When hammerhead sharks save their fishermen

A key activity in Sao Tome and Principe, artisanal fishing is practiced by more than 5,000 small-scale fishermen from 35 coastal communities dependent on this sector. The fishing sector faces challenges such as overfishing, pollution, and environmental damage. The Gamboa community represents more than 2,000 fishermen and contributes 85% of the national catch.

Scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) are coastal-pelagic and semi-oceanic species found in tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide. They are currently listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List due to overexploitation for their valuable fins and incidental catch in various fisheries. Their gregarious and migratory nature makes them particularly vulnerable to fisheries operating in both coastal and open ocean areas.

As part of Over the Swell's William Mission to preserve whale sharks, the local observation and tagging team approached the Gamboa community to try to obtain their assistance in the deployment of the citizen science application program. During dives and discussions with fishermen, Over the Swell realized the community's lack of knowledge about sharks, as well as the large number of hammerhead sharks caught in the nets. A cooperation between the Gomboa community, Over the Swell and the Marapa NGO, a specialist in the protection of marine and coastal habitats and ecosystems in the territory of Sao Tome, particularly in the co-management of fisheries resources and present on site, was thus established to work together to find solutions with the fishermen to protect hammerhead sharks.