Skip to content

Conservation

Shark Survival and Human Greed

by Dave Armstrong 10 Jul 2012
Shark Survival and Human Greed

Hammerhead shark finned alive; Credit: © TAASFA/The Australian Anti Shark Finning Alliance

The shark is a beautiful creature to those who know it. Its physiology is unique, its streamlining is remarkable and the species (480 detailed here) have colonised every niche imaginable, from the deep sea trenches to those pelagic species (like the silky below) that patrol the oceans.

The PEW Charitable Trusts have championed the shark and shark conservation for many years and have just come out with a new set of strategies. They highlight slow growth, few offspring and late maturation as one set of disabilities in the current situation.

We also know precious little about how many sharks are caught as they are not classed as other fish are within fishing industry figures. The shark however is suffering from simple human greed.

Shark fishing globally is driven largely by the demand for fins for soup

Credit: © Pew Environment Group

Above: Shark fishing globally is driven largely by the demand for fins for soup. According to data from Hong Kong's Census and Statistics Department, 83 countries or territories supplied more than 10.3 million kilograms (22.7 million pounds) of shark fin products to Hong Kong in 2011.Hong Kong possesses 50% of the shark-fin market.

While some (thresher sharks, oceanic white-tip sharks,hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, spiny dogfish, porbeagle sharks, basking sharks, and 17 species of deep-sea sharks) are protected to a limited extent, all shark species are subjected to the ancient but increasing habits of certain Chinese restaurateurs.

Of the migratory sharks, 82% are threatened or near-threatened with extinction. These species travel far and wide, enabling catches by the organised fisheries where countries have fewer regulations! Their fate seems obvious. Despite the odds, they have to be saved from extinction.

Precious in their ecosystems, the loss of these species will cause collapse in commercial fisheries as well as in populations of other important animals (and plants). Of this highly migratory group, only the basking, great white and whale shark have global management procedures in place to protect them.

Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)

Photographed off Cuba, the Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is a highly mobile ocean-goer, involved heavily (i.e. over-fished in all probability) in shark fisheries, but itself fishing for tuna and mackerel. It contrast with its bulkier cousin-the bull shark - Silky shark; Credit: © Shutterstock

So this global compendium, Navigating Global Shark Conservation: Current Measures and Gaps, is in fact analysing the paucity of data (of only 150 species) available to the FAO at their Rome meeting from July 9th to the 13th.

Shark fin soup is a Chinese delicacy. Any shark fin will do, as the soup is clear and tastes of very little. Of the 190 countries in the FAO, 83 supply Hong Kong alone with fins. Only 33% ban finning, even for endangered species.

Finning leaves the live 'finless' fish in the water and simply takes the fin back to make soup. The inadequacy of the protections match the futility of approaching lobbied politicians who can't, won't, or 'shouldn't' act.

shark fin soup

Killed for shark fin soup; Credit: © Earth Times

The old dilemma strikes again with how to globally act? We need to prevent many sharks from finning as well as from fishing gear and general fishing bycatch. The answer PEW recommends with its great experience on so many marine matters, is:

Endangered shark species' fins have to be prohibited at market as well as being kept on their "owners" at sea. Specialist checking will prevent the loss of many of these species, although the cost of implementation seems high. Other species are badly affected as sharks disappear. PEW advocate these spp. must be protected too, with the following actions:-

  • better measures and quotes to prevent the further decline of tuna and other economically important fish

  • improvements in several fishing gears that continue to threaten the health of ecosystems throughout the ocean

  • consideration by States of the role of forage fish (low-trophic-level fish) as prey for larger fish and other marine predators when making management decisions

  • stronger measures to crack down on illegal fishing

    bull shark

    The bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, frequents shallow seas and estuaries worldwide and, because of this, is familiar to many people. It fits into its ancient reef ecosystem as a true top predator, while many sharks function as prey organisms and scavengers in every ocean system - Bull shark image; Credit: © Shutterstock

    The future is ours, but it must belong also to the shark, the panda and the frog.

    We really can't afford to lose our allies in the ecosystem as the human population approaches crisis after crisis.


  • Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

    Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
    Earth
    Quick Add
    Close
    Notify me
    Notify me
    Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
    Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
    £38.00
    £38.00
    Close
    Notify me
    Notify me
    Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
    Earth
    Quick Add
    Close
    Notify me
    Notify me
    Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
    Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
    £38.00
    £38.00
    Close
    Notify me
    Notify me
    Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
    Earth
    Quick Add
    Close
    Notify me
    Notify me
    Notify me
    Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
    Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
    £18.00
    £18.00
    Close
    Notify me
    Notify me
    Notify me
    Union Jack Tote Bag
    Earth
    Quick Add
    Close
    Notify me
    Notify me
    Union Jack Tote Bag
    Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
    £16.00
    £16.00
    Close
    Notify me
    Notify me
    Prev Post
    Next Post

    Eco-Friendly Shop

    Women's Clothing

    Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
    Shop Now

    Men's Clothing

    Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
    Shop Now

    Kids Clothing

    Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
    Shop Now
    Someone recently bought a
    [time] ago, from [location]

    Thanks for subscribing!

    This email has been registered!

    Shop the look

    Choose Options

    Earth Times
    Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

    Recently Viewed

    Edit Option
    Back In Stock Notification
    this is just a warning
    Login
    Shopping Cart
    0 items

    Before you leave...

    Take 20% off your first order

    20% off

    Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

    CODESALE20

    Continue Shopping