Shark populations are being targeted in international waters by fishing fleets using legal fishing gear...sort of. The gear can target sharks that are in high demand for their fins, meat, and organs. Tens of thousands of metric tons of sharks are being fished annually reducing some populations by at least 70%. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, which governs tuna fisheries in those waters could vote on a proposal to ban the devices as soon as this week in Vietnam. Research has shown that banning the devices could lead to a decreased mortality of oceanic whitetips by 40.5% and silky sharks by 30.8%.

 

I am going to break down the story and show you how this vote could easily help shark populations in international waters.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/3GX4JOZ