Study on Ascension Island reveals human impact on shark populations

Sharks at the coast of Ascension Island (Image: Kate Downes)

A recent study on Ascension Island was led by the University of Exeter and ZSL. This study was conducted to reveal how human-shark interactions shape both community behaviour and conservation efforts.

Research indicates that it is Human induced

Relationships between humans and sharks on the Ascension Island, indicate the development of a complex relationship. The island is a UK territory in the South Atlantic. The study was led by the University of Exeter and the ZSL.

Published in People and Nature, the research demonstrates that not only shark attacks contribute to human-shark conflicts, but a more subtle approach should be taken to conservation.

Psychosocial Effect and Behavioural Alterations

The researchers found out that the shark attacks including those that are life threatening have enormous psychosocial implications to the local communities.

It has brought about behavioural change, which has seen a lower ocean use among 90 percent of the participants. These findings highlight the reality that perceptions and emotions of human beings must be considered during the development of conservation plans.

Community Perceptions 

The difference was observed in the views concerning the number of sharks and their behaviour. After interview with 34 islanders, the researchers made some observations. Some of the residents also expressed concerns that they would perceive an increasing number of the shark population.

This explains the changes by such human activities as the chumming of the recreational fishers. The ambiguity brings to the fore the need to utilize evidence-based facts and enlist the community in the management of shark's population.

Conservation of sharks is an international effect

In order to conserve the interactions between sharks and humans, it is necessary to know its social life. The inclusive and sustainable conservation effort can be at a better pace by incorporating the community perspectives and alleviating the psychosocial impact.

This study could be beneficial in becoming familiar with the existing problem of shark conservation at the international level.