Page 33 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Endangered sharks
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SHARK ALERT!

Shark populations continue to decline at an alarming rate

AN ESTIMATED SOME SHARK
32% POPULATIONS

HAVE DECREASED BY

OF OPEN OCEAN SHARKS
ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION 99%

OVER THE LAST
50
100
Percent of Historic Populations 75 YEARS
up to
65%
83%
5%
60%
89%
80%
70%
79%
50
25
0

Hammer- White Tiger Grey Thresher Blue Mako Oceanic
heads Shark Shark Shark Shark Shark Shark Whitetip

Interview with shark expert – Paul Cox
We spoke to the Shark Trust’s Director, Paul Cox, to find out how they are trying to save sharks

What are the main things that trade. The third pillar is looking at where ocean and the ecosystem within it. We believe
the Shark Trust are trying to endangered species are, specifi cally where their that if we can maintain healthy shark populations
implement at the moment? populations have deteriorated to the point where we have a better chance of maintaining a healthy

We have a three-pronged they are classified as threatened. Then we will ocean, which has all sorts of benefits for us.

approach. We are firstly looking work with a number of organisations including
at science-based, sustainably television partners to push for wildlife protection Is there anything normal people can do to help

managed fisheries. We work measures, legislation and then enforcement of stop sharks dying out?

at policy level with the fishing that legislation. Yes, anything they can! Supporting shark
industry and with the public to try to keep up the conservation is obviously very important, not only
pressure and ensure that where sharks are being Why is it so important to save the sharks? What by donating money but also by giving us a voice.
caught, they are part of a managed, sustainable would happen if they were to go extinct? You can get involved in science projects, by going
fishery. Linked to that, we are increasingly It’s important to remember that not all sharks are out and searching for sharks and recording any

interested in and pushing for a responsible the same. They differ hugely, in size and behaviour sharks that you come across, and even by going
supply chain, right from when the shark is landed especially. But on the whole, we think of sharks as on our egg shell hunts that we run each year in
through to the consumer, and that the right being apex predators, and in this position on top of the UK. You can do this without getting your feet
information is available for consumers to make the food chain they are inadvertently responsible wet! You can also help by signing shark petitions
informed decisions. Those two pillars work hand for maintaining ocean health. If you were to and just generally by having a voice. Push for the

in hand – sustainable fisheries and responsible remove them, you threaten both the health of the policies that will protect sharks in the future.
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