Wednesday July 15, 2009, 2:41 am
The expression "shark attacks" has taken on a new and ominous meaning. The number of people bitten each year by sharks is minuscule. Attacks on sharks by humans, however, have reached unacceptable levels around the world, putting some of these great predators on the threshold of extinction. We are killing more than a half-million tons of sharks each year.


The Shark Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has published alarming news about the conservation status of more than 60 species of sharks and rays that inhabit the world's oceans. Almost one-third have been classified as "threatened with extinction." For species that restrict their activities to the high seas, seldom approaching coastal waters, the proportion is even higher; more than half are threatened with extinction. The loss of even a single species of these awesome carnivores would diminish the world's wonders. The loss of more than 20 species would be shocking. The IUCN experts give various reasons for the decline in some species. One reason is that shark fisheries are not sustainable industries because of the animals' life history. Most sharks produce few young, juveniles grow slowly and sharks tend "to take many years to mature." This means a population cannot replenish itself quickly. Despite this, sharks are overfished and underprotected, with few regulations that apply in international waters. On the high seas, no international catch limits apply for sharks. Furthermore, new markets are opening for shark meat, one of the most appalling being an Asian delicacy known as shark fin soup.

To acquire shark fins for this unsustainable luxury, fishermen cut off the fins of captured sharks then throw the body back into the ocean. The process, called "finning," has no redeeming qualities whether one considers it from the perspective of animal rights, population ecology or the ocean ecosystem. According to the IUCN report "finning has been banned in most international waters, but enforcement standards are lenient. The EU (European Union) finning ban is among the weakest in the world."

Sharks, rays and skates belong to a subclass of vertebrates known as the Elasmobranchs, which have cartilaginous skeletons. Many are magnificent, awe-inspiring creatures. Among the globally endangered species that are familiar to most people are hammerhead sharks. The great hammerhead shark, which can reach a length of 20 feet, has a diet that includes other sharks, squid and stingrays. Hammerhead attacks on humans are rare; sadly, the reverse is not true. The relentless assault on hammerheads by the shark fishery industry could drive the species to extinction within a few years.

One reason for the steady decline of hammerhead sharks is that they "are highly desired for shark fin soup. Millions of hammerheads end up in the Hong Kong fin market each year." The meat of these sharks, however, is generally viewed as unpalatable, so the hammerhead carcasses are simply cast aside. Spain and Portugal are two of the top three shark-fishing nations, yet the EU places no limits on the catch of hammerhead sharks. As a result of the shark fin soup craze, lax fishing regulations and loose enforcement of existing laws, hammerhead sharks are disappearing from the world's oceans. This is inexcusable.

Another species that is hanging on by a fin is the giant devil ray or devil fish, the enormous ray of the Mediterranean region. With a wingspan that can reach 17 feet and a body length of 21 feet, one of these spectacular animals leaping from the water might be a model for interstellar spacecraft. The greatest human-caused mortality to devil rays is accidental capture in longlines, drift nets, purse seines and traps set for other species. But death by accident is no less lethal than deliberate slaughter. Like some other Elasmobranchs, rays cannot replace their numbers quickly. A female devil ray produces only one offspring at a time, often at intervals of two years. That's not enough recruitment to replace individuals being removed every year by uncontrolled, unregulated oceanic fishing.

Decadent, self-indulgent dietary preferences in some cultures and weak or unenforced regulations on ocean fisheries are threatening the sharks and rays of the world. We need to make our protests heard before we lose some of the world's most extraordinary creatures.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 3:19 am
Rather fightening, the lack of sharks, lately. They are so overfished for their fins. I was watching a program on the Science Channel last night about the atrocious tuna hunt, which became quite bloody. Normally? The blood would attract sharks by the thousands from all over. But? NOT ONE SINGLE SHARK was spotted responding to the blood bath....very sad, and worried

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 3:28 am
:-(

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 3:48 am
i saw this as well its very scarey for sharks now

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 4:54 am
This is heartbreaking. Thanks Claudia.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 6:36 am
If we loose sharks the whole eco system is messed up, there has to be a law for everywhere to stop this,i heard a while ago that the shark soup trade was going to target manta rays now,which is not good news.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 7:57 am
:( So awful... I still see shark fin soup in restaurants in San Francisco... very disturbing... Thanks Claudia!

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 8:02 am
Over fishing of sharks has to stop as well as accidental by catch of sharks -- which the fishermen are only to happy to exploit. Thank you, Claudia, for calling this matter to our attention. The ecosystem of the ocean must have its predators to remain healthy, Just like the land requires its predators in a balanced ecosystem. Claudia you are an example to a cause that should illustrate to other members of the community how a small determined thoughtful and well informed group can change the world.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 8:57 am
I swam with a very large shark off the coast of North Carolina. I left it alone and it left me alone. It was a beautiful creature magnificent eyes. This really upsets me we need the sharks!
Thanks Claudia

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 11:00 am
I am so sick of parasitic people!

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 12:22 pm
The shark has survived in its current form for millions of years. There has been ongoing research into sharks and the more we know the more wonderous they become.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 4:14 pm
We can all live without shark fin soup!! Thanks, Claudia.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 5:16 pm
Thank you Claudia, for always and ever being a warrior for our brothers and sisters of the sea. Sometimes I sit here, staring at this screen, wondering how mother earth still manages to spin, still manages to feed us, despite the terrible onslaught upon her. Anyone ever heard the term "Atlas Shrugged"? Holding up the earth, knees buckling, and finally shrugging. The day will come when earth will shrug....

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 7:16 pm
I don't sip shark fin soup. I saw that TV thing all about it on TV. It was sickening.
Tcx dear Claudia

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 7:28 pm
I am very upset about those who continue to slaughter life in the waters of the world, all for profit, culture or cuisine. What will stop these predators??? Thank you Claudia!

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 7:46 pm
A terrible shame..
Thank you Claudia..
Noted..

Thursday July 16, 2009, 2:16 am
Very sad. I hope this can be reversed.

Thursday July 16, 2009, 11:38 am
So sad that the time of Sharks is running out :-( . . .