Shark Facts
Most shark species began to differentiate about 64 million years ago but their origins date to around 400 million years ago. Without much need for evolving, they've survived everything from at least five ice ages to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Until now. Due to long-line fishing (which uses up to hundreds of baited hooks attached to a main line) and finning (a barbaric and lucrative practice in which captured live sharks' fins are removed on board and then the sharks are tossed overboard where they sink and drown), certain areas are showing shark population losses of up to 97%. Somewhere between 73 - 100 million sharks are estimated to be slaughtered annually through finning alone, which serves a huge demand for the traditional Chinese delicacy shark fin soup. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN Red List) of the 440 known species, almost 100 are now either vulnerable to, or under imminent threat of, extinction. At the current rate Hammerheads, Mako, Blacktip, Whitetip, Bull, Whale, Nurse, Thresher and even the much maligned Great White sharks could all but disappear.
The 2007 documentary Sharkwater helped raise awareness about the crisis in our oceans and demonstrated the power of education and conscience when Costa Ricans took to the streets to oust black-market operators there, reaffirming the marine reserve of Cocos Island as a safe haven for sharks where both long-line fishing and shark finning are illegal. The threat to the different marine species of The Galapagos Islands is also highlighted against the backdrop of a crisis for the struggling fishermen.
The Good News In 2011
In March Costa Rica updated existing legislation to also protect the sea mounts (submerged mountains) around it which ensures that the coral life and nutrient rich waters can continue to supply food for its abundant migratory and resident species. Ecuador has similar laws protecting the sharks and wildlife of its Galapagos Marine Reserve, as do the nations of Palau, Guam, Honduras, The Maldives.
July was a busy month. Taiwan made waves becoming the first Asian nation to pass legislation designed to limit shark finning. Culturally linked to mainland China, Taiwan is a huge market for shark fins, meat, liver and, oil. New measures require boats to return with fully in tact sharks so that fins are removed on shore. A public awareness campaign was also launched to try and dispel certain myths such as the belief that sharks don't get sick. The Bahamas joined the ranks of other small but ocean dependent countries, named above, in banning all fishing of sharks and trade of shark products. And Hawaii banned shark fin products in an effort to combat the trade in essentially endangered species.
In September California, a huge Asian and seafood market, followed the examples of Hawaii, Washington and Oregon in passing a bill to ban the sale of shark fins. At the same time, Richard Branson joined retired basketball star Yao Ming in Shanghai to raise awareness of the plight of sharks in Shanghai.
A month later in October, The Marshall Islands, a collection of atolls in the Pacific, dedicated a massive and unprecedented almost 2 million square kilometres of ocean to the preservation of sharks by banning not only all forms of commercial fishing of sharks, but even the trade or possession of sharks or any shark parts. And in Toronto, legislators began preparations to pass laws banning shark fin products.
And in November, The European Commission began discussing proposals to block loopholes in existing EU legislation by putting a complete ban on shark finning.
Reasons To Care About Sharks
Basically shark finning is terribly cruel. Long-lining is indiscriminate and excessive, and by implication horribly wasteful. Supporting laws to prevent these practices should be the concern of every aware and compassionate person. And anybody even remotely concerned with our planets ecology needs to know that these laws are necessary because they're based on other sobering and important facts. Sharks are not just the apex predators of the seas. They are the gatekeepers of a vast, complex and inter-related ecosystem and keep the balance of the oceans in check by controlling the other species. Without sharks, other fish would multiply disproportionately and gorge themselves on the reefs and plankton vital for all species, including our own. By some estimates plankton is responsible for producing up to half the world's oxygen. It's also a major factor in controlling carbon dioxide since it absorbs the gas easily. Upsetting the oceans ecosystems will create massive and potentially devastating upheaval for all life on earth.
It's up to us to keep the balance. We know too much to keep losing sharks to greed, customs or fears. Yes there are economic factors to consider, but armed with credible research people like Michael Skoletsky of Shark Savers are gaining ground in convincing governments, unions and individuals that "Sharks are more valuable alive than dead." Since sharks are known to migrate vast distances it's crucial to have international cooperation to ensure their safety. Recognizing our reliance on these, and other, creatures will not only help us evolve as a more conscious species, but will also help ensure our continued survival. We must protect sharks, or their fate may be our own.
Sources
- Marshall Islands Creates World's Largest Shark Sanctuary
- Costa Rica protects huge marine area around Cocos Island
- Taiwan Set to Become First in Asia to Ban Shark Finning at Sea
- Shark Fin Ban: European Commission Proposes Ban On Shark Finning In EU Waters
- Bahamas Bans Shark Fishing
Grant van der Vijver - I love nature, people and the power of words. My range of interests includes science - particularly the mystery of water, nutrition, ...
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