Target 14.5 Conserve marine areas
By 2020, conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Global FinPrint
A team of international researchers led by Florida International University recently released the first of what promises to be years of research findings from Global FinPrint, a three-year survey of the world’s reef shark and ray populations. The landmark study, which collected 20,000 hours of survey footage along 400 reefs in 58 countries, revealed sharks are functionally extinct on many of the coral reefs, indicating they are too rare to fulfill their normal role in the ecosystem. Sharks were not observed on nearly 20 percent, indicating a widespread decline that has gone undocumented on this scale until now. The Global FinPrint team also identified conservation measures that could lead to recovery of these iconic predators. It is a critical first step in protecting and restoring shark and ray populations across the globe. Before this data was released, FIU researchers provided preliminary findings from Global FinPrint to officials in Belize and the Dominican Republic, which led to Belize establishing a nationwide ray sanctuary and the Dominican Republic instituting a nationwide shark-fishing ban.
Belize
The government of Belize announced the establishment of the first-ever nationwide ray sanctuary in 2017, motivated in part by data provided by FIU researchers. Globally, rays are threatened with extinction due to overfishing, habitat loss and climate change. They are even more at risk than sharks. More than 20 species of rays are known to populate the waters along Belize. While combing through hundreds of hours of video footage to inform Belize’s National Plan of Action for sharks, FIU scientists found thriving populations of rays. The Belize Fisheries Department, recognizing the importance of rays to Belize's tourism industry, created the sanctuary based on these findings. Although shark sanctuaries exist in some parts of the world, few include rays. Prior to the Belize announcement, none were specifically for rays. Belize is home to the world’s second largest barrier reef with a diversity of rays ranging from tiny yellow round rays to large manta rays. The critically endangered smalltooth sawfish and endangered Ticon cownose are also believed to be in Belize waters.
Shark Bay, Australia – A World Heritage Site
Shark Bay, Australia, is a unique environment that is home to some of the world's most threatened species. Creatures like the dugong, southern right whales and bottlenose dolphins have made this area their home or migratory pitstop. Unfortunately, Shark Bay is threatened by climate change, including marine heat waves and intensifying storms. Since 1997, our scientists have been studying Shark Bay and the animals that call it home. We spearhead an international team of researchers who are looking at the impacts that threats like climate change have had on one of the world's most pristine seagrass ecosystems. Our scientists' work in Shark Bay provides the most detailed study of the ecological role of sharks in the world, and it has been used to drive positive policy changes in shark conservation. We study the sharks that gave Shark Bay its name, but we also study the other creatures and organisms that rely on the ecosystem to survive. As one of the last largest seagrass ecosystems virtually untouched by mankind, Shark Bay is an ideal area for scientists to study. By gathering information in Shark Bay, our researchers can then provide recommendations for how to protect and restore other threatened marine environments.
Hope Spot – Biscayne Bay, Florida Keys & Ten Thousand Islands
Nominated by FIU scientists, the coastal area around South Florida that encompasses Biscayne Bay, the Florida Keys and Ten Thousand Islands has been designated a Hope Spot by Mission Blue, an organization founded by world-renowned marine conservationist Sylvia Earle. Hope Spots are special places, scientifically identified as critical to the health of oceans. The new South Florida Hope Spot was championed by three FIU scientists with a long history of conservation work: Mireya Mayor, executive director of strategic projects, Mike Heithaus, marine ecologist and executive dean of the FIU College of Arts, Sciences & Education, and Heather Bracken-Grissom, marine scientist and assistant director of the Coastlines and Oceans Division in FIU’s Institute of Environment. FIU scientists are providing essential data to water and land managers for the Florida Keys and Caribbean to mitigate the many threats these ecosystems face. They monitor water quality along with plant and animal species along coastlines, coral reefs and on islands throughout the region to help develop solutions for more sustainable management of these resources. This includes one of the largest seagrass meadows in the world, where FIU scientists have been working for nearly three decades. Today, FIU is a research partner with Rookery Bay Research Reserve and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which is home to FIU Aquarius, the world’s only underwater research laboratory. One of FIU’s campuses is located along Biscayne Bay and for decades, FIU has led research on the health of the bay. In addition to the science, FIU researchers focus on communicating with local communities to educate on the role they play in the health of the bay as well as the need for improved protections at the local and state levels. Recently, the university proposed a new initiative for a comprehensive monitoring network for the bay to identify potential problems before they become crises. The researchers have been actively pursuing funding opportunities to advance this effort.