A study published in the journal Fish and Fisheries this month revealed that fisheries could reduce shark death by requiring the release of threatened sharks caught as bycatch by at least three times. Known as retention bans, the practice requires that fishermen release certain sharks that are endangered or unwanted rather than retain them for their fins or some other use.
Read MoreGlobal Shark Attacks Low in 2024
New report documents low shark attacks and fatalities in USA and worldwide, 2025 heating up. The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File recently published their annual shark attack report on global shark attacks in 2024.
The data from 2024 showed a dramatic decline from attacks the year prior, and at 52 recorded encounters, far below the ten year average of 70 globally. The 47 unprovoked attacks were down from 2023. Four of last year’s attacks resulted in fatalities, also a significant reduction from recent years.
Read MoreThe History of US Shark Finning and Fin Trade Regulation
Since the 1950s industrial fishing pressure has increased 18 times. Many populations of pelagic fish like swordfish and tuna have declined severely and sharks have suffered most. Scientists estimate that […]
Read MoreICCAT Fails to Protect Atlantic Sharks
Last week, the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Cyprus ended with a failure to pass loopholes over shark finning.
Read MoreDeadline to Comment and support the EU Shark Fin Trade Ban
June 4th 2024 is the final public comment deadline to the eu commission to end the trade of shark fin. Add your voice below. The questions are focused on policy options- selecting option 7 will have the most impact regulating trade.
Read MoreCelebrating AAPI Month by Demanding Change
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate our rich cultural heritage and contributions. However, it also provides an opportunity to address challenging topics within our communities. Rooted in culinary tradition, the shark fin trade is a particularly problematic practice that has had devastating impacts on shark populations and marine ecosystems.
Read MoreMore Sharks Killed Despite Finning Laws
A new study reports that 76 to 80 million sharks were killed between 2012 and 2019, with about 25 million of them threatened species. The study published by Worm et al in the journal Science shows that overfishing continues to present a dire threat to shark populations over much of the world, despite the widespread adoption of anti-shark finning legislation and related regulations over the same period.
Read MoreUK Joins Canada and USA to Ban the Fin Trade
On June 29, 2023, The Shark Fins Act passed into law in the United Kingdom, protecting sharks in UK waters and a major step for conservation of sharks around the world. Following Canada and the USA, the Shark Fins Act will ban the import and export of detached shark fins, including all products containing shark fins such as canned shark fin soup. Shark Stewards applauds the example set by the United Kingdom ,and joins the StopFinning Eu coalition and calls on the EU to follow the lead to reduce impacts on Atlantic and global shark populations by facilitating the shark fin trade.
Read MoreCongress Passes Shark Fin Sales Ban, Forwards to President Biden
To help save sharks from extinction, the United States just moved one step closer to protecting them from the global shark fin trade.
On Thursday, the Senate approved language making the possession, sale and trade of shark fins illegal, with a few exceptions, and ban the trade of shark fins. The provision, HR 2811, which the House inserted into the National Defense Authorization Act and passed last week will go to President Biden for his signature.
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