Protecting sharks by protecting places: a call to regulate aggregation zones

Abstract

Human-shark interactions are becoming more frequent in nearshore hot-spot aggregation zones, raising both conservation and public safety concerns. While most shark encounters are non-lethal, shifts in human behavior, such as crowding, touching, and feeding, are shifting sharks’ natural responses, especially in areas influenced by anthropogenic factors like power plant discharges. In light of a recent shark–human conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean, this commentary reflects on the importance of managing aggregation zones as shared spaces where conservation and public safety intersect.

Based on empirical observations, documented public behavior, and current regulatory gaps, the paper suggests that protecting shark species alone may not be sufficient in areas where predictable interactions with humans occur. Seasonal hot-spot aggregations near power plant’s thermal plumes and other anthropogenic features demand spatial management approaches that recognize both ecological value and human activity. By integrating insights from shark ecology, coastal planning, and Safety-focused public education, the commentary calls for place-based protections that proactively balance species conservation with conflict mitigation. This perspective contributes to broader discussions on coexistence at the human-wildlife interface and calls for interdisciplinary strategies for sustainable coexistence in the marine environment.