Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/overfishing-sharks-rays/
Human activity has affected the ocean for hundreds of years, through fishing and hunting, and indirectly by habitat modification and climate change.
The number of threatened species has doubled since the first global study back in 2014, and the number of endangered and critically endangered species have since more than tripled.
Today, more than one-third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras are at risk of extinction due to overfishing, according to a new study.
Rays are the most threatened, with 41% of 611 species studied at risk; 36% of 536 sharks species are at risk; and 9% of 52 chimaera species, according to a journal in Current Biology.
More than three-quarters of tropical and sub-tropical coastal species are threatened, and three species are Critically Endangered (and possibly extinct), which may be the first global marine fish extinctions due to overfishing.
Dr. Andy Cornish, leader of World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) global shark and ray conservation program, says now more than ever it is crucial for governments and regional fisheries to limit fishing, so we could help bring these animals back from the brink and prevent a global extinction crisis.
“At the national level, fisheries and environmental authorities need to work together to stop overfishing and halt further declines,” Cornish said. “This is a pivotal moment in time. If we act now, we still have a good chance to save these predators that play such an important role in ocean health. However, if the status quo continues with slow incremental improvements in management, nobody should be surprised when shark and ray species start disappearing on our watch.”
Catch limits, as well as protecting their habitats and reducing accidental death or entanglement in fishing gear, can help prevent declines in both species.
WWF believes an important part of ending overfishing is “effective monitoring of catches and fishing activities at sea,” and advocate for the use of camera systems and vessel monitoring systems on industrial fishing vessels.
Not only can overfishing cause sharks and rays to become extinct, but it can impact entire ecosystems and food security for many nations around the world. It can change the size of remaining fish, as well as how they reproduce. Overfishing also creates an imbalance that can erode the food web, which leads to a loss of other important marine life.
“Sharks and rays play many key roles in the ocean—shaping it for millions of years,” WWF wrote. “These animals are indispensable to ocean health and to the well-being of millions of people across the globe through the food, livelihoods, and tourism opportunities they provide.”
WWF’s mission is to conserve sharks and rays in more than 25 countries around the world.
“Our fisheries management work aims to address overfishing through a variety of approaches, from assisting governments with National Plans of Action for Sharks, to advocating for improved conservation measures with the regional fisheries management organizations, to assisting with effective marine protected areas for sharks and rays,” they concluded. “Our work to ensure legal, traceable, and sustainable trade and reduce unsustainable consumption of shark and ray products aims to tackle the main drivers of overfishing.”
[embedded content]
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
