The point of this is to show that many Nations have the desire to protect their slice of the ocean, and they each have taken critical steps by establishing Marine Protected Areas and sanctuaries.
More support from the international community will be needed to actually help safeguard these vast areas.
The following countries / administrative divisions currently provide full protection for sharks:
Palau – 604,289 sq km
The Maldives – 916,189 sq km
Israel – 27,346 sq km
Congo Brazzaville – 966 sq km
Egyptian Red Sea coastline – 29 km of coastline out to 20 km
The US State of Hawaii – 2,474,884 sq km
The Indonesian Regency of Raja Ampat – 46,000 sq km
The island of Kosrae (Federated State of Micronsia)
Samoa EEZ was declared a Shark Sanctuary in 2002, but regulations still need to be formalized (131,812 sq km).
The island of Kosrae (Federated State of Micronsia)
Samoa EEZ was declared a Shark Sanctuary in 2002, but regulations still need to be formalized (131,812 sq km).
American Samoa declared its EEZ protected from Shark fishing (November 2012)
Palau is popularly known as the first shark sanctuary, but in 2002 Samoa actually approved the establishment of a national marine sanctuary in its EEZ for marine animals such as whales and dolphins, marine turtles and sharks.
The verdict is still out on who should be knows as “the first shark sanctuary”.
Palau is popularly known as the first shark sanctuary, but in 2002 Samoa actually approved the establishment of a national marine sanctuary in its EEZ for marine animals such as whales and dolphins, marine turtles and sharks.
The verdict is still out on who should be knows as “the first shark sanctuary”.
Cook Islands declared its waters a shark sanctuary in Dec. 2012
Honduras has declared a moratorium on shark fishing while permanent shark protections are under review (240,240 sq km).
French Polynesia banned all shark harvest and trade in shark products, ALL Species (4,767,242 sq km) = BIGGEST SHARK SANCTUARY IN THE WORLD!!
Sharks also have legal protection in a number of Marine Protected Areas and World Heritage sites around the world
Special mention must be made of two of the largest MPA’s in the world, both located in the Pacific:
Phoenix Islands Protected Area (Kiribati)
With a size of 408,250 km2 (157,626 sq. miles) it is the largest marine protected area on Earth.
http://www.phoenixislands.org/index.php
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (Hawaii)
The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is the single largest conservation area under the U.S. flag. It encompasses 139,797 square miles of the Pacific Ocean - an area larger than all the country's national parks combined.
http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/
And the most recent one:
Costa Rica
March 4, 2011 Costa Rica has greatly expanded a marine protected area surrounding Cocos Island National Park, safeguarding a total of 2,900 nautical square miles (one million hectares) still rich with endangered sharks and sea turtle.
UNESCO Cocos Island National Park
Costa Rica National Parks: Cocos Island National Park
Honduras has declared a moratorium on shark fishing while permanent shark protections are under review (240,240 sq km).
French Polynesia banned all shark harvest and trade in shark products, ALL Species (4,767,242 sq km) = BIGGEST SHARK SANCTUARY IN THE WORLD!!
Sharks also have legal protection in a number of Marine Protected Areas and World Heritage sites around the world
Special mention must be made of two of the largest MPA’s in the world, both located in the Pacific:
Phoenix Islands Protected Area (Kiribati)
With a size of 408,250 km2 (157,626 sq. miles) it is the largest marine protected area on Earth.
http://www.phoenixislands.org/index.php
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (Hawaii)
The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is the single largest conservation area under the U.S. flag. It encompasses 139,797 square miles of the Pacific Ocean - an area larger than all the country's national parks combined.
http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/
And the most recent one:
Costa Rica
March 4, 2011 Costa Rica has greatly expanded a marine protected area surrounding Cocos Island National Park, safeguarding a total of 2,900 nautical square miles (one million hectares) still rich with endangered sharks and sea turtle.
UNESCO Cocos Island National Park
Costa Rica National Parks: Cocos Island National Park
