Press Release Index
March 12, 1997
MANAGEMENT REGIMES NECESSARY FOR SURVIVAL OF SHARKS
GLAND, Switzerland -- As governments meet in Rome next week to
examine the state of the world's fisheries, WWF-World Wide Fund For
Nature
today released new reports outlining a blueprint for action by
international
and national fisheries authorities to help save vulnerable shark
populations, caught mostly while targeting other, more prized fish.
A joint report by TRAFFIC International* and the Center for Marine
Conservation (CMC) in Washington, entitled "Managing Shark Fisheries:
Opportunities for International Conservation" analyses several existing
international fisheries regimes and identifies the gaps in the
conservation of sharks. The report makes several recommendations that
need to be implemented by governments in appropriate international fora.
"WWF is becoming increasingly alarmed about the status of sharks around
the world," said Michael Sutton, director of WWF's Endangered Seas
Campaign. "Sharks are extremely vulnerable to overfishing because of
their unique life histories. Shark fishing amounts to open season on the
high seas; very few shark fisheries are subject to any form of management
by national or international authorities. WWF is urging the FAO
Committee on Fisheries to take emergency action to deal with this issue
before it's too late for sharks."
Other TRAFFIC reports released today focus on the regional trade in
sharks in Europe, India and Southeast Asia. As little effort has been
made by countries to collect even the most basic kind of fisheries
information, such as the numbers and species of sharks caught, these
reports provide the best possible guide to the trade in sharks in these
regions and initiatives that can be taken for shark conservation at
national and regional levels.
"TRAFFIC's research has revealed an extremely active trade in sharks and
shark products worldwide," said Steven Broad, Executive Director of
TRAFFIC International. "However, both the fisheries and trade are so
poorly monitored that shark stocks could be seriously depleted in some
areas before management needs can be identified. Specific and accurate
reporting of shark landings and trade would be a crucial first step to
provide future security for shark populations."
For example, the Southeast Asia region, where the trade is predominantly
in shark fins, has Indonesia as the worlds top shark fishing nation
(possibly over 100,000 mt annually). Indonesia has the most diverse shark
fauna in the world, with at least 350 species, but for how long? Europe,
on the other hand, plays an important role as fisher, supplier,
processor, trader and consumer of shark products. The trade is mainly for
shark meat.
The overall research indicates that though the FAO member countries
reported shark landings hit a record high in 1994 of 730,000 metric
tonnes, the actual catch volume is probably far greater. The group of top
shark fishers includes Argentina, Brazil, France, India, Indonesia,
Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan,
Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, UK and USA.
"Several existing international fisheries agreements can be applied to
benefit sharks, but must be strengthened to reflect precautionary sound
management," said Sonja Fordham, CMC Fisheries Specialist and co-author
of the CMC/TRAFFIC report. "In addition, countries should seize
opportunities to promote shark conservation through international
wildlife treaties and, in general raise the conservation priority of
these valuable yet vulnerable species."
Contact: Bobbie Jo Kelso at +44 1223 277427 or Someshwar Singh at +41 22
364 9553.
Note:*TRAFFIC is the joint wildlife trade monitoring arm of WWF and
IUCN-World Conservation Union. FAO is the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization. The FAO Committee on Fisheries meets 17-21
March in Rome.
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