Fisher's perceptions on shark fisheries in Sao Tome Island (Gulf of Guinea, West Africa)

Sao Tome and Principe (STP) is a small island developing state in the Gulf of Guinea (West Africa) and is considered a global hotspot of marine biodiversity. Still, detailed information on sharks’ diversity, abundance, and respective fisheries is mainly absent. Here, we interviewed fishers from different local communities of the island of Sao Tome to characterize: i) local knowledge on shark fisheries, ii) those reliant upon these resources, and iii) their perceptions about shark populations and their importance on Sao Tome Island. A total of 111 semi-structured interviews were conducted between May 6 and June 15, 2019, in 11 fishing communities. Ninety-seven percent of fishers mentioned that sharks are present in their fishing grounds, and 98 % reported that they catch sharks. The species most identified by fishers (77 %) was the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), followed by the bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus; 33 %), white shark (Carcharodon carcharias; 31 %), longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus; 29 %), pigeye shark (Carcharhinus amboinensis; 27 %), and other six species (under 20 % each). Sixty-two percent of interviewees perceived sharks as a threat to their safety and livelihoods. When asked if sharks should be protected, 59 % of fishers agreed, while 40 % did not consider it necessary. Common reasons in support of protection were that sharks were disappearing (23 %), important for ocean health (9 %), and overfished (5 %). Most fishers (89 %) noticed shark abundance changes, decreasing over the past 15 years. Regarding the underlying causes, the most common response was the increase in the fishing pressure from international fishing fleets (72 %). We argue that raising awareness and building capacity close to local communities on sharks' essential role and importance will be fundamental to supporting future conservation measures, as misinformation and prejudice against sharks are widespread.