Page 66 - World of Animals - Issue #36

Conserving sharks

Saving sharks
Paul Cox is the Managing Director of The Shark Trust
What state are shark populations in currently?
Scientists estimate that approximately one quarter of shark
and ray species are threatened with extinction and require
immediate conservation action. This includes some of the
better-known species like the great white, great hammerhead and whale shark
but also includes many less charismatic but nevertheless valuable species.
This estimate is based on the IUCN Red List, which in 2013 found that 181
out of the 1038 species of sharks and rays assessed fell into one of the three

“threatened” categories, including 20 species classified as Critically Endangered.
Almost half (472 species), however, are classed as Data Deficient, meaning that

we just don’t know enough about the populations to assess their status.
Can you tell us more about the work and projects you are involved in?

We are involved in various wildlife protection, fisheries policy, and responsible
trade projects, working with partners around the world to advocate for changes

that will safeguard sharks. Our fisheries action is currently spearheaded by our
‘No Limits?’ campaign, which is targeting an end to uncontrolled shark fishing for

‘No Limits?’ species, including the blue and shortfin mako sharks.

Another of our biggest projects, the Great Eggcase Hunt, encourages everyone
to explore their local beaches, to search for and submit records of the eggcases
from local sharks and rays, building a valuable knowledge base.
What successes have there been so far?
There have been many, from the landmark protection of the basking shark in
the UK in the late 1990s to an International Plan of Action for sharks in 1999. In
2013, seven commercially exploited species of sharks and ray were CITES listed,
restricting trade across the world, and in the same year the EU Finning Regulation
set the international standard for a move away from the practice of finning at sea.

But there is still much to be done: We need more science to assess species and
develop conservation plans; we need more policy change to set the agenda; we

need a shi¡ to sustainable shark fisheries coupled with a responsible global trade
in shark products.
Sadly, sharks are notoriously unpopular – how can we change people’s minds?
I don’t think people need to like sharks to appreciate the importance of not
driving their populations to extinction. We just need, as a society, to make better
decisions to safeguard the future of our wildlife, and those that do value wildlife to
be vocal and active.

What are the main threats facing sharks and how can we overcome them?
The biggest current threat to sharks is overfishing. Not shark fishing per se but

uncontrolled and unmanaged shark fishing. We have to get a control on shark

fishing, push for science-based management, for sustainable fisheries and, take
steps to reduce the trade in unsustainable products.
Shark conservation is a global issue which requires collaboration. The Shark
Trust published a comprehensive 10-year plan as part of a global partnership with
WWF, IUCN Shark Specialist Group, Shark Advocates International, TRAFFIC and
WCS. There is hope if we act quickly and decisively to protect threatened species,

manage fisheries, reform trade and tackle demand for shark products.
LEFT
Fins are removed from
the sharks, which are
then thrown back into
the ocean fi nless, and
the fi ns placed on a
bamboo rack to dry

How you can help

Join the Shark Trust or Adopt a Shark at
WWW.SHARKTRUST.ORG. © Getty; Pixel Squid; Alamy; Dreamstime
Find out more and sign the petition at
WWW.NOLIMITSNOFUTURE.ORG
Join the Great Eggcase Hunt
WWW.EGGCASE.ORG, WWW.SHARKTRUST.ORG

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