in g ) D is tu rb a n ce /b e h a vi o u ra l a lte ra tio n o f sp e ci e s a ss o ci a te d w ith f ilm in g a ct iv iti e s D is tu rb a n ce o f h a b ita ts O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e in d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e O u r& tio n (2 .6 a ) T o r e g u la te n o n co n su m p tiv e u se o f re le va n t sh a rk s p e ci e s R e vi e w im p a ct s o f a tt ra ct io n , p ro vi si o n in g , b o a t o r d iv e r d is tu rb a n ce D E A T o u r o p e ra to rs , re le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s, M P A M a n a g e m e n t a u th o ri tie s in cl u d in g E ze m ve lo D E A R e p o rt w ith s ci e n tif ic re co m m e n d a tio n s re g a rd in g le ve ls o f im p a ct s o f a tt ra ct io n , p ro vi si o n in g , b o a t o r d iv e r d is tu rb a n ce H < 1 y . 3 y . D e ve lo p m iti g a tio n m e a su re s to re d u ce t o u ri sm im p a ct s o n t a rg e t sh a rk s p e ci e s a n d lo ca l e co sy st e m s D E A T o u r o p e ra to rs , re le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D E A M iti g a tio n m e a su re s to r e d u ce t o u ri sm im p a ct s o n t a rg e t H < 1 y . 5 y . 2 4 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 33 sh a rk s p e ci e s a n d lo ca l e co sy st e m s co m p ile d a n d im p le m e n te d D e ve lo p C o d e o f C o n d u ct f o r d iv in g w ith r a g g e d t o o th s h a rk s, t ig e r sh a rk s, b la ck tip s sh a rk s, w h ite sh a rk s, w h a le s h a rk s a n d m a n ta r a ys D E A T o u r o p e ra to rs , re le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s, M P A m a n a g e m e n t a u th o ri tie s, in cl u d in g E ze m ve lo D E A P u b lis h e d C o d e o f co n d u ct d o cu m e n ts fo r p u b lic u se f o r a ll th e s ix s p e ci e s H 2 y (3 ) F is h in g ( b o th 4 1 :: e d id b yc a tc h ) T h re e (3 .1 ) T a rg e te d s h a rk f is h e ri e s D e ta ils o f th re a ts D u e t o t h e ir li fe h is to ry c h a ra ct e ri st ic s (s lo w g ro w th , lo w f e cu n d ity , la te a g e a t m a tu ri ty ) sh a rk s a re p a rt ic u la rl y vu ln e ra b le t o o ve re xp o ita tio n O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie 4 C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra tio n (3 .1 a ) T o m a n a g e s h a rk fis h e ri e s o n a su st a in a b le b a si s Im p le m e n t th e N P O A D A F F D E A D A F F A ct io n s id e n tif ie d in th e N P O A im p le m e n te d < 1 y . 5 y . T h re a t (3 .2 ) S h a rk b yc a tc h D e ta ils o f th re a ts D u e t o t h e ir li fe h is to ry c h a ra ct e ri st ic s (s lo w g ro w th , lo w f e cu n d ity , la te a g e a t m a tu ri ty ) sh a rk s a re p a rt ic u la rl y vu ln e ra b le t o o ve re xp c ita tio n O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra tio n (3 .2 a ) T o m in im is e b yc a tc h o f sh a rk sp e ci e s, in p a rt ic u la r p ro te ct e d s p e ci e s, in a ll fis h e ri e s Im p le m e n t th e N P O A D A F F D E A D A F F A ct io n s id e n tif ie d in th e N P O A im p le m e n te d H < 1 y . 5 y . 25 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 34 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 In a d e q u a te k n o w le d g e o f sh a rk d iv e rs ity , d is tr ib u tio n a n d in su ff ic ie n t in fo rm a tio n o n li fe h is to ry p a ra m e te rs o f id e n tif ie d s h a rk s p e ci e s L a ck o f kn o w le d g e o n t h e e ff e ct iv e n e ss o f M P A s o r se a so n a l c lo su re s a s to o ls f o r sh a rk c o n se rv a tio n In su ff ic ie n t kn o w le d g e o f p o p u la tio n d e lin e a tio n /g e n e tic d iv e rs ity o f ce rt a in s h a rk s p e ci e s In su ff ic ie n t u n d e rs ta n d in g w ith r e sp e ct t o e ff e ct s o f re d u ce d p re d a tio n b y sh a rk s in v a ri o u s e co sy st e m s In a d e q u a te u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e s o ci o e co n o m ic v a lu e a n d im p a ct o f sh a rk s (4 ) In su ff ic ie n t kn o w le d g r; , u co o rd in a te d r e se a rc h a n d a b se n ce o f lo n g t e rm m o n ito ri n g T h re a t ca te g o ry (4 .1 ) In su ff ic ie n t kn o w le d g e D e ta ils o f th re a ts O b je ct iv e s A ct io n R u sp o n t4 b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In a A o r P ri o ri ty (4 .1 a ) T o im p ro ve kn o w le d g e o f sh a rk d iv e rs ity , d is tr ib u tio n a n d a b u n d a n ce D e sk to p s tu d y o f a va ila b le in fo rm a tio n o n d iv e rs ity , d is tr ib u tio n a n d a b u n d a n ce o f d iff e re n t sh a rk sp e ci e s D E A D A F F , re le va n t re se a rc h , te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s a n d M P A M a n a g e m e n t A u th o ri tie s in cl u d in g E ze m ve lo D E A R e p o rt w ith r e vi e w a n d g a p a n a ly si s co m p le te d S ta rt D u ra tim e tio n < l y . 2 y. B io d iv e rs ity s u rv e y o f le ss k n o w n h a b ita ts ( e .g . sh e lf e d g e , sl o p e ) D E A , D A F F (4 .1 b ) T o im p ro ve u n d e rs ta n d in g o f lif e h is to ry p a ra m e te rs o f id e n tif ie d s h a rk s p e ci e s D e sk to p s tu d y o f a va ila b le in fo rm a tio n o n li fe h is to ry p a ra m e te rs o f id e n tif ie d s h a rk s p e ci e s D E A D A F F , R e le va n t re se a rc h a n d te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s a n d M P A M a n a g e m e n t A u th o ri tie s in cl u d in g E ze m ve lo D A F F , re le va n t re se a rc h a n d te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s C o n d u ct r e se a rc h t o in ve st ig a te li fe h is to ry p a ra m e te rs o f id e n tif ie d sp e ci e s D E A , D A F F R e le va n t re se a rc h a n d t e rt ia ry in st itu tio n s in cl u d in g D E A , D A F F D a ta b a se a n d G e o g ra p h ic a l < 3 y , 5 y , In fo rm a tio n S ys te m s o f su rv e y d a ta d e ve lo p e d D E A R e p o rt w ith r e vi e w a n d g a p a n a ly si s co m p le te d < 2 y. 3 y. D E A D a ta b a se < 4 y. 5 y. 2 6 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 35 E ze m ve lo (4 .1 c) T o in cr e a se u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e e ff e ct iv e n e ss o f M P A s o r se a so n a l c lo su re s a s to o ls f o r sh a rk co n se rv a tio n C o n d u ct r e se a rc h w ith r e sp e ct t o t h e u se o f M P A s b y sh a rk s p e ci e s D E A , D A F F R e le va n t re se a rc h a n d t e rt ia ry in st itu tio n s, M P A m a n a g e m e n t a u th o ri tie s in cl u d in g E ze m ve lo D E A , D A F F In ve n to ry o f sh a rk sp e ci e s in f iv e M P A s M < 2 y . 5 y . O b je ct iv e s A ct io R e sp o n si b le p a rt ic i C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e in d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra . tio n (4 .1 d ) T o im p ro ve kn o w le d g e o f p o p u la tio n d e lin e a tio n /g e n e tic d iv e rs ity o f id e n tif ie d sh a rk s p e ci e s G e n e tic s tu d ie s o f id e n tif ie d s h a rk p o p u la tio n s D E A , D A F F R e le va n t re se a rc h a n d t e rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D E A , D A F F G e n e tic p ro fil e s o f co lle ct e d s p e ci e s co m p le te d L < 3 y . 4 y . (4 .1 e ) T o im p ro ve u n d e rs ta n d in g w ith re sp e ct t o t ro p h ic e ff e ct s o f re d u ce d p re d a tio n b y sh a rk s in v a ri o u s e co sy st e m s D e sk to p s tu d y o f a va ila b le In fo rm a tio n o n d ie t o f id e n tif ie d s h a rk sp e ci e s D E A K Z N S B , D A F F D E A D a ta b a se a n d g a p a n a ly si s M < 2 y . 2 y . D ie t st u d ie s (e .g . g u t co n te n t a n a ly si s, s ta b le is o to p e a n a ly si s) o f id e n tif ie d s h a rk s p e ci e s re p lic a te d in sp a ce a n d t im e D E A , D A F F R e le va n t re se a rc h a n d t e rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D E A , D A F F D a ta b a se o f re le va n t tr o p h ic in fo rm a tio n M < 1 y . 5 y . M o d e lli n g a p p ro a ch t o e va lu a te p o te n tia l e ff e ct s o f re d u ce d s h a rk p re d a tio n o n e co sy st e m s D E A D A F F , re le va n t te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D E A M o d e l a n d r e p o rt o n m o d e l o u tp u ts M < 4 y . 3 y . (4 .1 f) A ss e ss t h e so ci o e co n o m ic v a lu e a n d im p a ct o f sh a rk s R e se a rc h in to t h e v a lu e o f sh a rk s, th e ir c o n se rv a tio n a n d b a th e r sa fe ty m e a su re s D E A P ro vi n ci a l M a n a g e m e n t A u th o ri tie s a n d M P A m a n a g e m e n t D E A In iti a te r e se a rc h p ro g ra m M < 4 y, 3 y . T h re a t ca te g o ry (4 .2 ) U n co o rd in a te d r e se a rc h 27 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 36 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 D e ta ils o f th re a ts L a ck o f re se a rc h p ri o ri tis a tio n a n d r e g u la tio n o f re se a rc h in to s p e ci e s o f co n se rv a tio n c o n ce rn R e p lic a tio n o f re se a rc h e ff o rt D is p ro p o rt io n a l a llo ca tio n o f e ff o rt , fu n d in g a n d in fr a st ru ct u re In a d e q u a te d is se m in a tio n o f re se a rc h f in d in g s In su ff ic ie n t co m m u n ic a tio n O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s (4 .2 a ) T o p u t in p la ce a re se a rc h p la n f o r sp e ci e s o f co n se rv a tio n c o n ce rn P ri o ri tis e , re g u la te a n d f a ci lit a te re se a rc h o n id e n tif ie d s p e ci e s o f co n se rv a tio n c o n ce rn R e sp o n si b le C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt D u ra p a rt ie s so u rc e tim e tio n D E A D A F F , re le va n t te rt ia ry a n d re se a rc h in st itu tio n s D E A S tr a te g ic r e se a rc h p la n a n d p ri o ri tis a tio n co m p le te d a n d im p le m e n te d H < 1 y . 2 y . O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra tio n (4 .2 b ) T o f a ci lit a te d is se m in a tio n o f sh a rk re se a rc h f in d in g s E st a b lis h a s h a rk r e se a rc h f o ru m D E A D A F F , re le va n t te rt ia ry a n d re se a rc h in st itu tio n s in cl u d in g E ze m ve lo A ll p a rt ic ip a tin g p a rt ie s B ie n n ia l f o ru m e st a b lis h e d M < 2 y . I y. (4 .2 c) D a ta m o b ili sa tio n a n d s h a ri n g , a n d d a ta b a se m a n a g e m e n t p la n U rg e 'r e se a rc h e r to c o n tr ib u te m e ta d a ta t o n a tio n a l d a ta b a se s D E A , S A E O N D A F F , re le va n t te rt ia ry a n d re se a rc h in st itu tio n s S A E O N In cr e a se d ce n tr a lly lo d g e d d a ta M < 2 y . A . .. .. . 1 y . .6 1 T h re a t ca te g o ry . . ., . .. . 4 ,. .. a . .. .m .r ,. .. * .. .n .. .. .M 2 .7 1 (4 .3 ) A b se n ce o f lo n g t e rm m o n ito ri n g D e ta ils o f th re a ts L a ck o f lo n g t e rm m o n ito ri n g o n p o p u la tio n t re n d s/ In d ic e s o f id e n tif ie d s h a rk s p e ci e s C o o rd in a tio n o f e xi st in g a n d n e w d a ta b a se s O b je ct iv e s A ct io n s R e sp o n si b le p a rt ie s C o lla b o ra to rs F u n d in g so u rc e In d ic a to r P ri o ri ty S ta rt tim e D u ra fla n (4 .3 a ) T o p u t in p la ce a fu n ct io n a l l o n g t e rm m o n ito ri n g p la n D e ve lo p a n d im p le m e n t a lo n g t e rm m o n ito ri n g p la n d a ta m a n a g e m e n t p ro to co ls f o r sh a rk s p e ci e s D E A D A F F , re le va n t re se a rc h a n d te rt ia ry in st itu tio n s D E A L o n g t e rm m o n ito ri n g p la n d e ve lo p e d a n d im p le m e n te d M < 3 y . 2 y . 2 8 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 37 RE ERENCES Australian NPOA (2004) National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (Shark-plan). Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (2011) Draft Australia's 2011 National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks Shark-plan 2 Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2011) Draft Recovery Plan for Sawfish and Glyphis Bensley, N, J Woodhams, HM Patterson, M Rodgers, K McLoughlin, 1 Stobutzki, and GA Begg (2009) Shark Assessment Report for the Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks, final report to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra Chin, A, PM Kyne, TI Walker and RB McAuley (2010) An integrated risk assessment for climate change: analysing the vulnerability of sharks and rays on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Global Change Biology 16:1936 -1953 Compagno, UV (2000) An overview of chondrichthyan systematics and biodiversity in southern Africa. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 1999 54(1): 75-120, fig. 1-9, tab. 1-2 Compagno, LJV (2002a) Appendix 1. Annoted checklist of cartilaginous fishes from South Africa. In WHH Sauer at at. Shark Management Plan. Document prepared for Marine and Coastal Management, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. (Note: This document was not formally adopted as the official management plan for South Africa's shark resources) Compagno, LJV (2002b) The Resource. In WHH Sauer at al. Shark Management Plan. Document prepared for Marine and Coastal Management, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. (Note: This document was not formally adopted as the official management plan for South Africa's shark resources.) Compagno, LJV, DA Ebert and MJ Smale (1989) Guide to the Sharks and Rays of Southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town FAO (1998). International Plan of Action for the conservation and management of sharks. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome 29 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 38 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 Fowler, SL, RD Cavanagh, M Camhi, GH Burgess, GM Cal Met, SV Fordham, CA Simpfendorfer, and JA Musick (comp. and ed.). 2005. Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras: The Status of the Chondrichthyan Fishes. Status Survey. IUCN!SSC Shark Specialist Group. I UCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. x + 461 pp Heithaus, MR, A Frid, JJ Vaudo, B Worm and AJ Wirsing (2010) Unraveling the ecological importance of elasmobranchs. In: JC Carrier, JA Musick and MR Heithaus (ed.). Sharks and their Relatives 11 - Biodiversity, Adaptive Physiology, and Conservation. CRC Press, Boca Raton: 611-637 Lack, M and G Sant (2011) The Future of Sharks: A Review of Action and Inaction. TRAFFIC International and the Pew Environment Group Seychelles national plan of action for the conservation and management of sharks. Seychelles Fishing Authority, Victoria, Seychelles, 2007. 59 pp Stevens, JD, Ti Walker, SF Cook and SV Fordham (2005) Threats faced by chondrichthyan fish. In Fowler, SL at at Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras: The Status of the Chondrichthyan Fishes. Status Survey. IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK x + 461 pp South Africa NPOA (2011) South Africa's draft National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks 2011. Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries US NPOA (2001) United States National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, MD. 74pp 30 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 39 AP2ENUX C1-:c!:Ist of cartilaginous fle-es from South Africa The list of species was extracted from Appendix 1 of the draft South African Shark Management Plan of 2002, which was compiled by Leonard Compagno and was based on Compagno, Ebert & Smale (1989). The IUCN column was added, as were a small number of species known to have been described since, such as Hap loblepharus kistnasamyi and Manta aifredi, or recorded since, such as the megamouth shark. It should not be regarded as fully updated to 2011, however, i.e. there may well be additional records of which we were not aware. IUCN categories as at December 2011; CR-Critically Endangered, EN-Endangered, VU-Vulnerable, NT-Near Threatened, LC-Least Concern, DO-Data Deficient. Scientific name ion Ir.:IL, listing C.::r1 its CLASS CHONDRICHTHYES CARTILAGINOUS FISHES SUBCLASS ELASMOBRANCHII SHARKS AND RAYS SUPERORDER GALEOMORPHII GALEOMORPH SHARKS ORDER HETERODOIITIFORMES BULLH t SHARKS FAMILY HETERODONTIDAE BULLH SHARKS Heterodontus rarnalheira (Smith, 1949) Whitespotted bullhead shark DD ORDER LAMNIFORMES MACKEREL SHARKS FAMILY MITSUKURINIDAE GOBLIN SHARKS Mitsukurina owstoni Jordan, 1898 Goblin shark LC FAMILY MEGACHASMIDAE MEGAMOUTH SHARKS Megachasma pelagios Taylor, Compagno & Struhsaker, 1983 Megamouth shark DD Inc! in Com..4no (2002a) as post completion footnote. FAMILY ODONTASPIDIDAE SAND TIGER SHARKS Carcharias taurus Rafinesque, 1810 Spotted raggedtooth VU Odontaspis ferox (Risso, 1810) Bumpytail raggedtooth VU FAMILY PSEUDOCARCHARIIDAE CROCODILE SHARKS Pseudocarcharias kamoharai (Matsubara, Crocodile shark NT 1936) 31 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 40 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 Scientific name Common name IUCN listing FAMILY ALOPIIDAE I THRESHER SHARKS Alopias pelagicus Nakamura, 1935 Smalltooth thresher VU Alopias superciliosus (Lowe, 1839) Bigeye thresher VU I Alopias vuipinus (Bonnaterre, 1788) Thresher shark VU FAMILY CETORHINIDAE BASKING SHARKS Cetorhinus maximus (Gunnerus, 1765) Basking shark VU FAMILY LAMNIDAE MACKEREL SHARKS Carcharodon carcharias (Linnaeus, 1758) Great white shark . VU Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810 Shortfin mako VU isms paucus Guitart, 1966? Longfin mako VU Lamna nasus (Bonnaterre, 1788) Porbeagle shark VU ORDER ORECTOLOBIFORMES CARPET SHARKS FAMILY STEGOSTOMATIDAE ZEBRA SHARKS Stegostoma fasciatum (Hermann, 1783) Zebra shark VU FAMILY GINGLYMOSTOMATIDAE NURSE SHARKS Nebrius ferruginous (Lesson, 1830) Tawny nurse shark VU FAMILY RHINCODONTIDAE WHALE SHARKS Rhincodon typus Smith, 1829 Whale shark VU ORDER CARCHARHINIFORMES GROUND SHARKS FAMILY SCYLIORHINIDAE CATSHARKS Apristurus minis (Springer, 1979) Ghost catshark LC Apristurus microps (Gilchrist, 1922) Smalleye catshark LC Apristurus saldanha (Barnard, 1925) Saldanha catshark LC Apristurus indicus (Brauer, 1906) Smallbelly catshark DD Comments Compagno (2002a) had this as Apristurus sp. (black wonder catshark). Compagno at at (2005) said SA records for A. indicts may be erroneous. 32 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 41 Scientific name Common name IUCN listing Comments Cephaloscyllium suftlans (Regan, 1921) Balloon shark LC Galeus poili Cadenat, 1959 African sawtail catshark LC Halaelunis Meatus (Bass, D'Aubrey & Kstnasamy, 1975b) Lined catshark DD Halaelurus natalensis (Regan, 1904) Tiger catshark DID Haploblepharus edwardsii (Voigt, in Cuvier, 1832) Puffadder shyshark NT Haploblepharus fuscus Smith, 1950 Brown shyshark VU Haploblepharus pictus & Hanle, 1838) Dark shyshark LC Haploblepharus kistnasamyi Human & Compagno, 2006 Natal shyshark CR Compagno (2002a) had this as Haploblepharus sp. 110V. Holohalaelurus punctatus (Gilchrist, 1914) African spotted catshark EN Holohalaelurus regani (Gilchrist, 1922) Izak catshark or halalujah shark LC Poroderma africanum (Gmelin, 1789) Striped catshark or pyjama shark NT Poroderma pantherinum (Smith, in MUller & Hanle, 1838) Leopard catshark DD Scyliorhinus capensis (Smith, in Miner & Hanle, 1838) Yellowspotted catshark NT FAMILY PROSCYLLIIDAE FINBACK CATSHARKS Eridacnis sinuans (Smith, 1957) African ribbontail catshark LC FAMILY TRIAKIDAE HOUNDSHARKS Galeorhinus galeus (Linnaeus, 1758) Tope shark or soupfin VU Hypogaleus hyugaensis (Miyosi, 1939) Blacktip tope NT Mustelus mosis Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1899 Arabian smoothhound DD Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758) Smoothhound VU Mustelus palumbes Smith, 1957 Whitespot smoothhound DD Scylliogaleus quecketti Boulanger, 1902 Flapnose houndshark VU Triakis megalopterus (Smith, 1849) Spotted gully shark NT FAMILY HEMIGALEIDAE WEASEL SHARKS Hemipristis elongatus (Klunzinger, 1871) Snaggletooth shark VU Paragaleus leucolomatus Compagno & Smale, 1985 Whitefin weasel shark DD 33 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 42 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 Scientific name Common name . IUCN listing Comments 1 FAMILY CARCHARH I N I DAE REQUIEM SHARKS Carcharhinus albimarginatus (Rippe II, 1837) Silvertip shark NT I Carcharhinus altimus (Springer, 1950) Big nose shark DO Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos (Bleaker, 1856) Gray reef shark NT Carcharhinus amboinensis (Killer & Hanle, 1839) Pigeye or Java shark DD Carcharhinus brachyurus (Gunther, 1870) Copper shark or bronze whaler NT Carcharhinus brevipinna (Mailer & Hanle, 1 1839) Spinner shark NT Carcharhinus falciformis (Bibron, in Mailer & Hanle, 1839) Silky shark NT Carcharhinus leucas (Valenciennes, in Mailer & Hanle, 1839) Zambezi shark NT Carcharhinus iimbdus (Valenciennes, in Milner & Hanle, 1839) Blacktip shark NT Carcharhinus iongimanus (Pcey, 1861) Oceanic whitetip shark VU Carcharhinus me!anopterus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) Blacktip reef shark NT Carcharhinus obscurus (Lesueur, 1818) Dusky shark VU Carcharhinus plumbeus (Nardo, 1827) Sandbar shark VU Carcharhinus sealei (Pietschmann, 1916) Blackspot shark NT Carcharhinus sorrah (Valenciennes, in Maher & Henle, 1839) Spottail shark NT Galeocerdo cuvier (Peron & Lesueur, in Lesueur, 1822) Tiger shark NT Loxodon macrorhinus Willer & Henle, 1839 Sliteye shark LC Negaprion acutidens (Riippell, 1837) Sharptooth lemon shark VU Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758) Blue shark NT Rhizoprionodon acutus (Ruppell, 1837) Milk shark LC Triaenodon obesus (ROppell, 1837) Whitetip reef shark NT FAMILY SPHYRNIDAE HAMMERHEAD SHARKS Sphyma lewini (Griffith & Smith, in Cuvier, Griffith & Smith, 1834) Scalloped hammerhead EN Sphyrna mokarran (RUppell, 1837) Great hammerhead EN Sphyrna zygaena (Linnaeus, 1758) Smooth hammerhead VU SUPERORDER SQUALOMORPHII SQUALOMORPH SHARKS 1. 34 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 43 Scientific name Common name IUCN listing Comments ORDER HEXANCHIFORMES COW SHARKS FAMILY CHLAMYDOSELACHIDAE FRILLED SHARKS Chlamydoselachus sp. nov Southern African frilled shark NT FAMILY HEXANCHIDAE COW SHARKS Heptranchias perk) (Bonnaterre, 17 Sham« sevengill shark NT Hexanchus griseus (Bonnaterre, 1788) Bluntnose sixgill shark NT Hexanchus nakamurai Teng, 1962 Bigeye sixgill shark DD Notorynchus cepedianus (Peron, 1807) Spotted sevengill shark DD ORDER SQUALIFORMES DOGFISH SHARKS FAMILY ECHINORHINIDAE BRAMBLE SHARKS Echinorhinus brucus (Bonnaterre, 17 Bramble shark DD FAMILY SQUALIDAE DOGFISH SHARKS Cirrhigaleus aspen (Merrett, 1973) Roughskin spurdog DD Squalus acanthias Linnaeus, 1758 Piked dogfish VU Squalus cf. blainvillei (Risso, 1826)? Longspine spurdog DD Squalus cf. megalops (Macleay, 1 Shortnose spurdog DD Squalus cf. mitsukurii Jordan & Snyder, in Jordan & Fowler, 1903 Shortspine spurdog DD FAMILY CENTROPHORIDAE GULPER SHARKS Centrophorus granulosus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Gulper shark VU Centrophorus cf. harrissoni McCulloch, 1915 Longnose gulper shark CR Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker, 1860 Smallfin gulper shark DD Centrophorus nieukang Tang, 1959 Taiwan gulper shark NT Centrophorus squamosus (Bonnaterre, 1788) Leafscale gulper shark VU Deania calms (Lowe, 1839) Birdbeak dogfish LC Deania hystricosum (Garman, 1906) Rough longnose dogfish DD Deania profundorum (Smith & Radcliffe, 1912) Arrowhead dogfish LC Deania quadrispinosum (McCulloch, 1915) Longsnout dogfish NT FAMILY ETMOPTERIDAE LANTERN SHARKS Centroscyllium fabricii (Reinhardt, 1825) Slack dogfish LC 35 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 44 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 I. Etmopterus bigelowi Shirai & Tachikawa, 1993 Etmopterus cf. brachyurus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912 Scientific name i Common name IUCN Comments listing Blurred smooth lantemshark LC Shorttail Ianternshark OD Etmopterus compagnoi Fricke & Koch, 1990 Brown lantemshark DO Etmopterus gracilispinis Krafft, 1968 Broadband Iantemshark LC Etmopterus cf. baton Garrick, 1957 Giant Ianternshark LC Etmopterus pusillus (Lowe, 1839) Etmopterus sentosus Bass, DAubrey & Kistnasamy, 1976 Smooth Ianternshark Thorny lantemshark LC LC I FAMILY SOMNIOSIDAE Centroscymnus coeidepis Bocage & Cape llo, 1864 Centroscymnus owstoni Garman, 1906 SLEEPER SHARKS Portugese shark Centroselachus crepidater (Bocage & Cape llo, 1864) NT Shortnose velvet dogfish LC Longnose velvet dogfish LC OD DO VU Kitefin shark NT Somniosus antarcticus Whitley, 1939 Southern sleeper shark Zameus squamulosus (Gunther, 1877) Velvet dogfish FAMILY OXYNOTIDAE ROUGHSHARKS Oxynotus centrina (Linnaeus, 1758) Rough shark FAMILY DALATIIDAE KITEFIN SHARKS Da !atlas licha (Bonnaterre, 1788) Euprotomicroides zantedeschla Hu Hey & Penrith, 1966 Taillight shark DD Euprotomicrus bispinatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) Pygmy shark LC Heteroscymnoides marley! Fowler, 1934 Longnose pygmy shark LC lsistius brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) Cookiecutter shark LC ORDER SQUATINIFORMES ANGEL SHARKS FAMILY SQUATINIDAE ANGEL SHARKS Squatina africana Regan, 1908 African angelshark DD ORDER PRISTIOPHORIFORMES SAWSHARKS 36 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 45 Scientific name Common name IUCN lit :.ing Comments FAMILY PRISTIOPHORIDAE SAWSHARKS Pliotrema warren' Regan, 1906 Sixgill sawshark NT ORDER RAJIFORMES RAYS SUBORDER PRISTOIDEI SAWFISHES FAMILY PRISTIDAE SAWFISHES Pristis microdon Latham, 1794 Greattooth sawfish CR Pristis pectinata Latham, 1794 Smalltooth sawfish? CR Pristis zijsron Bleeker, 1851 Green sawfish CR Pristis pristis Sawfish T SUBORDER RHINOIDEI SHARKRAYS FAMILY RHINIDAE SHARKRAYS Rhina ancylostoma Bloch & Schneider, 1801 Bowmouthed guitarfish VU SUBORDER RHYNCHOBATOIDEI WEDGEFISHES FAMILY RHYNCHOBATOIDEI WEDGEFISHES Rhynchobatus djiddensis (Forsskal, 1775) Giant guitarfish VU SUBORDER RHINOBATOIDEI GUITARFISHES FAMILY RHINOBATIDAE GUITARFISHES Rhinobatos annulatus Smith, in Muller & Hanle, 1841 Little guitarfish LC Rhinobatos blochii MUller & Hen le, 1841 Fiddlefish LC Rhinobatos holcorhynchus Norman, 1922 Slender guitarfish DO Rhinobatos leucospilus Norman, 1926 Greyspot guitarfish DD Rhinobatos 11, la us Norman, 1926 Speckled guitarfish DD SUBORDER TORPEDINOIDEI ELECTRIC RAYS FAMILY NARKIDAE SLEEPER RAYS Electrolux add/son! Compagno & Heemstra, 2007 Ornate sleeper ray CR Compagno (2002a) had this as Heteronarce? sp. nov. Heteronarce garmani Regan, 1921 Natal electric ray VU Narks capensis (Gmelin, 1789) Onefin electric ray DD 37 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 46 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 Scientific name Common name IUCN listing Comments FAMILY TORPEDINIDAE TORPEDO RAYS I Torpedo cf. fuscomaculata Peters, 1855 South coast blackspotted torpedo DD Torpedo cf. nobiliana Bonaparte, 1835 South coast torpedo DD Torpedo cf. sinuspersici Offers, 1831 Marbled torpedo DD SUBORDER RAJOIDEI SKATES FAMILY ARHYNCHOBATIDAE SOFTNOSE SKATES Bathyraja =Mil (Muller & Hanle, 1841) African softnose skate DO FAMILY RAJIDAE HARDNOSE SKATES Amblyraja robertsi (Nutley, 1970) Bigmouth skate LC Amblyraja taaf (Meisner, 1987) 1 Whiteleg skate DO Dipturus campbeffi (Wallace, 1967) Blackspot skate NT Dipturus doutrei (Cadenat, 1960) Javelin skate DD Dipturus pullopundata (Smith, 1964) Graybelly or slime skate LC Dipturus springer! (Wallace, 1967) Roughbelly skate DD Dipturus stenorhynchus (Wallace, 1967) Prownose skate DD Leucoraja compagnoi (Stehmann, 1995) Tigertail skate DO Leucoraja wafiacei (Nutley, 1970) ! Yellowspotted skate LC Malacoraja spinacidermis (Barnard, 1923) Roughskin skate LC Neoraja stehmanni (Nutley, 1972) African pygmy skate DD Raja miraletus Linnaeus, 1758 1 Twineyed skate LC Raja straeleni Poll, 1951 Biscuit skate DO Rajella bamardi (Norman, 1935) Bigthom skate LC Rajella caudaspinosa (von Bonde & Swart, 1923) Munchkin skate NT Rajella dissimilis (Nutley, 1970) Ghost skate LC Rajella leopardus (von Bonde & Swart, 1923) Leopard skate LC Rajella ravidula (Nutley, 1970) Smoothback skate LC Rostroraja alba (Lacepede, 1803) Speamose skate EN FAMILY ANACANTHOBATIDAE LEGSKATES Anacanthobatis mamoratus (von Bonde & Swart, 1924) Smooth legskate DD Cruriraja durbanensis (von Bonde & Swart, 1924) Smoothnose Iegskate I DD 38 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 47 Scientific name Common name IUCN listing Comments Cruriraja parcomaculata (von Banda & Swart, 1924) Roughnose legskate LC Cruriraja triangularis Smith, 1964 Triangular legskate DD SUBORDER MYLIOBATOIDEI STINGRAYS FAMILY PLESIOBATIDIDAE DEEPWATER STINGRAYS Plesiobatis daviesi (Wallace, 1967) Deepwater stingray LC FAMILY HEXATRYGONIDAE SIXGILL STINGRAYS Hexatrygon bickelli Heemstra & Smith, 1980 Sixgill stingray LC FAMILY DASYATIDAE WHIPTAIL STINGRAYS Dasyatis brevicaudatus (Hutton, 1875) Shorttail stingray LC Dasyatis chrysonota (Smith, 1828) Blue stingray LC Dasyatis kuhlfi (Wier & Hen le, 1841) Bluespotted stingray DD Dasyatis theft* Ogilby, in Waite, 1899 Thomtail stingray DD Himantura cf. fa! Jordan & Seale, 1906 Roundnose stingray LC Himantura d. geffatili (Gray, 1851) Sharpnose stingray VU Himantura jenkinsii (Annandale, 1909) Dragon stingray LC Himantura undulata (Bleaker, 1852) Honeycomb stingray VU Pastinachus sephen (Forsskal, 1775) Feathertail stingray DD Pteroplatytrygon violacea (Bonaparte, 1834) Pelagic stingray LC Taeniura lymma (Forsskal, 1775) Bluespotted ribbontail ray NT Taeniura meyeni Muller & Henle, 1841 Round ribbontail ray VU Urogymnus asperrimus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Porcupine ray VU FAMILY GYMNURIDAE BUTTERFLY RAYS Gymnura japonica (Temminck & Schlegal, 1850)? Japanese butterfly ray DD Gymnura natalensis (Gilchrist & Thompson, 1911) Diamond ray Do FAMILY MYLIOBATIDAE EAGLE RAYS Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen, 1790) Spotted eagleray or bonnetray NT Myiobatis aquila (Linnaeus, 1758) Eagleray or buliray DD Pteromylaeus bovina (Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 1817) Duckbill ray DD 39 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 48 No. 38607 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25 MARCH 2015 Scientific name Common name IUCN Comments listing FAMILY RHINOPTERIDAE COWNOSE RAYS Rhinoptera javanica Muller & Hanle, 1841 Flapnose ray 1 VU FAMILY MOBULIDAE Manta birostris (Walbaum, 1792) Manta affredi (Krafft, 1868) DEVIL RAYS Giant manta ray Reef manta ray VU VU Mobula eregoodootenkee (Bleaker, 1859) Longhorn devilray NT Mobula japanica (Mailer & Hanle, 1841) Spinetail devilray NT Mobula kuhlii (Valenciennes, in Wier & Hanle, 1841) Mobula tarapacana 1892) Mobula thurstoni (Lloyd, 1908) Shorthorn devilray DO Sicklefin devilray DD Bentfin devilray NT SUBCLASS HOLOCEPHALII CHIMAERAS OR SILVER SHARKS ORDER CHIMAERIFORMES CHIMAERAS FAMILY CALLORHINCHIDAE ELEPHANTFISHES Callorhinchus capensis Dumeril, 1865 St. Joseph LC FAMILY CHIMAERIDAE SHORTNOSE CHIMAERAS Chimaera notafricana Kemper, Ebert, Compagno & Didier, 2010 Cape chimaera LC Hydrolagus africanus (Gilchrist, 1922) African chimaera OD Compagno (2002a) had this as Chimaera sp. Hydrolagus troll Didier & Seret, 2002 Pointynose blue chimaera DO Compagno (2002a) had this as Hydrolagus sp. nov. Hydrolagus sp. nov Giant blue-black chimaera Na We are unsure what RESULT species this refers to FAMILY RHINOCHIMAER1DAE LONGNOSE CHIMAERAS Harriotta raleighana Goode & Bean, 1895 Narrownose chimaera Rhinochimaera atiantica Holt & Byrne, 1909 Broadnose chimaera Rhinochimaera africana Compagno, Paddlenose chimaera Stehmann & Ebert, 1991 LC LC DD 40 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 25 MAART 2015 No. 38607 49