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 Protection and Conservation in The Bahamas: A Global Leader in Protecting Sharks
Often considered to be the Shark Capital of the World, the Bahamas is home to at least forty species of sharks including Caribbean reef, oceanic white tips, great hammerheads, tigers, and bull sharks. The Bahamas comprises a chain of islands in the Atlantic Ocean spanning over 500 miles (800 kilometres) and was the first nation in the world to create a shark sanctuary out of the entire marine habitat that surrounds the islands, covering 243,000 square miles (630,000 square kilometres).
While The Bahamas was a pioneer in establishing a national shark sanctuary in 2011, it is no longer the only nation with such a designation. Other countries, such as Palau, have also established shark sanctuaries, contributing to global shark conservation efforts.
A common phrase among shark conservationists is sharks are worth more alive than they are dead, both in ecological and economical terms. This is especially true in the Bahamas where tourism accounts for approximately 50% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and employs about half of the nation’s labour force. In 2023, the country welcomed over 9.65 million visitors, surpassing previous records. This upward trend continued in 2024, with the Bahamas achieving unprecedented tourism growth, welcoming 11.22 million international visitors.
In 1993, the Bahamas banned long-line fishing, a type of commercial fishing technique in which hundreds or even thousands of hooks are deployed off a single line. While long-line fishing can be a good technique for catching target fish, it is often harmful to other marine wildlife where the line is deployed. Non-target species, such as sharks, rays, and turtles, are frequently caught on the long-lines and suffer injury and/or death. Banning long-line fishing in the Bahamas created protections for sharks and other marine life in the Bahamas, allowing for populations to remain at sustainable levels.
The long-line fishing amendment helped to ensure healthy populations of sharks, but it took eighteen years to enact a law addressing protections specifically for sharks. After a seafood company in the Bahamas announced plans to export shark meat to Hong Kong in 2010, the Bahamas National Trust, Pew Environment Group, and other environmental activists campaigned for an explicit law protecting sharks in the Bahamas, and on July 5th, 2011, the Bahamas passed a law banning commercial shark fishing as well as the selling and trading of shark products. This new amendment to the Fisheries Resources Act effectively protected the Bahamas’ territorial waters, approximately 243,000 square miles (630,000 square kilometres), creating the Bahamas National Shark Sanctuary.
Shark Protection Laws in The Bahamas
Fisheries Resources Act, Restriction on Long-Line Fishing Amendment, 1993
Implementation: Enacted in 1993, this amendment prohibits the possession and use of long-line fishing apparatus within Bahamian waters. Long-line fishing is defined as using a line or cable extending beyond 20 yards with at least ten hooks attached. This method, known for its high bycatch rates, poses significant threats to non-target species, including sharks, turtles, and rays. By banning long-line fishing, the Bahamas aimed to protect its marine biodiversity and support sustainable fishing practices.
Updates: Building upon the 1993 amendment, The Bahamas intensified its shark conservation efforts by establishing the Bahamas National Shark Sanctuary in 2011. This sanctuary encompasses approximately 243,000 square miles of territorial waters, effectively prohibiting commercial shark fishing and the sale or trade of shark products. These measures have reinforced The Bahamas’ reputation as a global leader in shark conservation.
Loopholes:
- Illegal Long-Line Fishing: There have been reports of illegal long-line fishing activities throughout the years, particularly in areas like Southern Abaco Island. Debris such as fishing lines, hooks, and cables washing ashore suggest unauthorized operations, often conducted under the cover of night to evade detection. These activities are suspected to involve international vessels exploiting the rich marine resources of The Bahamas.
- Enforcement Limitations: Effective enforcement of fishing regulations across the expansive Bahamian waters remains a challenge. Limited resources and the vastness of the territory can hinder monitoring efforts, potentially allowing illegal practices to persist undetected.
- Potential Permit Exceptions: While the law broadly prohibits long-line fishing, certain provisions may allow for exceptions. For instance, special written permission from the Governor General can authorize specific activities, potentially creating avenues for exploitation if not carefully managed.
Fisheries Resources Act, Shark Fishing Amendment, July 2011
Implementation: Enacted on July 5, 2011, this amendment introduced comprehensive protections for sharks in Bahamian waters by adding several key sections to the existing Fisheries Resources Act:
- Section 36A: Prohibits the possession, fishing for, or landing of any shark or shark parts within The Bahamas or its Exclusive Fishery Zone.
- Section 36B: Bans the sale of sharks, shark parts, or shark products.
- Section 36C: Forbids the export or import of sharks, shark parts, or shark products.
- Section 36D: Allows for permits to fish for, possess, or export sharks or shark parts strictly for educational, scientific, or research purposes.
- Section 36E: Mandates the immediate release of accidentally caught sharks back into the sea unharmed.
Updates: Since the amendment’s enactment, The Bahamas has maintained its commitment to shark conservation. The 2011 legislation continues to serve as a foundational framework for protecting shark populations, and there have been no significant legislative changes or updates to these protections as of March 2025.
Loopholes:
Catch and Release Practices: Section 36E requires the immediate release of accidentally caught sharks. However, ensuring compliance with this provision, especially among commercial fisheries, can be challenging without adequate observer coverage and monitoring.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: Despite the legal protections, reports have indicated instances of illegal shark fishing activities within Bahamian waters. Enforcement agencies face difficulties in monitoring and policing the expansive maritime territory, which can lead to undetected violations.
Permit Provisions: Section 36D allows for permits to fish for, possess, or export sharks or shark parts for educational, scientific, or research purposes. While this is essential for legitimate research, there is potential for misuse if permits are not strictly regulated and monitored.
Shark Protection 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 for Shark Protection and Ongoing Efforts
As of March 24, 2025, there have been no widely publicized proposals or pending legislation specifically targeting shark conservation in The Bahamas beyond the existing protections established in 2011. The Bahamas continues to uphold its status as a leading advocate for marine conservation, maintaining the Atlantic’s first shark sanctuary and enforcing regulations that prohibit commercial shark fishing and the trade of shark products. While no new shark-specific legislation is currently proposed, The Bahamas remains engaged in broader marine conservation initiatives. For instance, in June 2019, a collaborative research mission was launched to study bluntnose sixgill sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks in Caribbean waters, aiming to enhance understanding and protection of these apex predators throughout their lifecycle..
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 shark conservation organizations by attending meetings, signing petitions, and advocating for continued protection and enforcement of the Bahamas’ shark sanctuary laws. Groups include The Bahamas National Trust and Shark Conservation Bahamas.
- Get involved in community education and raise awareness about the importance of sharks in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
- Participate in local programs such as Bimini Shark Lab, Ocean First Institute Citizen Science Program, and Beneath the Waves Shark Tagging.
- Practice sustainable fishing and follow all local regulations to minimize bycatch.
Visitors:
- Choose eco-friendly accommodations, transportation, and experiences to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Respect the natural behavior of sharks and avoid engaging in actions that might stress or harm them.
- Refrain from leaving trash in marine environments and avoid damaging coral reefs or marine vegetation during dives or other water activities.
- Donate to or volunteer with local conservation groups.
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.
References
- Pew Trusts, (2011). Bahamas Acts to Protect Sharks [Press Release]. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/about/news-room/press-releases-and-statements/2011/07/05/bahamas-acts-to-protect-sharks
- Government of The Bahamas. https://www.bahamas.gov.bs
- Bahamas, (2021). Bahamas News – Updated Information about our Islands. https://www.bahamas.com
- Haas, Andrea. The contemporary economic value of elasmobranchs in The Bahamas: Reaping the rewards of 25 years of stewardship and conservation. Biological Conservation, vol. 207, March 2017, pp. 55–63. https://www.sciencedirect.com
- Statute Laws of the Bahamas, Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations, chap. 244. http://laws.bahamas.gov.bs
- Statute Laws of the Bahamas, Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations. http://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/images/LEGISLATION/SUBORDINATE/1986/1986-0010/FisheriesResourcesJurisdictionandConservationRegulations_1.pdf
- Anderson, Sean. Untangling the issues with longline fishing. Oceanbites, June 29, 2015, The University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography. https://oceanbites.org/untangling-the-issues-with-longline-fishing/
- Roberts, Timothy. Long line fishing speculated to be increasing in Bahamian water, The Abaconian, February 4, 2014. http://www.theabaconian.com/tag/buoys/
- Pew Trusts, (2011). Bahamas Acts to Protect Sharks.
- Statute of Laws of the Bahamas, Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations.
- B, Erin. Five Big Sharks in The Bahamas. Southern Boating, October 29, 2018. https://southernboating.com/destinations/bahamas/sharks-in-the-bahamas/