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| Gary Curtis Photo: Jim Abernethy |
In recent times the hunt for sharks has grown
alarmingly, putting into question the survival of those species, and above all
questioning the species in extinction. Several laws have been approved, but
there is still much of its implementation.
Talking to Gary Curtis, I wanted to know a little
more about his history, his convictions about the hunting of those animals and
the risk it brings to the ecosystem. Dive with me in this wonderful interview
and surprise yourself on the declarations of my interviewee.
FRENTE AOS FACTOS
(FF): Your profession is curious, but it's also exciting. How and when did you
decided to live among sharks?
GARY CURTIS (GC):
I decided when I was 5 or 6 that Sharks were my "special animal”. There
are many, but they always stuck out. Dr Eugenie Clark swam in the "Cave of
the Sleeping Sharks" at Isla Mujeres in 1972/73 and i watched fascinated
as National Geographic showed her close encounters with these magnificent apex
predators. Jacques Cousteau and Jaws certainly had an impact too, but at the
age of 6 seeing Eugenie Clark up close with Tiger Sharks set the wheels in
motion for my lifelong passion.
FF: Can you better
explain this "life of danger” that you have chosen?
GC: I
think this "dream chose me. I don't see it as dangerous when I’m in the
water with sharks; instead I respect them in their own environment and make
sure that I dive responsibly and carefully with them.
FF: Why working
with sharks?
GC: I
would love to help change people's misconception that they are "mindless
killers" and help people understand we need them more than they need us.
FF: It has a
meaning for you working with sharks?
GC: It
has more meaning now being involved with Sharks, I have had the privilege to
teach children and adults alike about why we and the Oceans need Sharks, as
caretakers of the Seas they take care of the dead, dying, diseased and
sometimes dumb, keeping fish stocks healthy. Saving Sharks isn't just about the
Oceans survival; it's about our Survival too.
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| Gary Curtis |
FF: You are defender of sharks. How do you assess/evaluate
the laws (legislation) in order to protect these species?
GC: I
think the laws for protecting Sharks and the Oceans in general need
reinforcement, proper policing and enforcement too. We need to see stronger
action at the source of the problem where the developed outcries pillage the oceans;
negatively impacting the local communities that depend on the Sea for life. The
illegal overfishing of the Oceans and the mismanagement of resources is where
the major decline in Shark and Fish populations starts.
We
need locally managed Marine protected areas where the community is responsible
and encouraged to protect and patrol it's own area, establishing no take zones
giving fish populations a chance to come back, seeing abundant returns will
benefit the health and wealth of local communities.
For
Sharks it is different, these pelagic open ocean wanderers need something, the
removal of FADS (Fish Aggregating Devices), Purse Seine nets, Ghost nets and
the worldwide ban of longlines would be a start, reducing significant amounts
of Bycatch, with a worldwide ban on Shark Finning a further step. I also
believe all Shark fishing tournaments should be "catch and release"
only, rather than taking large sharks which are able to reproduce out of the
already fragile ecosystem.
FF: There has been poaching of
sharks, endangering the species in extinction. What is your vision or reviews
about the current scenario?
GC: The Human Race does not see the damage it does
to the Oceans, we have to help people understand the facts and the statistics up
to 90% of the big fish are gone. The Oceans will be empty of fish by 2048, if
we do nothing else now. That's just 32 years away.
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| Gary Curtis |
FF: What is (why) the emergence of protecting sharks?
GC: The emergence of protection of Sharks has been the
overfishing and Shark Finning, the unsustainable losses being suffered and also
the barbaric treatment when a Shark is finned, as well as the terrible waste
when the live Shark is thrown over the side highlights the need for change. The
emergence of Tropic cascades, where human livelihoods have been affected is a
direct result of taking Sharks out of the food chain in areas. Local
communities also suffer from huge industrial offshore fishing fleets that
significantly decrease ocean stocks including Sharks.
FF: Taking into account the harmful effects to the ecosystem
because of the slaughter of sharks, what advice (you) leave to the world
society?
GC:
My advice would be to the governments, listen and act upon the advice of
experts, create Marine protected areas, create Shark sanctuaries and
sustainable ecotourism. These areas can be managed by local communities, divers
and visitors will pay marine park fees, that will help support and invest in
local communities enabling alternative sources of income, economic and
agricultural diversity wherever possible, the governments then need to
strengthen environmental policy at home and internationally, we have to help
people understand a live Shark is worth far more in its lifetime to so many
than a dead shark is worth to one person., people have to understand we need to
love and protect the Oceans for our future and our children's future.
FF: You are not afraid to dive next to these “beasts” or the
fear is part of the job?
GC: I am not afraid to dive with Sharks and I have no
fear of them, however I do FEAR FOR THEM and their future, we do not have the right
to make any animal extinct, however we have it within our gift to save them. I
am and remain in awe of these magnificent ocean apex predators; they are part
of who I am.
FF: What is the biggest secret to know how to live among the
sharks and how to protect them from the danger they face day-by-day?
GC: There is no secret to diving with Sharks, however
it must be something you want to do, Respect them and their environment, they
have been around for over 400 million years, they know what they are doing!, If
a Shark wants to interact they will initiate their interest, always be aware of
your surroundings and where the larger Sharks are, most do not bother with us
at all, we are most definitely not a food source for them, but if and when you
get a chance to be in the water with Sharks then enjoy it, every moment with
open eyes, it truly is a magical wonderful experience.
Gary Curtis was born on May 1967 in the UK. He is qualified Diver
since 1991. He have been supporting a number of Ocean and Wildlife Conservation
Groups.
Sérgio dos Céus Nelson
