Abstract

Despite The Bahamas' status as one of the most important shark sanctuaries, emerging challenges from human-shark conflicts are a call for concern. Recently, there has been a mobilization among some fishers to advocate for current shark protection to be revised. Proponents argue that regulations enacted in 2011 have resulted in a notable upsurge in local shark populations, & control measures such as culling are now necessary. Depredation constitutes a multifaceted human-wildlife conflict observed across regions and under varying levels of shark conservation efforts. Among fishers, shark depredation is believed to cause significant economic losses & risk of attacks, especially for spearfishers. As only a select few shark species are implicated in depredation incidents, culling practices presents the risk of inadvertent harm to other species. This issue is compounded by monitoring challenges that can result in poor control of culling practices. Moreover, accumulating evidence suggests that shark culling inadequately prevents or reduces human-wildlife conflicts. However, as the fishing sector is of great importance to the Bahamian economy, it is necessary to address this problem urgently. It is of paramount importance to investigate the underlying drivers of shark depredation within this sanctuary, while simultaneously addressing the concerns & perceptions of affected fishers & exploring alternative mitigation strategies. Effectively mitigating shark depredation necessitates a comprehensive approach that considers ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic factors. By synergistically implementing these strategies, a harmonious coexistence between humans & sharks can be fostered, while concurrently advancing conservation endeavors.