Global Shark Conservation

Policy Statement: Recommendations to the 85th Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:35:00 GMT

The Pew Charitable Trusts calls on the Members and Cooperating Non-Members at the 85th Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, to take critical action on tuna management, shark protection, and compliance.

The World's Most Protected Shark

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:45:00 GMT

One species of shark made history today at the close of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission’s annual meeting of governments that share a practical and financial interest in fish stocks in the region. The oceanic whitetip, an open-ocean species with a distinctive white tip on its dorsal fin, became the most comprehensively protected shark on the planet.

Dispatches from Thailand: New Era for Global Shark Conservation Begins

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:35:00 GMT

Members of Pew's global shark conservation team traveled to Bangkok, Thailand in March for the 2013 meeting of delegates to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. In these dispatches, Elizabeth Wilson writes about the importance of the meeting and what success means for sharks around the world.

New Caledonia Bans Shark Fishing

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:10:00 GMT

(Agence France-Presse) The government of the Pacific paradise of New Caledonia said Wednesday it had decided to ban fishing of sharks, which are being decimated to feed growing demand for luxury goods.

New Caledonia Creates Shark Sanctuary

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:35:00 GMT

Josh Reichert, executive vice president of The Pew Charitable Trusts, issued the following statement today in response to New Caledonia’s announcement of comprehensive and permanent shark protections in its waters.

International Policy: Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:00:00 GMT

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission is a regional fisheries management organization responsible for the management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas.

Unprecedented Conservation Win for Sharks and Manta Rays at CITES

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:40:00 GMT

Five species of sharks and two species of manta rays will now be subject to international trade regulation under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, a move that could save these threatened species from total collapse.

Dispatch from Thailand: Tracking Shark Fins in the Marketplace

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:45:00 GMT

Members of Pew's global shark conservation teams have traveled to Bangkok, Thailand for the 2013 meeting of delegates to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. In this dispatch, Angelo Villagomez visits Bangkok's local fish market in the city's Chinatown.

The Year of the Shark: Every Vote Counts

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:20:00 GMT

Sharks and manta rays are some of our oceans most iconic animals, but their populations are in decline due to overfishing and unsustainable trade. At an important two-week meeting in Bangkok, March 3 to 14, 177 countries will have a chance to protect globally threatened shark and manta ray species.

Meet the Scientists: Busting the Myth that Shark Fins Can't Be Identified

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:30:00 GMT

Over the past several years, there has been a across a common argument against regulating threatened shark species in trade—that enforcement is impossible because agents can’t identify whether fins are from endangered or nonendangered species. Meet the scientists who have proved this wrong.

New Study Says 100 Million Sharks Killed Annually

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:00:00 GMT

According to scientific findings released today, the number of sharks killed each year in commercial fisheries is estimated at 100 million, with a range between 63 million and 273 million. The study also warn that the rate of fishing for shark species, many of which grow slowly and reproduce late in life, exceeds their ability to recover.

CITES 101: Pew Experts Discuss Protection for Sharks and Manta Rays

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:25:00 GMT

In the first installment, Lieberman explains which of the seven species advocates are seeking to protect at this year's conference and how the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) treaty works to protect more than 30,000 endangered species.

It's Time to Protect Sharks and Manta Rays

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:50:00 GMT

It's big business, it's big news, it's a big vote. Will 2013 be the "Year of the Shark" at CITES?

Threatened Sharks Return to the Safety of Bahamas Sanctuary

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:10:00 GMT

A new study on threatened oceanic whitetip sharks reveals that, although highly migratory, the species spends much of its time returning to the same locations. The research shows that conservation efforts such as shark sanctuaries are useful in protecting areas frequented by sharks.

Press Briefing: 177 Governments to Tackle International Trade of Sharks and Manta Rays at Upcoming Meeting in Bangkok

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:05:00 GMT

On Wednesday, Feb., 20, 2013, at 10 a.m. EST, The Pew Charitable Trusts and World Wildlife Fund hosted a media phone briefing on the shark and manta ray proposals for the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, taking place in Bangkok March 3 to 14.

Dispatches from Fiji

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:25:00 GMT

On a recent trip to Fiji, Pew's Angelo O'Connor Villagomez participated in a workshop to educate nonprofit leaders on the best ways to advocate for shark conservation and visited a school to discuss Shark Stanley. Learn more about his trip and view photos in this edition of Pew's Dispatches series.

Dispatch from Sri Lanka: Observing the Trade of Oceanic Whitetip Sharks in a Local Fish Market

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:30:00 GMT

The countdown to the next Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has begun. On a recent trip to Sri Lanka, Pew's KerriLynn Miller saw firsthand the need for the convention to protect shark and manta ray species.

Enforcing Laws of the World's Shark Sanctuaries

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:15:00 GMT

What does it take to successfully enforce the world's shark sanctuaries? A new video from Pew shows that sharks are safer and protections are working.

CITES 2013 B-Roll

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:30:00 GMT

The following b-roll is related to the 2013 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting.

CITES 2013: Manta Ray Gill Plate ID Guide

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:15:00 GMT

This guide is intended to help enforcement and customs personnel in the provisional identification of manta rays and manta gill plates

Governments Rally at United Nations to Protect Sharks Ahead of Global Wildlife Trade Meeting (CITES)

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:35:00 GMT

Five iconic species of sharks and all manta rays may be protected at this year's CITES meeting. Today, representatives from approximately 15 governments met in advance to discuss these proposals at a lunch hosted by the U.S, Germany and Honduras and supported by the Pew Environment Group.

CITES 2013: Year of the Shark, Media Guide

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:00:00 GMT

The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) will be held from March 3–14, 2013, in Bangkok, Thailand. CITES is widely recognized as one of the most effective and best-enforced international conservation agreements. It offers protection to more than 30,000 species around the globe and has been instrumental in preventing the extinction of numerous plants and animals.

CITES 2013: Fins at a Glance

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:20:00 GMT

Pew developed a guide to help users rapidly identify dried shark fins in international trade.

Improving Global Shark Conservation: The Need for Engagement by Both CITES and RFMOs

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:15:00 GMT

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) are both needed if efforts to properly manage and protect the world’s depleted shark populations are to succeed.

CITES 2013: Manta Rays

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT

The oceanic manta (Manta birostris) and the reef manta rays (M. alfredi) are among the ocean’s most charismatic wildlife.

CITES 2013: Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:25:00 GMT

The oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus) is an open-ocean species with a distinctive white tip on its dorsal fin.

CITES 2013: Porbeagle Shark

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:25:00 GMT

The large, warm-blooded porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus) is distributed throughout the temperate north Atlantic and southern hemisphere. Populations of the porbeagle have been severely depleted around the globe.

UN Advisory Panel Recommends Support for CITES Shark Proposals

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:10:00 GMT

An advisory panel of independent experts for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has publically endorsed proposals to regulate international trade of oceanic whitetip, 3 species of hammerhead, and porbeagle sharks under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

U.S. Names Illegal Fishing Countries, Now Must Act

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:30:00 GMT

To get a country to curtail illegal fishing, it appears, will take more than public shaming. A January 11th U.S. government report to Congress listed 10 countries whose vessels are known to engage in illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing on the high seas; five of the countries have made the list before.

CITES 2013: New Appendix III Shark Listings

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:40:00 GMT

The inclusion of a species in Appendix III of CITES allows a Party to the Convention to ask for help from other CITES Parties in documenting international trade for a species not listed in either Appendix I or II of the Convention.

CITES 2013: Introduction from the Sea

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:55:00 GMT

Issues surrounding the term “introduction from the sea” (IFS) urgently need to be resolved at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP16) in March 2013 in Bangkok, so countries will have a common understanding of what is required when CITES-listed species are taken on the high seas.

CITES 2013: Scalloped Hammerhead

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:25:00 GMT

The smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena) and great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) are listed as look-alike species in the scalloped hammerhead proposal.

Cook Islands Creates Sanctuary for Sharks

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:50:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group applauds the South Pacific country of Cook Islands for its decision to ban the possession, sale, and trade of shark products and end commercial shark fishing in more than 1.9 million square kilometers (756,000 square miles) of ocean.

Pew Applauds French Polynesia for Creating the World's Largest Shark Sanctuary

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:40:00 GMT

Josh Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to French Polynesia announcing comprehensive and permanent shark protections.

World's Largest Tuna Body Grants Protection for Whale Sharks, But Continues to Endorse Overfishing

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:20:00 GMT

The conservation outcomes from a week-long meeting in Manila, The Philippines were mixed as the 25 governments strengthened protection for whale sharks and took some action on illegal fishing, but failed to stop overfishing of bigeye tuna in the Pacific.

Estimating the Use of Drifting Fish Aggregation Devices Around the Globe

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:35:00 GMT

The term FAD stands for “fish aggregating device,” and generally refers to artificial structures that are deployed in the ocean to attract schools of fish.

Dispatch from the Cook Islands: Akono Te Mango (Protect Our Sharks)

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:20:00 GMT

In a dispatch from the Pew Environment Group, KerriLynn Miller shares stories from her recent trip to the Cook Islands.

Press Briefing: Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:20:00 GMT

On Tuesday, Nov. 27, the Pew Environment Group hosted a media phone briefing on the upcoming meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

The Philippines Must Lead on Management, Says Pew Environment Group, As Manila Prepares for Major Regional Fisheries Meeting

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:50:00 GMT

As members of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) prepare to meet in Manila from 2-6 December 2012, the Pew Environment Group is urging the Philippines to take the lead and push for greater controls on tuna fishing vessels.

ICCAT Follows Scientific Advice on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Makes Some Progress on Sharks, Efforts to Combat Illegal Fishing

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:35:00 GMT

At the conclusion of their week-long meeting in Agadir, 48 member governments of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas today adopted positive measures that will help conserve the iconic Atlantic bluefin tuna, and advance shark protection in the future. But they deferred meaningful action on other pressing matters.

International Policy: Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission 2012

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:55:00 GMT

With a regional tuna catch worth $5.5 billion, the challenge is how to balance wealth, opportunities, and investment with sustainability and a healthy ocean. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has a unique and important responsibility both for the world’s largest tuna fishery and for the sharks that inhabit the waters of the WCPFC convention area.

Policy Statement: Recommendations to the 9th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:25:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group calls on Members, Cooperating Non-members, and Participating Territories of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to take the following critical actions at the 9th Regular Session of the Commission.

American Samoa Ends Shark Fin Trade, Shark Fishing in Coastal Waters

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:10:00 GMT

American Samoa, a U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean, established a series of measures this week to protect sharks within its waters.

Press Briefing: International Meeting on Tuna, Sharks and Illegal Fishing

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:25:00 GMT

Experts from Pew provide an overview of the key issues relating to bluefin tuna, sharks and illegal fishing.

Dispatches from the Marshall Islands

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:30:00 GMT

Sharks have been a part of Marshall Islands folklore and culture for centuries, and people living among the atolls understand that these animals play an important role in ocean and island health.

One Year Later: The World's Largest Shark Sanctuary

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:40:00 GMT

The Marshall Islands is celebrating its first anniversary of being home to the world’s largest shark sanctuary.

Policy Statement: Better Management for all ICCAT Species

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:20:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group calls on members of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to take the following critical actions at the 18th Special Meeting of the Commission.

Dispatches from Micronesia: A Trip to Chuuk's Shark Island

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:15:00 GMT

Chuuk, one of four states that make up the Federated States of Micronesia, is a world-renowned scuba diving destination, boasting dozens of World War II-era shipwrecks. It is also known for its sharks, which are attracted to the marine life that has made a home among the sunken wrecks.

Governments Set to Tackle International Shark Trade

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 23:55:00 GMT

Seven species of vulnerable sharks and manta rays have now been submitted for consideration for protection next year under an international treaty concerned with regulating wildlife trade.

Animations: Sharks Rule the Reef

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 23:50:00 GMT

Sharks have roamed our oceans since before the time of dinosaurs, but their long reign at the top of the ocean food chain may be ending.

2013 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species - Year of the Shark

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:50:00 GMT

CITES—the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora—is widely recognized as one of the most effective and best-enforced international conservation agreements.

Pew Environment Group Infographics Collection

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:30:00 GMT

A collection of infographics created by the Pew Environment Group.

Largest Conservation Gathering Backs Decisive Action

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:10:00 GMT

In the final days of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Jeju, South Korea, several important motions were adopted for sharks, tuna, high seas biodiversity, and Canada’s boreal forest.

Small Island of Kosrae Joins Effort to Create Massive Shark Sanctuary

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Kosrae has become the first member of the Federated States of Micronesia to establish shark protections in its waters. The unanimous vote today by the legislature in Kosrae, a small island of 7,700 people in the Pacific, is an important step in creation of the world’s first regional shark sanctuary, which will encompass 2 million square miles in the ocean.

Pew Salutes Governor Tulafono of American Samoa on Shark Protections

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 20:25:00 GMT

Jill Hepp, director of global shark conservation for the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to American Samoa’s new Executive Order that calls for a ban on shark fishing within 3 miles of the surrounding ocean, as well as a ban on the trade, possession, sale, and distribution of shark parts, including fins.

IUCN World Conservation Congress 2012

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:35:00 GMT

Pew is attending this year's IUCN World Conservation Congress conference to highlight a number of conservation issues and ensure that some of the biggest marine and terrestrial conservation challenges facing the world today are adequately addressed.

How World Leaders are Saving Sharks

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:25:00 GMT

A new guide by the Pew Environment Group, “How World Leaders are Protecting Sharks,” highlights new laws and initiatives that help protect global shark populations around the world, including shark sanctuaries, shark fin trade bans, and regional agreements.

The Latest: Every Week is Shark Week

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:35:00 GMT

Read The Latest, Pew Environment Group's newsletter. This edition features an important step for Alaska, a look back at Rio+20, and one of the Ocean's last great wild areas.

Sharks. It's a Numbers Game.

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:35:00 GMT

This month, during the 25th anniversary of Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, people around the world are talking about the awe and beauty of sharks. But there’s something quite serious going on with these top predators that people may not know: They are disappearing from our oceans, and fast.

Shark Week Premiere: Shark Fight

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:00:00 GMT

As part of Discovery's Shark Week, meet the shark attack survivors and hear their stories of resilience and triumph as they fight what they consider the ultimate battle: saving sharks and our oceans.

Every Week is Shark Week

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:40:00 GMT

For 25 years, “Shark Week” has offered television viewers a unique look into the world of sharks, the ocean’s apex predators. But at the Pew Environment Group, “Shark Week” is every week.

Shark Week at 25: Discovery Seeks to Keep Fest Relevant, Builds Conservation Ties

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:15:00 GMT

(Washington Post) On Sunday night, millions of viewers across the country will tune in to what has become an annual ritual of summer television, a combination of fear and morbid fascination: Discovery Channel’s Shark Week.

Threatened Shark Species Turning Up in US Restaurants

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:05:00 GMT

(AFP) Threatened shark species are being used to make shark fin soup, a delicacy in Chinese cuisine, in several US cities, according to an unprecedented study based on DNA testing.

Attack Survivors Aim to Save Sharks with US Soup Study

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:00:00 GMT

(Reuters) Survivors of shark attacks - now trying to save the animals that took their limbs and, in some cases, nearly their lives - want U.S. restaurant-goers to know they may be eating a threatened species in their shark fin soup.

New DNA Study Reveals Fins of Endangered Shark in U.S. Soups

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:55:00 GMT

Americans who eat shark fin soup—an Asian delicacy costing up to $100 per bowl in the United States—might be unknowingly consuming an endangered species, according to an unprecedented scientific analysis by Stony Brook University, the Field Museum in Chicago and with support from the Pew Environment Group.

Shark-Attack Survivors Band Together to Save Sharks

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:10:00 GMT

(TIME) Debbie Salamone makes an unlikely spokesperson for sharks. In 2004, Salamone, then an investigative journalist for the Orlando Sentinel, was swimming off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Fla., when a shark bit her foot. It took her weeks to recover and months for the wound to fully heal, but in the years since the attack she’s become sharks’ ultimate champion, rallying dozens of fellow survivors in an effort to save the threatened predators.

Progress Made: The Pew Environment Group Celebrates Recent Conservation Victories

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:55:00 GMT

It’s been a busy few months for the Pew Environment Group, with our campaigns racking up important victories all over the globe. Our teams were active in securing new protections for little fish in the United States, sharks in Venezuela, huge tracts of land in Canada, and vast swaths of the Australian ocean.

On a Mission to Save Sharks

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:35:00 GMT

It was one year ago this month that KerriLynn Miller, an associate with the Pew Environment Group’s global shark conservation campaign, received the news that the government of The Bahamas had created a shark sanctuary in its waters. Looking back, Miller talks about this rewarding experience.

Attack Survivors Unite to Save Sharks

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:20:00 GMT

Shark attack survivors from around the globe have joined together to help the Pew Environment Group’s work to conserve and revive the world’s dwindling shark populations. Despite terrifying attacks and devastating injuries, the survivors recognize that the predators are in peril, a dilemma that puts the ocean and all its marine life at great risk.

COFI 30 Builds on Rio+20 Momentum

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:50:00 GMT

Participants in the 30th session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI 30) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which took place one month after the U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), noted that Rio’s momentum could be used to address pressing ocean issues such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, management of shark fisheries, and sustainability of small-scale fisheries.

Sharks on a Collision Course

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:05:00 GMT

A new analysis, “Navigating Global Shark Conservation: Current Measures and Gaps,” the first global compendium of shark conservation and management measures, notes that although 55 percent of sharks that have enough data available to assess them (150 species) are threatened or near threatened with extinction, current shark management is woefully inadequate.

Navigating Global Shark Conservation Measures: Current Measures and Gaps

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:05:00 GMT

A new analysis by the Pew Environment Group, Navigating Global Shark Conservation Measures: Current Measures and Gaps, compiles existing management measures for sharks, highlights their inadequacies, and makes recommendations for improvements.

An Open Letter to NOAA Regarding the 2012 Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:30:00 GMT

In an open letter to Dr. Jane Lubchenco of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Pew Environment Group writes to express concern regarding the lack of meaningful outcomes at the recent Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission meeting.

Failed! One Out of Ten for Sustainability as Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Concludes

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:10:00 GMT

Last week’s meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) which manages tuna fisheries across twenty percent of the world’s total ocean area in the Eastern Pacific Ocean was a step backwards for conservation, ignored science and failed endangered species, according to the Pew Environment Group.

After Rio+20, What Now for the Upcoming UN Fisheries Meeting?

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 15:40:00 GMT

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Committee on Fisheries will hold its 30th annual meeting 9-13 July, 2012 in Rome. The Committee on Fisheries (COFI) works to secure sustainable conservation and management of the world’s fisheries.

A Tuna Empire at Risk

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:30:00 GMT

The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission faces tough issues to ensure legal and sustainable fishing in a vast area of the Pacific Ocean.

Venezuela Ends Shark Finning, Creates Protected Area

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:10:00 GMT

Venezuela set forth a series of measures this week to protect sharks within its waters. Most significantly, commercial shark fishing is now prohibited throughout the 2,211 square kilometers (854 square miles) of the Caribbean Sea that make up the popular Los Roques Archipelago, whose pristine beaches and coral reefs make it a diving and fishing attraction.

Sanctuary: Last Stand for Sharks in Micronesia

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:30:00 GMT

On Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23 in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, the Pew Environment Group will host public screenings of Sanctuary: The Last Stand for Sharks in Micronesia, a new documentary that portrays the underwater world of sharks and the global threat they face today.

Hammerhead Sharks

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:50:00 GMT

The scalloped hammerhead shark, one of the most distinctive creatures on the planet, is subject to targeted fisheries, illegal fishing, and fishery bycatch throughout the world.

Australia to Create World's Largest Marine Reserves

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:45:00 GMT

(USA Today) The Australian government says it will create the world's largest network of marine reserves, which will cover more than 1.1 million square miles of ocean.

Silky Shark

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT

Silky sharks can be found in oceanic and coastal areas in tropical waters around the globe. They are both targeted and caught as bycatch and are often associated with fish aggregating devices (FADs). Fishing pressure from longline and purse seines targeting tuna and swordfish is high for this species, especially in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Silky shark fins are relatively high-valued and are the third most commonly traded species in the fin trade.

Banning Wire Leaders: A Practical Solution for Reducing Shark Bycatch in Pelagic Longlines

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Longlines are used to target and catch swordfish, tuna and other valuable fish. But they also catch many other species, including sharks, which are often thrown back in the water dead or dying.

Video: Cartoonist Jim Toomey on Sharks and Ocean Health

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Jim Toomey, renowned ocean life cartoonist, says there’s a lot we can learn from Sherman the shark.

Honduran Authorities Burn Confiscated Shark Fins

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:30:00 GMT

One year after President Porfirio Lobo Sosa created a permanent shark sanctuary in Honduran waters, he joined the country’s top law enforcement officials today to watch the burning of hundreds of illegal shark fins.

Pew Applauds New EU International Trade Protection for Porbeagle Shark

Thu, 31 May 2012 18:00:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group today applauded the European Union for its action to protect the porbeagle shark—which is critically endangered in parts of the North Atlantic—from being killed for its fins and meat.

International Policy: Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) 2013 Annual Meeting

Thu, 31 May 2012 15:49:23 GMT

As the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, or IATTC convenes for its 85th annual meeting in Veracruz, Mexico in June, the Pew Charitable Trusts is urging this body to ensure that tuna and shark fishing within its area is legal and sustainable.

Pew Applauds Action by Honduras and Costa Rica to Protect Hammerhead Sharks

Wed, 09 May 2012 23:05:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group praised the governments of Honduras and Costa Rica today for taking the initiative to propose a CITES Appendix II listing for scalloped hammerhead sharks.

Honduran Authorities Burn Confiscated Shark Fins: Press Photos and B-Roll

Tue, 01 May 2012 23:05:00 GMT

The following photos are available for media use with related content ONLY.

The Shark Attack That Changed My Life

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:00:00 GMT

(The World) In the instant the shark’s jaws clenched around my ankle, my life changed forever.

Sharks Count!

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:40:00 GMT

Sharks have roamed our oceans since before the time of dinosaurs, but today they are in trouble. View our infographic to learn more about why we must protect these magnificent species.

Infographic: Sharks Count!

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Sharks have roamed our oceans since before the time of dinosaurs, but today, they are in trouble. View our infographic to learn more about why we must protect these magnificent species.

Shark-Dive Tourism in Fiji Worth US$42.2 Million a Year

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:50:00 GMT

A new analysis by the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the University of Western Australia concluded that in 2010, shark-related diving contributed $42.2 million ($73 million Fijian) to the economy of Fiji. Shark-diving operations generated $4 million that year for Fijian communities through salaries and local levies.

The Socio-Economic Value of the Shark-Diving Industry in Fiji

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:50:00 GMT

A study by the Australian Institute of Marine Science concludes that sharks are worth far more alive and swimming. In Fiji, shark-diving contributes US$42.2 million to the economy.

Phone Briefing: Shark-Dive Tourism Worth Millions in Fiji

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:20:00 GMT

On Thursday, April 19, the Pew Environment Group, Australian Institute of Marine Science, the University of Western Australia and the Coral Reef Alliance will host a media phone briefing about a new report that points to shark-dive tourism as a multi-million dollar industry and major economic driver in Fiji.

Expectation Guam Meeting will Protect Sharks

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:00:00 GMT

(Radio Australia) As well as the battle to protect Tuna stocks the 24-nation Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, meeting in Guam has been hearing pleas to protect sharks, especially the highly endangered white tip shark and whale shark.

Talks at Meeting for World's Largest Tuna Fishery Collapse

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:20:00 GMT

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), a regional fisheries management organization that brings together Pacific island, Asian, U.S., European Union, and other foreign fishers, ended March 30 in Guam with a failure to end overfishing of a major tuna species.

Tuna Conservation Talks in Guam Collapse

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:15:00 GMT

(Radio Australia) The negotiations between Pacific Islands nations and the United States, Europe, China, Japan and others - failed to find common ground on many issues.

Shark Kills Diver Off Southwest Australia

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:20:00 GMT

(Washington Post) A diver was killed by a 13-foot shark Saturday off a beach in southwestern Australia, in the region’s fourth shark-related fatality since September, according to authorities.

Call for Asia Pacific Tuna Nations to Save the Sharks

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:20:00 GMT

(Radio Australia) Environment organisations are calling on nations of the Western Pacific to take action a major tuna conservation meeting in Guam this week to protect sharks.

VIDEO: 8th Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Tasked with Tuna Conservation

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:35:00 GMT

(Guam News) Delegates from 25 member governments are on Guam for the 8th regular meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

Crossroads for the World's Biggest Tuna Fishery

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:55:00 GMT

Decisions affecting the world’s largest tuna fishery, its biggest fish, and the economies of some of the smallest countries will be made when representatives of more than 25 governments gather for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission annual meeting from March 26-30.

International Conservation Organization Congratulates Guam on Shark Leadership

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:45:00 GMT

During the 17th Micronesian Chief Executives Summit, held in the village of Tamuning this week, representatives from the Pew Environment Group congratulated Guam leaders on the one-year anniversary of the signing of Public Law 31-10, which prohibits the possession, sale, and trade of shark fins, rays, and ray parts.

Marshalls Fine Japanese Ship in Shark Fin Ban

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:15:00 GMT

(AFP) The Marshall Islands has fined a Japanese-operated fishing vessel $125,000 for violating a ban on shark fishing, officials said, in the first levy of its kind in the territory's waters.

Guide to Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RMFOs)

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:55:00 GMT

Regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) are international bodies made up of countries that share a practical and/or financial interest in managing and conserving fish stocks in a particular region.

FAQ: What is a Regional Fishery Management Organization?

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:25:00 GMT

An RFMO—short for regional fisheries management organization—is an international body made up of countries that share a practical and/or financial interest in managing and conserving fish stocks in a particular region.

Pew Statement on Proposed New York Shark Fin Ban

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:25:00 GMT

Elizabeth Wilson, manager of the Pew Environment Group’s global shark conservation campaign, issued the following statement on today’s introduction of a bill in the New York State Assembly that would prohibit the possession, sale, offering for sale, or distribution of shark fins.

Identifying Shark Fins: Oceanic Whitetip, Porbeagle, and Hammerheads

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:40:00 GMT

Pew’s global shark conservation campaign developed this guide to help users rapidly identify dried shark fins found in fishing ports, sold by seafood dealers, or traded across international boundaries.

Oceanic Whitetip Sharks

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:25:00 GMT

Oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus) were once extremely common and ranked as one of the three most abundant species of both oceanic sharks and large marine animals. However, due to intensive fishing the species is now listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

Whale Sharks

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:20:00 GMT

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are highly vulnerable to fishing pressure because they are found in low abundance, are highly migratory, and are thought to reach reproductive maturity late in life.

Measure Up For Sustainability

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:25:00 GMT

The WCPFC aims to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), an area covering 20 percent of the Earth’s surface and containing the world’s largest tuna fishery.

Sharks Win Big in 2011

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:50:00 GMT

2011 was a banner year for shark conservation. In just 12 months, leaders from various nations banded together to make protection of these essential creatures a priority.

Overfishing 101: Postcard from Pendik

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:55:00 GMT

ICCAT is the international body that manages tuna fisheries across a quarter of the ocean’s surface, including the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

Tuna Fishing Countries Vow to Protect Shark

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:20:00 GMT

(Agence France-Presse) Countries involved in bluefin tuna fishing have decided to do more to protect a species of shark against collateral killing, environmental groups said Saturday.

Conservation Body Agrees to Protect Silky Sharks

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:00:00 GMT

(Associated Press) Delegates at an international conservation meeting agreed Saturday on a measure mandating that silky sharks accidentally caught in fishing gear be released back into the sea alive, marine advocacy groups said.

Protection Boosted for Tuna, Sharks and Swordfish

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:55:00 GMT

(BBC) Measures to prevent illicit fishing of Mediterranean bluefin tuna have been strengthened at the annual meeting of governments involved in the industry.

ICCAT: Progress, Yes. Success, No.

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:15:00 GMT

Governments at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have adopted several important provisions that will conserve threatened fish species—such as bluefin tuna and silky sharks, but failed to act on several pressing matters. ICCAT is the international body that manages tuna fisheries across a quarter of the ocean’s surface, including the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

Video: The Push for Shark-Saving Measures

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:55:00 GMT

(CNN International) Matt Rand of Pew's global shark conservation campaign discusses how sharks are falling prey to modern fishing technologies.

Protect the Ocean’s Gentle Giants

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:30:00 GMT

Take action! Urge the U.S. delegation to the WCPFC to support measures that prohibit intentional fishing around whale sharks and protect this gentle giant of the sea.

Coastal Countries Step Up for Sharks

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:55:00 GMT

(Huffington Post) Sharks have roamed the seas for more than 400 million years, but today many species are being hunted to extinction. Now, some unlikely allies have emerged for the ocean's top predators -- several of the world's smallest countries have generated a wave of conservation measures. In 2008, there was no such thing as a shark sanctuary. These days, it's a different story.

Group Calls on Tuna Fisheries for Better Shark Protection

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:45:00 GMT

(AFP) Countries involved in bluefin tuna fishing need to do more to protect the collateral killing of sharks, an environmental group said Tuesday.

Alternative Fishing Gear Can Reduce Shark Mortality

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:45:00 GMT

A new global scientific review shows that simple changes in fishing gear could significantly reduce the large number of sharks unintentionally caught in the world’s oceans. The paper, “Fisheries Bycatch of Sharks: Options for Mitigation,” released today by the Pew Environment Group, outlines practical options for reducing shark injury and death from commercial fishing, a leading cause of shark population decline.

Fisheries Bycatch of Sharks: Options for Mitigation

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:35:00 GMT

Bycatch is one of the most significant issues in the management and conservation of global fisheries and has been identified as one of the leading causes of shark population declines. This review discusses current scientific research on shark bycatch and available management options and technical measures aimed at reducing it.

ICCAT: Time to Tackle What's Really in the Net

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:25:00 GMT

What’s in a name? If you’re talking about ICCAT—the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas—so much is contained in that one acronym. This body manages all the tuna and tuna-like species found in the vast ocean waters between the United States and Europe and between South America and Africa.

Fiji’s Endangered Sharks Top Fin Trade

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:30:00 GMT

(Fiji Times) Sharks that lure tourists back to our waters in a multi-million-dollar industry are seeing red.

Shortfin Mako Sharks

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Globally, the shortfin mako is assessed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ecological risk assessment of pelagic sharks caught in Atlantic longline fisheries, found shortfin makos, along with bigeye threshers, to be the most vulnerable to overexploitation.

Porbeagle Sharks

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:20:00 GMT

Low reproductive capacity and high commercial value make porbeagle sharks vulnerable to overexploitation and population depletion. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the porbeagle is Vulnerable globally, Endangered in the Northwest Atlantic, and Critically Endangered in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.

Shark Conservation is Gaining Momentum - But Are We Doing Enough?

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:40:23 GMT

Scientists and law-makers across the world are prioritising the protection of sharks, but critics say the measures don't work.

New Photos Reveal Taiwan Shark Fishing

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:22:28 GMT

(AFP) A US-based environmental group on Wednesday expressed concern over new photos that seem to show the killing of large numbers of "biologically vulnerable" sharks by fishermen in Taiwan.

Video: Shark Hope

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:45:00 GMT

As part of our community-based conservation efforts in Fiji, CORAL's field staff and shark sanctuary campaign partners worked with a local production company to produce "Shark Hope."

Editorial: The Shark Fight

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:15:00 GMT

(The Fiji Times) Time may not be on the side of the sharks. But as numbers dwindle to worrying figures, this evening will see the launch of an awareness campaign to save them. The event, which will be attended by the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, is set for Village 6 cinemas in Suva.

Hope in the Deep

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:10:00 GMT

(The Fiji Times) The Ministry of Primary Industries' Department of Fisheries and Forests will forward a proposal, which is being drafted, to Cabinet soon for legislation to ban the commercial fishing and trade of sharks and their parts, including fins.

Shark Conservation in Fiji

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:15:00 GMT

At least 75 shark and ray species inhabit the waters of the Fiji islands. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, 66 percent of these species are globally threatened or near threatened. Pew is working with the Coral Reef Alliance and other stakeholders to establish a shark sanctuary here.

New Photos Highlight Global Extent of Shark Fin Trade

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:55:00 GMT

Ten months after releasing a landmark report revealing the planet’s top 20 shark-fishing catchers, the Pew Environment Group is expressing concern about new images and video taken in Taiwan that detail the expansive and unregulated nature of shark fishing globally.

Hub of the Fin

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:50:00 GMT

(The Fiji Times) With the high commercial demand for shark products, tax incentives is also said to be among the major factors strengthening shark trading in Fiji.

Make the Push to Protect Europe's Sharks

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:00:00 GMT

With a week of activities around Europe, the Shark Alliance and European citizens call on EU fisheries ministers to protect sharks from overexploitation and finning.

Video: The Push to Stop Shark Hunting

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:05:00 GMT

(CNN) In a new interview, special environmental correspondent Philippe Cousteau discusses the growing movement to protect sharks around the globe.

Editorial: A Growing Movement to Protect Sharks

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:30:00 GMT

(New York Times) “Jaws,” an ode to humans’ fear of the sea, is still a cultural icon. Yet, slowly but surely, cultural attitudes toward sharks are changing, and changing thanks to a genuinely ecological view of their role in the ocean.

Vast Shark Sanctuary Created in Pacific

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:00:00 GMT

(BBC) The Marshall Islands government has created the world's largest shark sanctuary, covering nearly two million sq km (750,000 sq miles) of ocean.

World's Largest Shark Sanctuary Declared in Central Pacific

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:20:00 GMT

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is now home to the world’s largest shark sanctuary. The Nitijela, the Marshallese parliament, unanimously passed legislation this week that ends commercial fishing of sharks in all 1,990,530 square kilometers (768,547 square miles) of the central Pacific country’s waters, an ocean area four times the landmass of California.

Jaws Meets Sharkman

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:30:00 GMT

(The Fiji Times) When Manoa Rasigatale became the face of shark conservation this year, he had never met a shark.

Palau and Marshall Islands Join Fight for Shark Protection

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:35:00 GMT

(Radio Australia) Jill Hepp, manager of Global Shark Conservation for the Pew Environment Group, is interviewed about new commitments to shark protection from Palau and the Marshall Islands.

Leaders Launch New Shark Conservation Effort Gallery

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:25:00 GMT

Leaders from eight countries launched an initiative today to prevent the extinction of sharks, symbolizing the latest development in the growing movement to safeguard the ocean’s top predator. Members of the coalition committed to a declaration supporting the development of sanctuaries that end commercial shark fishing in their national waters.

Mexico Will Ban Shark Fishing as Global Sanctuary Movement Grows

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:20:00 GMT

(New York Times) Mexico announced here plans yesterday to ban shark and stingray fishing starting next year, creating what would be the largest initiative by one nation to protect shark species.

Leaders Launch New Shark Conservation Effort

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT

Leaders from eight countries launched an initiative today to prevent the extinction of sharks, symbolizing the latest development in the growing movement to safeguard the ocean’s top predator.

The Latest News From 'Sherman's Lagoon'

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:00:00 GMT

In Jim Toomey’s nationally syndicated comic strip, Sherman’s Lagoon, a shark named Sherman and his coral reef friends battle try to keep civilization from taking over their paradise, and, on many occasions, talk about the humans that they often must face close-up.

Testimony for the Marshall Islands Public Hearing on Shark Protections

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:45:00 GMT

Matt Rand, director of the Pew Environment Group's Global Shark Conservation campaign, provided testimony for a public hearing on sharks protection led by the Marshall Islands Senate Committee on Resources and Development.

Tokelau Declares Shark Sanctuary

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 07:30:00 GMT

Matt Rand, director of Global Shark Conservation for the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to the shark sanctuary designation made by Tokelau, an island territory in the South Pacific.

The Angry Fisherman Who Turned Into a Shark

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:25:00 GMT

(The Fiji Times) Very few people in Fiji know that sharks are moving towards extinction.

Safe By My Brothers

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:15:00 GMT

(The Fiji Times) The overfishing of sharks for their fins, meat and by-products has driven their population down in most parts of the world.

Chile Ends Shark Finning

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:55:00 GMT

Chile's expansive Pacific coastline became the newest no-shark-finning zone today as the global trend toward saving the ocean's top predators advances.

Chile Bans Shark Finning

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:50:00 GMT

This new law requires that fishermen who catch sharks, intentionally or as by-catch, must land them with their fins naturally attached. Up to 73 million sharks are killed every year around the globe primarily for their fins, which are most often consumed in Asia in shark fin soup. This unsustainable trade is fueled by shark finning, the wasteful act of slicing off the fins and discarding the body at sea.

Pew Salutes Chilean Ban on Shark Finning

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:10:00 GMT

Matt Rand, director of global shark conservation for the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to Chilean President Sebastián Piñera’s signing of Chile’s ban on shark finning.

Fighting Decline, Micronesia Creates Shark Sanctuary

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:45:00 GMT

(NPR Weekend Edition Sunday) Micronesian islands have declared vast areas of the Pacific Ocean to be a sanctuary for sharks. It's the latest move in a trend to create zones where sharks can live undisturbed.

Fear with Fins: It's Sharks that Should be Afraid of People

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:55:00 GMT

(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) It's summer time, and the living is easy, with many vacationers heading for the coast. But once there, the bravest of people find that swimming is uneasy, thanks to the fear that their worst nightmare may be lurking nearby.

This Summer of the Shark, It's All About Saving Them

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:00:00 GMT

(Washington Post) Ten years ago, it seemed as if the nation was living a real-life version of “Jaws,” in which every beach harbored a potential threat. It started on July 6, when 8-year-old Jessie Arbogast had his arm bitten off by a bull shark off Pensacola, Fla. The incident was both horrifying and dramatic: Arbogast’s uncle pulled the shark to shore, allowing emergency medical personnel to get the boy’s arm out of the animal’s throat so it could later be reattached. Less than a month later, 36-year-old Krishna Thompson, a New Yorker, lost a leg to a shark in the Bahamas.

Pacific Islands Band Together on a Shark Sanctuary

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:50:00 GMT

(New York Times) As Americans tune in to TV programs like “Top 5 Eaten Alive” and “Jaws Comes Home” as part of Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, leaders in the western Pacific have taken a big step toward nurturing the predator: deciding jointly to create the largest shark sanctuary in the world.

The Truth About Sharks

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:00:00 GMT

Sharks are once again mesmerizing millions of viewers as part of Shark Week. But in reality, the tables are turned, and it's sharks that are struggling to survive.

Shark Week Conservation Roundup

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:15:00 GMT

It may have begun as summer filler programming, but the Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" has endured the test of time as it enters its 24th year. In fact, the event has become such a phenomenon that it has drawn more than 20 million viewers each year since 1995. Unfortunately, these apex predators are increasingly scarce across the world's oceans due in large part to finning and the appetite for shark fin soup.

Shark Sanctuaries: Does the Ocean's Greatest Predator Need to be Protected?

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:50:00 GMT

(Washington Post) When I tell people that I’ve published a new book — “Demon Fish” — people have one of two reactions. They’re either completely freaked out, or they think I can save them from being eaten alive when they venture into the water.

Pew Applauds Pacific Island Leaders' Call for Regional Shark Sanctuary

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:20:00 GMT

An area covering over two million square miles of the western Pacific Ocean, two-thirds of the land area of the United States, is slated to become the world’s largest shark sanctuary and the first one ever created through a regional agreement among governments.

Turning the Tables: Attack Survivors Help Sharks

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:05:00 GMT

Summer is anniversary time for many shark attack survivors. This time of year, they mark the terrifying moments of struggle in the jaws of the ocean’s top predator.

Editorial: A Place for the Shark

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:50:00 GMT

(The Fiji Times) A drastic reduction in the number of sharks could cause unpredictable and irreversible damage to the ocean and to economic activities, such as tourism, that benefit from healthy marine habitats.

Hunters Become the Hunted

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT

(The Fiji Times) It estimated in a study of the Hong Kong shark fin market that humans kill up to 73 million sharks each year simply to supply the fin trade.

Save the Guardian of the Sea

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:25:00 GMT

(The Fiji Times) The loss of sharks could cause unpredictable and irreversible damage to the ocean and to economic activities, such as tourism, that benefits from healthy marine habitats.

Shark Conservation in Action

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:50:00 GMT

The Global Shark Conservation campaign team helped to organize a bill signing event in Honduras to commemorate the importance of shark protection.

Honduras Declares Shark Sanctuary

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:50:00 GMT

On June 24, the Global Shark Conservation campaign was in Honduras to witness history being made as President Porfirio Lobo Sosa announced the creation of the first permanent shark sanctuary in the Americas.

Sharkonomics: Why Shark Sanctuaries Make Sense

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:40:00 GMT

In special commentary for DiscoveryNews, Pew's Debbie Salamone discusses the importance of shark sanctuaries to the species and to a country's economy.

Shark Species Gains First Regional Protection in Eastern Pacific Ocean

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:40:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group applauds a decision reached on the final day of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) meeting to protect oceanic whitetips, the first shark species accorded such consideration at the regional level in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

International Policy: Kobe III

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:00:00 GMT

From July 12 – 14 in La Jolla, California, all five tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) will gather to discuss coordinated management efforts for fishing of tuna, tuna-like species and other species affected by tuna fishing.

Why is This Great White Shark Smiling?

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 20:10:00 GMT

(Reuters Environment Forum Blog) For this Great White Shark, it’s even better now in the Bahamas. The long-running tourist slogan has a new meaning for all 40 of the shark species around the Caribbean island chain after the Bahamian government banned all commercial shark fishing in the approximately 243,244 square miles (630,000 square kilometers) of the country’s waters.

Bahamas Bans Shark Fishing

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 20:05:00 GMT

(The New York Times Green Blog) The Bahamas on Tuesday joined the growing global movement to protect sharks, betting that the endangered animals are worth more to visiting divers than they are to fishermen.

Bahamas Government Bans Commercial Shark Fishing

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 18:20:00 GMT

(Associated Press) The Bahamas banned commercial fishing of sharks Tuesday, awarding protection to the more than 40 species circling the island chain that touts itself as the shark diving capital of the world.

Bahamas Bans Commercial Shark Fishing

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:40:00 GMT

(The Washington Post) The Bahamas announced Tuesday morning it would end all commercial shark fishing in its waters, an area that encompasses more than 240,000 square miles.

Press Briefing Audio Recording: Bahamas Announces Shark Sanctuary

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:50:00 GMT

Listen to a recording of the July 5 press briefing on The Bahamas' announcement that all commercial shark fishing in the approximately 630,000 square kilometers (243,244 square miles) of the country’s waters is now prohibited.

Bahamas Acts to Protect Sharks

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:45:00 GMT

Sharks in The Bahamas can breathe more easily after the nation’s government announced today that all commercial shark fishing in the approximately 630,000 square kilometers (243,244 square miles) of the country’s waters is now prohibited.

Legislation to Protect Sharks in the Bahamas

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:10:00 GMT

(The Tribune) Sharks will be afforded protection in Bahamian waters thanks to new legislation under review by the Attorney General's Office, Minister of the Environment Earl Deveaux announced yesterday.

Sharks Caught in the Jaws of Tuna Fisheries

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:35:00 GMT

Governments will soon have a chance to help conserve populations of oceanic whitetip sharks, which have declined so much in the eastern Pacific that catch numbers have been reduced to almost zero.

Sharkonomics

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:00:00 GMT

You have probably not given a moment's thought to how ideological leanings affect the creatures that have swum in our oceans for nearly 400 million years. But it turns out that the transition between economic systems—from barter economies and feudal ones, to communism and capitalism—have had profound impacts on great whites, whale sharks, and a host of other sharks.

Shark Conservation at IATTC

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:00:00 GMT

The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) will hold its 82nd annual meeting in La Jolla, California from July 4-8, 2011. The IATTC is one of five Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) established to manage fishing of tuna and tuna-like species including sharks. Read more about shark conservation at IATTC.

Honduras: The First Shark Sanctuary in the Americas

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:20:00 GMT

On June 24, 2011, Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa declared the creation of a permanent shark sanctuary encompassing all of the country's Pacific and Caribbean waters. This meant that 240,000 square kilometers (92,665 miles) of water were placed off limits to commercial shark fishing.

Honduran President Lobo Sosa Announces Permanent Shark Sanctuary

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa announced a permanent shark sanctuary in Honduran waters today, building on the country’s 2010 shark-fishing moratorium. The designation encompasses all 240,000 square kilometres (92,665 square miles) of the country’s exclusive economic zone on its Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

Honduras Creates a Shark Sanctuary

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:45:00 GMT

(New York Times) In a sign that the global movement to protect sharks is picking up steam, Honduras is declaring its waters to be a permanent sanctuary for the fish.

Pew Commends Chilean Chamber of Deputies on Vote to End Shark Finning

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:30:00 GMT

Today, the Chilean Chamber of Deputies unanimously passed legislation that bans the practice of shark finning in Chilean waters. The Senate must approve the current version of this bill before it moves to President Sebastián Piñera for his signature.

Pacific Island Countries Step Up Shark Conservation Efforts

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:00:00 GMT

The Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL) issued a resolution last week stressing the need for additional actions to protect sharks.

Protecting the Sharks of the Bahamas

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:15:00 GMT

Sharks are in trouble globally, and there are few locations where healthy shark populations still exist. In The Bahamas, a 20-year-old ban on longline fishing gear has left its waters as one of the few places in the world with relatively healthy shark populations.

Biting Into Demon Fish: A Chat with Juliet Eilperin

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:30:00 GMT

(NPR) Next week, Juliet Eilperin's Demon Fish: Travels Through the Hidden World of Sharks hits shelves, and it is poised to be one of the summer's most compelling beach reads — and not only because it will make you aware that mere feet away from you, there are likely hundreds of hungry, carnivorous fish lurking in the water.

Success Story: The Shark Conservation Act

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:55:00 GMT

(The Huffington Post) After a long battle, early this year President Obama signed the Shark Conservation Act into law. This legislation closes loopholes in existing shark conservation law, and directs the U.S. to lead shark conservation efforts internationally.

Shark Guardians See Momentum to Save Top Predator

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:15:00 GMT

(AFP) Shark defenders hope to capitalize on a series of victories in their fight against the lucrative fin trade, releasing a report Monday calling for sanctuaries to save the world's oldest predator.

Distaste Widening for Shark's Fin Soup

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:15:00 GMT

(Washington Post) Coral Seafood Restaurant owner Norman Ho’s problem with shark’s fin soup is not that he’s worried about sharks. It’s that making a flavorful soup out of the tasteless fins is an elaborate, costly process.

Sharks in Trouble: Hunters Become the Hunted

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Up to 73 million sharks are killed every year, primarily for their fins, which end in shark-fin soup, an Asian delicacy. Shark finning—in which the fins are sliced off and the body is often discarded at sea—makes it possible for vast quantities of fins to be brought to port in one fishing trip. This practice has decimated shark populations in many parts of the world.

Integrating Science and Policy: How Scientists Can Help CITES Advance Marine Conservation

Fri, 13 May 2011 19:50:00 GMT

Sue Lieberman, Pew's director of international policy, shares how CITES works and how it could help ocean conservation efforts.

New Shark Tourism Study May Have Implications For All Shark Infested Waters

Fri, 06 May 2011 15:00:00 GMT

(Maui Now) According to a new study, shark tourism is worth $18 million annually to the Pacific Island nation of Palau. Additionally, a single reef shark can contribute almost $2 million in its lifetime to the economy of Palau.

Innocent Bystanders: Bycatch

Wed, 04 May 2011 18:05:00 GMT

A gallery of images showing bycatch caught by longline fishing, nets and other fishing equipment.

Putting a Price on Sharks

Tue, 03 May 2011 12:30:00 GMT

(The New York Times Green Blog) Reef sharks, as I noted in an article on Monday about a new study, are worth more in the water than when sold for their fins and meat, at least in some cases.

Million-Dollar Reef Sharks

Mon, 02 May 2011 21:15:00 GMT

A new study by the Australian Institute of Marine Science concludes that sharks are worth far more alive and swimming. In Palau, the Pacific Island nation that declared its waters a sanctuary free of shark fishing, sharks provide a lynchpin for the tourism industry.

Priced Off the Menu? Palau's Sharks Are Worth $1.9 Million Each, a Study Says

Mon, 02 May 2011 10:15:00 GMT

(New York Times) Sharks can be worth far more when they are swimming around the reef than when they are in a bowl of soup — as much as nearly $2 million each, in fact, according to the results of a study released Monday.

Million-Dollar Reef Sharks

Mon, 02 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT

'Million-Dollar Sharks' an Economic Driver for Palau

Mon, 02 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT

A single reef shark can contribute almost US$2 million in its lifetime to the economy of Palau, according to a new study by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the University of Western Australia. The analysis quantified the economic benefits of the shark-diving industry to the Pacific island nation and found that its value far exceeded that of shark fishing.

Editorial: Shark Finning Must Become Extinct

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:15:00 GMT

(San Gabriel Valley Tribune) If you're thinking of what to do for Earth Day today, you could always pick up strewn trash at a park, sign up for one of those beach cleanup days or swap out your lawn with drought-tolerant plants.

Pew Applauds Chilean Senate Vote to End Shark Finning

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:46:34 GMT

Matt Rand, director of global shark conservation for the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to the Chilean Senate passage of Chile’s first-ever ban on shark finning, requiring that ships catching sharks have to land them with their fins naturally attached (meaning that the shark’s whole body must be taken to port). The Chamber of Deputies is expected to begin consideration of the bill in a few weeks.

Shark Populations Enrich Ecosystem, Economy in The Bahamas

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:30:00 GMT

These PSAs were produced by The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), in collaboration with Pew Environment Group, in support of a grassroots petition to protect sharks in Bahamian waters.

“Protect Our Sharks,” Say Bahamas’ Children

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:25:00 GMT

These PSAs were produced by The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), in collaboration with Pew Environment Group, in support of a grassroots petition to protect sharks in Bahamian waters.

Children Urge Greater Shark Protections in The Bahamas

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:10:00 GMT

These PSAs were produced by The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), in collaboration with Pew Environment Group, in support of a grassroots petition to protect sharks in Bahamian waters.

Shark Conservation Moving Forward in Chile

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:55:17 GMT

Shark finning is legal and a serious threat to the estimated 53 species of sharks found in Chilean waters. As recently as 2008, Chile exported 36 tons of shark fins to Hong Kong. Currently, Chile has no laws on the books regarding shark finning but legislation is emerging that could change this.

Pew Environment Group Encouraged by Chilean Senate's Efforts to End Shark Finning

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:30:00 GMT

Officials from the Pew Environment Group are in Valparaíso this week to present to the Senate fisheries commission and meet with the presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies as well as other government officials in support of a Senate bill that would end the practice of shark finning in Chilean waters.

Recent Shark Sanctuaries and Other Protections

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:01:51 GMT

Over the past two years several nations have enacted new laws and initiatives to help protect sharks, including shark sanctuaries and finning bans.

Shark Cartoonist Jim Toomey Joins Effort to Protect Sharks in The Bahamas

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:55:00 GMT

Syndicated cartoonist Jim Toomey, whose Sherman's Lagoon comic strip appears in more than 250 newspapers in over 30 countries, will be in The Bahamas this week to push for increased shark protections. The artist will speak at several public forums and will visit with schoolchildren in Long Island and Nassau.

Pacific Island Nations Take Lead in Shark Conservation

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:35:00 GMT

In a post for NatGeo NewsWatch, Matt Rand, Pew's director of Global Shark Conservation, addresses the important steps nations of the Pacific Ocean are taking to protect sharks.

Making Sure Sharks Are Not Easy Prey

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:55:00 GMT

Last year marked a turnaround for the global economy, and it may also prove to have been a watershed for protecting some of the oldest species of fish facing commercial extinction - sharks.

Guy Harvey Promotes Bahamas Shark Protections

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:30:00 GMT

Dr. Guy Harvey, world-renowned scientist and marine wildlife artist, has joined the growing ranks of individuals and organizations calling for strict regulations to ban the commercial fishing of all sharks in The Bahamas. In support of the program, Dr. Harvey is releasing a custom-designed “Protect Bahamian Sharks” campaign logo and poster this week while visiting Nassau to meet with government officials.

Guam Senate Moves to End Shark Fin Trade

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:35:00 GMT

The Senate of Guam, a U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean, passed a bill today banning the sale, possession and distribution of shark fins. With this legislation, sponsored by the Guam Senate’s Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz, the Pacific islands continue to lead the world in the fight for shark conservation.

Sharks Thrive in the Bahamas

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:53:05 GMT

In the Bahamas a 20-year-old ban on longline fishing has left Bahamian waters as one of the few places in the world where sharks are still thriving. The Bahamas are now one of the premier shark-watching destinations for divers. According to the Bahamas Diving Association, shark related tourism has contributed more than US$800 million dollars to the Bahamian economy over the past 20 years.

Sharks: Key to Healthy Oceans

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Globally, sharks are in trouble. But the waters around The Bahamas present a rare situation where shark populations still thrive.

The Bahamas: Shark Diving Capital of the World

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:55:00 GMT

Sharks are in trouble globally, and there are few locations where healthy shark populations still exist. The Bahamas is one of these rare exceptions.

Turning the Tide to Protect Sharks

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:20:00 GMT

Last year might have marked more than a turnaround for the global economy. It also may prove to have been a watershed for protecting some of the oldest species of fish in our oceans.

Shark Fishing in Japan – A Messy, Blood-Spattered Business

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:25:00 GMT

Sunrise is still a good hour away when the first batch of limp, lifeless sharks are winched ashore and dumped on to the portside at Kesennuma.

Editorial: Just Say No to Shark’s Fin

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:20:00 GMT

A joint report by the British wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC and the US Pew Environment Group essentially called the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks) a failure.

United Nations to Scrutinize Neglected Action Plan for Shark Conservation

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:45:00 GMT

In February 2011, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Committee on Fisheries (UN FAO COFI) agreed to examine the extent that the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks) had been implemented.

Shark Catching Drives Species to Extinction

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:10:00 GMT

Last year six people were killed by sharks worldwide. Multiply that number by more than 12 million and you get close to the number of sharks killed for human consumption each year.

Pew Applauds Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Ban on Shark Finning

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT

Matt Rand, director of the Pew Environment Group’s Global Shark Conservation Campaign, issued the following statement today in response to the signing of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) shark fin prohibition act by CNMI Governor Beningo R. Fitial. The bill was introduced by State Rep. Diego Benavente (R-Saipan) and State Sen. Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian).

Shark Nations Failing on Conservation Pledge

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:20:00 GMT

Many countries whose fishing fleets catch large numbers of sharks have failed to meet a 10-year-old pledge on conserving the species, a report says.

Top 20 Shark-Catching Nations Accused of Failings

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Two environmental groups have accused the 20 countries that catch the most sharks of failing to fulfill promises to better conserve the animals.

UN Shark Conservation Plan Has Failed, Says Report

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:45:00 GMT

A headline-making UN scheme to preserve the world's sharks has been a resounding failure, according to a report on Thursday that pins the blame on Indonesia, India, Spain and Taiwan and 16 other major catchers of the fish.

The Future of Sharks: A Review of Action and Inaction

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:55:00 GMT

A decade after members of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) approved an international plan to conserve sharks, a new analysis finds that it has yet to be fully implemented. With 30 percent of all shark species now threatened or near threatened with extinction, there is little evidence that the plan has contributed significantly to improved conservation and management of these animals.

Shark Populations Dwindle as Top Catchers Delay on Conservation Actions

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:25:00 GMT

Shark Conservation

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:12:09 GMT

Sharks are being hunted to extinction; a 70-80% decline in populations of some species have been reported globally.

The True Cost of a Cup of Soup: Shark Populations on the Brink

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:10:00 GMT

Up to 73 million sharks are killed each year, many for an Asian delicacy, shark fin soup.

Editorial: Congress Right to Save Sharks

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Putting teeth into a law to save sharks may sound like a bad pun, but it's a good idea. Approximately 73 million sharks a year are killed just for their fins, to make shark fin soup.

Editorial: Endangered Predator

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 16:55:00 GMT

Large, oceangoing commercial fish like tuna and swordfish have been in steady decline for years, victims of poor regulation and rapacious overfishing by big industrial fleets. But one relentlessly hunted fish — sharks — may finally be catching a break.

Sharks Get New Protection Under U.S. Law

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:50:00 GMT

The Shark Conservation Act of 2010 strengthens shark protections by requiring all vessels that catch sharks to bring them to land intact, which will greatly simplify enforcement efforts.

US Gets Tough on Shark Fins

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:50:00 GMT

The US Senate toughened laws against shark finning, hoping to save the ancient fish which experts fear is on the brink of extinction due to growing demand in Chinese restaurants.

Pew Applauds Senate Action to Protect Sharks

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:50:00 GMT

Matt Rand, director of the Pew Environment Group’s Global Shark Conservation Campaign, issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Senate passing the Shark Conservation Act, which was introduced by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA).

EU Advances Protection for Sharks and Rays

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:00:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance welcomes Tuesday’s decision by the EU Council of Fisheries Ministers to end all fishing for spurdog, to maintain the closure of the porbeagle shark fishery through 2011 and to reduce quotas for skates and rays.

Sharks Get New Protections Amid Severe Declines; Bluefin Tuna Safeguards Rejected

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 21:55:00 GMT

International delegates Saturday adopted new protections for seven species of shark in the Atlantic Ocean but rejected restrictions for bluefin tuna and swordfish, leaving the future of some of the world's most imperiled marine predators uncertain.

Pew: Governments Incapable of Managing Tuna

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 15:55:00 GMT

Dr. Susan Lieberman, director of international policy for the Pew Environment Group, issued this statement today in response to decisions made at this year’s meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.

Experts Demand Better Protection for Sharks

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:00:00 GMT

With their pointy teeth and fearsome reputations, sharks may not be the best poster child for species in danger, but environmentalists say the predators are in dire need of protection.

Tuna Conservation Meeting Opens in Paris

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:45:00 GMT

The fate of a good portion of the world's sharks and Atlantic bluefin tuna are in the hands of the 48 member nations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, which opened its annual meeting in Paris, France on Friday.

Tuna Tussle: How Much Fishing is Too Much?

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 19:50:00 GMT

It's succulent and sought-after, a prized fish with a steep price: A single bite of Atlantic bluefin tuna can sell for more than $20 in Tokyo sushi restaurants.

Pew Calls for Strong, Immediate Action to Protect Tuna, Sharks

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:10:00 GMT

As the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) begins in Paris, the Pew Environment Group is urging ICCAT member nations to create spawning ground sanctuaries for Atlantic bluefin tuna, suspend this imperiled fishery, strengthen conservation measures for sharks and stop illegal fishing.

Fishing Nations Gear Up for Tuna Quota Talks

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Fishing nations will try to thrash out a deal on Atlantic bluefin tuna quotas in 2011 at talks that pit economic interests against those of environmental groups.

Review of EU Shark-Finning Ban Brings Chance to Close Loopholes

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:50:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance is putting its support behind an option to amend the EU ban on shark finning that would require that fins remain naturally attached to shark bodies until fishing vessels return to port.

The Fate of Tuna is on the Line in Paris

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:30:00 GMT

While fishermen have been quick to catch them, countries have been very slow to save one of the fastest fish in the sea. Now there’s another chance to protect Atlantic bluefin tuna.

European Shark Week Opens With Call to “Focus on Finning”

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:55:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance, a coalition of more than 100 conservation, scientific and recreational organisations is marking the start of the fourth annual European Shark Week by calling on Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to help strengthen the European Union’s ban on finning—the wasteful practice of slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the carcass at sea.

Small Victories from the Jaws of Defeat

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:50:00 GMT

If he had known what lurked below, James Elliott would never have waded into the water at Naama Bay that day. Only when he was torpedoed by an unseen force and felt a sudden, violent wrench on his left leg did he realise that he and his father had not been swimming alone.

Shark Attack Survivors Fight to Save Sharks

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:20:00 GMT

(AOL News) Captain Ahab would be appalled. A group of shark attack survivors, all of whom either lost limbs or suffered permanent injury in their attacks, came together in New York City recently to fight for the very predator that nearly killed them.

Honduras and Palau Challenge the World to Save Sharks

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:55:00 GMT

Honduras and Palau, two countries that have stopped shark fishing in their waters, are urging the rest of the world to conserve the world’s dwindling shark populations or run the risk of losing the ocean’s top predator and throwing the marine food chain out of balance.

Shark Attack Survivors Plead Case for Attackers During Rally at UN(2)

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:25:00 GMT

(New York Daily News) Nine shark attack survivors - some missing arms, legs or feet - came to the United Nations on Monday to beg the world to save their attackers.

Shark Bite Victims Unite to Save Sharks

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:20:00 GMT

(Sydney Morning Herald) They've lost arms, legs and ankle parts but nine survivors of encounters with sharks, including Australian navy diver Paul de Gelder, say that the oceans' greatest predator - not man - should fear the water.

Shark Attack Survivors: Save the Sharks!

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:50:00 GMT

(CBS News) You might think survivors of shark attacks would do anything in the world to not see a shark again. But, in fact, some hope to see many more sharks in the world's waters.

Shark Attack Survivors Plead Case for Attackers During Rally at UN

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:55:00 GMT

Nine shark attack survivors - some missing arms, legs or feet - came to the United Nations on Monday to beg the world to save their attackers.

Shark Attack Survivors: Save the Sharks!(2)

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:50:00 GMT

(CBS News) You might think survivors of shark attacks would do anything in the world to not see a shark again. But, in fact, some hope to see many more sharks in the world's waters.

Pew Presses U.N. to 'Save the Sharks'

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:15:00 GMT

Shark attack survivors hailing from five countries are pushing the United Nations to adopt measures to protect sharks.

Shark-Attack Survivors Plead for Shark Conservation(2)

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:05:00 GMT

(National Geographic) Shark attack survivors from five countries will ask the United Nations today to adopt measures to protect sharks, according to a statement released by The Pew Environment Group.

Pew Environment Group: Shark Attack Survivors Fight for Shark Conservation

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:00:00 GMT

They have the scars and missing limbs that make it hard to forgive, but these victims are tougher than most. And now they want to save their attackers. They are shark attack survivors, a band of nine thrown together in an unlikely and ironic mission to conserve the very creatures that ripped their flesh, tore off their limbs and nearly took their lives.

Shark Victims Unite to Save Their Attackers

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:55:00 GMT

They've lost arms, legs and ankle parts, but nine survivors of encounters with sharks said Monday that the oceans' greatest predator -- not man -- should fear the water.

Shark-Attack Survivors Plead for Shark Conservation

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:55:00 GMT

Shark attack survivors from five countries will ask the United Nations today to adopt measures to protect sharks, according to a statement released by the Pew Environment Group.

Shark Victims Rally Behind the Species

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:10:00 GMT

(New York Times) Debbie Salamone has every reason to hold a grudge against sharks. In 2004, she was swimming at a beach in Florida when a shark bit down on her foot, severing her Achilles tendon.

Shark Survivors Team up to Save Species

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:00:00 GMT

(Today Show) They have the scars and missing limbs that make it hard to forgive, but these victims are tougher than most. And now they want to save their attackers.

Pew Opposes Certification Proposal for Surface Longline Fishing

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:20:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group today criticized a proposal asking the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to certify as sustainable a fishery that threatens vulnerable marine species including bluefin tuna, blue marlin, short-fin mako sharks and loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles.

Shark-Fin Soup and the Conservation Challenge

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:30:00 GMT

The first time I tried shark-fin soup was at Time Warner's annual dinner in Hong Kong, a few weeks after I had moved to the city. A server came to our table with a cluster of small white bowls, which a few of my colleagues politely declined. I knew the soup had a whiff of controversy around it, but I hadn't yet formed a personal policy, so I gave it a try. I found it underwhelming. The taste of shark-fin soup comes mostly from the quality of its broth. The fin itself, which I've eaten sliced into long, thin pieces, provides texture — a crucial element in Cantonese cuisine. (Shark fin falls somewhere between chewy and crunchy.)

Shark Slaughter Advances Into Red Sea

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:30:00 GMT

Six Yemeni fishing boats captured in Egyptian territorial waters in June might have gone unnoticed if not for their unusual cargo -- several kilometers of long lines and over 20 tons of dead sharks.

Sharks Endangered by a Bowl of Soup

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:25:00 GMT

Few members of the animal kingdom have grabbed our imagination as much as sharks. From 1975's summer blockbuster "Jaws," to 2004's animated film "Shark Tale," these marvels of the deep have been a staple in U.S. pop culture -- a trend that continues as viewers this week watch the Discovery Channel's latest edition of "Shark Week."

Shark Week: Craig Ferguson on Shark Finning

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:25:00 GMT

In conjunction with its Shark Week, the Discovery Channel is airing a public service announcement from Pew—featuring host Craig Fergusion—that raises awareness of the practice of shark “finning.”

Shark Attack Survivors Don't Forget but do Forgive

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:10:00 GMT

(The Guardian) They have the scars and missing limbs that make it hard to forgive, but these victims are tougher than most. And now they want to save their attackers.

Shark Bycatch in Tuna Fisheries

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:20:00 GMT

Bycatch is one of the most vexing issues confronting the global fishing industry. It poses significant ecological, social and economic challenges.

Ocean Science Series: Sharks - The State of the Science

Wed, 26 May 2010 16:55:00 GMT

Declines in population sizes of sharks, as much as 70–80 percent, have been reported globally. This review of the current scientific literature documents the number of sharks killed per year, the causes of this mortality and the impact on ecosystems after large predators are removed.

BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Maps

Fri, 21 May 2010 16:50:00 GMT

The Gulf of Mexico is home to many species that are currently at risk due to the oil spill. The following maps overlay the oil slick with the habitats of several of these sensitive marine species.

Historical Oil Spill Fact Sheets

Fri, 21 May 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Click on the links below (PDF) to view fact sheets providing data on the impact of significant oil spills of the past.

The Future of Oil and Water

Wed, 19 May 2010 19:40:00 GMT

The explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig brings into sharp focus not only a tragic loss of life but also the fragmented and inadequate way in which we manage and protect the nation's critical marine resources and the fragile ocean environment. Scientifically sound and precautionary polices to reconcile the needs of safety, energy security, sustainable fisheries and environmental protection have become urgent.

Concerns Up and Down the Food Chain

Tue, 04 May 2010 20:50:00 GMT

As the oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon spreads across the Gulf of Mexico, environmentalists and government officials have been working frantically to protect shoreline habitat like this island in the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, eight miles off the coast of Louisiana.

Deepwater Horizon: Conservationists Warn of 'True Catastrophe' for Wildlife

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:55:00 GMT

Conservationists monitoring the spread of oil from the Deepwater Horizon rig across the Gulf of Mexico say the situation is at risk of turning into a disaster for the biodiversity in the area. Coastal areas around Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida will all potentially be affected by the spill.

Commerce Trumps Science at CITES, Threatened Sharks and Bluefin Tuna Still at Risk

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:20:00 GMT

The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) concluded without providing any trade protections whatsoever for severely depleted Atlantic bluefin tuna and four vulnerable species of sharks – scalloped hammerhead, oceanic white tip, porbeagle and spiny dogfish.

Pew Applauds Vote Giving International Protections to Porbeagle Sharks

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:40:00 GMT

Government delegates attending the meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) voted today to list porbeagle sharks in Appendix II of the treaty, but rejected protections for three other vulnerable shark species.

Shark Fin Genetics with Demian Chapman

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:10:00 GMT

This video on efforts to use genetic testing to study the problem of the practice of shark finning features Demian D.F. Chapman, Ph. D., Assistant Director of Science for the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science.

No More Shark in UK Fish and Chips

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:40:00 GMT

Despite restrictions on taking the species from European waters, the spiny dogfish is still imported into the UK and other EU countries. Most of the meat in Britain ends up in fish and chips without consumers knowing what they are eating.

Shark to be on the Table at CITES Conference

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:45:00 GMT

Whether to protect eight shark species that are vulnerable to international trade will be a question to be debated at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), scheduled in Doha from March 13 to 25.

Pew Applauds Maldives Indian Ocean Shark Sanctuary

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:40:00 GMT

In a move lauded by the Pew Environment Group the Maldives today declared its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), 90,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean, as a shark sanctuary free from all shark fishing and also banned all imports and exports of shark fins.

Maldives Ban Fishing of Sharks

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:20:00 GMT

The Maldives will make its territorial waters into a shark sanctuary, a government official said Tuesday, lending momentum to efforts to protect the fish at a United Nations endangered species conference that begins this week.

Sharks: From Hunters to Hunted, and Overfished

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:15:00 GMT

This week, environmental groups hailed as a major victory news that the United States has come out in support of protecting endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). "The Obama administration's decision to support a CITES Appendix I listing of Atlantic bluefin tuna could be a real game changer for the species," said Susan Lieberman, director of international policy at the Pew Environmental Group.

Pew Environment Group at CITES

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:40:00 GMT

The 15th meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) concluded in March 2010 in Doha, Qatar. Pew attended the international wildlife conference alongside government representatives, conservation organizations and members of industry to advocate for CITES protection for the Atlantic bluefin tuna and eight shark species–including the distinctive hammerhead sharks.

Doha CITES Meeting a ‘Landmark Event’

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:15:00 GMT

The 15th meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), scheduled in Doha from March 13 – 25 has been described as a landmark event by a noted conservationist.

Shark Alliance Delivers European Citizens’ Plea to Spain

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:45:00 GMT

Representatives from the Shark Alliance, an international shark conservation coalition, today delivered to Spanish authorities a petition signed by over 90,000 citizens from 16 European countries urging Spain to end its opposition to improving the EU ban on finning - cutting off a shark's fins and discarding its body at sea – and lead the EU toward a more effective finning regulation.

Study of Shark Virgin Birth Shows Offspring Can Survive Long Term

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:10:00 GMT

Shark pups born to virgin mothers can survive over the long-term, according to new research published Jan. 25, 2010 in the Journal of Heredity. The study shows for the first time that some virgin births can result in viable offspring.

EU Ends Fisheries for Endangered Sharks

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:55:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance applauds the EU Council of Fisheries Ministers’ decision to end all fishing for porbeagle sharks and reduce by 90% fishing quotas for spurdog, in line with scientific advice and proposals from the European Commission.

Not Safe in the Water

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:20:00 GMT

When Peter Benchley wrote "Jaws," when Steven Spielberg turned it into a film more than 34 years ago, and when those of us who acted in it helped create the first summer blockbuster, nobody imagined the unintended consequences that would follow.

Pew Environment Group Urges Stronger Action to Save Bluefin Tuna and Sharks, Regrets Failure of International Fisheries Commission

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:40:00 GMT

After meeting for ten days, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) refused to end fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Press Briefing: ICCAT 2009

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:35:00 GMT

Listen to a press briefing about what to expect from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meetings November 6 – 15 in Recife, Brazil. Background information is provided on the state of tuna and sharks from Pew Environment Group’s Dr. Susan Lieberman, Director of International Policy, and Matt Rand, Director of Global Shark Conservation.

Atlantic Sharks Fact Sheet - ICCAT

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:05:00 GMT

Sharks caught in high-seas fisheries are among the oceans’ most vulnerable animals. Their low reproductive rates make them particularly susceptible to overfishing in the face of increased demand for shark products.

UK Acts to End Shark Finning

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:05:00 GMT

The Shark Trust marks European Shark Week 2009 by heralding a UK decision to lead in the battle against shark “finning” (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea) with a complete ban on removal of shark fins at sea.

Sanctuary to Counter Shark Fin Soup Market

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:35:00 GMT

Every year, an average of 38 million sharks are finned – that is, dragged aboard a boat to have their fins cut off — according to a 2006 study by Shelley Clarke, a fisheries scientist at the Imperial College of Conservation Science based in London.

Shark Alliance Welcomes Spanish Protections for Threatened Sharks

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:15:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance is welcoming Spain’s new ban on fishing for 11 species of hammerhead and thresher sharks, most of which are classified as threatened.

Pew Commends First International Shark Sanctuary Announced by Pacific Island Nation of Palau at United Nations General Assembly

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:55:00 GMT

Matt Rand, director of the Pew Environment Group’s Global Shark Conservation Campaign, issued the following statement in response to the United Nations General Assembly address by Johnson Toribiong, president of the Pacific island country of Palau.

Pacific Nation Declares Itself a Shark Haven

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:50:00 GMT

The Pacific island nation of Palau has declared all of its waters a sanctuary for sharks. The archipelago, famed among biologists and divers for its rich marine life, has seen increases in illegal shark fishing, driven by the high prices paid for shark fins in China. I met President Johnson Toribiong earlier this week as the United Nations climate summit ended, and he described the problems, which are particularly troublesome in a place where tourism revolving around reef diving is a top source of income.

Palau to Ban Shark Fishing

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:50:00 GMT

Palau, an island nation in the Western Pacific, is banning fishing for shark in its waters, Matt Rand, director of the Pew Environment Group’s shark conservation program, said Thursday.

Victim Staunchly Defends the Species

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:20:00 GMT

Sharks rarely attack people. The odds of a shark bite are roughly one in every 11.5 million times a person visits a beach, according to the International Shark Attack File. Unfortunately, I became one of the unlucky few, five years ago, when I was bitten by a shark while wading in waist-deep water, just 50 feet offshore of Florida's Cape Canaveral National Seashore.

Statement on the Hilborn-Worm Study on Rebuilding Global Fisheries Published in 'Science'

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:35:00 GMT

Rebecca Goldburg, director of Marine Science at the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to a paper published in the journal Science.

Shark Attack Victims Push for Shark Protection

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:20:00 GMT

(CNN) Mike Coots, who was attacked by a shark while surfing off the Hawaiian island of Kauai in 1997, now surfs with a prosthesis after losing his leg in the attack.

Shark Attack Survivor Fights for the Species

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:30:00 GMT

(Associated Press) Mike Coots survived a bloody shark attack and painful rehabilitation. Now he has a new battle ahead: trying to convince Capitol Hill lawmakers to conserve the species and strengthen bans on shark finning.

Pushing for Conservation, Shark Attack Victims Turn the Other Cheek

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:15:00 GMT

(Christian Science Monitor) In an extraordinary display of forgiveness, nine victims of shark attacks lobbied the Senate last week, on behalf of the creatures that injured them.

Shark Survivors Unite to Save the Predators

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:00:00 GMT

The shark that bit into Debbie Salamone's ankle as she walked waist deep in Florida's sub-tropical waters shredded her Achilles tendon—and turned her from committed environmentalist into a shark hater.

Shark Victim Wants Greater Protection—For Sharks

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Back in 2004, Debbie Salamone was wading waist deep in the water on the east coast of Florida when she was attacked by a shark. It tore at her foot, mangling tendons and her heel. But this past week, Salamone was on Capitol Hill with eight other shark attack survivors, lobbying their senators to help strengthen laws against shark finning.

Shark Victims Protect Sharks

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:10:00 GMT

CNN's John Roberts speaks to two shark attack victims who are now lobbying Congress to protect sharks.

Pew Brings Survivors to Congress to Seek Protections for Sharks that Attacked Them

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Today, nine shark "attack" victims from around the nation were brought to Washington, DC by the Pew Environment Group to promote the Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (S. 850/H.R. 81), legislation which would strengthen the ban on shark finning in U.S. waters and encourage shark conservation programs around the world.

Survivors of Attacks Sink Teeth Into Fight to Save Sharks

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:15:00 GMT

Chuck Anderson is in Washington today to save the thing that bit off his arm.

The Shark Lobby: Survivors Descend on Washington

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:05:00 GMT

Though they may have lost fingers or even a leg or an arm, a group of resilient shark bite victims hit Capitol Hill today and asked lawmakers to protect their attackers.

Survivors of Attacks Sink Teeth Into Fight to Save Sharks(2)

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:05:00 GMT

(Washington Post) Chuck Anderson is in Washington today to save the thing that bit off his arm.

Pew Will Push Shark Conservation at World Fisheries Meeting

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:05:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group today called for stronger shark conservation measures worldwide as a new report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies 35 out of 64 known pelagic shark and related ray species around the world as threatened or near threatened with extinction.

EU Fisheries Ministers React to Shark Plan

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:15:00 GMT

The EU Council of Fisheries Ministers, expressing concern that fishing is adversely affecting shark populations and ecosystems, today officially welcomed the European Commission’s Plan of Action for Sharks.

Pew Applauds New Senate Bill Mandating Shark Conservation as Europe Fisheries Ministers Respond to EU Shark Plan

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:15:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group today applauded Senator John Kerry’s (D-MA) introduction of the Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (companion of legislation introduced in the House by Rep. Madeline Bordallo of Guam) on the day before the EU Fisheries Ministers consider a new Plan of Action for Sharks that covers all European Union Member States’ waters.

Sharks Get a Lifeline Through New EU Action Plan

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:15:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance is celebrating today’s release of the European Commission’s Plan of Action for the Conservation of Sharks which sets the stage for sweeping improvements in European Union (EU) shark fishing and protection policies.

Wild Chronicles: Sharks

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:15:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group worked in collaboration with National Geographic Television to tell this story.

EU Ministers Act to Protect Angel Sharks and Endangered Rays

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:20:00 GMT

Late word that EU Fisheries Ministers agreed today to fully protect four highly endangered shark and ray species helped to ease conservationists’ dismay over the adoption of excessive 2009 quotas for severely overfished spurdog and porbeagle sharks.

Statement of Joshua Reichert, Pew Environment Group, on the Shark Conservation Act of 2008

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:20:00 GMT

Joshua Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group, today issued the following statement in response to the House of Representatives’ vote on H.R. 5741, the Shark Conservation Act of 2008.

Mediterranean Sharks Are in Steep Decline

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:30:00 GMT

Sharks in the Mediterranean Sea have declined by more than 97 percent in number and “catch weight” over the last 200 years, according to a new study released in the journal Conservation Biology by marine scientists from Dalhousie University in Canada and the Environmental Protection Agency in Italy.

You Can Swim But You Can’t Hide: The Global Status and Conservation of Oceanic Pelagic Sharks and Rays

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:10:00 GMT

Fishing spans all oceans and the impact on ocean predators such as sharks and rays is largely unknown. A lack of data and complicated jurisdictional issues present particular challenges for assessing and conserving high seas biodiversity. It is clear, however, that pelagic sharks and rays of the open ocean are subject to high and often unrestricted levels of mortality from bycatch and targeted fisheries for their meat and valuable fins.

Oceanic Sharks Worldwide at Serious Risk from High-Seas Fishing, Rising Demand for Shark Products

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:35:00 GMT

Oceanic shark populations worldwide are declining from destructive high-seas commercial fishing practices and a rising global demand for shark products (mainly fins and meat), with some shark populations severely depleted and only a few stable or recovering, according to a comprehensive new book co-edited by shark experts from the Pew Institute for Ocean Science (www.pewoceanscience.org), published by Blackwell Publishing, and being released today.

High Hopes for EU Shark Proposals

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:20:00 GMT

Sarah Fowler, co-chairwoman of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) shark specialist group, described the plan as "great news" for the creatures.

International Protection for World's Sharks

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:25:00 GMT

Sharks have had a bad press ever since Jaws, if not before.

United Nations Encourages Shark Conservation, Stronger Bans on Finning

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:45:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance is applauding ground-breaking calls for shark conservation adopted last night by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and is highlighting its relevance for the European Union (EU).

Options for European Shark Plan Revealed at Last

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:50:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance is welcoming the release of the European Commission’s consultation document for a Community Plan of Action (CPOA) for Sharks, which, at long last, addresses the plight of sharks and proposes a range of options for improvement.

Sharks on Deck: December Brings Shark Conservation Decisions within Europe and Globally

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:55:00 GMT

This month, the Shark Alliance is welcoming a suite of opportunities to secure a brighter future for beleaguered shark species, particularly those within Europe.

Concerned Scientific Community Calls for European Conservation of Sharks and Rays

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:00:00 GMT

European marine scientists at a weekend shark and ray conference signed a Statement of Concern calling for improved European shark policies, bringing the total number of signatories over the 100 mark.

Global Shark Conservation Timeline

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:30:00 GMT

Global Shark Conservation Timeline

Launch of First Ever European Shark Week: 'Every Fin Counts!'

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:40:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance, a coalition of forty NGOs dedicated to science-based conservation of sharks, is delighted to announce the launch of the first ever EUROPEAN SHARK WEEK, which will be running from 8th – 14th October.

Portugal Pivotal to Saving Sharks

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:45:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance is calling on the Portuguese government - in its current role of President of the European Union (EU) - to use its influence to promote swift development of a sound EU Plan of Action for shark conservation, and thereby improve the outlook for these valuable yet vulnerable species.

A Dark Day for Dogfish: CITES Fails to Safeguard Sharks from Unsustainable Trade

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:45:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance is expressing deep dismay over today’s defeat of a European Union (EU) proposal to limit international trade in imperiled spiny dogfish sharks through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Sharks at Risk: Scientists Say EU Shark Finning Ban Ineffective and Call for Major Change

Thu, 17 May 2007 20:55:00 GMT

A new scientific report published on May 17th concludes that the EU ban on shark finning - slicing off a shark's fins and dumping the body at sea - is not effective.

Threats to Migratory Sharks Highlighted

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:55:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance highlights the conclusion by the Scientific Council of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) that 35 species of migratory sharks and rays considered Threatened by the IUCN (World Conservation Union), also meet the criteria for listing under the Convention on Migratory Species.

European Union Endorses Shark Trade Limits

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:00:00 GMT

European Union Member States approved German proposals to protect spiny dogfish sharks (Squalus acanthias) and porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus) under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), a move hailed by the Shark Alliance.

Editorial: No Fish Story, Imagine a World Without Seafood

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:10:00 GMT

For years, scientists, environmentalists, responsible fishermen and others who care about the health of marine ecosystems have been warning about overfishing and other practices that destroy oceanic biodiversity.

Conservation Coalition Group Welcomes Shark Finning Decision

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 19:55:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance - a coalition of international non-governmental organisations dedicated to restoring and conserving shark populations by improving European fishing policy - has welcomed the European Parliament's decision to tighten up shark finning regulations.

European Parliament Votes Against Serious Threat to Shark Populations

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:00:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance today welcomed the European Parliament’s decision to replace recommendations to further weaken already flawed shark finning regulations with calls for much needed improvements to the rules.

Editorial: We're Killing Our Oceans; Seas Without Life

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 18:30:00 GMT

Labor Day is gone. The Shore is quiet now. Most beachgoers have packed away chairs and umbrellas and turned their thoughts to school and football.But come Memorial Day, they'll be back, expecting the solace, nourishment or income they've always derived from the ocean. The question is: What will they find?

Shark Alliance Calls Upon European Union Nations to End Shark Finning

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 21:05:00 GMT

The Pew Charitable Trusts has launched Shark Alliance, an international coalition of non-government organizations dedicated to the science-based conservation of sharks.

Sharks Pay High Price as Demand for Fins Soars

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 18:30:00 GMT

In the fish markets of Asia, the tailfin from a basking shark can fetch nearly $10,000 (£5,250), a price tag justified not by its nutritional value, but its desirability as a vast sign on which restaurants can advertise their shark fin soup.

Poor Publicity and Taste for the Exotic Put Sharks on Danger List

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 20:00:00 GMT

Sharks face a grave risk of extinction because the ruling body on European fishing is attempting to weaken the restrictions on finning, conservationists say.

Reduce Killing Of Sharks, So Important In The Marine Food Web

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 20:15:00 GMT

When Peter Benchley, the author of Jaws, died last month, he had spent much of the last 20 years trying to change the image of sharks portrayed in his book and subsequent movie. He didn't create the demonic image of sharks reflected in Jaws.

It's Stingray, Dahling! A Species in Danger

Sat, 26 Nov 2005 20:10:00 GMT

If you happen to be shopping for a watch, a jewelry pouch or a pair of shoes this holiday season, high-end manufacturers like Cartier and Bill Blass have something for you: stingray leather. Also known as shagreen, the skin of stingrays is being used increasingly for accessories from wallets to fancy pens.

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