Once again, Hawaii is on the frontlines of shark protection. In 2010, the state banned the "possession, sale, trade, and distribution of shark fins." And now, after years of hard work by environmentalists and animal rights groups, shark fishing is officially banned in Hawaiian waters. This crucial step will help protect some of our sea's most impressive predators, and the ecosystems in which they play a vital role.
Sign now to tell the Florida state legislature: follow in Hawaii's footsteps! Ban shark fishing now!
It is more important now than ever that sharks are protected by law. According to a recent study, global shark populations have plummeted since 1970, falling by over 70%. Worse yet, of the oceanic species examined in study, 24 of 31 shark and ray species are now threatened with extinction. Three of those sharks are in such dramatic decline that they are classified as critically endangered, the highest category of threatened species offered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. We must sound the alarm on protecting these sharks before it is too late!
Conservation can be complex, given the many factors that contribute to a particular species decline. But with sharks, the answer is simple: stop fishing them. Scientists have repeatedly found overfishing to be a primary cause of species decline, so why are states still allowing sharks to be fished in their waters? If Florida cares about the health of their oceans, the state legislature must act now to ensure sharks are protected. Sign the petition now to demand shark fishing be banned in Florida!