Success Achieved in World’s First Major Shark Reintroduction Program Supported by Science

Scientist Nesha Ichida recently released a zebra shark named Kathlyn into the open ocean in Indonesia’s Wayag Islands as part of the ReShark project, which aims to rebuild the wild population of zebra sharks. Zebra sharks are a popular target for inshore fisheries who take them for their meat and liver for vitamins, while sharks fin soup is also made from their fins. ReShark is an international project made up of 75 partners from 15 countries, led by 44 aquariums from around the world. The programme marks the first-ever efforts to restore sharks in areas where they are extinct, and it took years to get here. The scientists hope this same framework can be used for other endangered shark species to ‘rewild’ their populations and give them a much-needed boost. The project is committed to ensuring that their efforts are sustainable, culturally respectful, and add value to both the local environment as well as the communities who live alongside them.