Together, the two new sanctuaries cover a total of 46,190 square miles (119,631 square kilometers), raising the total number of Caribbean sanctuaries to seven.
Pew Charitable Trusts applaud New Caribbean Shark Sanctuaries
St. Maarten, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, and Grenada boost regional protections for sharks.
Sharks are safer across the Caribbean Sea, with the announcement of four new shark sanctuaries in the region.
Prime Minister William Marlin of St. Maarten and Wayne Panton, minister of financial services, commerce, and environment for the Cayman Islands say that their exclusive economic zones (EEZs) are now completely closed to commercial shark fishing.
Additionally, Curacao and Grenada announced that they will establish legislation this year that will protect sharks in their waters.
Government leaders were joined by ocean advocate Sir Richard Branson, as well as by global shark experts and representatives from The Pew Charitable Trusts and other nongovernmental organizations, at a press conference in St. Maarten to champion the new protected areas.
Together, the two new sanctuaries cover a total of 46,190 square miles (119,631 square kilometers), raising the total number of Caribbean sanctuaries to seven.
