AR-News: (US) Sharks and rays continue to decline

[Barry Kent MacKay]

Sharks and rays threatened

Sarasota, FL, Jun. 15 (UPI) -- International experts are examining the state
of North American and Central American sharks and rays against mounting
threats such as overfishing.

At Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida, scientists gathered at a shark
workshop said they will evaluate threatened populations and methods of
conservation.

Sharks, and their close cousins skates and rays, are vulnerable to
overfishing and degradation of their habitat, because they grow slowly,
mature late and produce few young. Sharks also are in demand for the Asian
delicacy shark fin soup.

Yet few countries restrict shark fishing, and even in the United States --
a leader in shark conservation -- many populations remain un-assessed and
under-protected, said Sonja Fordham of The Ocean Conservancy.

Because most sharks travel across national boundaries, international
partnerships are needed, said workshop host Robert Hueter.

Many species of sharks and rays are at critically low population levels,
and the sawfish, a type of ray once common in the waters off the U.S.
Southeast and Central America, is in danger of extinction, scientists said.


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  Barry Kent MacKay
  Canadian Representative
  Animal Protection Institute 
  www.api4animals.org