MALTA NEEDS A PLAN OF ACTION FOR SHARKS
We urge the Maltese government to adopt a National Plan of Action for Sharks as required by FAO IPOA - sharks. We also require that all sharks landed in Malta are correctly identified and sold under their proper name and not disguised as other fish. The public need to be made aware that what they are actually buying, might be a species listed as Critically Endangered, as is the squalus acanthias better known in Malta as Mazzola.
From a study which has been carried out in recent years, we are already seeing a trend of sharks being caught as juveniles and therefore haven't yet reproduced to replenish the stocks.
Sharks mature at a late age and after a long gestation period of around 22 months, they give birth to few pups. This is a natural process since sharks are apex predators, so they must be few in numbers. However stocks are easily depleted as a result of this, through overfishing, mass slaughter and wasteful bycatch. 100 million sharks are killed each year all over the world.
In Malta we use longlines for a fishing gear during the tuna season, which manages to catch many sharks as nontargeted species. Although the sharks in Malta are still sold for their meat and therefore not wasted, endangered species are still at risk.
We therefore also urge the government to support studies and help fishers find a better way or a better gear to minimize bycatch.
On the whole we urge the government to take action and help us protect the sharks from extinction and have Malta adopt a sustainable shark fishery.
We urge the Maltese government to adopt a National Plan of Action for Sharks as required by FAO IPOA - sharks. We also require that all sharks landed in Malta are correctly identified and sold under their proper name and not disguised as other fish. The public need to be made aware that what they are actually buying, might be a species listed as Critically Endangered, as is the squalus acanthias better known in Malta as Mazzola.
From a study which has been carried out in recent years, we are already seeing a trend of sharks being caught as juveniles and therefore haven't yet reproduced to replenish the stocks.
Sharks mature at a late age and after a long gestation period of around 22 months, they give birth to few pups. This is a natural process since sharks are apex predators, so they must be few in numbers. However stocks are easily depleted as a result of this, through overfishing, mass slaughter and wasteful bycatch. 100 million sharks are killed each year all over the world.
In Malta we use longlines for a fishing gear during the tuna season, which manages to catch many sharks as nontargeted species. Although the sharks in Malta are still sold for their meat and therefore not wasted, endangered species are still at risk.
We therefore also urge the government to support studies and help fishers find a better way or a better gear to minimize bycatch.
On the whole we urge the government to take action and help us protect the sharks from extinction and have Malta adopt a sustainable shark fishery.
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We have to respect and protect sharks, but especially those who are near to extinction. Better plans must be in place to protect and identify them and especially if they are caught accidentally and then used for meat and not identified..that is disgusting behaviour especially as they are in such rapid decline! Fishermen and buyers should be more responsible.
no species deserves to be eradicated. Every species has its rightful place in its ecosystem and is just as important - sharks are no exception! Let them live!
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11:19 am PDT, Aug 4,
Le Thanh Quyen, Viet Nam
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Please think about what you are doing? Sharks are a value to the ecosystem of the world. While I realize that you do not purposely catch them you do however sell them for meat. There has to be a better way. Let your govenment figure out a way to stop this problem.
Killing sharks means the destruction of the sea's ecosystem. This should be stopped right now
Sharks are vital to our oceans and our eco system and should not be killed for any reasons. Laws should be put in place to protect them.
I think this is absolutely revolting and sick to think that human beings are actually capable of such horrific things, not to mention that they are making it LEGAL to happen. Please, ban this practice IMMEDIATELY.
Please take steps to protect the sharks!
