Updated May 1, 2025 by Shark Angels Intern and student of the University of Florida Liel Shachr, Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Conservation
🦈 Shark Conservation in The Bahamas: A Global Leader in Protecting Sharks
Known as the Shark Capital of the World, The Bahamas is home to at least 40 species of sharks, including Caribbean reef sharks, oceanic whitetips, great hammerheads, tiger sharks, and bull sharks. Stretching over 500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, this island chain was the first nation in the world to establish a nationwide shark sanctuary, covering an incredible 243,000 square miles of protected marine habitat.
Since declaring its shark sanctuary in 2011, The Bahamas has inspired a global wave of conservation, with nations like Palau following suit. Why? Because sharks are worth far more alive than dead — both ecologically and economically. In The Bahamas, where tourism makes up about 50% of the GDP and employs nearly half the nation’s workforce, sharks play a starring role in drawing millions of visitors each year. In 2023, the country welcomed over 9.65 million visitors, and by 2024, that number surged to 11.22 million — record-breaking growth powered, in part, by thriving marine life.
🌊 Shark Protection Laws in The Bahamas
✅ Fisheries Resources Act – Long-Line Fishing Ban (1993)
This groundbreaking amendment banned long-line fishing, a destructive technique notorious for high bycatch of sharks, turtles, and rays. The ban helped protect marine biodiversity and sustain healthy shark populations.
✅ Bahamas National Shark Sanctuary (2011)
Sparked by a 2010 proposal to export shark meat to Hong Kong, conservation groups and the Bahamian government passed a powerful amendment banning all commercial shark fishing and the sale, trade, or export of shark products. This landmark law protects the nation’s entire Exclusive Fishery Zone.
⚠ Loopholes and Enforcement Challenges
- Illegal Long-Line Fishing: Reports of unauthorized fishing, especially near Southern Abaco Island, show illegal operators exploiting Bahamian waters.
- Enforcement Limitations: With vast ocean territory and limited resources, monitoring for violations remains difficult.
- Permit Exceptions: While scientific research permits are essential, they can be misused if not tightly regulated.
- Catch and Release Monitoring: While fishers must release sharks caught accidentally, compliance can be hard to track without observers or technology.
📜 Proposed Legislation and Ongoing Efforts
As of March 2025, no new shark-specific laws are pending, but The Bahamas remains committed to marine conservation. Collaborative projects, like a 2019 research mission on bluntnose sixgill and oceanic whitetip sharks, continue to strengthen scientific knowledge and regional conservation efforts.
🌟 Did You Know?
- Great hammerhead sharks, once critically endangered, are now rebounding in Bahamian waters thanks to sanctuary protections.
- The Bahamas hosts some of the best shark diving in the world, drawing thousands of tourists eager to encounter these apex predators.
- A live shark in The Bahamas generates far more economic value through tourism than it would through fishing — proving that conservation pays.
💪 How You Can Help
For Residents:
✅ Support local groups like Bahamas National Trust and Shark Conservation Bahamas.
✅ Join citizen science programs like Bimini Shark Lab or Beneath the Waves Shark Tagging.
✅ Educate your community about the ecological and economic importance of sharks.
✅ Practice sustainable fishing and follow local regulations to minimize bycatch.
For Visitors:
✅ Choose eco-friendly accommodations and tours.
✅ Dive or snorkel responsibly — avoid stressing or feeding sharks.
✅ Donate or volunteer with local conservation groups.
✅ Keep Bahamian waters clean by disposing of trash properly and avoiding reef damage.
🏝 Top Shark Diving Destinations in The Bahamas
With healthy shark populations and dozens of species, most every island in the Bahamas will provide visitors with the opportunity to snorkel or SCUBA with various shark species. Our previous trips to the Bahamas can be found here. There are several islands that are specifically notable for some of the best shark dives in the world.
- Bimini: Great hammerheads (Dec–Apr, peak Jan–Mar)
- Cat Island: Oceanic whitetips (Mar–Jun)
- Tiger Beach (Grand Bahama): Tiger sharks (year-round, peak Oct–Jan), hammerheads (Dec–Apr) onboard The Dolphin Dream Liveaboard.
- New Providence (Nassau): Caribbean reef sharks (year-round), silky shark mating (June)
- Andros: Whale sharks (Dec–Mar, peak Jan–Mar)
- Eleuthera, Long Island, San Salvador: Bull sharks, blacktip reefs, grey reefs, oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, tiger sharks (varies by season)
- The Exumas: Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks (year-round)
🌎 Why Shark Conservation in The Bahamas Matters
Protecting sharks isn’t just about saving one species — it’s about preserving ocean health, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining local economies. With global shark populations plummeting, The Bahamas stands as a shining example of how conservation and prosperity can go hand in hand.
Want to learn more about how you can help save sharks? Visit our page on how you can get involved.