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An Interview with Marine Conservationist Randall Arauz

Giving Shark Conservation Teeth

Matthew Potenski

"I see a lot of diplomatic initiatives, which are very good. ... But nothing so far has translated into fewer sharks killed or into better management of the seas." —Randall Arauz

Randall Arauz has been an avid shark and turtle conservationist for more than a decade. As President and founder of the nonprofit organization PRETOMA (Programa Restauración de Tortugas Marinas), Arauz's work in Cost Rica has raised international awareness about the practice of shark finning, or cutting of the fins of sharks while they are still alive and throwing them back into the ocean. His efforts have led to the implementation of fins-on laws, which require any shark fished in Costa Rica to have its fins still attached when landed.

As one of the world's leading voices against shark finning, Randall recently earned the Goldman Environmental Prize in recognition of his achievements in conservation. SeaWeb spoke with him about his ongoing efforts to stop shark finning and to encourage sound management practices of these top predators that are essential to marine ecosystems.

In an effort to increase awareness of declining shark populations, Randall Arauz teaches fishermen, government officers and others how to identify sharks, using preserved shark specimens. Will Parrinello

SeaWeb: How do you think the international community has responded to the growing awareness of shark killing and shark finning?

Randall Arauz: Shark finning today is going on just as it was 5, 10, 15 years ago. There's a lot of talk about finning, lots of initiatives and campaigns, but the bottom line is that there hasn't been a single action to curtail the excessive fishing or the presence of Asian fleets that are finning sharks here in Central America. I see a lot of diplomatic initiatives, which are very good. We have to start from there, but nothing so far has translated into fewer sharks killed or into better management of the seas.

SW: What do you think we can expect from international governments in the future and how might we have changed the outcome of this year's CITES decision not to provide further international trade protection for sharks?

RA: One aspect to focus on is how we might convince our politicians to have stronger [conservation] positions at meetings. Politicians going to these meetings are subject to economic pressures, but what about the popular pressure? If the representatives want to be voted back in, they need to respond to the people who are demanding a more responsible management of the fisheries. If we can move the masses, we can make these changes.

SW: What types of management strategies do you think are the most effective in conserving sharks?

RA: PRETOMA has begun talking with different nations, [focusing on] what we can start doing in the meantime to strengthen our position for CITES and what can we do now to start saving sharks. We're discussing unilateral decisions, like establishing marine protected areas for hammerhead sharks. We are also working on the implementation of a global mandate to land sharks with their fins attached, which has proved to be very efficient in Costa Rica. Unfortunately, foreign shark-finning fleets just move their operations to other nations, which is why we need to regionalize these policies.

SW: Given that PRETOMA and your work has been so instrumental in getting these laws passed in Costa Rica, what do you think the international community can learn from your work and all of your efforts in Costa Rica?

RA: This fin-attached [ruling] has been very well accepted by the international community. For instance El Salvador, Costa Rica, Columbia, Ecuador and Panama and the East Coast of the United States and pretty soon the [entire] United States will use what is known now as the Costa Rican fins-on method. This is proving to be the most efficient method against shark finning. Costa Rica can set an example to encourage strong, international coalitions. We should all get together, start regionally, then go to CITES and implement global changes. Lets not wait for the orders from the top; let's start working on them from the bottom up.

Arauz extends his teachings about shark biology and conservation to younger generations as well (such as these children from an artisanal fishing community called San Francisco de Coyote), so that his conservation efforts can have long-lasting impacts. Will Parrinello

SW: What have you learned about effective campaigning, both in Costa Rica and internationally throughout your career working on shark conservation?

RA: One of the reasons why our shark campaign and others have been so successful is because we are scientists. PRETOMA has worked very hard to have credibility in scientific forums. For instance, I've spoken twice at the U.N. Law of the Sea and the Convention of Migratory Species. We produce publications, we go to symposiums and conferences—we establish that scientific credibility. As an organization, you need to have your facts straight, have science on your side. Passion drives us, but it's extremely important to have your facts straight.

SW: Do you think attitudes toward sharks have changed, in Costa Rica or globally, since you've first started working in shark conservation?

RA: The change has been enormous. Back in 1997, not even I had heard about shark finning. Before, people would ask us 'Why save sharks, they eat people. It would be better if there were no sharks at all!' After we started our campaign and showed people our graphic shark-finning video of these magnificent creatures with their fins chopped off and thrown back into the sea, the first reaction of the people was sympathy. Then, that turned into rage when they were told [those finning fleets] are Taiwanese fisherman fishing here in Costa Rican waters! That really created a storm here. Now anywhere I go in Costa Rica, everyone has heard of our shark-finning campaign—something I'm really proud of.

SW: What do you think consumers can do to help prevent finning and promote shark conservation in general?

RA: We need consumers to become more aware of the global implications of the demand for shark fin soup. If you see shark fin soup being consumed or restaurants where it's sold, you should tell [those establishments] that you won't be bringing your business to that restaurant anymore. Call the waiter or the owner and tell them that you're unhappy with them for serving shark fin soup. Those are the kinds of actions that can start making these businessmen concerned, the threat of losing clientele if they continue to sell shark fin soup. As citizens, sign petitions whenever you see your local nongovernmental organizations or other global nongovernmental organizations trying to campaign to influence policy decisions at the United Nations and its Food and Agriculture Organization. Support these efforts; it's really important that we get the policy done. Remember, you don't have to be a marine biologist or conservationist to help!