From Shark Finning to Shark Fishing: a Strategy for the U.S. & EU to Combat Shark Finning in China & Hong Kong

Globally, the shark population is under extreme stress, primarily due to the rise of China and a growing middle class with a taste for a cultural dish: shark fin soup. Sharks play an important ecologic role and can be extremely beneficial to the local economy. They can also be an important food source for people if harvested sustainably and not in a manner that challenges the morality of humans’ relationship with the ocean; something the current shark finning practices do. Approaches to sustainable shark fishing at the international and domestic level have met some success. Even so, China and Hong Kong have become major markets for shark fins. Because of economic prowess and experience in shark finning regulatory schemes, the U.S. and EU are in a unique position to induce China to draft a similar set of rules and policies through a series of incentives. These rules would look similar to the ones in the U.S. and EU and would ban shark finning, only allowing the landings of fully intact sharks. This strategy could provide much needed relief to global shark populations. While challenges to implement this may arise from Hong Kong, the WTO and Japan, there are still pathways to successful implementation

How sharks and shark - human interactions are reported in major Australian newspapers

Few phrases evoke more negative emotion, or generate more media coverage, than ‘shark attack’ despite the few deaths that have been attributed to shark bite. Typically, tabloids are considered to provide more sensational coverage than broadsheets. We investigated how sharks and shark–human interactions were portrayed in four major Australian newspapers during a period of a record number of shark attacks in Australian waters. There was strong focus on human risk from sharks, and over-reportage of negative aspects. Thirty incidents were recorded: two fatal, 20 injury, and eight ‘near-miss’. Of 309 ‘shark’ articles surveyed, 24% mentioned fatalities (65% occurred prior to the study, some decades earlier). Injury was reported in 40% of articles, and “near-miss” in 33% (89% related to an incident in South Africa involving an Australian surfing celebrity). The tabloid, Telegraph, published substantially more shark-related articles and photographs than other newspapers. There was otherwise no consistent pattern of difference between genre or newspapers

European Shark Fisheries: A Preliminary Investigation into Fisheries, Conversion Factors, Trade Products, Markets and Management Measures

Recommends new regulations to prevent shark finning -- an illegal practice in which a shark's fins are removed and its carcass dumped at sea -- and stresses the urgent need for effective shark conservation measures

Fathom Magazine, v. 8, no. 2, Summer 1996 22pp :Florida sharks

CONTENTS. Protecting the Predators, by Jay Humphrey. Economics Create Responsible Shark Management, by Jay Humphreys. The Healing Power of Sharks, by Kelly Marie Sokol. Shark! by Jay Humphreys. Florida's Sharks. Entering the Sharks' Environment, by Susan Grantham. Regulations Affect the Commercial Shark Fishing Industry, by Susan Grantham. Fishing for Information, by Susan Grantham. Tagging, not Bagging, by Robert Hueter, Mote Marine Laboratory. Shark Sites of Interest on the Internet

I\u27m Not Rockefeller: Implications for Major Foundations Seeking to Engage Ultra- High-Net-Worth Donors

· This article describes how a group of 33 ultrahigh- net-worth philanthropists (UHNWPs) approach their giving. · A few key areas dominated their giving priorities: education; health; poverty and social welfare; and children/youth initiatives each were a priority for more than a quarter of participants – with education expressed as an interest of 55 percent. · A third of the 24 who responded to the question spent less than 10 percent of their full working time devoted to philanthropy, and 13 dedicated less than 20 percent of their working time. · UHNWPs view their peers as their most trusted information resource. After peers, the most commonly cited source of information was the popular press. · UHNWPs typically are ambivalent or uncertain about the value of evaluation. · Partnerships between organized philanthropy and UHNWPs has potential benefits for both, if barriers of job responsibilities, training, communication styles and vocabulary can be overcome

Diving behaviour of whale sharks in relation to a predictable food pulse

We present diving data for four whale sharks in relation to a predictable food pulse (reef fish spawn) and an analysis of the longest continuous fine-resolution diving record for a planktivorous shark. Fine-resolution pressure data from a recovered pop-up archival satellite tag deployed for 206 days on a whale shark were analysed using the fast Fourier Transform method for frequency domain analysis of time-series. The results demonstrated that a free-ranging whale shark displays ultradian, diel and circa-lunar rhythmicity of diving behaviour. Whale sharks dive to over 979.5 m and can tolerate a temperature range of 26.4 degrees C. The whale sharks made primarily diurnal deep dives and remained in relatively shallow waters at night. Whale shark diving patterns are influenced by a seasonally predictable food source, with shallower dives made during fish spawning periods

Evidence of Decline in Shark Fin Demand: China

Many of the planet's vulnerable shark species face extreme population pressures due to overfishing often driven by demand for their fins. In recent years, with its growing economy, China has emerged as the largest market for shark fin. Consumer awareness campaigns that focus on demand reduction are vital to addressing this urgent crisis. Since 2006, WildAid's culturally sensitive and celebritydriven multimedia campaigns focused on shark fin demand reduction have reached hundreds of millions of consumers throughout China on broadcast and satellite television, LCD screens on trains and in subway and railway stations, airports, airline in-flight entertainment, shopping malls, banks, taxis, universities and hospitals. To enhance their impact these public service announcements and social media campaigns feature celebrity ambassadors, such as Yao Ming, Jackie Chan and David Beckham, promoting the message, "When the buying stops, the killing can too."In 2012, the impact of demand reduction campaigns became more pronounced and was further boosted by the Chinese government's announced ban on shark fin at state banquets, and the resulting extensive media coverage of the issue by Chinese State television (CCTV). In 2013, WildAid's demand reduction campaigns leveraged US$164 million in pro-bono media placement via state and private media partnerships in China. Recent consumer surveys indicated that these demand reduction campaigns have been broadly viewed and reportedly have prompted many people to give up shark fin soup in China. This report compiles recent information on consumer behavior and changes in the prices of shark fin in the markets from a variety of independent sources. As any one survey or study provides only a snapshot and is usually limited in scope, this report aims to provide a more complete picture of current shark fin demand

First Record of the Ragged-tooth Shark, Odontaspis ferox, off the U.S. Atlantic Coast

On 11 September 1994, a large shark was captured and later identified as the ragged-tooth shark, Odontaspis ferox (Risso). The shark was captured during routine bottom trawl survey operations onboard the NOAA R/V Albatross IV, approximately 25 n.mi. south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. (lat. 34° 51' N, long. 75° 26' W) with a “36 Yankee” bottom trawl towed at 3.5 knots. Average water depth at the time of capture was 173 m, bottom temperature was 17.8°C, and salinity was 36.41‰. Total length (cm), fork length (cm), weight (kg), and sex were recorded, the specimen was tagged, photographed, and returned live to