Documenting shark diversity and fisheries in Angola
In a place where any information about sharks and rays is critically absent, Ana Lúcia is documenting baseline biodiversity information at landing sites like Namibe, Benguela and Luanda. Her aim is to uncover critical insights into the distribution and abundance of elasmobranchs in this largely undocumented coastal country. She will be characterising small-scale fisheries, assessing the status of shark fisheries, collecting biological data and investigating trade networks. Engagement is also key; through education and through information provided to conservation management.
Ana Lúcia Furtado Soares
If I had to define myself in a word, I would choose ‘thalassophile’, a lover of the sea. Born and raised in a seaside town in Portugal, I was lucky to be in direct contact with the sea and I became fascinated by the marine ecosystem at a very early age. Understanding the sea and its organisms has always been my dream. During my studies – earning a Bachelor’s in marine sciences and a Master’s in marine biodiversity and conservation – I conducted research in various fields of marine science around the globe, including in Brazil, France, Portugal...
ANGOLA ELASMO PROJECT
The Angola Elasmo Project aims to significantly advance understanding of sharks and rays along the Angolan coast by systematically documenting species diversity and identifying threats to their populations. By engaging with local fishers and communities we aim to foster a shared commitment to sustainable fisheries practices and marine conservation.
Angola stands out as a critical area in West Africa for evaluating the impact of small-scale and semi-industrial fisheries on shark and ray populations. Evidence indicates significant threats due to intensive coastal and offshore fishing, compounded by limited data on species composition, abundance and distribution. The ongoing research and conservation project marks the inaugural effort to assess the status of sharks and rays in Angola and their interactions with small-scale fisheries.
Elasmobranch data from Angola are sparse compared to other parts of West Africa. Since the 1970s, there has been a notable decline in shark and ray populations elsewhere in the region, driven largely by the demand for shark fins in Asian markets. This trend began with the establishment of a Gambian export market and subsequently expanded through Cabo Verde, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone. The Angola Elasmo Project aims to address the gap in knowledge about sharks and rays in the country by collecting baseline information and long-term scientific data that are crucial for understanding elasmobranch biodiversity. Only then can endangered populations be monitored effectively and sustainable management plans be developed.
In Angola, fishing efforts intensified during the civil war (1975–2002) as large-scale displacements to urban and coastal areas provided opportunities for fishing as a livelihood. This period also saw the influx of foreign and unsustainable fishing fleets, exacerbating socio-economic instability. Given that Angolan small-scale and semi-industrial fisheries probably contribute to unsustainable practices – some landed species are categorised as Endangered or Critically Endangered and listed on CITES Appendix II – the project emphasises local community engagement. By building capacity and getting the public involved, the project aims to raise awareness about threats facing elasmobranchs. Establishing a collaborative relationship with fishers and communities is fundamental and will facilitate the collection of valuable data and foster mutual understanding. Ultimately, the collected data will support initiatives to reduce fishing pressure on threatened elasmobranch species and inform policy decisions. By promoting a communal effort for conservation, the project seeks to instil a positive shift in perspectives and practices, ensuring the sustainable future of Angola’s marine biodiversity.
This project is designed to establish a sustainable infrastructure for the protection of sharks and rays in Angola, fostering long-term engagement with local communities to enhance livelihoods and conserve marine biodiversity. This will be achieved by:
- Identifying and describing small-scale fisheries along the Angolan coast, focusing on gear characteristics, catch locations and targeted species.
- Gathering historical and current data to assess the status of shark fisheries in Angola, including the nature of interactions between fishers and elasmobranchs.
- Conducting surveys to collect biological data on shark and ray landings, including identifying species, taking DNA samples for barcoding and analysing catches by size and sex ratio to evaluate species abundance and diversity.
- Investigating national and international trade routes of elasmobranch products and understanding distribution chains, market values and destinations.
- Implementing capacity-building initiatives and public engagement programmes to reduce local and regional threats to sharks and rays, and developing educational material for schools, academia and fishing communities to raise awareness and promote sustainable fishing practices.
- Proposing fisheries management and conservation measures based on the data collected and stakeholder consultation to ensure the long-term sustainability of elasmobranch populations.