fish_defender
Registered
Endangered sharks are in the crosshairs of the Atlantic longline fleet, backed by the deep pockets of sportfishing special interest groups, who want to stop sharks from biting fish off their hooks. They say sharks have become 'overpopulated', yet in just 50 years, global shark abundance has fallen by half and the proportion of threatened species has multiplied by over ten times.
Conflicts between fishermen and sharks are as old as fishing itself, but there are other reasons they may have become inflamed in recent years. In conflict hotspots such as Florida, stock reconstructions reveal that 85% of reef fish are depleted to what should be considered 'overfished' status, some species to single digits of their former spawning abundance.
Yet instead of address the root causes, the SHARKED Act seeks to establish a politicized task force, under pressure by the industry to increase catch limits, repeal protections, and even bring back the US shark fin trade.
If you live in the US, please take a moment to raise your voice in opposition to the SHARKED Act by sending a letter to your senator. Here's a template to make it easy.
Conflicts between fishermen and sharks are as old as fishing itself, but there are other reasons they may have become inflamed in recent years. In conflict hotspots such as Florida, stock reconstructions reveal that 85% of reef fish are depleted to what should be considered 'overfished' status, some species to single digits of their former spawning abundance.
Yet instead of address the root causes, the SHARKED Act seeks to establish a politicized task force, under pressure by the industry to increase catch limits, repeal protections, and even bring back the US shark fin trade.
If you live in the US, please take a moment to raise your voice in opposition to the SHARKED Act by sending a letter to your senator. Here's a template to make it easy.
