Sharks Archives

Oceana calls for protection of ocean’s top predators at upcoming international fisheries meeting

Oceana, the world’s largest international ocean conservation organization, is calling for the protection of the ocean’s top predators at the 17th Special Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Paris, France, November 17 to 27. Specifically, Oceana is seeking protections for several vulnerable and overexploited species vital to maintaining … Read more

ICCAT Improves Conservation Measures for Sharks and Sea Turtles

Though failing to improve protections for bluefin tuna, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) increased the number of shark species prohibited for retention in ICCAT fisheries. Specifically, the group improved conservation measures for oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerhead sharks and shortfin mako sharks. In addition, ICCAT put in place new measures to … Read more

Oceana urges EU to make strong lead at ICCAT to ensure the future of endangered species

In light of tomorrow’s EU Council of Fisheries Ministers meeting, Oceana strongly urges increased protection for endangered bluefin tuna, swordfish and sharks, and reminds the EU of its commitment to restore fish stocks to the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). The Ministers will be discussing the EU position for the upcoming meeting of the Contracting Parties … Read more

Oceana warns against near lack of shark fisheries management all around the world

Sharks are less managed than other fish species although they have fewer offspring and play a critical role in ensuring healthy oceans. In a new report by Oceana, The Race for Threatened Sharks, the international marine conservation organization demonstrates how sharks are extremely vulnerable species that have been fished by European Union vessels at home … Read more

The race for threatened sharks

Sharks are extremely vulnerable species which have been fished by European Union vessels at home and around the world without any management for decades. Globally, 21% of shark, ray and chimaera populations are threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List. In the Northeast Atlantic the figure is even higher with 26% threatened and … Read more

Learn More: About Sharks

There are hundreds of species of sharks, ranging in size from the spine pygmy shark (7 inches) to the whale shark (40 feet), inhabiting all ocean waters and consuming a variety of prey species. Contrary to popular belief, sharks don’t eat anything and everything in the sea; many sharks have specific prey. For example, whale … Read more

Sharks: What Oceana Does

Changes in legislation. Oceana works to eradicate “finning ”, cutting off fins and throwing the body overboard while the shark is still alive. This practice has increased as Asian countries demand more fins for “shark fin soup”, while also raising the price of the fins. Oceana is focused on changing European legislation to prohibit finning … Read more

Big plans but little action for European shark protection

Today in Brussels the European Commission released the long-awaited Community Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks, nearly a decade after the adoption of the FAO International Plan of Action on Sharks. The Community Plan has been eagerly anticipated by conservationists, as many of Europe’s shark and related ray populations have been … Read more

New Oceana report shows depletion of prey fish may be starving the oceans

Oceana released a new report today finding widespread malnutrition in commercial and recreational fish, marine mammals and seabirds because of the global depletion of the small fish they need to survive. These “prey fish” underpin marine food webs and are being steadily exhausted by heavy fishing, increasing demand for aquaculture feed, and climate change. … Read more

Oceana welcomes EU fish council conclusions urging quick action for shark conservation in Europe

The EU Fisheries Council meeting today in Luxembourg has adopted the Council Conclusions on the EU Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks[1]. Oceana, the international marine conservation organisation, supports the statement of the EU Fisheries Ministers, which endorses the Plan while also urging it is implemented without delay. While the … Read more