Fins

By Karey Burek

There are at least 400 species of sharks that swim throughout the world's oceans today. These species have evolved more than 400 million years and have survived as one of the world's top predators. However, things are changing. Due to the overabundance of fishing and the illegal trade of fins, the number of sharks is dwindling. One of the reasons is their slow reproduction rate. It takes a shark 20 years to reach maturity and breed and they are estimated to live around 70 years. This makes it difficult for the species to reproduce and keep their population numbers up.

According to the WorldFish Center, average global fish consumption has almost doubled in less than 50 years, and catches would have to double again in the next 25 years to keep up with demand. Because of the decline in the abundance of fish, sharks will be without a food source, causing their demise as well.

One expert claimed that if we didn't catch another shark starting today, they would still die out because we are catching all their food.

In the United States, commercial and recreational fisherman reported bringing in an estimated 86 million pounds of sharks in 1999. Although shark finning is illegal, in August 2001, the U.S. Coast Guard from a Honolulu-based boat seized 32 tons of shark fins, representing more than 16,000 sharks. Although a lot of sharks that are caught are used for meat, the fin market also fuels it.

So what is being done now? Well, in 2000 the U.S. Congress passed the Shark Finning Prohibition Act, banning finning or possession of shark fins without the carcass in all U.S. waters, including the Pacific Ocean. Shark finning has been banned under various regulations in U.S. waters since 1993. In April 2001 Australia passed a similar ban. With the U.S. leading the way, other countries have begun to see the importance of protecting sharks. Soon, shark finning will not only be banned in certain countries, but around the world.

Karey Burek

Volunteer Programs Coordinator

Lowry Park Zoo

(813) 935-8552 ext. 233

karey.burek@lowryparkzoo.org