Ocean Sentry
Almost 100 million sharks are killed each year and many species need better protection, according to researchers Sharks risk being driven to extinction due to overfishing, with almost 100 million killed each year, scientists have warned. Many species of shark need better protection to prevent their extinction within coming decades, …
March, 2013
January, 2013
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15 January
Fishing drives the loss of shark and ray populations in the Adriatic Sea
According to a JRC co-authored article published today in Nature Scientific Reports, the shark and ray communities in the Adriatic Sea have been highly depleted in recent years, with fishing being a key driver of the decline. The study combined and standardised catch data from five trawl surveys conducted between …
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15 January
Fishnets killed sharks: report
The death of baby hammerhead sharks washed ashore on Nukulau Island in Suva recently was likely caused by local fishermen. Permanent Secretary for Fisheries, Inoke Wainiqolo says the report compiled by the team sent to investigate the finding revealed four possible causes – however – the only highly likely cause …
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8 January
Unborn pups of a pregnant female Hammerhead washed ashore on Nukulau
An International shark expert believes the juvenile sharks that washed ashore on Nukulau could be the unborn pups of a pregnant female Hammerhead that was killed at sea. Dr Demian Chapman who is an internationally recognised shark expert also conducted a study on the shark fin trade in Suva and …
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3 January
Outrage over HK’s shark fin rooftop
Hong Kong conservationists are outraged after the discovery of a factory rooftop covered in thousands of freshly sliced shark fins. The southern Chinese city is one of the world”s biggest markets for shark fins, which are used to make soup that is an expensive staple at Chinese banquets and viewed …
December, 2012
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28 December
Whale shark killing continues in Kerala
Whale shark (Rhincodon typus), which is protected along with elephants and tiger in the Wildlife Protection Act, continues to be killed in Kerala waters. A huge whale shark, weighing up to two tonne, was brought to shore by a fishing vessel and auctioned off in Kochi three days ago. India …
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27 December
U.S. Coast Guard seizes illegal haul of dead sharks
The U.S. Coast Guard said it found hundreds of dead sharks, likely caught for their fins, in an illegal net off the coast of Texas. The so-called gill net stretched for five miles and contained 345 shark carcasses: 225 black tip, 109 bonnet and 11 bull sharks, the coast guard …
November, 2012
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30 November
EU to prolong fishing ban for endangered sharks
EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki said Thursday that a total ban on fishing endangered deepwater shark species would be maintained for another two years. EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki said Thursday that a total ban on fishing endangered deepwater shark species would be maintained for another two years. “I would …
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26 November
Scientists rush to save manta rays, the ‘pandas of the ocean’
They’ve been described by one scientist as “pandas of the ocean.” “They’re such an iconic species, beloved by divers,” said Andrea Marshall, director of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, who came up with the description during an interview with NBC News. “They’re just amazing.” Unlikely as it might seem, the panda …
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22 November
MEPs vote to give rules against cruel shark practice extra bite
Never mind what the popular Jaws films will have you believe: people pose a greater threat to sharks then they to us. Several shark species have been pushed to the brink of extinction due to fin hunters cutting the animals” fins off while they are still alive before leaving them …
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19 November
American Samoa introduces new regulations to protect sharks and 3 types of fish
The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources has promulgated new regulations protecting these rare marine species which took effect on November 11, 2012. American Samoa has acted to protect all sharks plus three species of large coral reef fish in all the waters of the territory of American Samoa. It …
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5 November
New study reveals alarming decline of Pacific sharks
Research published today in the journal Conservation Biology presents the most comprehensive assessment of the status of Pacific shark populations to date. The paper, authored by Dr. Shelley Clarke and a team from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in New Caledonia, shows significant declines in catch rates for blue, …