Sharks at risk of extinction from overfishing, say scientists

The Guardian - 

Sharks risk being driven to extinction due to overfishing, with almost 100 million killed each year, scientists have warned.

Many species of shark need better protection to prevent their extinction within coming decades, researchers warned in advance of a global conference on the trade in threatened species.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) will consider greater protection of vulnerable sharks, including porbeagles, oceanic whitetip and three types of hammerhead to preserve their populations.

Sharks are caught for their fins for use in shark fin soup, a delicacy in Asia.

The fins are cut off with the dead carcass being thrown back into the sea.

Sharks grow slowly and take years to reproduce, which makes them vulnerable to overfishing.

The researchers estimated that global reported catches, unreported landings, discards and sharks caught and thrown back after their fins were cut off – a process known as finning – added up to 97 million fish caught in 2010.

Full article...

Posted via http://maritime-news.posterous.com Maritime-News posterous