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Tuesday, 7 November 2006
The Shark Alliance has applauded the decision by parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to halt targeted fishing of vulnerable sharks in the Southern Ocean.
Concern over the wasteful practice of shark finning, as well as increased fishing for exceptionally slow growing deepwater sharks in the region, prompted France to propose action that led to the moratorium. Shark fishing will be prohibited at least until the status of shark populations and the effects of fishing them are assessed. CCAMLR is also encouraging the release of sharks caught incidentally as “bycatch”.
“This responsible yet bold action by CCAMLR establishes the world’s first limit on the amount of sharks that can be taken from international waters and is therefore a landmark agreement in global shark conservation,” said Sonja Fordham, Shark Alliance Policy Director. “We congratulate CCAMLR for affording sharks the precautionary protection they so urgently warrant yet rarely receive.”
Sharks are generally susceptible to overfishing because they grow slowly, mature late and produce few young. Deepwater sharks are exceptionally slow-growing and therefore vulnerable, even by shark standards. They are increasingly sought for their rich liver oil, used primarily for pharmaceutical purposes.
SOURCE: www.fishupdate.com
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