Counting the Sharks Nobody Was Counting in Guadeloupe

Kap Natirel, a Guadeloupe environmental association, coordinates ReGuaR (Réseau Requins des Antilles), a participatory science network launched in 2013 that collects observations of sharks and rays from fishers, divers, snorkelers and other sea users. Since 2013 the reports have documented at least 40 shark and ray species in French Antilles waters, out of about 150 recorded in the Caribbean, and have produced distribution maps for the most frequently seen species. The association also publishes good-practice guides for fishing and diving and runs awareness sessions, alongside its sea-turtle monitoring work. It was officially recognized as an environmental protection association in August 2020.