Monday, January 18, 2010

Shark Conservation Australia - Solutions?

Shark fishermen in Australia face potential $11,000 fines for harvesting newly banned shark species like the longfin mako.

Naturally fishermen are unhappy with the arrangement asking the question - are we really saving sharks by just banning shark takes?

We're not so sure there's an easy answer to that without a follow up outreach programs in "safe shark handling" for fishermen.

Featuring heavier tackle, circle hooks, and limited handling protocols shark mortality rates could be effectively curbed with a well coordinated two step conservation approach.

In Florida this approach will be launched in the summer of 2010.

Complete Story.