AUCKLAND (NEW ZEALAND)- Good news for sharks in New Zealand waters. The government has fast-tracked a ban on shark finning. The new law will be effective from 1 October. Eventually the ban was to be phased in from 1 October, with full implementation by October 2016. After consultation with fishingContinue Reading
The controversial shark cull has not proven effective in keeping swimmers safe from shark attacks. Yet the West Australian Government wants to extend the catch-and-kill policy. So, kill first, ask questions later…. The Shark Cull was enacted after a spate of fatal shark attacks in West Australian waters, attributed mostlyContinue Reading
SAN FRANCISCO (USA)- California’s ban on possession or sale of shark fins still stands. A federal judge upheld the ban, rejecting claims that the law discriminates against the Chinese community in the state. Shark fin soup is a traditional delicacy in this community. Also the claim of interfering with federalContinue Reading
PERTH (AUSTRALIA)- The Western Australia’s Government confirmed that 17 tiger sharks were killed on the drumlines set out under under Western Australia’s controversial new shark policy. There has never been a fatal tiger shark attack in Western Australia’s waters. The drum line initiative is part of a $23 million shark hazardContinue Reading
RAJA AMPAT (INDONESIA)- 13 Philippine fisherman were caught illegaly fishing for sharks and turtles in the Raja Ampat Archipelago in Indonesia. All of them were sentenced to 8 months in jail while the boat and all its equipment was confiscated and destroyed. It is not uncommon for illegal fishermen toContinue Reading
CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA)- Up to 24 countries may be catching sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea but failing to report these catches, as is legally required by the Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). A new report by Oceana revealed these secret catches, based onContinue Reading
HONG KONG (CHINA)- The pressure is on. Last weekend the government of Hong Kong officially declared it would stop serving shark fin at official functions as “a good example,” following years of lobbying by conservation groups. The southern Chinese city is one of the world’s biggest markets for shark fin,Continue Reading