Shark Conservation in the Tubbataha Reefs

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Philippines was established in 1988 ‘to protect and preserve the coral reef atoll with its abundant and diverse reef assemblage, including the marine turtles and water birds found... [ view full abstract ]

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Philippines was established in 1988 ‘to protect and preserve the coral reef atoll with its abundant and diverse reef assemblage, including the marine turtles and water birds found roosting in the area’ (Presidential Proclamation 306).  Although shark conservation was not a specifically expressed objective, management activities resulted in the protection of sharks.   In 2004, top predators, including sharks, were chosen by a multi-sectoral evaluation team as one of the biophysical indicators for management effectiveness.  A baseline study of top predators conducted by Walker and Palomar (2005) showed a shark density of 5.5 individuals/hectare.  Robbins’ (2006) research in Cocos Keeling Island, an area he believed to be one of the last pristine reefs in the world, established a population density of whitetip reef sharks approximately 2 individuals /ha.  A 2010 study conducted by Alava resulted in the observation of 3.9 individual/ha.  Shark surveys conducted by LAMAVE (2016) revealed a density of 3.7/has. This density of whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) is one of the highest known in the world.  Management efforts in the last 30 years, focusing on vigilant law enforcement and public outreach, are believed to be the main factors that led to the successful conservation of sharks in Tubbataha.