Every year, an invisible war is waged across the global ocean. Out of sight and far from shore, rogue fishing vessels plunder marine ecosystems, pushing vulnerable species to the brink of extinction. This is Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, a global criminal enterprise worth an estimated $23 billion annually. H.R. 6338: The Stop Illegal Fishing Act is a bold, necessary step toward real accountability on the high seas. Introduced in the 119th Congress, this bill targets the financial lifelines of ocean poachers.
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 MoreConservation of sharks: safeguarding the apex predators of the ocean
The conservation of sharks is not just about saving a single species; it is about preserving the entire marine ecosystem. By recognizing the intrinsic value of sharks and taking action to protect them, we can secure a future where these fascinating creatures continue to roam the oceans for generations to come, and even keep the oceans a healthier place.
Read MoreInternational IUU Fishing Day -Why IUU Fishing is Bad for Sharks
Today is the international day for the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing is observed each year across the world on June 5. Why IUU Fishing is Bad for Sharks
Read MoreHouse Votes to Pass Shark Fin Trade Ban
A bill to end the USA shark fin trade reintroduced by Representatives Sablan and McCaul passed through the Congress with a strong bipartisan majority Thursday.
House lawmakers passed the measure that would ban buying and selling shark fins in the United States and help the country fight illegal fishing and overfishing sharks. As part of the huge National Defense Authorization Act HR 776, the “END Wildlife Trafficking Act” includes the shark fin sale provision.
Read MorePledge the UN Initiative to Stop Fish Bombing
Fish bombing (also known as ‘dynamite fishing’, or ‘blast fishing’) is a destructive fishing practice in which typically, homemade bombs are dropped into the ocean or onto the seabed. Shock waves produced by the explosion either stun or kill fish, some of which are then collected from the surface while the rest sink to the seabed. Fish bombing not only targets fish but all other surrounding marine life, as well as destroying the coral reef which takes decades to recover devastating the ecosystem and future livelihoods.
Read More