Source: Virgin Unite
Author: Sonja Fordham, Shark Advocates International
Overfishing not only threatens marine biodiversity, but overall planetary health. Sharks are among the Ocean’s most threatened animals, due to excessive, often unregulated fishing.
Long considered ‘commodities’ due to their valuable meat, fins, and oil, sharks are now increasingly being viewed as wildlife. Despite their rising profile and heightened conservation concern, sharks are still not being granted effective protection.
Several European countries are among the world’s top shark fishing nations and lack the most basic catch limits for several heavily fished shark species. To help address threats to sharks, conservationists have turned to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). For species listed on CITES Appendix II, Parties are required to ensure that exported products are legally and sustainably sourced.
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