> Backgrounder: Study targets shark extinction risk
Backgrounder: Study targets shark extinction risk
Contact:
Nick Dulvy, (currently in Britain but available for interviews) at 011-44-797-997-0371; ndulvy@gmail.com
Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 778.782.4323
For a PDF of the paper contact: Jennifer Beal, jbeal@wiley.com
Nick Dulvy, (currently in Britain but available for interviews) at 011-44-797-997-0371; ndulvy@gmail.com
Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 778.782.4323
For a PDF of the paper contact: Jennifer Beal, jbeal@wiley.com
May 22, 2008
Half of oceanic shark and ray species are at risk of extinction because of severe overfishing, according to an international study that is calling for new government safeguards.
Findings of the study by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist group are published in the latest edition of Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems and being released today (May 22).
The findings show that 16 of 21 species are caught in high seas fisheries and targeted for their valuable fins and meat to meet a growing demand in burgeoning Asia for shark fin soup.
Simon Fraser University biologist Nicholas Dulvy, the paper’s lead author, says the current rate of biodiversity loss is 10 to 100 times greater than historic extinction rates.
He says the findings are only a “first cut” and that estimates remain “conservative,” noting that some areas of the Indian Ocean and southern Atlantic Ocean haven’t been accounted for. Dulvy puts the loss of individual sharks and rays at between seven and eight million a year.
“We’ve suspected that these species have been in big trouble for awhile,” he says.
The study looked at data compiled at regional workshops around the world that would help decipher the link between catch rates and productivity of the species. Once brought together the information formed an alarming picture, says Dulvy.
In addition: “It takes a long time for these animals to become sexually mature and they produce few offspring, so recovery from overfishing is no easy task,” he notes.
Dulvy says fisheries managers and officials in all levels of government have an opportunity and obligation to reverse the rate of loss of biodiversity.
“With sufficient public support and resulting political will, we can turn the tide,” he says.
Among recommendations, researchers are calling for science-based catch limits for sharks and rays and want to see incidental by-catch minimized and monitoring of fisheries improved.
Findings of the study by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist group are published in the latest edition of Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems and being released today (May 22).
The findings show that 16 of 21 species are caught in high seas fisheries and targeted for their valuable fins and meat to meet a growing demand in burgeoning Asia for shark fin soup.
Simon Fraser University biologist Nicholas Dulvy, the paper’s lead author, says the current rate of biodiversity loss is 10 to 100 times greater than historic extinction rates.
He says the findings are only a “first cut” and that estimates remain “conservative,” noting that some areas of the Indian Ocean and southern Atlantic Ocean haven’t been accounted for. Dulvy puts the loss of individual sharks and rays at between seven and eight million a year.
“We’ve suspected that these species have been in big trouble for awhile,” he says.
The study looked at data compiled at regional workshops around the world that would help decipher the link between catch rates and productivity of the species. Once brought together the information formed an alarming picture, says Dulvy.
In addition: “It takes a long time for these animals to become sexually mature and they produce few offspring, so recovery from overfishing is no easy task,” he notes.
Dulvy says fisheries managers and officials in all levels of government have an opportunity and obligation to reverse the rate of loss of biodiversity.
“With sufficient public support and resulting political will, we can turn the tide,” he says.
Among recommendations, researchers are calling for science-based catch limits for sharks and rays and want to see incidental by-catch minimized and monitoring of fisheries improved.
- Dulvy comes to SFU (he arrived three months ago) from the Centre for Environment, Fishers and Aquaculture Science at the Lowestoft Laboratory in Lowestoft, UK.
- He has studied shark conservation since the 1980s and was involved in some of the first papers to focus on shark species biodiversity.
- At SFU, the associate professor will continue his research interest in measuring threats and changes in marine biodiversity – including the potential impact of climate change on ocean fisheries productivity.