Episode 1502: Sharks in Belize: Jaguars of the Sea

The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a diverse array of shark species, including lemon sharks, nurse sharks, tiger sharks, and Caribbean reef sharks. These top predators play an essential ecological role in the reef system and are paramount to the nation’s tourism and fishing industries. As such, the government of Belize actively works to strike a delicate balance between all the stakeholders of their marine areas.

In a pioneering collaboration, marine scientists, local fishers and fisheries managers are working together to collect data on shark abundance inside and outside of protected areas. These long-term surveys provide the Fisheries Department with what they need to manage shark populations sustainably. In addition, local fishers leverage their generational knowledge to help Belize fisheries managers and international scientists keep shark populations healthy for all.

Experts

Meet the experts featured in this episode.

Episode Photos

Changing Seas

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Our crew met up with researchers and fishers on the shore in the small village of Riversdale.

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Director of Photography Sean Hickey films fisher Omar Faux as he prepares his gear for a day of shark fishing and tagging.

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Fisher Alberto Faux heads out from shore to the fishing grounds. He's been fishing these waters his whole life and knows the best places to find the species researchers are documenting.

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Videographer David Diez films as fisher Hector Martinez works alongside researcher Jessica Quinlan to take measurements of a juvenile reef shark.

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Smaller sharks are taken into the boat for their protection and the ease of measurement, and then safely released once data is recorded.

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Fisher Hector Martinez comes from a long line of Belize fishers and continues this work today.

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Sean Hickey and David Diez film as the team returns to the village of Riversdale after a successful day catching and tagging reef and hammerhead sharks.

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After filming in Riversdale, the crew traveled to Glover's Reef Research Station with a team of Riversdale fishers and researchers from Mote Marine Lab and Florida International University.

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Glover's Reef Research Station is a remote marine lab that sits 28 miles off the coast on Glover's Reef Atoll.

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This research station, run by the Wildlife Conservation Society since 1995, is the only research facility within the Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve (GRMR), a World Heritage site.

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Out at Glover's Reef, scientists and fishers are working together to better understand shark populations so they can be maintained and kept healthy for all.

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One way that researchers track shark abundance is through the use of BRUVS - Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations. Here, David Diez films the team as they deploy a camera.

Demian Chapman, Ph.D.

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The BRUVS camera surveys allow researchers to log different species of shark, like these Caribbean reef sharks, and how often they are seen in specific areas of the reef.

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Another way that researchers determine shark abundance at Glover's Reef is by working with local fishers to catch, tag, and release sharks. Here, the team discusses the plan for laying a long line.

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All of the hooks must be set with fresh bait for the sharks and the team works together to get the bait and line ready.

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The fishers and researchers work together to set the bait as they motor forward, laying the long line for catching shark.

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After leaving the long line for a few hours, the team returns to find their shark catches. Each shark is treated as carefully as possible to keep both the shark and the team safe.

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Ph.D. candidates from Florida International University, Kathryn Flowers and Jessica Quinlan, take measurements of this reef shark's length.

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Once length is recorded, researchers determine the shark's gender, if they can, and then secure a numbered tag to the shark's fin.

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Director of Photography Sean Hickey films as researchers and fishers handle the reef shark.

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Researchers caught, tagged, and released a dozen sharks in one evening of work, including this nurse shark, which is a nationally protected species.

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The data from these sharks is used by the researchers to better understand shark abundance, which allows them to share data with the National Shark Working Group. From there, recommendations for management are made to the Belize Fisheries Department.

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Demian Chapman, Ph.D. from Mote Marine Laboratory works closely with the Belize Fisheries Department (Kenneth Esquivel and Rigoberto Quintana pictured) to provide them with essential data for managing their shark populations.

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Devanshi Kasana (center, in pink bandana), another Ph.D. candidate from Florida International University, is specifically looking at tiger shark abundance and migration patterns in the area.

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Catching tiger sharks requires that researchers and fishers go to deeper fishing locations outside the reef and use special deep sea fishing gear.

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Omar Faux (left) is one of the fishers from Riversdale working with the research team and has specific experience with setting deeper long-lines and catching tiger sharks.

Demian Chapman, Ph.D.

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Tiger sharks are essential not only for the marine ecosystem, but play an important role in the international shark meat trade, so understanding their movements and population health is critical.

Demian Chapman, Ph.D.

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When the team catches a tiger shark, they put on a special satellite tag, which allows researchers to track the shark over hundreds of miles of migration through international waters. This information is used to better manage and protect the species.

Special Thanks:

Lost Reef Resort

Lot 1, Riversdale/Placencia General Delivery

Stann Creek District Belize, Central America

011-501-610-0816

Planet

Image Credits

Changing Seas would like to thank the following individuals and institutions who kindly allowed their footage, images and other media to be used in this production:

Episode 1502: Sharks in Belize: Jaguars of the Sea

Experts

Demian Chapman, Ph.D.

Kathryn Flowers, Ph.D.

Jessica Quinlan

Devanshi Kasana

Beverly Wade

Kenneth Esquivel

Alberto Faux

Roy Castellanos

Hector Daniel Martinez

Omar Faux

Estevan Faux

Special Thanks:

Lot 1, Riversdale/Placencia General Delivery

Stann Creek District Belize, Central America

011-501-610-0816

Image Credits

Satellite Images

Special Thanks:

Neri Monzon

Isela Martinez

Erick Armando Gutarez

Elio Guerra

Village of Riversdale

Belize Office of the Prime Minister

Rigoberto Quintana

Carlo Habet

S. Zayden

Jillian Fuller

Kim Vasquez

Dayne Vasquez

Stephannie Kettle

Olivia Cameron

Ralna Lewis

Nicole Auil Gomez

Gianelie Cuellar

Kenneth Gale and Herbert Eagan

Chris Owen

Angela Ambrosini and Susie Weller

Megan Zaroda and Anne Pellegrino

Patricia Smith

Web Extras

Droning at Glover's Reef

What's a BRUV?

Fishers Collaborate with Scientists to Keep Sharks Abundant

Episode Sneak Peek

Funding for this episode of Changing Seas was provided by: