Almost 100 million sharks are being killed each year, with fishing rates outstripping the ability of populations to recover, scientists have estimated.
Sharks need better protection to prevent possible extinction of many species within coming decades, the researchers warned ahead of the latest global meeting to discuss the trade in threatened species.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) meeting will consider greater protection of vulnerable sharks, including porbeagles, oceanic whitetip and three types of hammerhead to prevent unsustainable international trade in them.
Sharks are targeted for their fins for use in shark fin soup, a delicacy in Asia. But as species which are slow growing and slow to reproduce, they are vulnerable to over-fishing….
Independent.ie 03/03/2013. Read the article ‘Shark protection measures discussed’
