More than 50% of marine shark species are in danger of extinction

The first study to determine the global risk of 21 species of sharks and sea rays shows the serious state of overfishing and also provides important steps that governments should take to protect them. . Discovered along with the proposal was published in the latest issue of Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.

IUCN international research The shark team (SSG) performs with a team of 15 scientists from 13 different research institutes around the world, along with other SSG members. .

Experts say that 16 out of 21 sharks and sea-caught stingrays are increasing the risk of extinction first of all due to high-value fishing and fins and indirect work. imported from other fishing grounds. In most cases, this catch is not controlled and cannot be verified. The demand for 'shark fin soup' increased, due to the rapid growth of Asia's economy, leading to a situation where sharks were caught only to get rid of the corpse. Sharks and stingrays are not even recorded.

Sharks and stingrays are vulnerable to abuse if they are caught because they need years to mature, and they have fewer children.

The main author of the article Nicholas Dulvy of the Center for Environment, Fishing and Aquaculture - Lowestoft Laboratories (United Kingdom) said: 'Managing the fisheries with local, national and International has the opportunity and obligation to stop and repel the loss of biodiversity while ensuring proper exploitation of sharks and rays. '

Dulvy, currently at Simon Fraser University (Vancouver), added: ' The current rate of loss of ecology is about 10 to 100 times the rate of extinction in history . The increasing use of marine resources by humans is likely to endanger the survival of many marine animals, especially sharks. This is not force majeure. With full support from the public and the government's determination, we can change things. '

Sonkia Fordham, co-author of the article, IUCN representative Shark expert group and policy director - Shark Alliance, said: 'The traditional view that sharks and rays are creatures Strong, aggressive often leads to a misconception that they are less affected when caught. Despite evidence of decline and increased risk of extinction, there is no international limit for marine sharks. Our research shows that it must act urgently on a global scale if we want to prevent this situation. '

The group proposed to governments of the following countries:

- Establish and enforce fishing limits scientifically for sharks and rays
- Ensuring to prevent the exploitation of fish fins (only taking fins, removing bodies in the sea)
- Improve monitoring of fishing grounds for sharks and rays
- Investing in sharks and rays as well as determining specific quantities
- Minimize the situation of "accidental catching" of sharks and rays
- Collaborate with other countries to conserve the common community.