Delicacy?

Shark finning, the removal of the shark's fin and disposal of the shark's body, is a practice prohibited in US, Australian, South African and European waters (among others), but still very prevalent in the oceans through legislative loopholes and illegal fishing vessels. For fishing boats that remain for several weeks at sea, the shark's carcass takes too much space. The fins can be dried onboard and fetch a much better price. A recent paper by J.E. Magnussen of the Guy Harvey Research Institute, reports that as a result of the burgeoning demand for shark fins, a single, large basking shark fin had fetched as much as US$57,000. The discarded shark invariably is thrown back into the water, unable to swim without its fin and left to die of starvation.

But it is not only Asia that is to blame for shark fishing pressures, as many shark species are fished to be made into fish and chips. For example, wobbegong sharks are commercially targeted in NSW even though they have been classified by the IUCN Red List as 'Vulnerable' in NSW. Wobbegong shark, (as well as several other shark species) is marketed as 'flake'. So when you go for that fish and chips after a day at the beach, ask for a more sustainable option!

 Like all shark species, the wobbegong shark has a slow growth rate and a very slow reproductive cycle, with litters being produced every three years only (Dr Charlie Huveneers, pers. com.) which renders them especially susceptible to fishing pressures and stock depletion. Predominantly targeted in NSW for its white meat, commercial landings of wobbegong sharks have declined more than 60% since 1990 (NSW DPI unpublished data).

Shark species are not currently separately identified and the same fishing restrictions apply for 10 different species of sharks, even though they each have a particular ecology and conservation demands. As of September 3 2007 , recreational fishers will be under a zero bag limit, and not allowed to fish for wobbegong sharks. Do your part to preserve this beautiful creature. Be informed. Get involved. Make a difference.

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