Every July 14th, International Shark Awareness Day is commemorated, a date that serves as a reminder of the precarious situation of these marine predators. In the Argentine Sea, the reality is alarming: 71% of the 55 shark species that inhabit it face an extremely high risk of extinction, according to data from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Argentina. More than half of these species are endemic to the Southwest Atlantic, meaning that their disappearance from the region would be equivalent to their global extinction.
Faced with this situation, the 'Conserving Sharks in Argentina' program has been underway since 2013. This citizen science initiative brings together sport fishermen, fishing guides, and scientific institutions to shift from the practice of catch and kill to tagging and releasing sharks back into the sea. The goal is to halt decades of overexploitation and ensure the survival of key species for ecological balance.
A silent crisis in the Argentine Sea
Among the most affected species are the snipe (Carcharias taurus) and the smooth-hound (Mustelus schmitti). Both have suffered population declines of over 90% in the last 40 years . The snipe, classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, inhabits areas from Brazil to southern Buenos Aires. The smooth-hound, endemic to the Southwest Atlantic, has also seen its populations decimated due to fishing pressure.
The biology of sharks exacerbates the situation. They grow slowly, reach sexual maturity late, and have low fecundity . For example, female smooth-hounds begin giving birth at eight years old, with litters of between one and ten pups per year. This prevents populations from recovering from intensive exploitation, whether commercial, artisanal, or recreational.
Citizen science and specimen tagging
The 'Conserving Sharks in Argentina' program has engaged more than 240 fishermen and guides from Buenos Aires, RÃo Negro, Chubut, and Santa Cruz . To date, nearly 20,000 sharks have been released back into the sea, of which approximately 4.000 were tagged with monitoring devices. In addition, 55 recaptures have been documented, providing valuable data on shark movements and survival rates.
Each tag is placed below the dorsal fin before the animal is released. Fishermen record the species, sex, size, bait, date, and location. This information allows scientists to better understand migratory routes and priority areas for conservation, which is essential for designing effective protection strategies.
Fact sheets for identifying and protecting
To facilitate the identification of the most threatened species, WCS Argentina has distributed digital fact sheets to sport fishermen. These fact sheets include information on five key species: smooth-hound, leopard shark, tope shark, snook, and snook . Each fact sheet details physical characteristics, distribution areas, and threat level, allowing fishermen to consult the information on their mobile phones at the time of capture and decide whether to release the animal back into the water alive.
The material also promotes the release of live sharks and encourages sharing information, even among those not formally participating in the program. The idea is that any fisherman can recognize a threatened shark and act accordingly , thus contributing to conservation through their fishing activities.
A paradigm shift among fishermen
Juan Dibbern, a fishing guide from Claromecó, says that in recent years there has been a notable change in how coastal fishermen interact with sharks. "Today there is much more information available, and people are more aware of how important they are ," he states. This shift in mindset is supported by the work of organizations like WCS, which offer training, distribute circle hooks, and promote citizen science.
Juan MartÃn Cuevas, shark and ray conservation coordinator for WCS Argentina, emphasizes that supporting this paradigm shift relies on both awareness campaigns and the data provided by the fishermen themselves . "The data we obtain from tagged sharks allows us to understand their movements and improve protection strategies," he explains. Furthermore, the organization works in parallel with commercial fisheries to promote sustainable practices and national and international regulations.
The situation for sharks in the Argentine Sea is critical, but initiatives like 'Conserving Sharks in Argentina' demonstrate that collaboration between scientists, fishermen, and organizations can make a difference. With over 20.000 sharks released back into the water and a growing number of committed fishermen , the program is establishing itself as an effective tool for preventing the extinction of these species, which are essential for marine ecosystems. The future of sharks depends on these kinds of actions being maintained and extended to other regions.