More oceanic sharks are now on the Red List of Threatened Species, according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), which revealed in a press statement that "even the fastest, widest ranging sharks are threatened by overfishing."
“The
qualities of pelagic sharks – fast, powerful, wide ranging – too often
lead to a misperception that they are resilient to fishing pressure,” said Sarah Fowler, Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG). “This
week, leading shark scientists from around the world highlighted the
vulnerability of these species to overfishing and concluded that
several species are now Threatened with extinction on a global scale.”
The IUCN Red List is the world's most authoritative guide to the
status of biological diversity. The latest assessment followed a workshop convened by the IUCN Shark Specialist Group as part of a process to
assess all 1,200 species of sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras by the
end of 2007.
Globally Vulnerable sharks include all three species of thresher sharks, which have spectacular scythe-like upper tail lobes as long as their bodies, which are thought to aid in stunning prey fish. The shortfin mako had its threat status heightened from Near Threatened in 2000 to Vulnerable at present. This species is a favourite target for commercial and recreational fishermen.
The streamlined blue shark remains in the Near Threatened category, hanging between its worldwide abundance (thanks to its relatively high fecundity) and status as the most heavily fished pelagic shark. While not regarded as Threatened on a global scale, populations in the North Atlantic have fallen by 50-70% in recent years.
The pelagic porbeagle shark was declared globally Threatened
in a 2005 assessment and has been proposed by the European Union for listing under the United Nations Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES). This species, along with mako sharks, face considerable fishing pressure in the Mediterranean that have led to their classification as Critical Endangered for that region, according to IUCN shark experts
Meanwhile, scalloped hammerhead sharks, a favourite of Asian connoisseurs of tasteless soups, had their status heightened from Near Threatened to Endangered. Many in these parts, it seems, are much happier clinging onto mindless traditions that decimate both marine and terrestrial species from facai moss and abalones to reef fish and turtles for the sake of unfounded therapeutics and the simply stupid reason that the names of certain animals have an auspicious ring to them.
The only cheer came from the pelagic stingray, populations of which were found to be stable, if not increasing.
While caught incidentally by high seas tuna and swordfish fisheries, pelagic sharks are increasingly targeted for their meat as well as fins. According to the IUCN, bans on shark “finning” – slicing off a shark’s valuable fins
-- have been adopted for most international waters, but lenient
standards and lacking enforcement hamper their effectiveness. In addition, no international catch limits for pelagic sharks exist despite evidence of their decline. This marine tragedy of the commons is further accentuated by policies in many countries (including several maritime European states like Spain) which subsidise national fisheries sectors.
Unlike many pelagic bony fish (e.g. tuna, mackerel, anchovies), sharks eschew the shattershot strategy of mass reproduction for a much concentrated investment in producing fewer but more developed offspring. A female shark may lay or give birth to as little as one or two pups each season, and the fish grow slowly, requiring many years to reach maturity and a prolonged pregnancy. Little is also known about their reproductive biology, although the habit of some species to amass in large breeding congregations at specific times and sites may render such populations vulnerable to unscrupulous exploitation.
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In other news:
How to rebut a climate change sceptic.
Singaporeans and monkeys don't get along. Maybe the dying leaf monkey (I have a most excellent picture of her dying cutely while chomping on a fish somewhere but decided against posting it for fear of getting my duck speared) will be better off staying in Maliau after all.
And if you thought George Clooney's batsuit codpiece was big, wait til you see the major mighty mojo of his namesake. Now we know why Catwoman keeps trying to hit on Big Bruce; cos he's all balls and little brain...
Meanwhile, biofuels, as it turns out, may well give climate change its biggest boost ever. And right next door too.
Also, vultures are nesting in the region. It's probably a sign that there's going to be plenty of rich pickings from the soon-to-be victims of globalisation, environmental degradation and overpopulation...
And while the sotongs in the sea are getting even bigger, I am sure none will match the sotongisity of elders who have not the faintest idea how to formulate a cohesive argument, much less the decency to distinguish between his personal prejudices against pets in flats and the greater good they impart to both society and the soul.
Finally, my duck has been found dubiouser and dubiouser. An overly-hasty flick of the Enter key further raised the dubiousity stakes by causing the mental defilement of no-longer innocent cows with talk of frog semen and tight and taut bodies. I must transfer this distressing dubiousity to the monkey, who would surely be little worse for it.
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