Dear Friends and Visitors.
Due to the large ammount of work that I have, I cannot keep updating this blog as much as I would like to, so for the time being, I am going to stop.
Please follow all the events by visiting our YEAR OF THE SHARK - 2009 website.
Thank you.
The Sharkman
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Saturday, December 13, 2008
THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE SHAARK - 2009
Press release The Let Sharks Live Network
November 29th, 2008
2009: THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE SHARK
As the hands of the clock approach midnight for sharks, organizations working for their protection have joined forces in a global communication network named Let Sharks Live, and declared 2009 The International Year of the Shark. The motion aims to raise global awareness of their imminent extinction and the oceanic crisis at hand.
Recent findings of the Global Shark Assessment indicate that at current rates of decline, extinction of the most threatened species of shark is forecast in 10 to 15 years. In large regions, species that were once numerous have fallen to 1% of their original numbers, in a massacre comparable to that of the buffalo on the North American plains 200 years ago, but on a much larger scale. For example, in the Mediterranean Sea there is a 97 to 99.5% decline in shark numbers. Studies of oceanic sharks estimate 80 to 90% of heavily fished species are gone. Yet these intelligent animals, also called the “Wolves of the Sea” are still fished intensively, and finned, usually while still alive, for shark fin soup.
“The oceans have evolved over hundreds of millions of years with sharks as apex predators, so their loss will destroy oceanic health.” Ila France Porcher, founder of the think tank network, explains.
Some of the issues to be addressed include:
- Convincing the consumers of shark fin soup that shark finning is unsustainable and that the dish must be made using a substitute for the shark fins. Shark fin soup is a tasteless delicacy whose main use in the Far East is to display high social status. If there is no market, the slaughter will cease.
- Educating the public regarding the true nature of sharks and their threatened status, to counter the effects of shark attack hysteria, as spread by the mass media, and which for years has posed a serious barrier to their protection.
Obtaining protection for threatened species
Solving the problem of the slaughter resulting from the use of shark nets and drum lines, used to protect beaches in some areas
Reducing by-catch losses, and the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits defined in fisheries law
Promoting marine protected areas, and enforcing protection of sharks within existing ones.
Persuading shark fishermen to practise tag and release only, rather than killing the sharks they fish.
The threats sharks face in this modern world of human domination are daunting. The enormous scale of commercial long-line fishing and by-catch, the methodical massacre for shark fin soup, habitat loss and destruction, particularly of nursery areas, pollution, and a variety of smaller operations that have great impact taken together, are the main threats to the future of sharks.
"Our goal is to see the retreat of these magnificent animals from extinction's horizon." says Alex Buttigieg, co-founder of the network.
For further information, please contact:
Alex Buttigieg,(sharkmanab@gmail.com)
Ila France Porcher, (ila@smartech.pf)
Notes to the Editor:
The Global Shark Assessment was launched by Dr. Ransom Myers in October of 2003 to assess how global shark populations have changed since the beginning of industrial scale fishing, and to make predictions about how these populations will respond to global climate change and to different methods of fishing.
The Let Sharks Live Network was inspired by the finding that at current rates of decline, extinction is indicated for a high fraction of shark species in 10 to 15 years. We took advantage of the communication potential of Internet to link together with other shark protection organizations in a global Internet network and think tank, something that has never been possible before.
Shark Finning is the practise of taking sharks with nets or long-lining, hauling them on board, slashing off their fins and tails, and throwing the rest of the animal away to die slowly as it sinks into the crushing densities of the abyss. Only 5% of the animal is used. Shark finning has only been practised intensively since the 1980's and has already succeeded in nearly emptying the oceans, reefs, and continental shelves, of sharks.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
European Shark Week 2008
Sharks need your help!!
Support and participate in the 2nd. European Shark Week being held all over Europe between 11th. - 19th. October 2008.
Sharkman's World Organization will be participating in this huge event organized by the Shark Alliance.
More information about events taking part in your area can be found at:
You can start by signing our Shark Finning Petition at http://www.sharkalliance.org/petition
HELP US THE SAVE OUR SHARK!!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Mediterranean: the most dangerous place for sharks
The Mediterranean: the most dangerous place for sharks
by Sonja Fordham
July 21, 2008
Welcome to Discovery Channel's Shark Week Conservation Blog! I'm Sonja Fordham, director of the Shark Conservation Program for Ocean Conservancy (www.oceanconservancy.org), and for the next two weeks, I'll be posting updates and information on shark conservation and related science. I hope you'll join in by posting your questions and opinions on shark conservation.
I thought it was fitting to start this blog series during my visit to the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean has recently been dubbed "the most dangerous place in the world ... if you're a shark." Hope lies in encouraging Malta, already a leader in regional shark conservation, to seize opportunities to promote greater protection for the region's sharks.
Quick Stats:
Last year, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) reported that 42 percent of the sharks and rays in the Mediterranean are threatened with extinction (www.iucn.org). This percentage is higher than those for all other regions assessed around the world.
Last month, the Lenfest Ocean Program (www.lenfestocean.org) released scientists’ findings that several Mediterranean sharks (makos, hammerheads, porbeagles, threshers and blue sharks) have declined by 97 to 99 percent. There are no catch limits in the Mediterranean for these commercially valuable sharks.
In fact, Malta is the only EU country on the Mediterranean to provide any protection for Mediterranean sharks (great white and basking sharks), thanks in large part to efforts of the “Sharkman of Malta” (www.sharkmans-world.com).
The situation for Mediterranean sharks is clearly awful, but there has never been greater opportunity for change. Mediterranean countries, particularly members of the European Union, have tools to improve the situation. For starters, the EU is now developing a Plan of Action for Sharks that can set the stage for widespread improvements in EU shark policies. There are also a variety of regional agreements that can spark conservation actions for sharks, if prompted by countries like Malta.
Check out www.sharkalliance.org to learn more about how you can help save Mediterranean sharks, and tune in again over the next two weeks for news on shark conservation in other regions of the world.
by Sonja Fordham
July 21, 2008
Welcome to Discovery Channel's Shark Week Conservation Blog! I'm Sonja Fordham, director of the Shark Conservation Program for Ocean Conservancy (www.oceanconservancy.org), and for the next two weeks, I'll be posting updates and information on shark conservation and related science. I hope you'll join in by posting your questions and opinions on shark conservation.
I thought it was fitting to start this blog series during my visit to the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean has recently been dubbed "the most dangerous place in the world ... if you're a shark." Hope lies in encouraging Malta, already a leader in regional shark conservation, to seize opportunities to promote greater protection for the region's sharks.
Quick Stats:
Last year, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) reported that 42 percent of the sharks and rays in the Mediterranean are threatened with extinction (www.iucn.org). This percentage is higher than those for all other regions assessed around the world.
Last month, the Lenfest Ocean Program (www.lenfestocean.org) released scientists’ findings that several Mediterranean sharks (makos, hammerheads, porbeagles, threshers and blue sharks) have declined by 97 to 99 percent. There are no catch limits in the Mediterranean for these commercially valuable sharks.
In fact, Malta is the only EU country on the Mediterranean to provide any protection for Mediterranean sharks (great white and basking sharks), thanks in large part to efforts of the “Sharkman of Malta” (www.sharkmans-world.com).
The situation for Mediterranean sharks is clearly awful, but there has never been greater opportunity for change. Mediterranean countries, particularly members of the European Union, have tools to improve the situation. For starters, the EU is now developing a Plan of Action for Sharks that can set the stage for widespread improvements in EU shark policies. There are also a variety of regional agreements that can spark conservation actions for sharks, if prompted by countries like Malta.
Check out www.sharkalliance.org to learn more about how you can help save Mediterranean sharks, and tune in again over the next two weeks for news on shark conservation in other regions of the world.
Friday, July 4, 2008
EU promotes global conservation action for two threatened shark species
July 4, 2008
EU promotes global conservation action for two threatened shark species
Belgian proposals to list spiny dogfish and porbeagle under Convention on Migratory Species submitted by France on behalf of European Union
Brussels: The Shark Alliance is applauding European Union (EU) Member States and the European Commission for advancing proposals late yesterday to list spiny dogfish and porbeagle – two commercially valuable sharks classified as Critically Endangered in European waters -- under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). The proposals were developed by Belgium, co-sponsored by the Netherlands, and submitted by France, as current EU President. If adopted at the CMS Conference of the Parties in December, the listings would prompt efforts to secure focused, international cooperation on regional conservation initiatives.
“With these proposals, the EU assumes a leadership role in highlighting the plight of commercially valuable, migratory sharks and demonstrating the importance of using all available tools to conserve them,” said Sonja Fordham, Policy Director for the Shark Alliance. “Most sharks grow slowly, mature late, give birth to live young after lengthy pregnancies, and play important roles in marine ecosystems. The time has come to view them not just as commodities but also as wildlife.”
Belgium’s proposals received unanimous support from other EU Member States and the European Commission. The CMS Scientific Council has reported that 35 species of sharks meet the criteria for listing under CMS. Currently only basking, white and whale sharks are listed under CMS.
“Wildlife treaties such as CMS are important and appropriate avenues for developing shark conservation measures to complement and bolster traditional fisheries management actions,” continued Fordham. “Lengthy migrations and depleted status make spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks particularly deserving of CMS attention. While national and regional fisheries obligations remain, CMS can elevate the management priority of these sharks and promote consistent protective measures throughout their ranges. Such action would fit well into a more holistic EU shark conservation strategy – one that recognizes the importance of international cooperation and employs a range of relevant tools. We thank the EU Commission and EU Member States for advancing these landmark proposals and urge all CMS Parties to ensure their adoption later this year.”
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Sophie Hulme on +44 7973 712 869 or email sophie@communicationsinc.co.uk
B-roll available on request, images are available at www.sharkalliance.org
Notes to editors:
Spiny dogfish and porbeagles are among the most severely overfished sharks in European waters. IUCN classifies Northeast Atlantic populations of these species as Critically Endangered. Scientists advising EU fishery managers have repeatedly recommended that fisheries for these species cease.
Last week, porbeagle and spiny dogfish were added to the List of Threatened and Declining Species by the OSPAR Commission for Protection of the Marine Environment of the Northeast Atlantic.
In 2007, the EU proposed listing these same two species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, but the proposals were defeated. EU 2009 quotas for spiny dogfish and porbeagle will be proposed by the European Commission and decided by EU Member States Fisheries Ministers toward the end of the year.
EU promotes global conservation action for two threatened shark species
Belgian proposals to list spiny dogfish and porbeagle under Convention on Migratory Species submitted by France on behalf of European Union
Brussels: The Shark Alliance is applauding European Union (EU) Member States and the European Commission for advancing proposals late yesterday to list spiny dogfish and porbeagle – two commercially valuable sharks classified as Critically Endangered in European waters -- under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). The proposals were developed by Belgium, co-sponsored by the Netherlands, and submitted by France, as current EU President. If adopted at the CMS Conference of the Parties in December, the listings would prompt efforts to secure focused, international cooperation on regional conservation initiatives.
“With these proposals, the EU assumes a leadership role in highlighting the plight of commercially valuable, migratory sharks and demonstrating the importance of using all available tools to conserve them,” said Sonja Fordham, Policy Director for the Shark Alliance. “Most sharks grow slowly, mature late, give birth to live young after lengthy pregnancies, and play important roles in marine ecosystems. The time has come to view them not just as commodities but also as wildlife.”
Belgium’s proposals received unanimous support from other EU Member States and the European Commission. The CMS Scientific Council has reported that 35 species of sharks meet the criteria for listing under CMS. Currently only basking, white and whale sharks are listed under CMS.
“Wildlife treaties such as CMS are important and appropriate avenues for developing shark conservation measures to complement and bolster traditional fisheries management actions,” continued Fordham. “Lengthy migrations and depleted status make spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks particularly deserving of CMS attention. While national and regional fisheries obligations remain, CMS can elevate the management priority of these sharks and promote consistent protective measures throughout their ranges. Such action would fit well into a more holistic EU shark conservation strategy – one that recognizes the importance of international cooperation and employs a range of relevant tools. We thank the EU Commission and EU Member States for advancing these landmark proposals and urge all CMS Parties to ensure their adoption later this year.”
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Sophie Hulme on +44 7973 712 869 or email sophie@communicationsinc.co.uk
B-roll available on request, images are available at www.sharkalliance.org
Notes to editors:
Spiny dogfish and porbeagles are among the most severely overfished sharks in European waters. IUCN classifies Northeast Atlantic populations of these species as Critically Endangered. Scientists advising EU fishery managers have repeatedly recommended that fisheries for these species cease.
Last week, porbeagle and spiny dogfish were added to the List of Threatened and Declining Species by the OSPAR Commission for Protection of the Marine Environment of the Northeast Atlantic.
In 2007, the EU proposed listing these same two species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, but the proposals were defeated. EU 2009 quotas for spiny dogfish and porbeagle will be proposed by the European Commission and decided by EU Member States Fisheries Ministers toward the end of the year.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Six Shark Species added to OSPAR Northeast AtlanticThreatened Species List
Six Shark Species added to OSPAR Northeast AtlanticThreatened Species List
26 June 2008
New listings will promote urgently needed conservation action
Brest, France: The Shark Alliance welcomes today’s decision by the OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Northeast Atlantic to add six species of sharks to their list of Threatened and Declining Species and Habitats. OSPAR (the Oslo-Paris Convention) provides a mechanism for international cooperation to protect the Northeast Atlantic marine environment and pursue the measures needed to end overfishing of regionally threatened species.
“The Northeast Atlantic is home to some of the world’s most endangered sharks. We appreciate that OSPAR has acknowledged this dire situation and is eager to see it addressed,” said Sonja Fordham, Policy Director for the Shark Alliance. “Listing by OSPAR will help greatly to highlight the plight of these sharks and can serve as a springboard for international cooperation on a wide range of urgently needed conservation actions.”
The OSPAR Commission is made up of government representatives of 15 Contracting Parties and the European Commission. Germany made the proposals that led to listing of the following Northeast Atlantic species, several of which were also proposed by the World Wildlife Fund:
porbeagle shark - a large, swift cousin of the white shark with high value meat
spurdog – a small, schooling shark used in fish & chips and beer garden snacks
gulper shark – a dark, deepsea shark valued for liver oil used in cosmetics, etc.
leafscale gulper shark- another exceptionally slow growing deepsea shark
Portuguese dogfish – perhaps the deepest dwelling shark, reported at 3700 meters
angel shark – a flattened, bottom-dwelling shark taken for food and as bycatch
Spurdog, porbeagle, gulper and angel sharks are classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered in the Northeast Atlantic. Leafscale gulper sharks and Portuguese dogfish in this region are categorized as Endangered.
The European Union (EU) has established allowable catch limits and national quotas for Northeast Atlantic spurdog, porbeagle and deepwater sharks (primarily gulper sharks and Portuguese dogfish), but these limits are too high to allow for population recovery. In fact, scientists have advised that these severely depleted species should no longer be fished. There are no EU safeguards for angel sharks; the species was recently protected off the English coast. The European Commission issued its approach to 2009 catch limits this week and will propose actual limits later in the year. The Commission is also in the process of developing a long-awaited EU Plan of Action for the conservation of sharks.
“Many of the protective measures needed to reverse declines of these vulnerable sharks have already been identified and are within our reach,” added Fordham. “We urge OSPAR member nations to use the new listing decisions to promote proposals for significant reductions in European shark quotas over the coming months and ensure a strong EU Plan of Action for Sharks by the end of the year.”
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Sophie Hulme +44 7973 712 869 or email sophie@communicationsinc.co.uk. B roll footage available.
Notes to editors:
The Shark Alliance is a coalition of 51 non-governmental organizations dedicated to improving EU shark conservation policies.
Most sharks (and closely related rays) grow slowly, mature late and produce few young; these characteristics make the especially vulnerable to overfishing and slow to recover once depleted.
Prior to this week’s decisions, OSPAR had identified thirteen species of fish, four species of marine mammals, two species of marine reptiles, five species of seabirds and five species of marine molluscs that are threatened and/or declining in one or more of its sub-regions. Previously listed fish include one species of shark and two species of closely related rays are already listed by OSPAR: basking shark Cetorhinus maximus, common skate Dipturus batis and spotted ray Raja montagui.
The scientific names of the newly listed species are as follows: porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus), spurdog (Squalus acanthias), gulper shark (Centrophorus granulosus), leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus), Portuguese dogfish shark (Centroscymnus coelolepis), angel shark (Squatina squatina).
The OSPAR listings establish these species as high priority for future work. Contracting Parties are urged to take the need to protect listed species into account in their management decisions and are required to report back on progress. OSPAR will develop products to raise awareness about the need to protect these species, identify appropriate management actions, and bring these needs to the attention of relevant national and international authorities.
Species considered for listing as Threatened and Declining Species and Habitats by OSPAR are evaluated using six criteria: Global importance, Regional importance, Keystone species, Rarity, Decline and Sensitivity.
In 2000, OSPAR identified the environmental impact of fisheries as one of the two most important issues for the future of the marine environment.
The OSPAR Commission is made up of representatives from the European Community and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
26 June 2008
New listings will promote urgently needed conservation action
Brest, France: The Shark Alliance welcomes today’s decision by the OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Northeast Atlantic to add six species of sharks to their list of Threatened and Declining Species and Habitats. OSPAR (the Oslo-Paris Convention) provides a mechanism for international cooperation to protect the Northeast Atlantic marine environment and pursue the measures needed to end overfishing of regionally threatened species.
“The Northeast Atlantic is home to some of the world’s most endangered sharks. We appreciate that OSPAR has acknowledged this dire situation and is eager to see it addressed,” said Sonja Fordham, Policy Director for the Shark Alliance. “Listing by OSPAR will help greatly to highlight the plight of these sharks and can serve as a springboard for international cooperation on a wide range of urgently needed conservation actions.”
The OSPAR Commission is made up of government representatives of 15 Contracting Parties and the European Commission. Germany made the proposals that led to listing of the following Northeast Atlantic species, several of which were also proposed by the World Wildlife Fund:
porbeagle shark - a large, swift cousin of the white shark with high value meat
spurdog – a small, schooling shark used in fish & chips and beer garden snacks
gulper shark – a dark, deepsea shark valued for liver oil used in cosmetics, etc.
leafscale gulper shark- another exceptionally slow growing deepsea shark
Portuguese dogfish – perhaps the deepest dwelling shark, reported at 3700 meters
angel shark – a flattened, bottom-dwelling shark taken for food and as bycatch
Spurdog, porbeagle, gulper and angel sharks are classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered in the Northeast Atlantic. Leafscale gulper sharks and Portuguese dogfish in this region are categorized as Endangered.
The European Union (EU) has established allowable catch limits and national quotas for Northeast Atlantic spurdog, porbeagle and deepwater sharks (primarily gulper sharks and Portuguese dogfish), but these limits are too high to allow for population recovery. In fact, scientists have advised that these severely depleted species should no longer be fished. There are no EU safeguards for angel sharks; the species was recently protected off the English coast. The European Commission issued its approach to 2009 catch limits this week and will propose actual limits later in the year. The Commission is also in the process of developing a long-awaited EU Plan of Action for the conservation of sharks.
“Many of the protective measures needed to reverse declines of these vulnerable sharks have already been identified and are within our reach,” added Fordham. “We urge OSPAR member nations to use the new listing decisions to promote proposals for significant reductions in European shark quotas over the coming months and ensure a strong EU Plan of Action for Sharks by the end of the year.”
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Sophie Hulme +44 7973 712 869 or email sophie@communicationsinc.co.uk. B roll footage available.
Notes to editors:
The Shark Alliance is a coalition of 51 non-governmental organizations dedicated to improving EU shark conservation policies.
Most sharks (and closely related rays) grow slowly, mature late and produce few young; these characteristics make the especially vulnerable to overfishing and slow to recover once depleted.
Prior to this week’s decisions, OSPAR had identified thirteen species of fish, four species of marine mammals, two species of marine reptiles, five species of seabirds and five species of marine molluscs that are threatened and/or declining in one or more of its sub-regions. Previously listed fish include one species of shark and two species of closely related rays are already listed by OSPAR: basking shark Cetorhinus maximus, common skate Dipturus batis and spotted ray Raja montagui.
The scientific names of the newly listed species are as follows: porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus), spurdog (Squalus acanthias), gulper shark (Centrophorus granulosus), leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus), Portuguese dogfish shark (Centroscymnus coelolepis), angel shark (Squatina squatina).
The OSPAR listings establish these species as high priority for future work. Contracting Parties are urged to take the need to protect listed species into account in their management decisions and are required to report back on progress. OSPAR will develop products to raise awareness about the need to protect these species, identify appropriate management actions, and bring these needs to the attention of relevant national and international authorities.
Species considered for listing as Threatened and Declining Species and Habitats by OSPAR are evaluated using six criteria: Global importance, Regional importance, Keystone species, Rarity, Decline and Sensitivity.
In 2000, OSPAR identified the environmental impact of fisheries as one of the two most important issues for the future of the marine environment.
The OSPAR Commission is made up of representatives from the European Community and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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