Shark and Coral Conservation

In the light of some convincing scientific reports over the last three or four years we are increasingly persuaded that there is a direct linkage between the deterioration in the world's coral reef sytems and the depletion in the number of sharks. Not only is the shark the top predator within a coral reef system but he is also a prime scavenger - - - keeping the sea clear of rotting carcases. In the absence of the shark two main effects 'cascade' downwards:

a. Sub-species which are the normal prey for the shark multiply and are all-too-often sea-bed foragers. This has the effect of 'cleaning out' the sea-bed bio-diversity (oysters.clams and scallops). The 100-year old scallop industry of Nova Scotia has collapsed as a result of this 'cascade' effect. There is a similar coral reef deterioration in the Northern half of the Red Sea. The exponential explosion of the Humboldt squid in the Sea of Cortez is probably directly attributable to the depletion of the hammerhead shark in the area.

b. Oceanic pollution increases dramatically as a result of an increase in 'lingering' organic detritus remaining from 'unscavenged' naturally-occuring fish and mammal mortality. The overall effect is for the marine pollution levels to rise quite dramatically and is often accompanied by an increase in algae. The virtual collapse of the Caribbean reef system is almost certainly attributable to over fishing of the shark and other species with the resultant algal increase in these waters, effectively 'stifling' coral polyps reproduction..

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has prioritized research into coral health but has .so far, attributed the deterioration to climate change and sea warming. Whilst we agree that these are important long-term issues, our belief is that the major and most immediate cause of coral reef deterioration is the over-predation of the shark. Significantly, there is no equivalent 'prioritized' UNEP programme for research into shark conservation and coral deterioration linkage and this is where our priority lies - - - apply as much world-wide pressure as possible for an equivalent UNEP 'prioritized' research programme into the cascade-linkage of shark predation with sub-species 'explosions' and the resultant coral deterioration. (Please refer to the 'Articles' menu item for the scientific input supporting our 'cascade' ideas).

The Shark and Coral Conservation Trust (SCCT) Aim

To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of sharks and coral reef eco-systems and marine biological diversity.

1. To attract sufficient funding, scientific and media support to facilitate a research and education programme which will serve to realign UNEP priorities towards top priority for shark conservation.

2. To assist with the organisation, funding and constitution of media-supported research expeditions (1) to areas of the world most critically affected by the depletion/deterioration 'cascade' effect.

3. To maintain 'lobby pressure' on diplomatic and political authorities until the UNEP priorities are changed (to an upgrade of shark conservation).

4. To ensure that the rate of human predation of shark species never exceeds the capacity of that species to reproduce - - in other words to ensure shark sustainability (some local human predation may be necessary for reef-dependent community survival).

5. To encourage and support scientific research programmes which have the effect of proving the shark depletion/coral reef deterioration 'cascade' linkage.

Notes:

(1) These expeditions would be mounted on a 'non-missionary' and two-way information exchange basis and would concentrate on scientifically-robust and objective reporting to the UNEP Commission on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Please visit the 'Latest News' section of the menu for details of expeditions currently planned

OUR PATRON - Monty Halls Junior

Shark and Coral Conservation.com - Monty Halls Junior

Monty Junior was born in 1966 and, at the age of 17 took himself off to Tasmania where his interest in sports diving and all matters marine (especially the shark) blossomed. He returned to the UK in 1985 and joined the Royal Marines where he achieved the rank of Major. On leaving the RM, he obtained a first-class honours degree in marine biology at Plymouth University and set up his diving expedition company (Full Circle Expeditions Ltd) in 1998. Monty is a well-qualified sports diving instuctor and has become a 'leading light' in the sports diving world. He has also become one of the UK's top public and celebrity speakers (see link below). He took part in (and won !!) a Channel Four challenge called 'Superhumans' in 2004 where ITV recognised a budding TV presenter talent. He is currently (June 08) filming a series for BBC2 on crofting in Scotland. His BBC2 series of programmes 'Monty Halls' Great Escape' (shot in Applecross) seems to be going down quite well (March 2009).

Steve Horton (Chairman of the Board) - Provides financial advice to the Board.

Dr Bob Weston (Deputy Chairman) - Provides scientific, technical and communications advice to the Board

Jonathon Siegle - Provides co-ordination advice to both SCCT Board and management.

Dr Joanne Skerry - Provides IT, educational and business advice to the Board.

N.B. - The total salaried outgoings must not exceed 10% of the donation/advertising/grant revenue to the Trust and will be varied in accordance with that income at the discretion of the Board.

Monty Halls (Senior) - Manager - DEEP facilitator and website/charity co-ordinator.

Janice Savill - Manager - Administration and scientific expedition (DEEP) programme support.

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Steve is a Chartered Accountant and Financial Advisor. He is a partner in Milsted Langdon Chartered Accountants and runs their financial services company specialising in Wealth Management. He has many years experience advising family owned businesses on tax, financial and commercial issues. He now concentrates on the areas of pensions and investment.

Steve has previously been local chairman and regional treasurer for Young Enterprise, a voluntary body which provides experience of the world of business to young people aged 14 - 19. He is also trustee of a local charitable trust which supports education and the arts.

web site : http://www.milsted-langdon.co.uk/Site/index.asp
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Bob was originally trained as a physicist and has various degrees and diplomas in physics, electronics and nuclear science. He spent a total of 17 years as an officer in the Royal Navy before upping sticks and setting off to live and work around the world. At various times he was General Manager of a training company in the UAE and Head of Technical Training for a large oil company. He has also worked in some far less exotic places, including a year spent in the middle of the Sahara Desert.

e-mail: contact@sharkandcoralconservation.com
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Born, brought up and educated in Birmingham, Jon trained as a dentist at Guy’s Hospital, London gaining his LDS RCS in 1966. Soon after qualifying he moved to Somerset and spent over 30 years in general practice in Yeovil, retiring in 2001.

A past Chairman of the local branch of the British Heart Foundation, since retiring, Jon has been a voluntary ranger at Ham Hill Country Park undertaking conservation work. Last year he went to Kenya working for the Wishing for a Well Appeal, helping to install pumps for wells and will be going again in 2007.

A keen sportsman and lover of the outdoors, Jon has always been interested in conservation and the natural environment.

e-mail: contact@sharkandcoralconservation.com

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Dr Joanne Skerry

Trustee - IT, Educational and Business Adviser to the Board

Jo is head of educational transformation for a global consulting firm and advises on a programme of education and relationships with the business community. She is also a novice diver and takes a keen interest in marine biology.

e-mail: contact@sharkandcoralconservation.com

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Manager - Shark and Coral Conservation (DEEP Facilitator) - Website/Charity Co-ordinator and 'first contact'.

Monty was born in 1938 and served as a RAF Navigator and Air Traffic Control Officer for 23 years. Thereafter he had a spell with BAE in Saudi Arabia followed by work with SITA, the communications organisation serving the IATA airlines. He then set up his own home-based letting business which he operated as a sole trader for some 10 years. After selling the business, he joined the United Nations to serve in Bosnia supervising the post-war elections. After a brief spell with the Royal Navy at RNAS Yeovilton, he retired and took up an interest in his son's diving and media career. This was the catalyst to an interest in marine conservation.

e-mail: contact@sharkandcoralconservation.com

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Scientific and Administrative Support

Isobel has been doing Company Secretarial work for many years for a number of small companies. She and her family moved to Devon from London in 2000. As her children are now growing up, she has a bit more time to herself and has been studying with the Open University since early 2008, her aim being to achieve an Honours Degree in Life or Natural Sciences.

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Manager - Administrative and Scientific Programme (DEEP) support. Second point of contact.

Jan has an extensive background in Medical Microbiology and Haematology with many years experience in the NHS and Canadian laboratories. Since retirement she has run a successful business in Somerset and enjoys freelance writing.

e-mail: janice@sharkandcoralconservation.com

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