How to prevent the extinction of sharks

ByGoh Sien Wei

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO SHARKS

a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body.

have diversified into 440 species, ranging in size from the dwarf lanternshark (17 centimetres) to the whale shark (12 metres) which is also the largest fish in the world.

its lifespan vary by species. Most live 20 to 30 years, although some sharks live over 100 years.

unlike most bony fishes, sharks are K-selected reproducers. Fecundity in sharks ranges from 2 to over 100 young per reproductive cycle .

gestation periods for sharks are also usually 2 years. Some sharks have been known to have a gestation period longer than elephant.

Why sharks are in danger of extinction

In nature, sharks are widely known to be apex predators, which means predators that have virtually no predators of their own.

The main reason why sharks are in danger of extinction would be due to humans and their fishing activities.

Worldwide, humans have learned to fear sharks. These fears were built up based on random shark attacks that occurs during its feeding season, along with movie culture that depicts sharks as ferocious creatures.

The most notable contributor to this irrational fear response, was the movie “Jaws”.

THREAT TO SHARKS• By-catching

- the introduction of a fiercely effective fishing method known as longlining are responsible for the unintended deaths of turtles, dewgongs as well as sharks

that are caught in these hooks.

• Shark nets- Shark meshing programmes have been placed to protect the public from sharks.

However, many sharks inevitably drown every year after becoming entangled in these nets.

• Overfishing

• Shark Finning- Finning is a destructive practice which involves catching a shark, cutting off its fins and discarding the rest of the animal, which is often thrown back into the water to die.

How to save the sharks

• Longline fishing have recently been struck with huge protest and regulations have been put into place to restrict the usage of longfishing.

• Eg, EU in December 2002 decided to revise their Common Fishing Policy to protect and increase the sustainability of fish resources.

• Other preventative measures include the conservation of sharks. Eg, literally hundreds of them are currently on the endangered species list and legislations have been implemented to prevent hunting of these sharks.

• However, the main reason sharks still face extinction is due to shark fins being a delicacy in Eastern countries.

• Sale of shark fins have long been banned. Ships that conduct in illegal fishing of sharks are also heavily penalised.

• Environmental societies also encourages the public not to indulge in shark fin soup, especially during Chinese weddings. However for those who cannot break tradition, this dish can be replaced with artificial shark fin soup.

Thank You!!