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Episode 1502: Sharks in Belize: Jaguars of the Sea

The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a diverse array of shark species, including lemon sharks, nurse sharks, tiger sharks, and Caribbean reef sharks. These top predators play an essential ecological role in the reef system and are paramount to the nation’s tourism and fishing industries. As such, the government of Belize actively works to strike a delicate balance between all the stakeholders of their marine areas.

In a pioneering collaboration, marine scientists, local fishers and fisheries managers are working together to collect data on shark abundance inside and outside of protected areas. These long-term surveys provide the Fisheries Department with what they need to manage shark populations sustainably. In addition, local fishers leverage their generational knowledge to help Belize fisheries managers and international scientists keep shark populations healthy for all. 


Experts

Meet the experts featured in this episode.


Special Thanks:

 

Lost Reef Resort

Lot 1, Riversdale/Placencia General Delivery 

Stann Creek District Belize, Central America

011-501-610-0816

 

 

Planet


Image Credits

Changing Seas would like to thank the following individuals and institutions who kindly allowed their footage, images and other media to be used in this production:

Demian Chapman, Ph.D.

                

Devanshi Kasana

        

Panthera/Brandon Thompson

                

Duarte Dellarole

Travel Photo & Video

                

Satellite Images

© 2023 Planet Labs PBC

Special Thanks:

 

Neri Monzon

Isela Martinez

Erick Armando Gutarez

Elio Guerra

Village of Riversdale

                

Belize Office of the Prime Minister

                

Rigoberto Quintana

Belize Department of Fisheries

                

Carlo Habet

S. Zayden

Jillian Fuller

Kim Vasquez

The Belize Film Commission

                

Dayne Vasquez

Belize Department of Civil Aviation

                

Stephannie Kettle

Olivia Cameron

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

                

Ralna Lewis

Nicole Auil Gomez

Gianelie Cuellar

Wildlife Conservation Society – Belize

                

Kenneth Gale and Herbert Eagan

Glover’s Reef Research Station

                

Chris Owen

Lost Reef Resort

                

Angela Ambrosini and Susie Weller

Panthera

                

Megan Zaroda and Anne Pellegrino

Planet Labs

                

Patricia Smith


Web Extras

Droning at Glover's Reef                                                      
What's a BRUV?                                                                                  
Fishers Collaborate with Scientists to Keep Sharks Abundant
Episode Sneak Peek                                                                                         

Funding for this episode of Changing Seas was provided by:

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