PREVIEW

Scientists around the Cayman Islands have captured rare footage of the oceanic whitetip shark, one of the world's most endangered species. Hunted for its fins and often entangled in fishing nets, the population of this apex predator has declined by a staggering 98% globally over the last 60 years. Protected in the waters of the Cayman Islands, researchers used a baited remote underwater video (Bruv) camera, a non-intrusive method, to observe the sharks and collect vital biological data. The oceanic whitetip was once a common sight in tropical oceans but is now rarely seen in certain regions due to its susceptibility to fishing nets. The recently obtained footage revealed multiple individuals of this endangered species in Cayman's waters challenging the perception of these sharks as solitary creatures and highlighting the area's significance for their conservation. The footage was obtained as part of the U.K.’s Blue Belt Programme’s Global Ocean Wildlife Analysis Network, active across the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Southern Oceans. It supports the protection of over 4.3 million square kilometres of ocean.