How Do You Protect Sharks In The Biggest Shark Fishery In The World? Ask Shawn Heinrichs

Shawn Heinrichs is your average run-of-the-mill ocean conservationist rock-star. He is an Emmy Award winning cinematographer, photographer and marine conservationist. He has been working with communities across Indonesia, the world’s largest shark fishery, to document and educate about the importance and need people have for sharks. His most recent film ‘Guardians of Raja Ampat’, done in conjunction with Conservation International, will be released late this year to communities across Raja Ampat.

How long have you been working to protect sharks?

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I began working on shark conservation in the late 90s, when I noticed sharks were disappearing from all my favorite dive sites. What began as an arm-chair-warrior endeavor transformed into a lifetime commitment when I documented juvenile reef sharks being finned in Raja Ampat. It was then I knew what my life’s mission was!

How long have you been working in Indonesia?

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In the early 2000s I began filming in Indonesia. I quickly discovered that this gem of the Coral Triangle was also a hub for shark fishing and shark finning activities. In addition to capturing the stunning beauty of Indonesia's underwater treasures, I knew I had to wake up the global community to the imminent threats these treasures were facing. Over the past decade, I have been working closely with Conservation International, Misool Baseftin Foundation, WildAid and The Nature Conservancy on important conservation campaigns focused primarily on sharks, mantas and marine protected areas.

Why is Indonesia an important place to protect sharks?

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Indonesia is home to some of the greatest diversity of shark and ray species in the world. Its massive coral reef systems, fed by nutrient-rich deep ocean currents, create spectacular ocean habitats that not only support abundant fish populations, but also feed millions of Indonesians who depend on them. Sharks, as apex predators, keep these systems in balance, and as Indonesia is the top shark fishing nation in the world, these systems are now under severe threat of collapse.

What are some of the most dangerous things you have done in the field?

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Sharks and mantas, like rhinos and elephants, are unfortunate victims of the illegal wildlife trade — the illicit trade in parts from endangered wildlife that is driving many species to the brink of extinction. Much like the illegal weapons and drugs trade, organized crime plays a central role in many of these operations. More than a couple times — not in Indonesia — I have had machetes held to my throat. This is serious business with real money at stake.

What are some of the struggles you have faced working on shark advocacy there?

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Indonesia is a massive archipelago with over 17,000 islands distributed across thousands of miles of ocean. Fishing communities are spread across most of these islands, and throughout the country many communities target sharks for their fins. The people of Indonesia are some of the most kind, warm and welcoming I have ever spent time with, but like us, they want to provide their families with food, shelter and education. The allure of money for shark fins is often too hard to resist. We must provide education and help them develop alternative livelihoods so they can look after their marine resources and provide for their families.

How have communities responded to the fact that sharks can be valuable left alive in the water?

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The response from communities around the world has been overwhelmingly positive to the fact that sharks are worth more alive than dead. Many in these communities have witnessed the rapid decline in sharks, primary fish stocks and the degradation of their marine habitats in the past few decades. They see the writing on the wall. They are eager to explore alternative livelihoods and shark tourism, valued at US$314 million per year globally, offers a great potential!

How have the people of Indonesia embraced this kind of shark conservation?

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One need not look beyond the shark and manta conservation success in Raja Ampat to realize the potential for rejuvenated and expanded economies centered on the conservation of marine resources. A decade ago, Raja Ampat was riddled with shark dinners, bomb fishermen, cyanide fishermen, drift gill netters and live reef fish traders. Now, areas that were once all but depleted of sharks have seen massive rebounds, with multiple species of sharks encountered on each dive. The communities are experiencing rejuvenated and sustainable local fisheries and an influx of new industries based on tourism.

Indonesia has banned manta fishing; what is the next goal for shark conservation there?

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With a national ban on manta fisheries in Indonesia, we must now ensure these laws are embraced by the communities currently engaged in manta fishing. That means getting into these communities, understanding their needs, and working with them to transition to alternative livelihoods. Remember, they are not the bad guys. They are less advantaged communities being exploited by the same traders driving these species to extinction. They are open and excited to embrace new industries and are looking for help. With manta conservation well underway, our next goal should be to move Indonesia from a top fisher of sharks to a leading shark conservation and tourism destination!

What is the most mind-blowing thing you have seen in the world's oceans?

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In my profession as an underwater photographer and cinematographer, I have been blessed to experience some of the best the oceans have to offer. Probably at the top of my list of ocean encounters is when I witnessed a pod of orcas brutally assault a family of sperm whales. Jumping into the frothing seas, I got to experience firsthand this incredible interaction. The intensity and raw power of this battle between the ocean's top predators was truly humbling!

Do you think we can save sharks?

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I am absolutely convinced we can save sharks. The question is, can we save them before their functional role in the ecosystem is diminished beyond recovery? Given the current findings surrounding the significant value of sharks to tourism, our increased understanding of sharks critical role in the ecosystem, and the inspiring momentum in demand reduction in key shark fin consuming countries such as China, I think we are at an important tipping point in shark conservation. If we build on this momentum right now, and really expand on our shark conservation initiatives, we are going to win this one.

About Shawn Heinrichs

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Shawn’s award-winning work has been featured with National Geographic, BBC, New York Times, Huffington Post, Washington Post, WIRED and numerous other print and online publications. Shawn serves on the International Board of WildAid, on the Board of Shark Savers, is an Associate Director of Manta Trust, and an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP). See more of Shawn's work at Blue Sphere Media.