Article by David Trescuri (Date: 25 June 2012) Contact the author Here
One of their own has challenged shark
conservationists over the value of shark “fin-ban” legislation.
In a recent
article,
shark researcher, David Shiffman questioned the effectiveness of
fin-ban legislation, “[Such] bans do not allow well managed
fisheries to supply the marketplace with fins.” Supporting the
supply of fins to the marketplace apparently places Mr Shiffman at
odds with much of the conservationist movement.
According to Mr Shiffman, “[He] as well as many,
many other scientists and natural resource managers do not support
fin ban legislation”. The paradox of this position seems strange but
once justified it appears logical.
So, how do these
supposed conservationists justify themselves? Their stance
appears to have more validity in economics rather than ecology.
The core idea is that the prohibition of trading fins, in a specific area, encourages
commercial fishers to obtain fins illegally, as the product’s
value will increase on the black-market. Whereas, a ‘well-managed’
fishery, which still allows for the trade in fins, should,
in theory, result in a more stable value, whilst also
discouraging illegal operations.
Mr Shiffman and his supporters call for better, more
stringent, management of shark fisheries. According to them, the
prohibition of fin trading will have little, if any, affect on the
issues facing sharks around the world.
Only a concerted,
coordinated international response will assure that sharks have a future.
Without question, improved fisheries management
strategies are an essential factor in sustaining future shark
populations; however, given the rapid decline of many shark species
globally it is clear that these strategies have, to date, failed [1][2][3].
In many cases even science-based quotas combined with efforts at
more enforcement have failed [4][5][6].
In addition, it is baffling why fisheries scientists or shark
biologists would support the fishing of any shark populations, even those that are considered ‘sustainable’, when studies have
revealed that shark meat and fins contain toxins like mercury [7][8]
and BMAA [9].
Conservationists must of course strive for better
management of shark fisheries, locally and globally, to ensure
responsible exploitation and to reduce or eliminate the reliance
upon illicit traders to supply a valuable
commodity. However,
given the rapid and continued decline of shark populations globally
a determined international effort must now
focus on shark
preservation.
Fin-ban legislation may well provide the solution by
immediately stopping the trade in shark fins and thus reducing
fishing pressure as a result of reduced demand.
For a more in depth look at fin-bans
Click Here.
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