Why should we care what happens to sharks? Most shark species began to differentiate about 64 million years ago but their origins date to around 400 million years ago. They've survived everything including at least five ice ages and the extinction of the dinosaurs. Until now. Due to longline fishing (which uses up to hundreds of baited hooks attached to a main line to catch indiscriminately) and finning (a barbaric and lucrative practice where the sharks' fins are usually removed on board and the live sharks then tossed overboard where they sink and drown), certain areas are showing shark population losses of up to 97%. Somewhere between 73 - 100 million sharks are estimated to be slaughtered annually through finning alone, which serves a huge market for the traditional Chinese delicacy shark fin soup. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN Red List) of the 440 known species, almost 100 are now either vulnerable to, or under imminent threat of, extinction At the current rate Hammerheads, Mako, Blacktip, Whitetip, Bull, Whale, Nurse, Thresher and even the much maligned Great White sharks could all but disappear. The documentary Sharkwater (2007) helped raise awareness about the crisis and demonstrated the power of education and conscience when Costa Ricans took to the streets to oust blackmarket operators there, reaffirming the marine reserve of Cocos Island as a safe haven for sharks where both longline fishing and shark finning are illegal. Now for the good news of 2011. March: Costa Rica updated existing legislation to also protect the seamounts (submerged mountains) around it which ensures that the coral life and nutrient rich waters can continue to supply food for its abundant migratory and resident species. Ecuador has similar laws protecting the sharks and wildlife of its Galapagos Marine Reserve, as do the nations of Palau, Guam, Honduras, The Maldives and The Bahamas. July: Taiwan made waves becoming the first Asian nation to pass legislation designed to limit shark finning. Culturally linked to mainland China, Taiwan is a huge market for shark fins, meat, liver and, oil. New measures require boats to return with fully in tact sharks so that fins are removed on shore. A public awareness campaign was also launched to try and dispel certain myths such as the belief that sharks don't get sick. September: California, a huge Asian and seafood market, followed the examples of Hawaii, Washington and Oregan in passing a bill to ban the sale of shark fins. At the same time, Richard Branson joined retired basketball star Yao Ming in Shanghai to raise awareness of the plight of sharks in Shanghai. October: The Marshall Islands, a collection of atolls in the Pacific, dedicated a massive and unprecedented almost 2 million square kilometres of ocean to the preservation of sharks by banning not only all forms of commercial fishing of sharks, but even the trade or possession of sharks or any shark parts. And four days ago Toronto began preparations to do the same pass laws banning shark fin products. Shark finning is terribly cruel and longlining is excessive and wasteful. But these laws are also necessary because they're based on other sobering and important facts. Sharks are not just the apex predators of the seas. They are the gatekeepers of a vast, complex and inter-related ecosystem and keep the balance in check by controlling the other species. Without sharks, other fish would multiply disproportionately and gorge themselves on the reefs and plankton vital for all species, including our own. By some estimates plankton is responsible for producing up to half the world's oxygen. It's also a major factor in controlling carbon dioxide since it absorbs the gas easily. Upsetting the oceans ecosystems will create massive upheaval for all life on earth. It's up to us to keep the balance. We know too much to keep losing sharks to greed, customs or fears. Protect sharks. Their fate may be our own. Sources: Marshall Islands Creates World's Largest Shark Sanctuary Costa Rica protects huge marine area around Cocos Island The IUCN Red List of Endangered Species Taiwan Set to become First in Asia to Ban Shark Finning at Sea
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